Bridge in Tucker Gulch
Photo by Nancy Torpey
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, Jul. 23rd
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 8:30-10:30AM - Golden Walks
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 5-8PM - Bingo Night
- 5:30PM - Heart of Golden: Police and Municipal Building Groundbreaking
- 5:30PM - Golden Cornhole League
- 6PM - Foothills Running and Cycling Club Track Practice
- 6-7:30PM - T-shirt Quilt Workshop
- 6-8:30PM - Cancelled: Community Sustainability Advisory Board Meeting
- 7PM - Country Line Dancing Night
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
5:30PM Heart of Golden: Police and Municipal Building Groundbreaking @ Former Coors Building
Join us for a groundbreaking ceremony at 311 10th St. in Golden--the site of the new Police Department and Municipal Building.
This special event will include a brief program beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the ceremonial shovel dig and an opportunity to walk the site. City staff will be on hand to help you visualize where different features of the new facility will be located and share more about what’s to come.
We’re excited to mark this milestone with the community—hope to see you there!
Location:
Former Coors Building
311 10th Street (Map)
When:
5:30PM on Wednesday, Jul. 23rd
7PM Country Line Dancing @ The Buffalo Rose
Kick Up Your Heels at the Buffalo Rose! Get ready to boot scoot and boogie at Golden's hottest country night! Join Jeff Goodwin and the Front Range Cowboys for an evening of toe-tapping tunes and line dancing that'll have you two-stepping till closing time.
Tickets: $10 at the door
Location:
The Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue (Map)
Live Music for Wednesday, Jul. 23rd
- 6-9PM Derek Hall @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
5-8PM Tina Philips @ Golden Hotel
6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: The Golden Germ...um, Gem
Celebrating Golden Days at the Golden Gem in 1941 – Golden History Museum Collection
Click to enlarge
Downtown Golden had a movie theater for more than 60 years. The Golden Gem opened in October of 1908 in a former church, located across 10th Street from Parfet Park (location). They quickly upgraded, moving to the Merkle building (1110 Washington Avenue–now Windy Saddle Cafe (map). Films were silent at that time, and in 1910, the Gem employed a five-piece orchestra to accompany the films. In 1911, the owner installed “The finest electric sign ever placed in Golden.” (Colorado Transcript, 6/1/1911)
In 1911, the owners of the property at 13th and Washington decided to construct a new, modern building on the site. The Golden Athletic Club rented the second floor and the Golden Gem Theater rented the first floor. The Theater moved in June 1912 and stayed there for the rest of its existence.
Early films came on large reels, each reel weighing about 5 pounds and running for about 11 minutes. Advertisements would describe a film as a 2-reel film. An evening’s program would commonly include several films. The films weren’t necessarily stories–they often showed real events, such as a rodeo. In one case, they showed movies of a hunting trip taken by Theodore Roosevelt. The Gem showed their first “talkie” (movie with sound) in 1929.
The theater ran many promotions over the years. In 1928, they partnered with the Fromhart Motor Company and the Golden Transcript to give away a car to “the most popular young lady in Jefferson County.” During the Depression, they would give away silverware on Tuesday nights, and at times they held drawings for a box of groceries.
The Gem was “refreshed” several times, to update the look (and often the seats). One major remodel took place in 1949. A newly-updated Gem theater, with a brilliant new neon marquee, had its Grand Opening the same night the Golden Welcome Arch was illuminated for the first time (it used to have neon letters).
The Gem was always a centerpiece of our visitor attraction efforts. Golden was “the” downtown for many people living west of Denver and in the mountains, so people would come to Golden for a night out–dinner and a movie.
The Golden Gem, along with Golden’s downtown business district, slowly eroded throughout the 1960s and 70s. It went through several owners. One even showed x-rated movies. The Transcript mentioned that some young people referred to the place as “the Golden Germ.” Finally, the Foss family (of Foss Drug Store fame) bought the building and divided it into several retail spaces.
Weather
Overnight: A slight chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 65. West wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday: A slight chance of rain showers before 9am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9am and noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely between noon and 3pm, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Partly sunny. High near 84, with temperatures falling to around 81 in the afternoon. North wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. Northwest wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 62°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 83°F
Thursday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 61°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 89°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 63°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 92°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 64°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 94°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 67°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 94°F
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy, 67°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 92°F
News About Golden - July 23, 2025
Railroad Talk at the Golden Community Center
Wednesday, July 23, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join Councilor Paul Haseman and Executive Director of the Colorado Railroad Museum, Paul Hammond, for an exploration of Golden's railroad history.
Golden’s railroad history is as bold and adventurous as the trains that once thundered through town. From fierce rivalries with Denver to the dramatic climbs up Clear Creek Canyon, Golden was the hub of it all—home to no fewer than seven different rail lines. Its deep ties to railroading made it the natural choice for the Colorado Railroad Museum, a fitting tribute to a city built on steel and steam.
This event is free to attend.
Image courtesy of the Golden History Museum.
#CityOfGolden
News Release: Jud Virden, Ph.D., Appointed Laboratory Director at NREL
NREL
The Alliance for Sustainable Energy (Alliance) today announced the appointment of Jud Virden, Ph.D., as director of NREL and president of the Alliance, which manages the laboratory for the Department of Energy (DOE). Dr. Virden will officially join NREL in this role on Oct. 1, 2025. Virden was selected following a competitive national search... 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, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, Colorado Railroad Museum, and Goosetown Station
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, Vic DeMaria, and Joy Brandt
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, and Robert Thresher.
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, and Mary Rains, Richard Caldwell, Janice Waring, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, Cherryln Parker, Mary Eiberger, Kevin Nichols, Ed & Carol Freza, Laura and Curtis Moore, Ruth Hund, Shelley & Jerry Devitt
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, and Emily Kurzinski
