A Misty Morning
Photo by Richard Luckin
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, May. 20th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Golden History Tours
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- 9-10:30AM - Golden Walks
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time - Registration Required
- 3PM - Weekly Jam Session
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 4-5PM - Golden StArt with Jordan Hawks
- 5-6:30PM - Police Chief Candidates Meeting
- 5:30PM - Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall
- 6-7:30PM - Breath, Sound & Stillness: A Guided Reset for the Nervous System
- 6-8PM - Fly-Tying Clinic
- 6:30PM - Taproom Trivia @ Holidaily
- 6:30-8:30PM - Trivia Night @ Golden Mill
- 6:30PM - Golden Makers Social Club
- 6:30-8:30PM - Explore Night
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
4-5PM Golden StArt with Jordan Hawks @ Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
Golden StArt is a joint one-hour meetup program designed to bring artists in the area together with the Golden community to meet and talk about art. Join us for a chat with our Ceramic Arts Coordinator, Jordan Hawks! More information
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
5:30PM Planning Commission Meeting @ City Hall
- 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.
New Urban Renewal Area
The Planning Commission will review GURA's plan to create a new urban renewal area at 17455 W. 16th Ave. (map). This 2.4-acre property currently holds the Church of the Nazarene. The congregation plans to move, so the property has been declared "a slum" and plans are underway to build 47 units of affordable housing in place of the church.
To decide whether this is an appropriate use of the land, the Planning Commission will review the blight study, the Comprehensive Plan, the South Golden Road Neighborhood Plan, and a matrix where staff demonstrates how the land use complies with the plans.
Study Session: Historic Preservation Design Guidelines
Planning Commission will discuss the draft Historic Preservation Design Guidelines and provide feedback regarding revisions and advancement of the document for continued public review.
Location:
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (Map)
5-6:30 Meet the Finalists for Police Chief
The City of Golden invites community members to attend a public reception and meet the candidates for Golden Police Chief. This informal event provides an opportunity for residents, City staff, and community members to connect with candidates and learn more about them in a welcoming setting.
Michele Wagner, left, has 25 years of experience, working through ranks at the Lakewood Police Department and currently serving as Chief Investigator with the 1st Judiciary Attorney's Office. Shawn Wray also has 25 years in law enforcement, working for both the San Diego County Sheriff's Office and the City La Mesa Police Department. He currently serves as Division Chief for the City of Wheat Ridge.
Schedule
5:00 p.m. – Community Reception with Candidates
5:30 – 5:45 p.m. – Candidate Introductions
5:45 – 6:30 p.m. – Reception Continues
Light refreshments will be provided.
Location:
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street (Map)
6:30-8:30PM Explore Night @ Colorado Mountain Club
Join seasoned CMC staff, members, leaders, and instructors to learn more about what we have to offer! There are many ways to get involved with the Colorado Mountain Club, and we want to give you the chance to explore them all. Register
Location:
Colorado Mountain Club
15605 W 32nd Avenue (Map)
7:30PM SCRIPTProv @ Miners Alley
What happens when a scene from a "legit" play gets hijacked by improvisers? HILARITY ENSUES! Come join us for all of the action! Book now!
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Creative Campus
809 15th Street (Map)
The Golden Word - 05/20/26
Live Music for Wednesday, May. 20th
- 6-9PM Derek Hall @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
5-8PM Dave Frisk @ Rock Rest Lodge
5:30-8:30PM Open Mic Night @ Barrels and Bottles
5-8PM Dave Frisk @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Magic Mountain and Heritage Square
Magic Mountain Inc. Offering Circular - Golden History Museum Collection
Click to enlarge
Magic Mountain was a short-lived attempt to recreate Disneyland in Golden, Colorado. It opened in 1959, closed the following year, and stood empty for the next decade. In 1969, it was purchased by Steven Arnold, a real estate developer.
Arnold had a different vision for the ersatz Victorian village. He didn’t want to build an amusement park; he wanted to establish an arts and crafts venue, with individual artists renting studios and selling their goods.
In January of 1971, Golden City Council approved rezoning of Heritage Square to allow limited manufacturing facilities. The request was made on behalf of two craft groups, including one that made ice cream. Councilman Frank Leek expressed the fear that this change might attract “an undesirable ‘hippie element.'”
55 Years Ago
The May 20, 1971 Golden Transcript announced that a candle factory and a silversmith were getting ready to open their doors to the public. Eventually, they were joined by a glass blower, a blacksmith, a leather worker, a potter, and several other artisans.
Arnold’s company declared bankruptcy in 1984 and the property was eventually purchased by the quarry next door.
The quarry allowed Heritage Square to continue for three more decades, and in that time many tenants occupied the grounds and buildings, including an amusement park, alpine slide, miniature railroad, the long-running Heritage Square Opera House, and many stores and restaurants. The entire complex was closed by the property owners in 2015.
Weather
Overnight: Rain showers likely. Cloudy. Low around 39, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. South southeast wind around 2 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday: A chance of rain showers before noon, then showers and thunderstorms likely. Cloudy, with a high near 55. East northeast wind 0 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before midnight. Partly cloudy. Low around 41, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. West wind 1 to 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 41°F
Thursday: Mostly Sunny then Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 64°F
Thursday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 44°F
Friday: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 61°F
Friday Night: Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 45°F
Saturday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 69°F
Saturday Night: Mostly Clear, 46°F
Sunday: Sunny, 77°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 52°F
Memorial Day: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 81°F
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Partly Cloudy, 54°F
Tuesday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 77°F
News About Golden - May 20, 2026
Metro Moves: Coors project in Golden names first business coming to new district
By Bernadette Berdychowski
Denver Gazette
Coorstek project in Golden attracts coffee roaster
The developers of Golden’s Clayworks — the district built on top of the founding home of the century-old ceramics business run by the same family famous for the iconic Coors beer brand — have named the first business to open on its site... Read more...
Golden adds Wednesday farmers market to 2026 schedule
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
The Golden Farmers Market is offering double the opportunity for food and fun this summer.
The Golden Chamber of Commerce, which runs the market, is launching a new midweek market on Wednesday afternoons from June 10 to July 29, it recently announced... Read more...
Golden Mill celebrates 5 years as community gathering space
By Corey Neumeier
Golden Transcript
The COVID-19 pandemic was a bleak period for local businesses, especially for restaurants. At the time, it seemed foolhardy to open an eatery, let alone one focused on bringing people together.
But five years later, that gamble is paying dividends for The Golden Mill at 1012 Ford St... Read more...
25 Mines faculty members awarded promotion, tenure
Colorado School of Mines Newsroom
The Colorado School of Mines Board of Trustees has awarded promotions and/or tenure to 25 Mines faculty members for the 2026-2027 academic year... 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 or $1,175/year)
Buffalo Rose, Buglet Battery, Foothills Art Center, Golden Cultural Alliance, Miners Alley Performing Arts Center, The Golden Mill, Golden Chamber of Commerce, Golden History Tours, Miners Saloon, Clothilde Elingbow, Michael Mason, Earth Sweet Boutique, and Colorado Railroad Museum
Friends:
($50-99.99/month or $575/yr)
Tall Pines Painting, Baby Doe’s Clothing, 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, Unite Fitness, and Joy Brandt
Supporters:
($25-49.99/month or $285/yr)
Laura King and Scott Wilson, Bobby German and Alison McNally, Forrest Jones, Barry & Liz Bettis, Cheryl & Tom Schweich, in memory of 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, Golden PT & Pilates, and Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young
Members:
($10-24.99/month or $115/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, 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, 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, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, and Vicki Greivel
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, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, Carie Chimbel, GoldenBrokers, and Elizabeth Coil
