The New City Hall
Photo by Patrick Klein
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Thursday, Jan. 1st
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 4-11PM - Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch!
- 6PM - Run Club
- 6-10PM - Wax N' Suds
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
2025 Retrospective: June
- The Quilt Museum welcomed best-selling author Sandra Dallas for a reading and signing of her newest novel, Tough Luck.
- The Golden Outpost opened their Country Market for the season.
- The Library began their Summer Reading Challenge, with the theme "Color Our World."
- Councilors Evans and Vitry hosted a community walk-and-talk along Kinney Run.
- The Golden Welcome Center dedicated their garden to the memory of long-time volunteer and board member Vicki Wagner.
- The Golden Mill hosted the cast of Miners Alley's Ring of Fire/Johnny Cash production.
- Patrick Klein provided an update of Golden's various construction projects.
- The Railroad Museum hosted Colorado Rails and Cocktails: Daughters of Daring.
- The Library hosted a Teen Pride Party.
- The Golden Community Garden held an organic plant sale.
- Tom Schweich led a Botany Hike on North Table Mountain.
- The GURA board took a bus tour around Golden to view potential new urban renewal areas.
- Master Gardeners hosted an open garden day at the Courage Garden near the County Courthouse.
- The Historic Preservation Board evaluated the "compatibility" of a new office building that will replace Mountain Muffler in the Central Neighborhoods. They also considered a proposed conversion of a stone barn into a home office.
- The Chamber hosted a ribbon-cutting for The Manors at Golden Overlook.
- Tom Schweich led a Wildflower Walk at the Tunnel 1 Trailhead.
- The City presented Movies and Music in the Park, featuring Earl Nelson & The Company and The Wild Robot.
- The Golden Mill offered Rooftop Yoga.
- Well over 1,000 people attended the No Kings march on Washington Avenue.
- The Buffalo Bill Museum hosted Worldwide Knit in Public Day.
- The new Arts & Culture Commission learned about the money budgeted for Art in Public Places and the money available for grants through the Thriving Communities program.
- The Golden Welcome Center hosted seniors for a KaffeeKlatsch.
- The Railroad Museum celebrated Fathers Day with Power Days, featuring steam locomotives, antique tractors, Model A and Model T cars, and a vintage firetruck.
- The Buffalo Rose hosted Golden Beer Talks, featuring Meg Van Ness, alumna of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
- City Council voted to extend permit parking to 8th Street.
- The Planning Commission considered a proposed addition to 2105 Jackson Street.
- Colorado Summit held a home game at Marv Kay Stadium.
- Golden City Brewery celebrated the summer solstice with a fund-raiser benefitting Golden Landmarks Association.
- Foothills Art Center hosted their annual ArtsWeek at Parfet Park.
- The Buffalo Rose offered Country Line Dancing.
- The Sustainability Board discussed water efficiency, wastewater treatment, electrification, and battery storage-readiness.
- The Golden Civic Foundation held their 8th annual Golden Summer Jam at the Railroad Museum.
- MTAB discussed safety concerns on Highway 93.
- The Golden Mill hosted Pride Fest on the River.
- The Golden Outpost hosted a fundraiser for Buffalo Bill Days.
- The American Legion hosted their 3rd annual pig roast fundraiser.
- Leadership Golden opened applications for their 2025/2026 program.
- The Methodist Church held a free concert on the lawn.
The Golden Word - 01/01/26
Live Music for Thursday, Jan. 1st
- More Live Music
6PM Ragged Union @ New Terrain Brewing
7-10PM Open Jam Night @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
8PM Karaoke @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: From City to County to School
City Park, 16th-18th, Arapahoe to Illinois
Click to enlarge
78 Years Ago
The January 1, 1948 Colorado Transcript announced that the deed to City Park would be given to Jefferson County at the January 2nd Council meeting.
City Park appeared on the earliest maps of Golden. William Loveland donated the four square blocks to the City with the stipulation that it always be used as a park.
Early Golden tended to operate on a shoestring and did very little maintenance to the park. They did install a tap in 1884, so it was possible to grow and water trees. Thereafter, citizen groups often planted trees in the park on Arbor Day. Over time it became quite pleasant and shady.
By the early 1950s, the County needed a new courthouse. The population of the Jefferson County was growing rapidly, and they needed increased capacity for records, courtrooms, and county offices. They also wanted more parking space. Rather than losing the County Seat to some other municipality, the citizens of Golden voted (511 to 102) to give the park to the County, so they could build a new courthouse there.
The January 8th Transcript reported that the planned property transfer had not occurred. Although Council had passed a unanimous resolution to hand over the deed several weeks earlier, several of the Councilors had a last-minute change of heart.
At the meeting, Council asked the County Commissioners for the old courthouse and jail in exchange for the park. The Commissioners could make no such commitment on the fly, so the deal was left unconsummated. New City Councilors took their seats later that month and the new group voted (again) to turn over the deed to the County. In April of 1948, they did so.
The matter didn't end there. There was a restriction on the deed saying that the County was required to build a new courthouse on the land. The School of Mines badly wanted some of that property to expand the campus, but the deed restriction didn't allow the county to sell the land to the school.
So the issue came back to the voters of Golden in 1950. At that time, they voted (441 to 15) to sell the property to the County for $27,500. The county, in turn sold half of the land to the School of Mines for $27,000.
The new Jefferson County Courthouse opened in 1953. It, in turn, was replaced by the current courthouse in 1993. The School of Mines acquired the rest of the land at that time.
The Google Satellite image above hasn't kept pace with construction by the School of Mines. The surface parking lots are currently being replaced by buildings.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 45, with temperatures rising to around 47 overnight. West southwest wind around 8 mph.
New Year's Day: A slight chance of rain after 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 60, with temperatures falling to around 56 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: A slight chance of rain before 11pm. Mostly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. West southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday Night: Slight Chance Light Rain then Mostly Cloudy, 41°F
Friday: Mostly Cloudy, 58°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 39°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 63°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 41°F
Sunday: Sunny, 63°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 39°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny, 61°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 37°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 56°F
Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 33°F
Wednesday: Mostly Sunny, 55°F
News About Golden - January 1, 2026
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Golden Informer
City of Golden
In this issue... Download PDF below.
City of Golden Weekly Digest
In this issue...
Colorado’s most heartbreaking brewery closures of 2025
By Tiney Ricciardi
Denver Post
There’s no sugarcoating it: 2025 was a pretty tumultuous year for Colorado’s beer industry.
More than 40 breweries closed statewide this year, according to the Colorado Brewers Guild... Read more...
City of Golden Police Blotter
- December 30, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/30/25)
- December 29, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/29/25)
- December 28, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/28/25)
- December 27, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/27/25)
- December 26, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/26/25)
- December 25, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/25/25)
- December 24, 2025 - Daily Blotter (12/24/25)
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
