Skip to content

Search the site
Sign In Subscribe

What's Happening in Golden - Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 2024

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Tuesday, Aug. 13th, 2024

,   and  Barb Warden
11 min read
Click to enlarge

Sunrise Over South Table Mountain

Photoby Alan Pinkus
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Tuesday, Aug. 13th

Tubular Tuesdays
Golden Seniors - Coffee Klatch
Team Trivia Tuesday
Trivia Tuesdays

For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar

6-7PM Golden Library Discussion Book Group with Author Visit

Book time to discuss some great reads! Join fellow readers once a month for engaging discussions on these compelling titles. No registration is required, and new members are always welcome.

Today’s Title: Marv Kay by Dr. E. Dendy Sloan

5PM City Council Meeting @ City Hall

Study Session (5-6:40PM)


5-5:30PM Visit Golden Subcommittee Update
In the 1990s, Golden was struggling. The historic downtown had many vacant stores and the City's infrastructure was badly in need of upgrades and repair. Several efforts were underway to address these problems: the citizens approved a 1% sales tax to fund city infrastructure and improvement. The downtown merchants and residents approved formation of the Golden Urban Renewal Authority.

In 2000, the businesses agreed to contribute 2.5% of their sales tax (which they had previously kept, in exchange for filing their taxes on time) to a Community Marketing Fund. This fund was originally managed by the Economic Development Commission and the Marketing Stakeholder Committee (which included business representatives, the Chamber, and the Golden Cultural Alliance). In 2011, EDComm dropped out and the Marketing Stakeholder Committee was left in charge.

Over time, the fund has become quite substantial, as Golden's businesses thrive: it is about $600,000 in 2024.

The City initially hired a half-time person to run the program, who would be paid by the City, and not out of the Marketing Fund. This soon turned into a full-time salaried position, and more recently the City had begun using some of the Marketing Fund to pay that employee.

There has always been a certain amount of frustration in the Stakeholder Committee, because they felt that the City exerted too much control over what should be a business function. The City's Marketing Manager made the decisions, in coordination with paid consultants, and the Stakeholder Committee was left with little decision-making to do. Their monthly meetings consisted of listening to status reports by the consultants. Their frustration grew after the Covid shut-down, because the Marketing Manager began working at home part-time.

The most recent Marketing Manager left in February. The Marketing Stakeholder Committee members saw that as an opportunity to change the way the program was run. They wanted the businesses who funded the program to have more control over how the money was spent.

The Stakeholders proposed a new approach: they wanted to form a new non-profit organization (similar to the Chamber) and have that group hire its own Marketing Manager. They wanted someone who would spend time visiting Golden businesses (both downtown and in other business areas) and who would attend special events outside of working hours. They were uneasy about the City's goals of moving to a 32-hour workweek and working from home, because they felt that the Marketing Manager needed to be full-time, available, and thoroughly embedded in the community.

After the Marketing Manager left, the Mayor appointed two City Councilors (Rob Reed and Lisa Vitry) to evaluate the marketing program and make recommendations. They will present these recommendations tonight, which are outlined in a memo included in the meeting packet.

The recommendations are quite the opposite of what the Marketing Stakeholder Committee had proposed. They gave two alternatives:

1) Create a new City board, similar to the other boards and commissions, answerable to City Council.

2) If a new non-profit were to be formed, as the Stakeholders had suggested, it should be packed with City employees and representatives from City Boards and Commissions. They suggest the following for a 9-member board:

1 Golden Chamber
2 Golden Cultural Alliance
3 Appointee by City Council
4 Appointee by City Council
5 Appointee by City Council
6 Representative from the Downtown Development Authority board
7 Representative from the Golden Urban Renewal Authority board
8 City Councilor
9 Representative of the City Manager

Under this plan, the only way a merchant would have a place on the board is if City Council chooses him or her as one of the three Council appointees.

The memo is 24 pages long. The Councilors' recommendations appear on pp. 4 and 5.

The recommendations made by the Stakeholders Committee (written before Council's recommendations were published) appear on pp. 22-24.

One other interesting inclusion in the memo appears on p. 4, above "OPTIONS FOR FUTURE." It suggests that some of the Marketing Fund be used to finance things that the City currently covers:

In addition, individuals representing interested groups have suggested allowing broader use of the Fund to enhance the visitor experience through a destination stewardship program, enhanced in-town transit, wayfinding, better parking management, etc.

5:30-6:10PM Parking Management Program Update
The new parking management system is generating a new revenue stream for the City, with more money coming from parking tickets than from paid parking. Public input has included the thought that $50 is too expensive for a parking violation; neighborhood permit zones should be enforced after 5PM, and residents of the City think they should park for free, since they pay municipal taxes. Learn more.

6:10-6:30PM Jefferson County Affordable Housing Blueprint
This item includes a brochure describing county-wide goals to build more affordable housing and a Resolution saying that Golden City Council supports the goals outlined in the Blueprint. Learn more.

6:30-6:40 Small Business Economic Impact Grants
On July 25, 2023 Council passed an ordinance banning flavored tobacco products, effective January 1, 2024. The retailers who sold those products have reported economic hardship from the loss of those sales. The City proposes giving those businesses grants of up to $10,000 to make up for the loss. Learn more.

City Council Business Meeting - 7:15PM


Public Comment - attendees may speak to Council for 3 minutes. Alternatively, they can send email comments to PublicComment@cityofgolden.net by 3PM.

Strategic Plan Update
The Deputy City Manager will report on the City's progress toward Council's goals regarding Net Zero, Park Plans, adding new zoning, Transportation Demand Management, REDI, and Affordable Housing to the Comprehensive Plan, more affordable housing, more Creek strategies, rollout of an Art and Culture Plan, Racial Equity Diversity and Inclusion Plan, regional homelessness, Emergency Management training, changing the community marketing program, and building a new City Hall/Police Station. Learn more.

Calendar Item: The City will host a walking tour on September 18th at 5PM to explain their plans for a new City Hall.

Consent Matters (no discussion unless requested by a Councilor)

  • Approve a contract for $135,640 for new lighting at the Ulysses Park fields Learn more.
  • Appoint Stephanie Novello as Interim City Treasurer and Finance Direct beginning August 17th. Learn more.
  • Hiring Foothills Regional Housing Authority to manage two houses owned by the City (1020 Archer and 230 Depot St.). Learn more.
  • Withdrawing from the Rocky Flats Stewardship Council
    Learn more.

Proclamation
Women's Equality Day: August 26, 2024

Public Hearing re: repealing requirement for dog licenses
Dog owners have been required to buy licenses at Foothills Animal Shelter. The fees were intended to help pay for the Shelter. Compliance has been very low (less than 20%) so Golden, the County, and the other Cities who use that shelter have agreed to eliminate mandatory licensing and will pay a flat fee instead. Golden's share will be $36K. Learn more.

Fill a Vacancy on the Downtown Development Authority Board
Council will appoint George Riffel. Learn more.

Executive Session (no public, no cameras, no recording)
Council will discuss buying state land located withing the city limits of Golden.

Speculation
I believe the property in question is part of the Lookout Mountain Youth Services Center, which the City hopes to buy to build more affordable housing.

5-7PM V.I.B.E@Five


VIBE@FIVE is Golden's Happy Hour!  Come join other members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce for this "Very Important Business Event" - VIBE!

This month's VIBE@Five will be hosted at: Pancho & Jane

This event is for members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and their guests - as well as for members of the Golden Young Professionals.

Stop in for a quick hello and a refreshment right after work and a chance to get to know fellow members of the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Golden Young Professionals. This is a great networking and socializing event! 

Location:
Pancho & Jane
16500 S Golden Rd
Golden, CO 80401

Questions?
Reach out to Francesca Costa, Member Relations Manager at francesca@goldenchamber.org Send an Email

Fees/Admission:
This event is included as part of your Chamber membership and/or GYP membership. Attendees will purchase their own drinks. 

Live Music for Tuesday, Aug. 13th

Click to enlarge

For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar

Golden History: Price War

The Battlefield: Ace Hi on the left and Big M Lounge on the right
Click to enlarge

49 Years Ago
The August 13, 1975 Golden Transcript described a price war that raging between two downtown bars. The battle was joined only once each week, during Wednesday happy hour. The Big M Lounge (where Woody’s now is) had a new manager, and he posted a sign promising a 9 ounce glass of Coors draft for only 10 cents.

The word quickly reached Leo Stillman at the Ace Hi Tavern, and he countered by offering a 9 ounce draw for 5 cents. The normal price was 35 cents.

An investigative reporter from the Transcript visited the Ace-Hi to witness life on the front lines. The crowd there consumed a 16-1/2 gallon keg of beer in 23 minutes.

One of the regulars at the Ace-Hi Tuesday tried to recall the last time they had been able to get a beer for a nickel. “I think it was in the ’30’s,” said W.W. (Spud) Weedman, but he wasn’t sure.

Many thanks to Esther Kettering for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of August.

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 62, with temperatures rising to around 64 overnight. North northwest wind around 5 mph.

Tuesday's Weather

Tuesday: Showers and thunderstorms likely after 1pm. Partly sunny. High near 83, with temperatures falling to around 76 in the afternoon. West southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday Night's Weather

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. West wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 63°F

Wednesday: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 82°F

Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear, 58°F

Thursday: Sunny, 82°F

Thursday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear, 59°F

Friday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F

Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 64°F

Saturday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 90°F

Saturday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 65°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°F

Sunday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 64°F

Monday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°F

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, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and Esther Kettering

Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $500/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, Goozell Yogurt & Coffee Paul Haseman, Donna Anderson, Carol & Doug Harwood, Beth Bidwell, Stephanie Painter, Greg Poulos, and Joy Brandt

Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $250/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer, 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

Members:
($10-24.99/month or $100/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, Casey & Gina Brown, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Carol Abel, 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, 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, and the Golden Transcript

Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser

Highlights