Skip to content

Search the site
Sign In Subscribe

What's Happening in Golden - Wednesday, Nov. 12th, 2025

News and events in Golden, Colorado. Wednesday, Nov. 12th, 2025

,   and  Barb Warden
12 min read
Click to enlarge

Northern Lights Over Golden!

Photo by Patrick Vitry
Click to enlarge

What's happening in Golden today?

Events for Wednesday, Nov. 12th

Golden History Tours
Toddler Time - Registration Required

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

10-11AM Easy Festive Holiday Treats by Cookbook Author Eliza Cross @ Front Porch


Join cookbook author Eliza Cross for a fun, festive hour as she shares three simple holiday recipes guaranteed to add sparkle to your season! Learn how to make an irresistible holiday snack mix, create a beautiful Mason jar food gift, and prepare a simple appetizer that will wow your guests. You’ll taste samples of each treat and take home printed recipes you can use all season long. Eliza is the award-winning author of 17 cookbooks, and publisher of the popular lifestyle blog Happy Simple Living. Free. Active Older Adults aged 50+

Location:

Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street   (Map)

7:30-9AM Citizens Budget Advisory Committee Meeting @ City Hall Council Chambers

The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) will continue walking through the Proposed 2026 Budget. In December, they will read a letter to City Council saying that they endorse it.

They will also hear an update from the Thriving Communities Director regarding Cold Weather Sheltering.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

10AM-2PM Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum Demo Days @ Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum

Come join us at the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum 2025 Demo Days!

  • November 12th 
    Working with fun/new materials 10 am - 2 pm
  • November 19th
    Introduction to Appliqué-Collage 10 am - 2 pm
  • December 3rd
    Twister Sisters 12 pm - 4 pm
  • December 10th 
    English Paper Piecing 10 am - 12 pm
    Sashiko 12:30 pm - 2:30 pm

More information  

Location:

Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum
200 Violet Street   (Map)

3-4PM Golden StArt with Chapin Dimond @ 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 local jeweler, Chapin Dimond.

More information

Location:

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

5PM City Council Study Session @ City Hall

Tonight's Study Session begins at 5PM. The Business Meeting will begin at 7:45PM. Public comment is not allowed during the study session, though you can send written public comment ahead of time. In-person public comment must wait until the Business Meeting at 7:45PM.

Tonight's Study Session Topics:

  • Parks and Rec Master Plan
    This plan, which will come before Council for approval on November 25th, describes the City's plan for maintaining and expanding parks & rec services. Learn more.
  • GDGID Policy
    The Golden Downtown General Improvement District (GDGID) was established in 1963 to acquire downtown parking. Downtown commercial properties pay tax to fund this goal. The 2025 budget anticipated $52,000 in GDGID tax revenue. Since the City started charging for parking in 2017 it has a much more significant revenue source: they anticipate making $550-600K on fees and fines. Accordingly, Council may choose to lower the mill levy for downtown properties. There may also consider dissolving the GDGID taxing district. Learn more.
  • 2026 Proposed Budget
    Since the last time Council reviewed the 2026 budget, the City has received several grants for road, bridge, and alley maintenance, wildfire mitigation, and police & fire department funding. Learn more.
  • Special Events Recommendations
    The Communications Director and Special Events Coordinator will discuss city costs related to our various special events. Some events cover their own expenses will others receive unpaid services from the City, including Buffalo Bill Days, the Farmers Market, 4th of July Celebration, High School Homecoming Parade. The Special Events Committee provides some suggestions for how (and whether) events should be treated more equitably. Learn more.
  • Mines IGA
    This Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the School of Mines represents the ongoing effort to agree on operational and construction plans. As a state institution, the School of Mines is not bound by City of Golden zoning restraints. They don't pay property tax, but the City is required to provide police and fire protection. Such topics require frequent discussion and negotiation. Some of that is captured in this IGA. Learn more.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

7PM Warren Miller's Sno-Ciety @ Buffalo Rose

Bring on winter with Warren Miller! From big mountain lines and race gates to urban ski hills and unexpected destinations, come along as we carve turns and find our crew—from California, Colorado, and New Hampshire to Austria, British Columbia, Finland, and Scotland.

Tickets and more information

Location:

Buffalo Rose
1119 Washington Avenue   (Map)

7:45PM City Council Business Meeting @ City Hall

Public Comment

The meeting begins with public comment. If you want to address Council, you will have three minutes to speak. Any public comments received by email before 3PM will be posted in the meeting packet after 3 (so check back then!).

Items on the Consent Agenda are considered non-controversial, not needing discussion. Everything in this section will be approved at once, with one vote.

Any councilor wishing to discuss one of the issues can request that it be removed from the consent agenda and discussed and voted on separately.

These are the items on the Consent Agenda:

  • Annexation Report
    The City is required to provide the state with an annexation report noting any new additions to the city boundaries. The most recent addition was the Bachman property, added in 2023, which will eventually be developed as a park. Another annexation is expected by the end of this year: a 52 acre parcel north of the current city limits, on the west side of Highway 93. Learn more.
  • Fiber Optic Backbone
    Council will approve a $217,343 contract to extend the City's fiber optic backbone to the new City Hall at 311 10th St. Learn more.
  • Compliance with State EV Charging Requirements
    This resolution affirms that Golden already complies with state requirements regarding electric vehicle (EV) charging stations. Learn more.
  • IGA Between the City and the School District Regarding Stormwater
    This intergovernmental agreement states that the City will include school properties located within the City in stormwater reports to the state. Learn more.

Proclamations

Hunger Free Golden Presentation

This organization encompasses many food pantries, churches, schools, the City, Jeffco Public Health, and other social service organizations. They provide an annual update on food insecurity in Golden. Learn more.

Public Hearing on the 2026 Budget

See the proposed budget.

Executive Session

Council will go into executive session (no public, no cameras) to provide regularly scheduled reviews of the City Manager and City Attorney.

Location:

City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street   (Map)

The Golden Word - 11/12/25

Play now.

Live Music for Wednesday, Nov. 12th

Click to enlarge

  • 6-9PM Chris Koltak @ Miners Saloon
  • More Live Music
    4-8PM     Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
    5-9PM Open Mic @ Cannonball Creek
    6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge

For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar

Golden History: Over-Zealous Enforcement

Stills confiscated by the Jefferson County Sheriff, awaiting destruction – Golden History Museum collection – enlarge
Click to enlarge


Prohibition came early to Colorado: it began here in 1916. The rest of the country rolled out Prohibition in 1920. By 1931, people were souring on the whole experiment, and it shows in the newspapers of the time.

94 Years Ago
The November 12, 1931 Colorado Transcript announced that “Prohibition Cases Fill Court Docket – Next Week to Be Given to Trials of Booze Violators.”

If it weren’t for the prohibition law there probably would be no necessity of a term of district court in Jefferson County at this time. Of the 15 persons docketed for criminal trials, 14 are alleged violators of the liquor laws.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s residence and jail – 16th and Washington in Golden – Golden History Museum collection – enlarge

The public was also tired of the heavy-handed actions of federal prohibition officers. This editorial appeared in that same November 12, 1931 Transcript:

ANOTHER PROHIBITION MURDER
If the prohibition law is ever repealed it will be due to such enforcement tactics as those used at Englewood Sunday. A 20-year-old youth, alleged to have in his possession a small quantity of wine, was brutally beaten by a prohibition agent, refused medical attention and thrown in jail, where he subsequently died.

Possession of three ounces of wine is a crime—our laws make it so. But it is not a sin—Biblical writings prove that. But it cannot be a crime of sufficient magnitude to warrant the taking of a human life in so inhumane a manner.

The statement of John C. Vivian*, federal prohibition director, as quoted in the press, seems particularly callous and in itself does the prohibition cause no good. Vivian completely whitewashes his agent killer, evidently without giving the least credence to eye witnesses who tell a story much different from that of the prohibition agent. Vivian says: “The affair was very unfortunate. No one figured on anything like that happening.

“The officer certainly did not intend to injure him fatally. He must have struck him just in the right place.“

There is only one true version.

“That is the one told by my men. I have absolute confidence in them, and I do not have a man on my staff who would give a wrong report.

“Their story of the unfortunate affair is absolutely true.”

We cannot believe that the most ardent dry will condone such enforcement methods. Unless they would make the taking of human life a lesser crime than the possession of liquor they can only join in the demand for punishing the alleged killer under due process of law.

* Note: I think “John C. Vivian” was an error. John F. Vivian, father of John C., was the prohibition director. Son John C. Vivian went on serve two terms as governor of Colorado. Both John F. and John C. are buried in the Golden cemetery.

A search of subsequent Transcripts showed that John F. Vivian resigned a month later. The agent who killed the young man was suspended two months after the assault. The incident was summarized in the January 11, 1934 Colorado Transcript as follows:

Melford G. Smith…was struck on the head with a pistol by Prohibition Agent Henry Dierks, during a raid on an Englewood hamburger stand.

The case took more than 2 years to come to trial, but in January of 1934, Agent Dierks was given a one year sentence for voluntary manslaughter.

In a letter to the Denver News, Chester Smith, the father, says: “Our hope is that our great sacrifice may be the instigating of a new era a sane law enforcement in our state and nation and that as a result others may be spared the same great sorrows that have been ours.”
The Walsenburg World – November 24, 1931

Prohibition was repealed in 1933.

Weather

Overnight's Weather

Overnight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 44, with temperatures rising to around 48 overnight. West southwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday's Weather

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy. High near 68, with temperatures falling to around 62 in the afternoon. South southeast wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday Night's Weather

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low around 47, with temperatures rising to around 51 overnight. West wind 5 to 8 mph.

Wednesday Night: Mostly Cloudy, 47°F

Thursday: Mostly Sunny, 72°F

Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 46°F

Friday: Mostly Sunny, 71°F

Friday Night: Partly Cloudy, 47°F

Saturday: Mostly Sunny, 67°F

Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 42°F

Sunday: Mostly Sunny then Chance Rain Showers, 62°F

Sunday Night: Chance Rain Showers, 40°F

Monday: Chance Rain Showers, 55°F

Monday Night: Mostly Cloudy then Slight Chance Rain And Snow Showers, 35°F

Tuesday: Chance Rain And Snow Showers, 51°F

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, 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 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, 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

Highlights