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What's Happening in Golden - Tuesday, Mar. 17th, 2026

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Tuesday, Mar. 17th, 2026

,   and  Barb Warden
16 min read
Click to enlarge

The Fleeting Appearance of Snow at the Railroad Museum

Photo by Richard Luckin
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Tuesday, Mar. 17th

Golden History Tours
Hand Embroidery Stitchers
Team Trivia Tuesday @ Buffalo Rose

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)

11AM Art in Public Places Subcommittee

Photo by Joyce Davell

A Public Art subcommittee will discuss "Graham Carraway’s Proposed Concept" and potential artwork location. (I don't know the general area that they're considering.)

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

2:30PM Local Licensing Authority Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers

Photo by Joyce Davell

Public Hearing – New Beer and Wine License – Scully’s Coffee Camper d/b/a Scully’s Cafe, 1812 Miners Spur Rd (map). More information

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

4-7PM Teen Volunteer Hours @ Golden Library

Need a few more volunteer hours for NHS/NJHS, graduation or other school clubs? This is your one stop shop for logging a few extra hours! You do not need to be a current Jeffco Public Library Volunteer. You can stop in for the full time or just an hour! More information

Location:

Golden Library
1019 10th Street   (Map)

5PM City Council Study Session and Business Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers

* Note: The equipment in Council chambers has been broken for several weeks, but they are hoping to get it fixed this morning. If they're successful, you may be able to watch the meeting live.

5PM Study Session

The Junction Metropolitan District

Staff will brief Council on plans to form a new metropolitan district for the Junction, which is the property recently annexed at the north end of town. Metropolitan districts are created when a new development requires a lot of public infrastructure (water, sewer, streets, etc.). It provides a way for property owners within that district to pay for those upgrades over time with a special tax. Golden has two metropolitan districts at this time: the Overlook, which is a residential development west of the Fairgrounds, and Dinosaur Ridge, which is the area that includes Red Rocks Origin Hotel, Harley Davidson, Launch Coffee, etc. Learn more.

The Community Engagement Process

The City wants to ensure that residents' opinions are heard and factored into our projects. To that end, staff will provide an overview of the updated Community Engagement Guide and will explain how citizen input is brought back to Council. Learn more.

6:30PM Business Meeting

Public Comment:

The meeting begins with public comment. If you want to address Council, you will have three minutes to speak. Any public comments received by email before 3PM will be posted in the meeting packet after 3 (so check back then!).

Strategic Plan Update:

The Deputy City Manager will report on Council's Strategic Initiatives, including:

  • Highway 93 North Alternatives Design
  • Comprehensive Plan Update
  • Funding Housing for All
  • Regional Homelessness Projects
  • Federal Policy Impacts and Adaptation
  • Enhance Community Engagement Program
  • Wildfire Management & Resiliency Planning Strategy
  • Corridor Projects: Heart of Golden

Items on the Consent Agenda are considered non-controversial, not needing discussion. Everything in this section will be approved at once, with one vote. Any councilor wishing to discuss one of the issues can request that it be removed from the consent agenda and discussed and voted on separately. These are the items on the Consent Agenda:

  • Appointing Eric Hutchens as a Deputy Municipal Judge
  • Approving the East Zone Amenity Plans
    This document shows the changes planned for Parfet and Vanover Parks as part of the overall Heart of Golden project. They plan to expand Vanover Park across Tucker Gulch so it encompasses the new City Hall.
  • Appointing Joseph Allaire to serve as the new City Treasurer/Finance Director.
    Mr. Allaire has been serving as the Acting Finance Director since the previous director left in December.

Proclamations:

Resolutions:


Res 3274 - Redesigning Ford and Jackson

Awarding a $2,480,000 contract to build protected bike lanes and miscellaneous corridor safety improvements along Ford and Jackson through the Central Neighborhoods. The Transportation Master Plan and Bike and Pedestrian Plan both concluded that Golden should have bike lanes. To that end, staff and their consultants are proposing a significant redesign of Ford and Jackson Streets from 14th-24th Streets.

The goal is to "increase ridership for all users—women, families, and less confident cyclists—by providing physical separation, clear intersection markings, and maintainable infrastructure."

Learn more about the project and view the plans on GuidingGolden.

Community Engagement:
Staff has gone through a lengthy public engagement process, and the public has been extraordinarily vocal in their concerns about this project. They have spoken at the open houses and at an MTAB meeting and they have written to City Council using the councilcomments@cityofgolden.net email address. The comments included:

From a Resident of Ford Street:

  • It would be safer to move bike traffic to East Street.
  • Other cities have built these dividers and later removed them.
  • Concerned about cleaning--lots of accidents on Ford Street, so the bike lane may be strewn with broken glass and taillights.
  • Parking is at a premium in Golden, and we're removing several blocks of it. There were 26(?) cars parked on East Street today. (Note: we will lose a total of 121 parking spaces with this project.)

From a Retired Firefighter and Jeffco Public Works Employee:

  • Snowplows and street sweepers won't be able to clean beyond the dividing curb, so the bike lane will fill up with snow in the winter and trash in the summer, making it a dangerous surface.
  • Some people need to leave their trash cans in the street. Will they be in the way of the cyclists, and how will the trash trucks get to the containers?
  • Large trucks still need to use those streets (such as delivery trucks to Safeway). Will they be able to turn at the narrowed intersections?
  • Can firetrucks safely operate on the narrowed streets?
  • Commented that he drives those roads all the time, and he doesn't see that many cyclists, but there are lots of cars.

From an Avid Cyclist:

  • Also concerned that the bike path won't be cleaned or plowed.
  • Concerned that the concrete divider will leave them nowhere to swerve if they need to avoid a hazard.
  • The bike paths that the city built on Heritage Road feel unsafe, so no one uses them. The traffic lane feels safer.

A letter sent by a long-time resident who drives those streets a lot:

  • Most Golden employees are driving, not biking.
  • People can't load up with groceries from the grocery store or bags of fertilizer from the hardware store on bikes.
  • Cars won't have a place to pull out of the way of emergency vehicles.

A letter sent by a resident of Ford Street:

As the mother of two small children who will no longer be safe in their own front yard, and the other children and elderly people who will face similar risks (though not as frequently as my children), I struggle to understand how the City can ignore our concerns and eliminate the buffer that is the difference between a “scare” and a serious injury or fatality.... Spending $3M of taxpayer money to build a known safety hazard… I simply don’t get it.

Board Comment:

Our goals are to slow traffic and put a bike lane on every street in Golden.

Staff Responses:

  • Keeping the bike lanes clean and clear. The City is changing their policy and commits to keeping bike lanes swept and plowed in the future (though they will have a lower priority than streets). They have machines that let them clear sidewalks and it would work in bike lanes. It will require more man-hours, but the equipment shouldn't be a stumbling block.
  • Losing parking spaces. The people parking along Ford Street are primarily Mines students. They'll have to find somewhere else to park. That will continue to be a problem. The new residence hall will not include on-campus parking permits. Fewer students may have cars, but those that do will need to park them off-campus.
  • Trash cans. They will see if alley improvements would make it possible for more people to put their cans in the alley. If not, there will be gaps in the concrete divider where the cans could go.
    Board comment: trash cans fall over and blow over and will obstruct the bike lane.
  • Big trucks needing to turn. The designers would certainly have ensured that big trucks could make the turn, albeit with difficulty.
    Board comment: if we design the intersections for truck turns, the wide streets are more dangerous for pedestrians trying to cross.
  • Firetrucks. Traffic planners worked with the emergency responders, and they said they can operate within this design.
  • Speed. One of the objectives of the project is to decrease speed by making the street narrower. That is safer for both pedestrians and cars.
    Board comment: Maybe we should ask the police to install permanent photo radar enforcement along this corridor.

The Mobility and Transportation Advisory Committee acknowledged the citizens' concerns but concluded that the goals of the Transportation Master Plan and Bike-Pedestrian Plan outweighed the concerns regarding this specific project. Excerpt from their letter:

We acknowledge that there are some aspects of the project that may raise concern among community members—such as changes to on-street parking or ongoing maintenance and snow removal. These concerns are valid and deserve thoughtful consideration and continued engagement. However, based on our review, we believe the long-term benefits to public safety, mobility options, and community well-being far outweigh the temporary disruptions or trade-offs.

See the full letter.

Editorial

This was not a shining example of our "Public Engagement Process." The public appeared at several meetings and wrote letters and were left feeling that their efforts were a waste of time. None of their comments appeared in the meeting packet prepared for Council.

I asked one of the people who had submitted comments to staff whether they would come to tonight's meeting, to address Council. The response was, "At the end of the day, I don't think they care what the residents want.  This is a pet project for staff...and they're going to move forward regardless of what we say. "

Res 3297 - Approving the City of Golden Water Efficiency Plan.

Golden has had a Water Efficiency Plan since 1996, as required by the State. This year, they are asking City Council to formally adopt the plan to make us all aware of the important of water conservation. The meeting packet also includes the City's Drought Management Plan.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

5-6:30PM Who was Arthur Lakes? The Discovery of Stegosaurus @ Mines

Arthur Lakes Library from the Golden History Museum collection - Stegosaurus models at Dinosaur Ridge

“Who was Arthur Lakes? The Discovery of Stegosaurus and the Colonization of Colorado” with Dr. Elana Shrever

Join Hennebach for a talk that explores the fascinating history of vertebrate paleontology in the “backyard” of Mines, revealing the social dynamics that brought us some of America’s favorite dinosaur species, and discusses how this history reverberates today.
More information

Location:

Colorado School of Mines
Arthur Lakes Library   (Map)

6-7:45PM Golden Beer Talks @ Buffalo Rose

Topic: Space Resources
Speaker: Dr. James Johnson
Brewery: Holidaily Brewing Company

Our speaker–also a current PhD candidate at the Colorado School of Mines–will discuss how the identification, extraction and utilization of space resources can enable sustainable human presence beyond Earth.

Drawing on principles of self-sufficiency, growth and functional independence, the first principles of habitation–sustenance, shelter, sanitation and psychology–can be connected with the emerging field of in-situ resource utilization (ISRU). The discussion will examine what makes a resource viable, how ISRU-derived materials might support exploration, and who the customers for these capabilities could be. By integrating technical concepts, economic frameworks, policy considerations and evolving mission architectures, this Talk will frame a pathway from early exploratory missions to progressively “living off the land” in space.

An evening hosted by Golden Beer Talks centers around a brief, informative and entertaining presentation by an expert on an irresistibly enticing topic. Each event features beer for sale from one of our local breweries, along with a variety of delicious food and drink offerings from the Buffalo Rose kitchen and bar.

It's Golden's own grassroots version of TED talks for the benefit of our own local community--and just for the fun of it. Golden Beer Talks is a nonprofit venture focused on three favorite local things--Golden and Beer and Talking! Learn more at www.goldenbeertalks.org.

Location:

Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue   (Map)

Golden History: Polluting and Cleaning the Creek

One of Golden’s many smelters. They were usually built between the railroad tracks and Clear Creek. The ore arrived on the train and the waste products were dumped into the Creek. Golden Landmarks Association – Richard Ronzio Collection
Click to enlarge

During the 19th and early 20th century, mining and smelting polluted Clear Creek to the point where it was undrinkable, killed the fish, and killed crops when it was used for irrigation. The Argo Tunnel, built in 1893, allowed water to drain out of the mines of Central City and Blackhawk into Clear Creek at Idaho Springs. Golden itself had several smelters, conveniently built along Clear Creek for ease of waste disposal. In 1983, Central City, Clear Creek, and Idaho Springs were declared a Superfund site. Clean up began in 1987. 

The Colorado School of Mines Research Institute was also a source of pollution. That became particularly clear when a City water main broke in January of 1992, flooding the CSMRI site and flushing toxic waste into Clear Creek.

34 Years Ago
The March 17, 1992 Golden Transcript announced an exciting new project on Clear Creek. As part of a settlement with the Sierra Club, Coors planned to fund restoration of a section of Clear Creek. The work would recreate the Creek’s original aquatic habitat, including native vegetation.

Pools and channels will be created to improve fish habitat; banks will be stabilized; the creek’s flow will be concentrated to improve recreational opportunities and vegetation, which in turn will create a healthier ecosystem, lower flooding hazards and improve the creek’s appearance, said Jack Hibbert of Coors. – Golden Transcript, March 17, 1992

Clear Creek in 1997, across from Lions Park. The Colorado School of Mines Research Institute (CSMRI) was demolished shortly after this photo was taken.

At the same time, the Environmental Protection Agency was beginning cleanup of the CSMI site. Several years later, those buildings–originally constructed in 1912–were demolished. The Mines athletic complex now occupies for former Superfund site.

Fly Fishing on Clear Creek – Dave Powers

The cleanup took longer than anyone had hoped, but in 2009, the West Denver Chapter of Trout Unlimited decided that the Creek had recovered sufficiently to support trout. They led the stream restoration project and called the section the Clear Creek Golden Mile.

Thanks to the cleanup efforts that began in the late 1980s, Golden now has a trout stream, kayak park, and tourist attraction instead of an industrial sewer running through town.

All of this was gleefully anticipated in the Transcript of 32 years ago:

With the restoration project, coupled with the CSMRI cleanup and amenities like Vanover Park, the jewel we know as Clear Creek is starting to shine. – Golden Transcript, March 17, 1992

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 46 overnight. West wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Tuesday's Weather

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 70. West wind 16 to 24 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph.

Tuesday Night's Weather

Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy. Low around 48, with temperatures rising to around 52 overnight. West wind 10 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.

Tuesday Night: Partly Cloudy, 48°F

Wednesday: Sunny, 78°F

Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 51°F

Thursday: Sunny, 81°F

Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 53°F

Friday: Mostly Sunny, 82°F

Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 53°F

Saturday: Sunny, 85°F

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 48°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 70°F

Sunday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 45°F

Monday: Partly Sunny, 71°F

News About Golden - March 17, 2026

Click to enlarge

What’s Working: Denver leads US for apartment concessions as landlords aim to fill oversupply

By Tamara Chuang
Colorado Sun

What would you do with an extra $2,175 a month for a year?

“Out of nowhere, this award popped up. It really threw me off balance,” said Lisa Cordova, who in an interview laughed, cried but was still a bit in disbelief that she’d won free rent for a year from her landlord... Read more...

How much snow fell in Colorado over the weekend?

By Jacob Factor
Fox 31

DENVER (KDVR) — Many Coloradans across the Front Range and Denver metro area woke up Sunday morning to several inches of snow after a warm Saturday... Read more...

Golden road-rage shooting suspect to enter plea April 13

By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript

The suspected driver in the Aug. 2 road rage incident-turned chase through southwestern Golden has to wait one more month to enter a plea in the case... Read more...

Crews continue working to restore power to customers in Colorado's foothills, high country

By Christa Swanson
CBS News

Power outages continue to affect customers across Colorado's foothills and high country due to this week's high winds... Read more...

Orediggers win medals, podium spots at winter championships

By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript

Wherever Orediggers go, they’re sure to find some rare metals — or rare medals, in this case.

That’s how the past week went for dozens of Colorado School of Mines track & field athletes, swimmers and wrestlers as they competed at their respective NCAA Division II championships... Read more...

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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:
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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 , Unite Fitness, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Goosetown Station, and Earth Sweet Boutique

Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/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, Vic DeMaria, and Joy Brandt

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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, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development

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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, Wendy Weiman, Marge Frueh. Nannette Johnson, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, and Nancy Cooper

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, and Alicia Zimmerman

Highlights