Skip to content

Search the site
Sign In Subscribe

What's Happening in Golden - Wednesday, Mar. 11th, 2026

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Wednesday, Mar. 11th, 2026

,   and  Barb Warden
12 min read
Click to enlarge

Early Spring in the History Park

Photo by Richard Luckin
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Wednesday, Mar. 11th

Golden History Tours
Trivia Night @ Golden Mill

For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar

Take a Hike

You may remember when the Army visited Golden to hike South Table Mountain, stopping at Golden Pantry and Thrift on the way down to drop off rucksacks full of food and clothing donations: They Came, They Saw, They Conquered, and They Donated.

They're coming back tomorrow morning, this time in celebration of St. Patrick's Day!

You are invited to join representatives from Region VIII DCE on a 2026 St. Patrick's Day Clothing Drive/Ruck.

Event Overview:

Who: Region 8 DCE, EPLO teams, Westminster recruiting team, School of Mines Army ROTC
What: Canned goods/ clothing donation drop on  2.75 mile ruck march
Where: Vanover Park, Golden, CO /Clear Creek Trail/ Golden Pantry and Thrift
When: March 12th 2026 @ 8:00am
Why: To increase relations with the local community and Esprit de Corps

All are welcome and the event is child friendly. The route is a flat, wide, paved trail handrailing Clear Creek. If you plan to attend, please email Colton J. Francemone - CPT, LG, so he can maintain a head count.

Starting Location:

Vanover Park (map)

Starting Time:

Thursday, March 12th, 8AM

11:15AM-12:15PM Brain Health: Dr. Elizabeth Handing @ Front Porch

Come to an intriguing talk all about brain health by Dr. Elizabeth Handing, a gerontologist researcher. She will discuss several topics on brain health such as; when does cognitive aging begin, what is normal cognition vs. what is dementia, and how to keep our brain active as we age. She will present research from scientific studies and discuss current findings related to risk factors and prevention of dementia. Active Older Adults aged 50+

Location:

Front Porch Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street   (Map)

12PM The Future of Nuclear Energy @ Colorado School of Mines

The Mines chapter of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, will host a talk by chemistry professor Mark Jensen entitled "The Future of Nuclear Energy." The talk, free and open to the public, will be held in Ballrooms D & E of the Mines Student Center.

Mark is the Jerry and Tina Grandey University Chair in Nuclear Science and Engineering and also Director of the Nuclear Science and Engineering Program at Mines. The abstract of his talk is as follows:

Thirty-three countries have signed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050, which started as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Dubai (COP28, 2023). Currently, world-wide production of electricity from nuclear energy is approximately 400 GWe, so the target is to reach 1200 GWe by 2050. Under the present administration, the United States has set an even more ambitious goal to quadruple nuclear energy from 100 GWe today to 400 GWe by 2050. How might America and the other 32 signatory countries meet these ambitious goals? After setting the stage with a description of the current technical and economic state of nuclear power, we will consider how new reactor technologies, improved supply chains, diversified energy markets, and progress on nuclear waste disposal will be necessary to achieve these goals and how fusion energy might fit into the mix. More information

Location:

Colorado School of Mines
Ben H. Parker Student Center   (Map)

1-3PM Be Bold. Be Free. Paint What You See! @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus

In this 2 session watercolor class, participants will capture what is seen - the scene, the object, or the person in an understandable way. Participants will learn about composition and color, values and abstract shapes, and how to tie all the elements together to create a unique painting. Participants will also explore how to use those elements to communicate the emotion behind the subject matter. This class meets twice on 3/11 and 3/18. Register

Location:

Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street   (Map)

4PM DDA Walk and Discussion of East Zone Amenities

Google Street Images

The City has asked the DDA to contribute $125,000 toward the East Zone Amenities adjacent to the new City Hall.

The board members will be walking around the "East Zone" and discussing the changes that they plan to fund. This is a public meeting, so you are welcome to join them for their walk.

Location:

Vanover Park Parking Lot (map)

5:30-6:30PM CASA 101 @ Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility

We will have some light snacks and a quick program to learn more about volunteering with CASA Jeffco/Gilpin. Get the opportunity to meet other current and prospective volunteers. All current CASA/YA volunteers are encouraged to attend and bring a friend!  More information

Location:

Jefferson County Administration and Courts Facility
100 Jefferson County Parkway   (Map)

7-10PM Country Line Dancing with Jeff Goodwin and The Front Range Cowboys @ 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. These local favorites know how to pack a dance floor and keep the energy high with authentic country sounds that’ll transport you straight to honky-tonk heaven. Whether you’re a seasoned line dancer or just looking to kick back with some cold drinks and hot music, this is your chance to experience the magic that’s been building a devoted following across the Front Range.

So grab your boots, bring your friends, and prepare for a night of unforgettable country fun at the legendary Buffalo Rose! $10 presale / $15 at the door Buffalo Rose (main venue)

Location:

Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue   (Map)

The Golden Word - 03/11/26

Play now.

Live Music for Wednesday, Mar. 11th

Click to enlarge

  • 6-9PM Chris Koltak @ Miners Saloon
  • More Live Music
    4-8PM     Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
    6PM Open Mic @ Cannonball Creek
    6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
    6PM Open Mic @ Scully's Cafe

For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar

Golden History: Wets, Drys, Raking Muck, and Dirty Pool

Otten’s Place Saloon, located at the southwest corner of 11th and Ford Streets, circa 1910 – Golden History Museum collection
Click to enlarge

117 Years Ago
The lead article in the March 11, 1909 Colorado Transcript is entitled “Urge Citizens to Quell Lawless Reign.” It was signed by the Pastors of the Presbyterian, Methodist, and Baptist churches. The article states that Golden had,

at not infrequent intervals, street disorders, brawls, assaults and batteries, stabbings and attempted stabbings, desertions of families, attempted murders and tragic killings, all of which have been directly due to the drunkenness produced by Golden saloons. Because of them we have seen men and boys go from here to penitentiary and reformatory. We have often had to bury their victims….

It went on to say that it was,

never wholly safe for a young woman to cross the principal thoroughfare of the town after nightfall on the way to or from church or her work because of the drunken loungers furnished by the saloons.

That same front page featured “Business Men Issue Protest.” This was a letter in response to the “Anti-Saloon League,” which was waging a campaign to turn Golden into a dry town. It was signed by nearly every business owner in town. These men said that none of those awful things were happening in Golden.

Very little, if any, disorderly conduct can be traced to the Golden saloons…. The Golden police magistrate hardly knows what it is to have a drunk before him, and one policeman day and night suffices for the whole town.

Colorado Transcript - March 11, 1909

This letter-writing campaign filled the front pages of the paper from February till the end of March. The “drys” said that saloons would corrupt the Colorado School of Mines boys. The merchants said there was much more drinking in Boulder, Greeley, and Fort Collins–college towns that had gone dry.

One stand-out article appeared on March 18th, when Richard Broad, one of the most staid and respected businessmen in town, wrote a piece called, “Thou Shalt Not Bear False Witness Against Thy Own Community.” He said the ministers had “over-heated imaginations.” He said he’d been in business on Washington Avenue for over twenty years and the city had only grown more peaceful and orderly as the years went by. He added that in twenty-one years he had “never heard of one single case of insult to a woman on our streets.”

2 story commercial building with sign saying "R. Broad Jr."
Richard Broad’s Dry Goods Store and Golden Savings Bank – Golden History Museum collection

Professor Patton from the School of Mines headed the Golden chapter of the anti-saloon league. He wrote a letter implying that an unnamed banker was in partnership with a saloon-keeper, so of course he would defend him.

Richard Broad, chairman of the bank as well as owner of a dry goods store, wrote back that saloon owners did business with the bank–just as Professor Patton had a few years earlier when he had asked investors to back him in a pottery business, which had failed.

Other examples of dirty pool appeared in the paper. The merchants accused the ministers and Professor Patton of being “transients,” and said that non-tax payers should not have a say in running this city. (I checked, and Patton had lived in Golden since at least 1894.)

Another merchant wrote,

From limited investigation, it appears that the prime movers in the local option agitation are in the same class with Prof Patton–preachers and other non-taxpayers who are but temporary residents. The estimable lady who visited my house and endeavored to induce my family to sign a ward petition admitted that she was comparatively a stranger in Golden, having lived here less than a year, and that she paid no taxes.

The “wets” won their point at the April 5, 1909 vote. The anti-saloon option garnered 322 votes while the pro-saloon faction gathered 704 votes. The wetness didn’t last for long. In 1914, the “drys” brought an anti-saloon amendment to a statewide vote. Golden still voted against Prohibition, but the state approved it. Prohibition went into effect in Colorado on January 1, 1916–four years ahead of National Prohibition.

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: A slight chance of snow showers before 4am. Partly cloudy. Low around 31, with temperatures rising to around 36 overnight. North wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New snow accumulation of less than half an inch possible.

Wednesday's Weather

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 53. North wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

Wednesday Night's Weather

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear. Low around 37, with temperatures rising to around 42 overnight. West southwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly Clear, 37°F

Thursday: Mostly Sunny, 66°F

Thursday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 49°F

Friday: Partly Sunny, 70°F

Friday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 49°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 71°F

Saturday Night: Slight Chance Light Rain then Chance Rain And Snow, 35°F

Sunday: Chance Light Snow, 49°F

Sunday Night: Chance Light Snow, 29°F

Monday: Slight Chance Light Snow then Slight Chance Light Rain, 61°F

Monday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 46°F

Tuesday: Partly Sunny, 75°F

News About Golden - March 11, 2026

Click to enlarge

BizBeat: Holidaily celebrates tenth anniversary, expands distribution

By Corey Neumeier
Golden Transcript

Brickyard Circle was abuzz with celebration this month, as Golden-based Holidaily Brewing Company celebrated its 10th anniversary. 

The brewery hosted a Feb. 28 celebration featuring food trucks, a bakery pop-up, live music and Holidaily’s artisan beer... 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, 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, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Centennial State Wealth Advisors, Steve & M.L. Richardson, and Jeremy & Stephanie Keller

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

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, Bill Way, Chris Toney, and Alicia Zimmerman

Highlights