Looking West from the Lariat Loop
Photo by Bud Rockhill
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, Jun. 11th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 1:43AM - Full Moon
- 9-11AM - Golden Walks
- 9-11AM - Golden Startup Coffee
- 10:15-11:15AM - Discovery Play
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 2-3PM - Nature's Educators: Camouflage
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 5-8PM - Bingo Night
- 5:30PM - Golden Cornhole League
- 5:30-7PM - Golden Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting
- 6PM - Gratitude Circle
- 6PM - Trivia Night
- 6:30PM - Historic Preservation Board Meeting
- 6:30-8PM - Wine, Women, and Wealth (WWW) in Golden
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
2-3PM Nature's Educators: Camouflage @ Golden Library
Discover a variety of animal ambassadors through two exciting summer programs from Nature’s Educators! In June, explore camouflage and coloration as you learn how animals blend into their surroundings and use color for protection. In July, take flight with Talon Talk, where you'll dive into the fascinating world of raptors and their important role in nature.
Location:
Golden Library
1019 10th Street (Map)
When:
2-3PM on Wednesday, Jun. 11th
5:30-7PM Golden Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting @ Golden Community Center
Photo by Bud Rockhill
Join the Planning Department to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. For more information visit the project page for Golden's Comprehensive Plan.
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (Map)
When:
5:30-7PM on Wednesday, Jun. 11th
6:30PM Historic Preservation Board Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers
- Meeting Agenda
- Watch the meeting streaming live starting at 6:30PM
- 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 (limited to 3 minutes) during the meeting, at 6:30PM.
The Historic Preservation Board will be asked to evaluate the "compatibility" of the building that will replace Mountain Muffler at 2200 Ford Street. See pp. 4-16 of the meeting packet.
They will also be asked to provide a "Certificate of Appropriateness" for a plan to build an office addition atop the stone barn at 813 Cheyenne St. See pp. 17-32 of the meeting packet.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
When:
6:30PM on Wednesday, Jun. 11th
Live Music for Wednesday, Jun. 11th
- 6-9PM Chris Koltak @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
5-9PM Open Mic Night @ Cannonball Creek
5-8PM Andy Straus @ Golden Hotel
6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Running Night and Day
Golden Paper Mill from the 1893 Golden Globe Industrial Edition – enlarge
Click to enlarge
152 Years Ago
The June 11, 1873 Colorado Transcript wrote that the Golden Paper Mill was running night and day. Since we generally think of paper as a forest product, Golden doesn’t seem like an obvious place for a paper mill. Golden’s paper was made of straw and occasionally ropes and rags.
The article stated that straw made excellent wrapping paper, used by grocers and clothing stores. Rags were added to make a higher-grade paper, which was popular with bakers.
The mill was originally powered by water diverted from Clear Creek. This proved to be an unreliable power source, so the mill owners later installed a coal-powered boiler.
The editor of the Transcript was delighted to have a paper mill in town. He occasionally gloated to his fellow newspaper owners when they ran short of paper, reminding them that Golden had a paper mill, so he was able to get paper when they could not. On the other hand, the Golden Paper Mill seldom produced suitable stock for newspapers. It generally produced wrapping paper. When necessary, early Transcripts were printed on wrapping paper.
In 1869, the Paper Mill was sold to Mr. E. C. Wells, who upgraded the machinery and increased the capacity of the mill. He upgraded again in 1874, but ran into financial difficulties later that year, and the Mill was put up for auction. The country was in a depression at that time. Apparently, he retained or recovered it, because he was the owner again and running for the State Senate in 1878. He must have won the election, because later Transcript articles referred to him as Senator Wells.
In 1878, the Mill was severely damaged in a flood but rebuilt and expanded and was back in operation by the end of the year. It employed 15 men at that time. When possible, the machinery was powered by the diverted Clear Creek water, but they also had a large, coal-powered steam boiler to heat their bleaching vat and dry the paper. The boiler consumed about 2 tons of coal per day.
The 1893 Golden Globe Industrial Edition stated that Senator Wells and his business partner were both in poor health and would be glad to find a purchaser. Apparently, none appeared. The country was again in a depression, which may have complicated the prospects for a sale.
In 1896, the Mill was again severely damaged by a flood but again rebuilt. Later that year, the water in the flume froze, again forcing a shutdown. In the spring of 1898, the Mill was shut down due to low water in Clear Creek (and therefore, in the flume that powered the Mill).
Mr. Wells upgraded his machinery again in the spring of 1900 and afterwards was running two shifts of workers. In November of that year, the mill caught fire and was entirely destroyed. It was valued at $45,000 and only insured for $12,000. It was never rebuilt. The Transcript placed some blame on the superintendent of our water works. The fireplugs were so rusty that the firemen had trouble opening them, and the rust in the lines was so thick they had very low water pressure.
In 1901, an eastern company bought the property, intending to build a “concentrator” (smelter) there. Apparently (and fortunately) the plan didn’t go through, and the property was for sale again not long after. Mr. Wells died in Golden in 1914. In addition to his 30 years ownership of the Golden Paper Mill, he served two terms in the state legislature, several terms on Golden City Council, and one term on the Board of Trustees for the School of Mines. He is buried in the Golden Cemetery.
The Golden Paper Mill property is now occupied by the Miners Mesa apartments (map). All traces of the mill are long gone, but it’s interesting to know that it once stood on 9th Street, between Cheyenne and Illinois.
Weather
Overnight: Partly cloudy. Low around 62, with temperatures rising to around 64 overnight. West wind around 8 mph.
Wednesday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1pm. Mostly sunny. High near 84, with temperatures falling to around 80 in the afternoon. Northwest wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. West northwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 60°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 86°F
Thursday Night: Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Friday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 83°F
Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 88°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 60°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 90°F
Sunday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 62°F
Monday: Mostly Sunny, 86°F
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 59°F
Tuesday: Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 81°F
News About Golden - June 11, 2025
Drivers call CDOT's response to road hazards reactive following Denver7 report on I-70 pothole
By Richard Butler
Denver Channel 7
GOLDEN, Colo. — In the three days since Denver7 reported on a pothole along a popular Interstate 70 exit, we've heard from several more viewers who are frustrated with the Colorado Department of Transportation's (CDOT) response to road hazards overall... Read more...
Clear Creek closed to swimming, tubing amid rising water levels
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Rising river levels promoted the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the Golden Police Department to implement red flag restrictions as of noon June 9, closing Clear Creek to swimming and tubing... Read more...
Jeffco, RTD hope to test Red Rocks public transportation project this fall
By John Wenzel
Denver Post
A proposal to use shuttles to help expand RTD public transportation from Denver into the Jefferson County foothills — including Red Rocks Amphitheatre — is getting new life as backers look for $1 million in funding while planning a September pilot weekend... Read more...
High water levels lead to tubing restrictions on Clear Creek through Golden
ByJohn Aguilar
Denver Post
Authorities on Monday placed restrictions on popular water activities on Clear Creek west of Golden and into the city, prohibiting belly boats, inner tubes and single chambered rafts — as well as body surfing and swimming — until water levels subside... 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 City Brewery, 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, and Cherryln Parker
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Mel Perkins, Bob Hamilton, Kim Linton, Steve Stevens
