South Table Mountain, Early Fall
Photo by Barb Warden
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, Oct. 14th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- All day - Golden Sports
- All day - Golden History Tours
- 9-11AM - Golden Startup Coffee
- 9-10:30AM - Golden Walks
- 9:30-10:30AM - Fit and Energize Exercise Class
- 10:15-11:15AM - Discovery Play
- 1-2:30PM - SPARK! Alzheimer's Association Program
- 3PM - Acoustic Preserves
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 5-7PM - Books & Beer Fundraiser
- 5-7PM - Fall Books & Beer Literacy Fundraiser
- 5-8PM - Meow-loween Cat Takeover
- 6-8PM - Pizza and Pool
- 6PM - Bingo Night
- 6-9PM - Mashup | Ghouls' Night Out
- 6:30-8:30PM - Trivia Night @ Golden Mill
- 6:30PM - CANCELED: Historic Preservation Board Meeting
- 6:30-8PM - Wine, Women, and Wealth (WWW) in Golden
- 6:30-8:30PM - Instrumental Concert
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
1-2:30PM SPARK! Alzheimer's Association Program @ Foothills Art Center - Astor House
SPARK! at Foothills Art Center is a free program designed to make art accessible for people experiencing mild memory loss, early-stage Alzheimer’s, or a related dementia, and their family, friends, and guests. Join a trained facilitator for an engaging afternoon in a welcoming environment. Participants will enjoy an insightful tour and conversation followed by an art activity inspired by the featured artworks. All materials will be provided. Enjoy complimentary refreshments while connecting with fellow attendees during each session. This monthly program is free with advance registration. Register
Location:
Foothills Art Center - Astor House
1133 Arapahoe Street (Map)
Halloween Heating Up
'Tis the season when the calendar fills with Halloween events. To help with your seasonal planning, we've set up a special calendar that's all-Halloween/all the time.
There are two events tonight:
5-8PM Meow-loween Cat Takeover @ New Terrain Brewing
Bring your cat in a backpack, stroller or other enclosed carrier to our celebration of travel cats! Halloween costumes are encouraged for feline friends who like to dress for the occasion! Don’t think your cat can handle it? Don’t have a cat? That’s fine, too. Just come and hang out with the cats that will be here. Because cats.
More information
6-9PM Golden Mashup | Ghouls' Night Out
The “Ghouls’ Night Out” theme invites visitors to embrace Halloween with costumes, creepy accessories, exclusive deals, live music and other surprises at participating businesses. These events are geared toward Golden residents, with special discounts, prizes, and more!
Businesses across Golden will stay open late with one-night-only experiences, charged with energy, enthusiasm and the support of the Downtown Development Authority and the Community Marketing Board to help bolster their activations! Discover live music, pop-ups, family activities, special menus, shopping, hands-on fun, locals-only exclusive deals, and unexpected collaborations. Every business is creating something different, so every stop is a new adventure. A list of location-specific details to follow with plenty of family-friendly activities and activities for a night on the town without the kids. Choose your adventure! See the City's website for a list of participating businesses.
It's Voting Season
Photo by Carol McEncroe
Mid-term elections are right around the corner, and those of you who are registered to vote should have received your ballots by now.
It's not too late to register!
If you aren't registered to vote, here's how you can make your voice heard.
Register online here
Register in person at a voting center
Mailing your ballot:
Once you have your ballot and have filled it out, you can mail it in (no later than October 26 to make sure it is received in time)
Taking your ballot to a drop box:
You can also deliver it to any one of several convenient drop boxes by 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. Golden drop box locations include:
- Jeffco Courts and Administration Building at 100 Jefferson County Parkway (map) There is a drive-up box on the northeast side.
- Jeffco Elections Laramie Building at 3500 Illinois Street (map). There is a drive-up box there, too.
- Golden City Hall at 911 10th Street (map)
- Colorado School of Mines at 1400 Illinois Street (map)
In-Person Voting:
Of course, you can vote in person at all of those locations plus the Jefferson County Fairgrounds. In-person voting begins as early as October 19 in some locations and October 30 in others. More information on hours and specific dates can be accessed here.
Jefferson County's Upcoming Election Page is full of information if you have additional questions.
Finally, there are a lot of issues to be decided this election, and you can learn more about what is on the ballot here.
Most importantly, be sure to vote!
Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting. ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt, Former U.S. President
For Strength and Community
Scene from the Holiday Ruck, December 2025 - Photo by Chris Davell
You may recall last December, when the Army, ROTC, and Boy Scouts had a holiday "ruck," which involved lots of exercise and a hefty donation to the Golden Pantry and Thrift.
They're coming back! They will be here tomorrow morning, meeting at 8AM at Vanover Park (map). They will be carrying packs full of canned goods and clothing, which they will deliver to the Pantry at the conclusion of the hike.
You're invited to join them! Here's the invitation:
Join us as we partake in a 2.5 mile ruck march and donate Thanksgiving canned goods and Halloween candy to the local community through Golden Pantry and Thrift. Arrive at Vanover Park with a ruck/backpack full of goods that you would like to donate.
All are welcome!
Event Overview: Autumn Donation Ruck
Who: Region 8 DCE, EPLO teams, Westminster recruiting team, School of Mines Army ROTC, Scouts of America, FEMA R8, 743rd MI BN
What: Canned goods/ clothing donation drop during 2.75 mile ruck march
Where: Vanover Park, Golden, CO /Clear Creek Trail/ Golden Pantry and Thrift
When: Thursday, October 15th @ 8:00am
Why: To increase relations with the local community and Esprit de Corps
The Golden Word - 10/14/26
Too Exciting at Times
Golden Cemetery
117 Years Ago
The October 14, 1909 Colorado Transcript included the obituary for a lady who lived a long and remarkable life.
Juanita Ortiz Smith was born in Santa Fe in 1817. Her family held a Spanish land grant. She married Ensign Smith in 1833.
Her husband was engaged in business which many times took him off the old Santa Fe trail into the wilds, and on many occasions he was accompanied by his wife. Times without number they were attacked by the hostile Indians barely escaping with their lives. On the occasion of their trip from Santa Fe to Texas at the time of the outbreak of the Mexican War they were captured by Indians. Mr. Smith was horribly wounded and left for dead on the desert. His wife was taken captive, but managed to escape at night and make her way back to her husband, whom she nursed back to health.
Colorado Transcript - October 14, 1909
The couple's later adventures took them to Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and finally to Colorado for the 1859 gold rush. Mr. Smith signed the charter that created Golden as a City. The Transcript credited the Smiths with building the second residence in town.
Mr. Smith worked with William Loveland to build the toll road through Golden Gate Canyon. Mrs. Smith raised many children and was known for her good works in the community.
Mrs. Smith was of a distinctly charitable disposition, and even when feeble in old age was able to do many acts of kindness.
Mrs. Smith was survived by several brothers and sisters, one of whom was the Mexican Vice-Consul in Denver. She also left a number of sons and daughters. She was interred in the Golden Cemetery, beside her husband. She was 92 at the time of her death.
Live Music for Wednesday, Oct. 14th
- 6-9PM Chris Koltak @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
5:30-8:30PM Open Mic Night @ Barrels and Bottles
5-8PM Dave Frisk @ Rock Rest Lodge
6PM Open Mic @ Cannonball Creek
6PM Open Mic Night @ Scully's Cafe
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Weather
Overnight: Rain showers and areas of fog. Cloudy. Low around 40, with temperatures rising to around 44 overnight. Northeast wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
Wednesday: Rain showers and areas of fog. Cloudy. High near 44, with temperatures falling to around 42 in the afternoon. Northeast wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Rain. Cloudy. Low around 39, with temperatures rising to around 43 overnight. North northeast wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Wednesday Night: Light Rain, 39°F
Thursday: Light Rain Likely, 51°F
Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 34°F
Friday: Sunny, 60°F
Friday Night: Mostly Clear, 39°F
Saturday: Sunny, 74°F
Saturday Night: Partly Cloudy, 50°F
Sunday: Mostly Sunny, 71°F
Sunday Night: Partly Cloudy, 46°F
Monday: Sunny, 72°F
Monday Night: Mostly Clear, 50°F
Tuesday: Sunny, 74°F
News About Golden - October 14, 2026
Golden exploring termination of Flock camera contract
By Matt Kyle
Denver Gazette
The city of Golden is currently exploring how to exit its contract with the license plate reader company Flock and establish a framework for surveillance technology within the city... Read more...
Golden Cemetery history focus of councilors’ latest event
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
Every month, Golden hosts a Coffee with Councilors event focused on a specific aspect of city operations, ranging from Fossil Trace Golf Course to the newest parks and fields.
This month, the focus could be described as — to quote the musical “Hamilton” — “When you’re gone, who remembers your name? Who keeps your flame? Who tells your story?” Read more...
‘The last pieces of El Rancho’
By Jane Reuter
Canyon Courier
For many of the people who came to the El Rancho sale, the piles of pots and pans, cups and bowls, and chairs — some with crumbs still in the seats — were far more than closeout stock. They were memories... Read more...
Family reunion celebrates 166 Years of Colorado pioneers
By Kevin Strong
CBS News
On a wall in Cherry Moore's house hang 14 certificates. Each celebrates a Colorado pioneer who has been in the state for at least 100 years, many even longer. Some arrived before Colorado became a state... Read more...
Mines volleyball breaks record for consecutive sweeps
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
The Colorado School of Mines volleyball team has taken “on a roll” to a new level, breaking its own program record of consecutive sweeps during its Oct. 10 home match against Fort Lewis... 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, 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, 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, Robert Thresher, Tonie Mattox, Steve & M.L. Richardson, Jeremy & Stephanie Keller, AC Development, Golden PT & Pilates, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Mary Eiberger, and Jonathan Landman & Bonnie Vangilder
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, 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, 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, Sam & Marilyn Baron, Carmen Johnson, 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, Edgar Walker, Bivy Beer Bar, Nancy Cooper, Jane & Mike Templeton, Vicki Greivel, Kim McDonough, Carie Chimbel, Peggy Brochtrup, Cindy & Matt Finley, Kelly Fry, Esther Kettering, Tom & Susan Roberts, Vicki Greivel, GoGood Golden, Sandra Dallas, Nanette Johnson, and Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch
Followers:
($5-9.99/month or $55/year)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser, Steve Stevens, Vicki Olson, Emily Kurzinski, Peyton Gibson, Sally Berger, Kristen Morgan, Joyce Sutton, Mary Rains, Craig Champlin, Stan Swisher, Bill Way, Chris Toney, Alicia Zimmerman, Tamara Feucht, Golden Brokers, Diane Tiberi, Cathy Larocca, Dave Cole, and Rachael Kenney-Reid
