Golden Morning
Photo by Buglet
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Saturday, Jan. 3rd
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Golden Sports
- 3:02AM - Full Moon
- 8AM - Saturday Morning Run and Social Walk
- 8AM - In-Store Kids Workshop
- 10AM - Pancakes & Pro Tips
- 10AM-3PM - Brunch at the Rose
- 10:15-10:45AM - Family Time - Registration Required
- 12-3PM - Old Crows Roadshow
- 12-12:45PM - Immune Support 101
- 1-3PM - PAWS for Reading
- 5-6:30PM - Golden American Legion Dinner
- 6-7:15PM - Moon Ceremonies: Full Moon Release -A Tea Ceremony
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
3:02AM Full Moon
Photo by Joyce Davell
The moon reaches its fullest point at 3:02 this morning. It will set at 7:56AM and rise again at 5:09PM. Brought to you by Buglet Battery.
2025 Retrospective: August
- Golden celebrated the life of Mayor Marjorie Sloan.
- The Railroad Museum celebrated Colorado Rails and Cocktails - Scenic Trips and Picnics: Train Tourism in the Rockies.
- The Chamber invited people to volunteer at Foothills Art Center.
- Patrick Klein documented the progress-to-August of Golden's construction projects.
- Golden Police and other first responders celebrated National Night Out.
- Assassins opened at Miners Alley.
- Movies & Music in the Park presented The Man Cubs and Air Bud.
- The 35th annual Golden Fine Arts Festival took place on 11th Street.
- Foothills Art Center offered a Memoir Writing class at the Astor House.
- The Railroad Museum celebrated Gold Rush Days.
- Meg Van Ness led a tour of the Magic Mountain Archaeological site.
- GURA discussed two new affordable housing project and considered two grant requests.
- City Council passed an ordinance allowing developers to reduce the parking they provide by submitted a Transportation Demand Management plan.
- EDComm discussed their first year of small business grants.
- The Library hosted Storigami - Storytelling and Origami.
- Miners Alley Theater for Young Audiences presented Snow White.
- Councilors Evans and Vitry invited constituents to learn more about Fossil Trace Golf Club.
- The DDA discussed several projects that they intend to fund, including amenities near the new City Hall, an expansion of the Golden Welcome Center, improved lighting on the Hwy 58 bridge, and a "gateway" entrance to the City next to the new Clayworks development.
- Golden Beer Talks at the Buffalo Rose hosted a program about the microbiome.
- The Planning Commission considered a plan to convert a stone barn into a workshop and home office.
- The Golden Community Garden hosted a happy hour.
- Foothills Art Center hosted their annual Unframed Gala.
- New CSM students did the annual climb to the M.
- The Marine Corps Memorial celebrated its 48th anniversary.
- The Quilt Museum held their annual Trash to Treasures Garage Sale.
- City Council accepted $3.15 million from CoorsTek/Clayworks in lieu of their providing onsite workforce housing.
- The new Community Marketing Board had their first meeting.
- The Library presented A Compassionate Guide to Downsizing.
- Several citizens attended the MTAB meeting to express their concerns about the plan to narrow Ford and Jackson, make the intersections smaller, eliminated parking spaces, and separate the bike lane with a concrete curb. Further clarification from City Staff.
Live Music for Saturday, Jan. 3rd
- 7PM Wash Park Band @ Buffalo Rose (main venue)
- 5:30-8:30PM King Margo @ Buffalo Rose Sky Bar Stage
- More Live Music
5-8PM Live Music @ Eddy Taproom
7PM Hillbilly Demons @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
7-10PM Captain Insano DJ Set @ Etta Jeanne
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Who Was Billy Drew?
Photo by Joyce Davell
Click to enlarge
You've probably crossed the Billy Drew bridge dozens—possibly hundreds—of times. Have you ever wondered who he was?
Billy Drew was born in 1894 in Philadelphia. At age 14, he entered his father's stone cutting business. He married Emily Staines in 1917, before heading overseas to serve in World War I.
During the Depression, Drew lost both his house and his business.... He recalled "the wife was crying, the daughter was crying the children all were crying," when they learned he had lost the business and house. "But I said I wouldn't worry about it. Nobody's starved in this country yet. Even if I get a white cane and stand on a corner, we'll be OK, I said."
Golden Transcript - November 5, 1992
The family moved to Washington D.C., where he was employed as stonemason and later managed construction projects. He worked on the Library of Congress, the Archives, the Dept. of Agriculture building, the Federal Reserve, the old Supreme Court, and many other federal buildings. He was employed first by the Veterans Administration and later by the Army Corps of Engineers.
He retired in 1964. In 1968, he and Emily decided to settle in Golden. They chose a lot in Beverly Heights and built a home there. He immediately became involved in local affairs, beginning with the fight to preserve the Astor House.
He used his construction skills to benefit his new community, building the brick walkways around the Foothills Art Center, laying a brick floor at the Astor House, helping to build the gazebo at the Astor House...whatever was needed.
He was a constant attendee and commenter at City Council. As the Transcript once commented, "City Councils meetings routinely have three parts: agenda, other matters, and Billy Drew."
Here's an example of one of his campaigns:
One of these days this city will have to function without Billy Drew. But it’s not that time yet.
At age 96, he’s still showing us how it’s done. His latest? Billy arrived at city hall and plopped down a $l,OOO check.
He has been wanting lights that couldn’t be broken by vandals placed on the footbridge across Clear Creek at Illinois Street. “It’s a safety issue,” he explained.
The city reportedly said it was too expensive to keep replacing the lights that vandals routinely had been breaking. So Billy suggested unbreakable lights — unfortunately, they’re expensive. City officials suggested they might need to “take up a collection” to purchase such lights, and the first person they held their hand out to was Billy.
He suggested they research the matter and give him an estimate on the cost. He figured $2O, $3O maybe, per light. Well, the estimate recently came in: about $230 per light, with five or six needed.
That’s a hefty “collection.” And Billy worried about it for awhile. Finally he got daughter Emily to drive him over to city hall, and he made out a check.
“But I put at the bottom that it was for the bridge lights — only! I don’t want it going for anything else,” said the man who has kept a close eye on city matters for many decades.
Golden Transcript - July 23, 1991
Despite his gadfly status, he was generally well-liked by Council. At least once, they celebrated his birthday with a cake at a Council meeting.
The Transcript wrote about him frequently, reporting on his latest projects and always including his impressive age:
- Billy Drew, 85, shoots from hip - July 22, 1982
- The Transcript and I would like to join many of Billy Drew's friends today in wishing him a happy 90th birthday.... Mayor Ruth Maurer has officially proclaimed today (Tuesday) Billy Drew Day. - October 16, 1984
- Trumpets should sound. Billy Drew is going to be the grand marshal of the Buffalo Bill Days Parade (age 93) - May 10, 1988
- Billy Drew, 93, was among the Golden dignitaries who joined in welcoming the seniors traveling to Golden - July 19, 1988
- Golden resident Billy Drew, who turned 94 Oct. 16, was honored at last week's Golden City Council study session. - October 27, 1988
- Golden's Billy Drew turned 95 Monday. - October 19, 1989
- October Council ovation honors Billy Drew, now 95. - January 2, 1990
- Golden residents Billy Drew. 96, and Eugenia Mitchell, known locally as the "queen of quilters" for the quilts she sews, are honored at an October open house at the Astor House Hotel Museum Oct. 31. - January 3, 1991
- Billy Drew turns 98, gives gift to Legion - October 22, 1992
- Billy Drew dies at age 98 - November 5, 1992
Billy and Emily had three children. At the time of his death, they had 14 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear, with a low around 40. West wind around 9 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny. High near 61, with temperatures falling to around 55 in the afternoon. Southwest wind 3 to 8 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 42, with temperatures rising to around 44 overnight. West southwest wind 5 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 42°F
Sunday: Sunny, 64°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 39°F
Monday: Sunny then Slight Chance Light Rain, 58°F
Monday Night: Slight Chance Light Rain then Partly Cloudy, 36°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 55°F
Tuesday Night: Mostly Clear, 32°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny, 53°F
Wednesday Night: Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Snow, 29°F
Thursday: Chance Light Snow, 40°F
Thursday Night: Chance Light Snow, 20°F
Friday: Chance Light Snow, 33°F
News About Golden - January 3, 2026
Colorado Railroad Museum Telegrapher
Coloradans continue "First Day Hike" tradition of hiking on Jan. 1 in Golden
CBS News Colorado
The event happens at state parks across the state every Jan. 1... Watch video...
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 and up)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Solar, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Golden Hayride Outpost, Unite Fitness, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Goosetown Station, and Earth Sweet Boutique
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $550/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, Mary & Don Parker, Saré Merrigan, The Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, and Vic DeMaria
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, Marjorie Sloan, Chris and Joyce Davell, Rick Flint, 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, Kurt & Janet Siegfried, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, and Steve & M.L. Richardson
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $110/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, Leslie D Lutz, Karen Oxman, Catherine Skokan, Ross Fraser & KC Gilliland, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Heather Duncan, Lee Ann & Pete Horneck, Carol Cameron, Cheryl Williamson, San Daugherty, Jim Garner, 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, Vicki Olson, Colleen & Michael Ramey, Nancy & Pete Torpey, Jax Baker, Simon Maybury, Rose McLaughlin, Cameron Chambers, Joyce Gravina, Patrick Klein, Barb Robie, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt, Eileen Masterson, Kate Olivier, Amy Korengut, Pam Logan, Clare Shier, and Wendy Weiman
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Nanette Johnson, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way
