Lookout Mountain from Ulysses Park
Photo by Joyce Davell
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Monday, Sep. 14th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 8AM - Municipal Court Arraignments
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10:15-10:45AM - Let's Dance - Registration Required
- 12-12:30PM - Mondays with the Mayor
- 1-2:30PM - Computer Foundations: Navigating the Internet
- 2-3PM - Virtual: Active Minds Monday
- 4:15-5:15PM - Sweat & Sip Pop Up
- 5:30PM - GURA Board Meeting @ City Hall
- 5:30-7:30PM - The Fundamental Principles of Art
- 6-9PM - Teach Me to Play! Mondays
- 6:30PM - Movement Monday Running Club
- 7-8PM - Cookies with Councilors: Welcome Back School of Mines
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
The Golden Word - 09/14/26
2-3PM Virtual: Active Minds Monday
Today’s topic: The Nile River
Do you think today’s solutions resolve issues? Uncover the controversial opinions surrounding the 2020 Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam operating on a section of the Nile River. The dam is set to power the largest hydroelectric plant in Africa. Egypt has opposed the dam, fearing that it could cut off or reduce water to their country. Form your own opinion as Active Minds explores this great river, following its winding path through history as well as its modern role in the world. Register
5:30PM GURA Board Meeting @ City Hall
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 5:30PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Provide in-person comment during the meeting, at 5:30PM.
- Send email comments to gura@cityofgolden.net.
The meeting will be recorded and available to watch at your convenience on the Agendas and Meetings page on the City of Golden website.
The Junction - Google Street Images
Junction Financial Feasibility Report
The City recently annexed the vacant land at the north end of town. The owner plans to develop it for manufacturing and commercial use. GURA plans to make this a new urban renewal area so they can provide tax incentives for the development project.
Tonight the group will review financial feasibility of the project. A consultant's study concluded that the necessary improvements to the property (water, sewer, roads, etc.) would cost $59 million. The projected uses of that space would support only $14.2 million in debt. If GURA offers tax increment financing, the project's debt capacity would rise to $35.1. That's still $23.9 million short, but GURA staff supports entering into an agreement because the project will create 690 new jobs.
Church of the Nazarene property - enlarge
Nazarene Project Financial Plans
This property (map) is slated to become affordable housing. Tonight, the developer will request that GURA commit $2.2 million in tax increment revenue to "close the project's funding gap."
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
5:30PM on Monday, Sep. 14th
7-8PM Cookies with Councilors @ Scully's Cafe
This special Cookies with Councilors is dedicated to the students at School of Mines, presenting an opportunity for students to meet their City Councilors and learn from fellow community members how to get involved locally.
Parking directly in front of the cafe is limited.
Location:
Scully's Cafe
1811 Miners Spur Road, Building 5 (map)
Golden History: Aquatic History
Golden’s “Great American Desert” era–no trees! – Denver Public Library’s Western History Collection X-19381
Click to enlarge
115 Years Ago
The September 14, 1911 Colorado Transcript announced that the Standley dam and irrigation system was completed. The Governors of both Wyoming and Colorado were present for the celebration, as well as the Secretary of Agriculture. Why was this such a big deal, and what’s the tie-in to Golden?
Why it was a big deal:
When white settlers first came to Colorado, this land was considered part of The Great American Desert. The pioneers hoped to farm the land, but before they could do that, they had to discover whether the land was arable. As it turned out, it was–Colorado is a great place to grow food, as long as we can get water to the fields. For this reason, people began to dig ditches almost as soon as they arrived in this region. Those ditches changed Colorado from a semi-arid “desert” into a thriving agriculture state.
Tie-in to Golden:
The Church Ditch was started in 1865. It was excavated by crews of men with shovels. The builders diverted water from Clear Creek at a point about a half mile west of 6th Avenue/Highway 6. The ditch then skirted the south shoulder of North Table Mountain and headed north and east. It eventually extended 26 miles, and its water was used to cultivate dozens of farms along the way. Standley Lake (map) was built to store water from Church Ditch and other sources. That water was originally intended for irrigation, but today it provides drinking water for Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton.
Another local connection–Standley was an early resident of Golden, and was the first owner of this house at 12th and Arapahoe:
Weather
Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 67, with temperatures rising to around 71 overnight. West southwest wind around 7 mph.
Monday: A slight chance of rain showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny. High near 87, with temperatures falling to around 84 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy. Low around 56, with temperatures rising to around 59 overnight. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 56°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 72°F
Tuesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 55°F
Wednesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 81°F
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 60°F
Thursday: Mostly Cloudy then Showers And Thunderstorms, 76°F
Thursday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 59°F
Friday: Partly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 79°F
Friday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 56°F
Saturday: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 74°F
Saturday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 54°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 77°F
News About Golden - September 14, 2026
DOE launches Geothermal Center of Excellence to accelerate gigawatt-scale energy development through national lab and industry partnerships
By Kelly Lipke
Energies Media
On September 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office officially stood up a Geothermal Center of Excellence at the National Laboratory of the Rockies campus in Golden, Colorado. DOE leadership, elected officials, and industry reps all showed up for the launch. The National Laboratory of the Rockies will lead the consortium, with the National Energy Technology Laboratory backing them up... Read more...
Supporters
Many thanks to the people and organizations who support What’s Happening in Golden? If you would like to support local news, please CLICK HERE!
Sponsors:
($100/month or $1,175/year)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Battery, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Earth Sweet Boutique, and Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, Vic DeMaria, Unite Fitness, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $285/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, in memory of Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Forrest Jones, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, The Golden Hotel, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Mary Eiberger, and Jonathan Landman & Bonnie Vangilder
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $115/yr)
Brad Miller & Julie Bartos, Holly Thomas, Jim and LouAnne Dale, Ann Pattison, Thomas Hoffman, Carol Abel, Brian Quarnstrom, Sandra Curran, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Kathy Smith, Karen Smith, Carlos & Nancy Bernal, Robert Storrs, Michele Sannes, Elaine Marolla, Dixie Termin & Ron Miller, E Tom Hughes, Crystal M Culbert, Patrick A. Madison, Alice Madison & Jim Kalivas, Deb Goeldner, Christopher Ball, 6th Chair Home Services, Dot & Eric Brownson, Rosemary Coffman, Emeline Paulson, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Frani R Bickart, Jennings and Litz, Bill Sedgeley, Nancy Hughes, Justin L Wade, Kathi Eggers, Traci Case, Donna Owen, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, John and Carol McEncroe, the Golden Welcome Center, the Golden Transcript, Koshare Eagle, Ken and Colleen Krantz, Traci Neuman Lacey, Jo Barber, Jamie Cookinham, Kermit Shields, Meridee Cecil, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, Wendy Weiman, Marge Frueh, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, Vicki Greivel, Kim McDonough, Carie Chimbel, Peggy Brochtrup, Cindy & Matt Finley, Kelly Fry, Esther Kettering, Tom & Susan Roberts, Vicki Greivel, GoGood Golden, and Sandra Dallas
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, Golden Brokers, Diane Tiberi, Cathy Larocca, Dave Cole, and Rachael Kenney-Reid
