Busy day on the Peaks to Plains Trail
Photo by Keith Yoder
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Tuesday, Jun. 2nd
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 9AM - Golden Seniors - KaffeeKlatsch
- 9:15-9:45AM - Baby Time - Registration Required
- 10AM-12PM - DeLong Park Habitat Helpers
- 10-10:45AM - Storybook Tour
- 10:15-10:45AM - Preschool Time - Registration Required
- 12-3PM - Hexie Ladies - English Paper Piecing Enthusiasts
- 5-6:30PM - Historic Preservation Revised Design Guidelines Pop-up
- 5:30-7:30PM - Textile Society
- 5:30-7:30PM - Exploring the Elements of Art
- 6:30PM - Trivia Night @ Bivy Beer Bar
- 6:30-8:30PM - Team Trivia Tuesday @ Buffalo Rose
- 6:30-8PM - Waterwise Yard Seminar (Virtual)
- 6:30-8:30PM - Bar Bingo Night @ VFW
- 7PM - Pub Trivia @ Atomic Cowboy
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
9AM Golden Seniors - KaffeeKlatsch @ Golden Welcome Center
Hey, Golden Seniors! Join your friends at the Welcome Center for coffee and conversation! We meet on the Creekside Patio or the Heritage Community Boardroom. Sponsored by the Golden Welcome Center, Golden Pond Retirement Community and the Rotary Club of Golden.
Location:
Golden Welcome Center
1010 Washington Avenue (Map)
10-10:45AM Storybook Tour @ Colorado Railroad Museum
The first Tuesday of every month, join us for the Storybook Tour! Intended for young children and their parents, the tour starts at 10:00 a.m. and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Cost is $3 per person, plus Museum admission.
This one-of-a-kind tour takes you on a trip throughout the Museum’s railyard, inspired by some of the best of children’s literature—railroad themed, of course! The Little Engine That Could, the Little Red Caboose and of course, Donald Crews’ Freight Train provide the suitable inspiration for this adventure at the Colorado Railroad Museum.
Location:
Colorado Railroad Museum
17155 W. 44th Avenue (Map)
When:
10-10:45AM on Tuesday, Jun. 2nd
10AM-12PM DeLong Park Habitat Helpers @ DeLong Park
Golden Parks and Recreation is using DeLong Park as a pilot project for the City’s first organic park location. This means that they will be using only natural, organic products for all plants and grasses. No synthetic chemicals will be used in our maintenance practices.
The DeLong Park Weed Busters are always happy to bring in new members, and training on weed identification is provided! More information
Location:
DeLong Park
395 23rd Street (Map)
5-6:30PM Historic Preservation Revised Design Guidelines Pop-up @ Natural Grocers
Join city staff at the Natural Grocers Community Room to learn more about the revised Historic Preservation Design Guidelines and provide feedback. Visit the Past Forward project page to learn more and take the online survey.
Location:
Natural Grocers
2401 Ford Street (Map)
5:30-7:30PM Exploring the Elements of Art @ Foothills Art Center
Meeting on Tuesday evenings 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., our group of artists takes on advanced explorations in the elements of art, with an emphasis on refining skills, building on strengths, and supporting areas for improvement. Experienced artists working in any medium, including drawing mediums, are welcome as we meet and support one another in a spirit of fellowship with the intent of finding and/or enhancing our own personal voice. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center
809 15th Street (Map)
6:30-8PM Waterwise Yard Seminar (Virtual)
Our free, online Waterwise Yard Seminars are taught by local landscape and horticultural professionals. Get your landscaping questions answered and learn how to keep your yard looking great while using less water. Seminar topics range from low-water landscape design, xeric plant selection, smart irrigation, and more. Both novice and advanced gardeners are sure to learn something new. Register
When:
6:30-8PM on Tuesday, Jun. 2nd
The Golden Word - 06/02/26
Golden History: Golden's Chautauqua
I’m not sure of the year, but I can’t help but wonder if the big tent was there for a Chautauqua program. The era seems about right–unpaved Washington Avenue, only one car in sight…should be the mid- to late-teens. Photo courtesy of Dan Abbott
Click to enlarge
107 Years Ago
In early June of 1919, Golden was gearing up for their first-ever visit of a traveling Chautauqua.
The Chautauqua movement began in the 1870s. It originated at a resort on Lake Chautauqua in upstate New York. The organizers offered lectures, concerts, and plays for the guests. It was popular with well-heeled families, intellectuals, and progressives. Over time, similar institutions were built in other parts of the country. Boulder’s Chautauqua, which was built in 1898, is a good example of these “permanent” Chautauquas.
Eventually, traveling Chautauquas developed, which moved from town to town. Several towns in Colorado hosted these traveling shows, including Greeley, Montrose, Salida, Loveland, and Rocky Ford. In late November of 1918, the Colorado Transcript announced that Golden would host its own Chautauqua the following June.
The traveling company arrived in June of 1919, setting up a tent to serve as their performance space. The Transcript promoted the events in advance and featured some advertising, but said little about them afterwards. The paper did say that several local citizens had guaranteed the contract, and announced that this year, unlike last, “cheap season tickets” would not be sold.
The Transcript never mentions ticket prices for the Golden Chautauqua, but an article by their Morrison correspondent mentions that season tickets would be $2.50 for the Morrison Chautauqua.
At the conclusion of the 1920 season, the paper reported that the season had been very successful and a return next year had been assured with a contract signed by 50 Golden people.
Apparently those 50 high-minded citizens were left holding the bag for any costs not covered by ticket sales. A May 1921 article said “Denver guarantors for the Chicago grand opera went in the hole to the tune of $17,000. Hope the Golden Chautauqua doesn’t go that far behind.”
At the end of the third summer event (in 1921) the paper said, “Golden’s third Chautauqua season closed last Friday night, after a series of fair entertainments. Indications are this city will not be on a Chautauqua circuit next year, as those who have had to dig up each year to make up the guarantee did not feel like signing again.”
In October, they were approached again by the promoter, and he persuaded several people to sign on again for the following year.
The 1922 Golden Chautauqua was held in the Golden Opera House, rather than a big tent. Once again, there were musicians, lecturers, and plays. The Transcript made no comments after the event, but the next spring (June 28, 1923) there was a brief comment in the paper saying only “Anyway, we don’t have to bother going to Chautauqua this summer.”
The bad taste must have lingered, because in 1925 the paper commented, “This is the time of year when guarantors of Chautauquas hold meetings and decide how much they will have to dig up to make up deficits. Chautauqua managements always work on a sure-thing basis, and a few public spirited citizens are always the sure things. However, it seems that every town and city falls for the plan at least once in a lifetime.”
Wikipedia has a good article that traces the history of the Chautauqua movement. It implies that the traveling shows were a significant step down from the higher-toned permanent ones.
When the Chautauqua program was at its peak of popularity, there were few forms of cultural enrichment available in small towns and rural communities. Radios were new and rare, as were gramophones. Most towns didn’t even have libraries. The chance to hear some new thoughts or professional musicians, or to see a play, must have been appealing.
Nowadays, a normal week in Golden includes opportunities to hear lectures, visit museums, see a play, visit an art exhibition, or hear live music. Then of course, there’s the library, the internet, Netflix, etc. Modern life is a perpetual Chautauqua.
Weather
Overnight: Mostly clear. Low around 56, with temperatures rising to around 59 overnight. Northwest wind around 2 mph.
Tuesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny. High near 82, with temperatures falling to around 78 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 2 to 8 mph, with gusts as high as 17 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Tuesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 9pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tuesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 56°F
Wednesday: Mostly Cloudy, 83°F
Wednesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 57°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 87°F
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Friday: Sunny, 90°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Saturday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 61°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Sunday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 61°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 84°F
News About Golden - June 2, 2026
Golden Farmers Market opens for 2026 season, with new midweek market
9News
The Golden Farmers Market is back open along Clear Creek at 10th Street and Illinois Street. A new Golden Midweek Market is open at Golden High School on Wednesdays... Watch video...
NOTE: The mid-week market will start next week, on June 10th.
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, Saré Merrigan, 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, 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, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, and Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young
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, Leslie D Lutz, 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, 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, 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, Wendy Weiman, Marge Frueh. Nannette Johnson, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, and Vicki Greivel
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
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, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, Carie Chimbel, GoldenBrokers, and Elizabeth Coil
