Fishing in Clear Creek
Photo by Alan Pinkus
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Thursday, Mar. 13th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- 9AM and 10AM TriceraTOTs @ Dinosaur Ridge
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Denver Restaurant Week (in Golden)
- 9-10:30AM - Community Marketing Stakeholder Committee
- 9:15-9:45AM - Baby Time - Registration Required
- 10-10:30AM - Call In: Mid-Morning Meditation
- 10AM-12:30PM - Wheel Throwing
- 11AM-1PM - Medicare Mix & Mingle Club
- 3-4:30PM - Ribbon Cutting - ProSource
- 3-4:30PM - Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic
- 4:30-6:30PM - Battle of the Books Showdown: Movie Night Celebration
- 5-6:30PM - Golden American Legion Dinner
- 6PM - Run Club
- 6-10PM - Wax N' Suds
- 6:30PM - Economic Development Commission (EdComm) Meeting
- 7:30-9:30PM - Dave Williamson with Special Guests @ Gnarly's
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
Blood Moon Tonight
A blood moon in 2022 - Photo by Alan Pinkus
Contributed by Frank Hanou:
For you night owls there's a blood moon coming to Golden tonight. The lunar eclipse will start at 11:10 pm Thursday and become "total" between 12:36 and 1:32 am Friday. The whole show ends at 2:48 am.
This lunar eclipse should be quite dark. The red is caused by sunlight filtering through Earth's atmosphere. We need to get lucky with Mother Nature as the Thursday night forecast is kind of iffy.
9-10:30AM Community Marketing Stakeholder Committee @ City Hall Council Chambers
VisitGolden.com - the City's tourism website
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting 9AM
- Send questions or comments to visitgolden@cityofgolden.net
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
The Marketing Stakeholder Group (aka, Visit Golden) has a $648,999 fund this year. Most of that is spent on consultants, website hosting ($65K) and paid media.
Their revenue derives from a sales tax rebate that was originally given to merchants (i.e. - the businesses that collected sales tax) for submitting their taxes on time. In the year 2000, the merchants agreed to forego the rebate in order to fund a tourism campaign. They agreed to let the City handle the fund through the Finance Department.
The City initially hired a half-time person to "coordinate" tourism activities. This soon became a full-time position to "manage" the tourism campaign. The manager hired consultants to define strategy, develop PR, and run the website. The Marketing Manager left the City's employ a year ago, and the consultants have run the program since then.
The merchants have not been happy with the City's management of the marketing program, which they have found expensive, cumbersome, unresponsive, and lacking in local knowledge and involvement. In recent months, they proposed spinning off the program to be a separate non-profit entity, similar to the Chamber of Commerce and the Visitors Center.
City Council discussed the proposal at their January 14th study session. They concluded that the program needs more city control rather than less. They proposed forming a new City Board, staffed with Council-appointed people, rather than merchants.
The Marketing Stakeholders expressed considerable dissatisfaction with Council's proposal at their February 13th meeting. They pointed out that they had agreed to fund this program with the understanding that they would control it. Now Council proposes to remove the merchants from the committee while keeping the money.
This conversation will continue this morning with the Council subcommittee members (Councilors Reed and Vitry).
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
9-10:30AM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
10AM-12:30PM Wheel Throwing @ Foothills Art Center
This class is designed for the beginner student, but is open to all levels of skill. Students must be 18 years of age or older. The basics of throwing on the wheel will be covered as well as use of equipment, safety and management of materials. Students are also encouraged to explore their own creativity.
Location:
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (Map)
When:
10AM-12:30PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
11AM-1PM Medicare Mix & Mingle Club @ Golden Community Center
Meet new friends, ask questions, and enjoy a laid-back time filled with lunch, games, activities, and great conversation! A relaxed atmosphere to laugh, learn, and meet new people! Get updates and your questions answered about Medicare.
Flyer
RSVP: 303-384-8100
More information
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (Map)
When:
11AM-1PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
3-4:30PM Ribbon Cutting @ ProSource
Join us to welcome ProSource to Golden in the beautiful new space. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place at shortly after 3:00 p.m. Stay food, drinks and networking!
More information
Location:
ProSource
1010 10th Street (Map)
When:
3-4:30PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
4:30-6PM REDI Task Force Meeting @ City of Golden Planning and Public Works
The REDI (Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) Task Force is composed of community members and city staff who have a key role in implementing aspects of the REDI Action Plan, finalized by the City in November of 2022.
The Task Force focuses on promoting accountability for implementing the REDI Action Plan and coordinating community-wide efforts to advance equity.
The task force meets monthly in Council Chambers (911 10th St.) on the first Thursday of the month from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The public is welcome to attend.
Note: This month's meeting was rescheduled to the second Thursday due to a conflict with the State of the City meeting.
Location:
City of Golden Planning and Public Works
1445 10th St (Map)
When:
4:30-6PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
4:30-6:30PM Battle of the Books Showdown: Movie Night Celebration @ Golden Library
Join us as we celebrate Goldie’s and the Library Troll’s Battle of the Books Showdown with a screening of the movie version of the winning book!
Location:
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (Map)
When:
4:30-6:30PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
5-6:30PM Burger Night @ American Legion Post 21
Burger Night Plain Hamburger $9.00 with fries Cheeseburger $10.00 with fries Onion Rings $1 extra Dessert
Public Welcome!
Location:
American Legion Post 21
500 9th Street (Map)
When:
5-6:30PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
6:30PM Economic Development Commission (EdComm) Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 6:30PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send comments on any of the following topics to edcomm@cityofgolden.net
- Provide in-person comment during the meeting, at 6:30PM.
Small Business Grant Program
They will discuss a new Small Business Grant Program. As agreed at their last meeting, there will be three criteria for the grant: a $5,000 matching limit, a required question on employee count, and a justification from the business on why they are requesting the grant.
According to the memo, staff has begun contacting Golden small businesses and will continue as follows:
- Staff intends to email all businesses notifying them of the grant opportunity this week.
- Staff will also hold in person meetings to promote the grant and receive feedback from the business community through the second half of April.
- The initial date to begin accepting applications is May 1st with a closing date of June 30th. The grant applications can then be reviewed by staff and brought to the Commission for the July 10th EDCOMM meeting.
Tax Revenues
They will review the December 2024 and January 2025 sales, use, and lodging tax reports, which report the following comparisons to the same month in the previous year:
December 2024
- Sales tax collections increased 5.98%
- Use tax collections decreased 26.51%
- Lodging tax collections decreased 23.9%
January 2025
- Sales tax collections increased 1.09%
- Use tax collections decreased 10.81%
- Lodging tax collections decreased 30.99%
Note: year-over-year comparisons aren't yet available for marijuana taxes, since the stores were just opening last year, but here are the totals for December and January:
- December MJ tax collected: $46,053
- January MJ tax collected: $44,370.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
6:30PM on Thursday, Mar. 13th
Live Music for Thursday, Mar. 13th
- 5-8PM King Margo @ Golden Mill
Golden Mill - More Live Music
6PM Timberline Troubadours @ New Terrain Brewing
7-10PM DJ Drake! @ Goosetown Station
8PM Karaoke @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: A Detailed History of Something You've Never Even Thought About
Rubey Bank Building – 1870s, 1901, and 2016 – Top two photos are from the Dan Abbott Collection
Click to enlarge
In studying old photos of the Rubey Bank Building, I wondered when the awning on the first floor had been added. Some research led me to the answer of 1969. This got me started on quite a binge of Transcript reading, tracing the history of the covered sidewalks in downtown Golden.
In the 1950s, shopping centers began to proliferate in the United States. They severely eroded business in historic downtown shopping districts like Golden’s. By the late 1950s, Golden’s merchants were becoming desperate. Much brainstorming resulted in a plan by the Golden Chamber: they would market the entire downtown as a single shopping center, with coordinated marketing campaigns and a new, unified look. Western movies were very popular at the time, and they decided to give downtown some western flare by adding covered walkways. This was quite appropriate for Golden, and entirely in keeping with Golden’s actual historic look:
City Council approved a zoning change to allow the “canopies,” (as they were called) in June of 1960. The first canopy on Washington Avenue went up in August of that year, on the Linder building.
Foss Drug completed a big expansion and facelift the next year, which included about 75 feet of canopy on the west side of Washington, directly across from the Linder building.
Meyer Hardware, which was located in the 1100 block of Washington Avenue at that time, built their canopy in the spring of 1962, and other building owners in that block followed suit.
The Linder Building was largely demolished in 1962, and the replacement structure included a redesigned canopy with some jaunty peaks. By the end of 1962, downtown Golden had about 1000 linear feet of covered walkways.
Leo Stillman (Opera House/Ace Hi Tavern) built his canopy in 1968. The former bank building at 12th and Washington (shown at the top of the article–now Golden Goods) gained its canopy in 1969, and Eaker’s Department Store (now the Buffalo Rose Events Center) built theirs in 1970.
Many of the canopies have come down in recent years, but the entire 1200 block (west side) is still sheltered. Judging by the popularity of our downtown business district, being a western-style pseudo-shopping center is no longer the key to our success.
Weather
Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West southwest wind 7 to 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 64. South southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 37. West wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Thursday Night: Mostly Cloudy then Chance Light Rain, 37°F
Friday: Light Snow, 48°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 27°F
Saturday: Partly Sunny then Chance Light Snow, 44°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Light Snow then Partly Cloudy, 28°F
Sunday: Sunny, 57°F
Sunday Night: Mostly Clear, 38°F
Monday: Sunny, 68°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy then Slight Chance Light Rain, 37°F
Tuesday: Rain And Snow Likely, 51°F
Tuesday Night: Rain And Snow Likely, 25°F
Wednesday: Chance Light Snow, 41°F
News About Golden - March 13, 2025
Miners Alley Presents the World Premiere of National Bohemians
A Hilarious and Heartfelt Comedy by Local Playwright, Luke Sorge, Opens March 28th
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
Golden, Colo., March 12, 2025 – Miners Alley Performing Arts Center is proud to present the world premiere of National Bohemians, a sharp and heartfelt new comedy by acclaimed local playwright Luke Sorge. Featuring a stellar cast—including Miners Alley’s own Len Matheo as Thom Dorsey —this uproarious, yet poignant production runs from March 28th to April 20th, 2025... Read more... Download PDF below.
City of Golden Weekly Digest
In this issue... Download PDF below
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 City Brewery, 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, Joy Brandt, Tom Reiley, and Michael Mason
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, Beth Bidwell, 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, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer, Bud Rockhill, Steve Enger, Kristie Brice & Mike Schwartz, and The Golden Hotel
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, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, 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, and Barb Robie
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton
