Winter Has Finally Found Us
Photo by Chris Davell
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, Dec. 3rd
- All day - Letters to Santa
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Golden Sports
- 9-10:30AM - Golden Walks
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10AM-5PM - Foothills Art Center - Holiday Art Market
- 10AM-5PM - Free Day @ Buffalo Bill Museum
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 12-2PM - Ribbon Cutting: Golden Modern Dentistry
- 12-4PM - Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Demo Days
- 1:30-4PM - Modern Kintsugi
- 3PM - Weekly Jam Session
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 5-8PM - Holiday Market
- 5:30PM - Planning Commission Meeting
- 6-8PM - In the Shadow of the Diable & More
- 6-8:30PM - Community Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting
- 6-8PM - Holiday Wreath Workshop
- 6:30PM - Wednesday Night Trivia
- 7:30PM - Stocking Stuffers
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
10AM-5PM Free Day @ Buffalo Bill Museum
Visitors to the Buffalo Bill Museum enjoy free admission on the first Wednesday of the month from November through April. Free dates in 2025 include November 5th and December 3rd. Free dates in 2026 are January 7th, February 4th, March 4th and April 1st. For groups of 10 or more please make a reservation. To request an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter or CART, contact us at buffalobill.museum@denvergov.org or call (720) 865-2160. Please provide three business days’ notice. More information
Location:
Buffalo Bill Museum & Grave
987½ Lookout Mountain Road (Map)
12-2PM Ribbon Cutting @ Golden Modern Dentistry
Please join us for the grand opening of Golden Modern Dentistry with food, drinks, giveaways and more! Ribbon Cutting at 12:15 p.m. sharp!
Location:
Golden Modern Dentistry
17107 S. Golden Road (Map)
12-4PM Demo Days @ Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
Come join us at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum 2025 Demo Days! More information
- December 3rd
Twister Sisters 12 pm - 4 pm - December 10th
English Paper Piecing 10 am - 12 pm
Sashiko 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Location:
Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
200 Violet Street (Map)
1:30-4PM Modern Kintsugi @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
Kintsugi is a 400 year old Japanese art form of the mending of ceramics — creating beauty from brokenness. Kintsugi’s philosophy reflects Japanese culture and teaches us the importance of cherishing and caring for things in our mass consumption society, and the beauty of brokenness/imperfection in things and ourselves.
In this workshop we will guide a small group through a modern method of this ancient craft. You will see and feel the beauty you have created from the brokenness and reflect on your own life’s journey. All welcome and all materials needed for the experience will be provided. Register Become a member
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
5:30PM Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 5:30PM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send comments on any of the following topics to planning@cityofgolden.net
- Provide in-person comment during the meeting, at 5:30PM.
Planning Commission will review the Site Development Plan for a 2.6 acre parcel in the Canyon View Business Park. The developer plans to build 1-2 story flex manufacturing warehouse and offices totaling 30,000 square feet.
Staff received a written comment from residents who live across Highway 93 from the proposed development. The letter expressed concern about traffic and evacuation in case of a fire.
Traffic backs up in both directions typically in late afternoon. Traffic backs up makes it extremely difficult and potentially dangerous for any left turn for someone going southbound on route 93. If this site is approved, I believe a traffic light at that intersection will be essential.
I’m also concerned that should there be a fire on either side of Route 93, escape route access via 93 could be very difficult, particularly for those who live on the east side of route 93. As it is, there are only two roads that access 93 from our area on North Ford. These two roads are Iowa Street and Pine Ridge. I think planning for evacuation routes has been extremely inadequate.
p. 3 of the staff memo states that the residents' traffic concern is unfounded:
Traffic: The development proposed in the Site Development Plan would not likely meet any thresholds for any significant traffic impacts based on the use. The proposed plan and use was reviewed by the City Engineer and no further changes to the SDP were required or off-site improvements. Further detailed Traffic Letter can be requested at the time of building permit.
After discussing that case, the Commission will move into Study Session. The Current Planning Supervisor will review the development applications that the City received during 2025.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
6-8:30PM Community Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 6PM
- Attend the meeting @ the Public Works Building - 1445 10th Street - (map)
- Provide public comment during the meeting, starting at 6PM.
Tonight's Toics:
- The Sustainability Board will discuss next year's re-bid for the City's Pay-As-You-Throw (trash/recycling/compost) program. (p. 5 of the packet)
- They will review their accomplishments as set out in the 2025 work plan and discuss goals for next year's work plan. (pp. 7-9)
- They will discuss proposed City rebates for property owners who make various sustainability upgrades (heat pumps, solar, insulation, etc.). (pp. 10-12)
Location:
1445 10th Street - (map)
The Golden Word - 12/03/25
9:30AM Community Marketing Board Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers
- Meeting Agenda & Packet
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 10AM
- Attend the meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers - 911 10th Street - (map)
- Send email comments to visitgolden@cityofgolden.net.
The newly reconstituted Community Marketing Board is making some dramatic changes in staffing. The Golden Greeters have traditionally been assigned to interacting with visitors--particularly at the Coors tour. This job is apparently becoming more web and social media-focused...updating website and writing blog posts. These positions have always been funded by the city out of the General Fund. Staff proposes that funding for these positions now be deducted from the Community Marketing Fund. This will cost about $85K in 2026. (pp 2-4 of the meeting packet)
Meadows Consulting has been supporting the program for about 15 years, and filled in during the year that the City was without a Marketing Manager. If I'm interpreting the memo correctly (pp. 5-7 of the meeting packet), her role will be phased out after six months. During that time, she will be paid $3K/month.
The memo describes "a contract" with the Golden Welcome Center, which has one employee and a number of volunteers. The memo assigns various tasks to the Center as a whole, and includes plans to use the facility for various meetings and open houses. The memo proposes paying $2,000/month for these services and facilities. (pp. 8 and 9)
Blakely & Company has supported the program for several years. The agenda includes an item titled "AdPro vs. Blakely & Company." Later (pp. 10-13) it includes a memo titled "AdPro Results" describing advertising campaign strategies.
Page 14 details the budget for the Goldens in Golden promotion. The budget was $14,753.81 in 2025 and is protected to be $47,750 in 2026; however, they anticipate generated sponsorship and booth rental revenue totaling $73,200.
The Fall Advertising Report (pp. 15-26) details where $71,500 was spent on advertising during the period 9/24-11/15.
Pages. 27-62 provide an economic impact study showing the value off tourism to the Golden economy. The City is still struggling to recover from the 2020 pandemic (p. 32).
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
Live Music for Wednesday, Dec. 3rd
- 6-9PM Bunny Blake @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Pillars in the Distance
Postcard showing the Lariat Loop Trail
Click to enlarge
I recently acquired this interesting old postcard, showing the Lariat Loop Road. Notice the stone pillars on the left side. Those were built in 1917, so the photo was taken some time after that.
We’ve planted a lot of trees in the last century, so the pillars are no longer visible from that location.
Weather
Overnight: Snow. Cloudy, with a low around 25. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 5 to 9 inches possible.
Wednesday: Snow. Cloudy. High near 28, with temperatures falling to around 23 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of 3 to 7 inches possible.
Wednesday Night: A chance of snow before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. West southwest wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Chance Light Snow then Partly Cloudy, 12°F
Thursday: Sunny, 40°F
Thursday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 25°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny, 40°F
Friday Night: Slight Chance Light Snow, 28°F
Saturday: Chance Rain And Snow, 46°F
Saturday Night: Chance Rain And Snow, 31°F
Sunday: Slight Chance Light Snow then Mostly Sunny, 46°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 32°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny, 47°F
Monday Night: Partly Cloudy, 31°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny, 53°F
News About Golden - December 3, 2025
Golden retrievers, golden solutions: City expands Colorado event to ease crowds
By Briana Fernandez
9News
GOLDEN, Colo. — After last year’s “Goldens in Golden” event overwhelmed Golden with traffic, limited parking and heavy crowds, city officials are rolling out changes to keep the celebration fun while reducing chaos... Read more...
Trump administration renames Colorado’s National Renewable Energy Lab: the National Lab of the Rockies
By Sam Brasch
Colorado Public Radio
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo., is no more.
The iconic research hub, first launched during the 1970s energy crisis, is now known as the National Laboratory of the Rockies.
In a press release published Monday, the U.S. Department of Energy claimed the name change was effective immediately and would be reflected in all future communications... Read more...
Jefferson County Announces New Parks & Open Space Director
Jefferson County
After an extensive and competitive recruitment process, Jefferson County is pleased to share that Aaron Roth will be our new Parks and Open Space Director. The announcement comes ahead of the retirement of Jefferson County’s current director, Tom Hoby... Read more...
CLOSED: Lookout Mountain Preserve trail system, Boettcher Mansion, and Lookout Mountain Nature Center will have intermittent closures starting in Dec.
Jefferson County Open Space
Please be advised that the Lookout Mountain Preserve trail system, Boettcher Mansion, and Lookout Mountain Nature Center will be subject to intermittent closures from December through March due to ongoing forest health work. For your safety, do not enter closed areas and respect all posted signs and barriers... Read more...
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
