A Hint of Yellow
Photo by Elizabeth Hilliard
Click to enlarge
What's happening in Golden today?
Events for Wednesday, Sep. 18th
- All day - CURRENT EXHIBITS AT THE MUSEUMS
- All day - Live Workouts with Community Center Pros
- 7:30-9AM - Citizens Budget Advisory Committee Meeting
- 9-10:15AM - Golden Walks
- 10AM-4PM - Bum Bag
- 10:15-10:45AM - Toddler Time
- 3-5PM - Virtual/Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
- 4-8PM - Science Cafe - Carbon Management
- 5-6:30PM - Heart of Golden Next Phase Kick-Off Event
- 5:30-8PM - GWiB's Cocktails & Connections Party 2024
- 6:30PM - Trivia Night
- 6:30PM - CANCELED: Planning Commission Meeting
For more information, click the item above or visit the Golden Today Calendar
5-6:30PM Heart of Golden Next Phase Kick-Off Event
Meet on the Lions Park Ballfields
Join city staff at the Next Phase Kick-off Event on Sept. 18 at 5 PM at the Lions Park Ballfields (map) for a walking tour of five locations along the corridor, ending at the proposed site for a new city building. Walk the corridor and provide input on the corridor's revitalization, a proposed building for police and city services, and help shape the future of our community. Learn more on Guiding Golden.
Commentary: Thoughts about building a new city hall
The proposal to build a new city hall has been a hot topic around town this year. Social media—particularly NextDoor—have been roiling with conversations about whether we should proceed.
The City Manager says that the police need more space—an assertion that no one is rebutting. His timing is unfortunate, in that the city employees are moving to a 4-day/32-hour work week, with half of that time spent working from home. This has led many citizens to ask, "Can't the police use some of the space that the other employees are vacating?"
The City Manager also says he prefers to have his staff all in one building, instead of spread between the current city hall, annex, and public works buildings. This has led citizens to ask, "How will you manage all those people working at home?"
The City's announcements about tonight's tour say these changes will "make the Clear Creek Corridor more useable and desirable for residents" Citizens are concerned that more parkland will attract more visitors--making the corridor anything but usable and desirable for residents.
The citizens (taxpayers) are also concerned about the cost of the project. The new city hall/police building is estimated at $60 million—quite an undertaking for a town of 20,0000. But that's only the beginning. The longer-range plan includes:
1 Building a new parking garage across from the new city hall
2 Demolishing the current city hall
3 Landscaping that space to serve as parkland
4 Building a new history museum
5 Demolishing the old history museum and landscaping that space
6 Redesigning the original parts of Lions Park
Some residents are preemptively saying "No way!" Others are saying, "if that's what you think is best—we elected Council to make these decisions." Many are saying "maybe...explain why we need it, and let us vote on it—don't make such an expensive commitment without asking us."
I have been hoping that the City would make its case to the residents, explaining why they want to build a new city hall, and why it's a good idea. Tonight is the opening salvo in a campaign to convince Golden residents that they too should want a new city hall. I intend to go, and listen with great attention.
7:30-9AM CBAC Meeting @ City Hall
Staff will review the sales, use, lodging, and marijuana revenues for the month of July (starts on p.10 of the meeting packet).
The Citizens Budget Advisory Committee (CBAC) will take their first look at the Budget and Capital Improvement plan for 2025 and 2026. It starts on p. 28 of the meeting packet.
The total projected revenue for 2025 is $43,048,403. The total planned expenditures are $42,498,217.
The Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) shows us borrowing $60 million to build a new city hall (p. 47).
Other major projects include the West Colfax Complete Street ($17.6 million), Hwy 6 Interchange Improvements ($5 million), and Hwy 93 design work (an additional $1.3 million, on top of $1 million this year). Start on p. 48 to see the capital improvement plans.
City Hall Council Chambers
911 10th Street (map)
Click here to watch the meeting on the city website (starting at 7:30AM).
4-8PM Science Cafe - Carbon Management @ The Golden Welcome Center
Organized by the National Renewable Research Lab (NREL) and Mines CCUS Innovation Center, the event features two moderated panel discussions, each followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The first panel will showcase scientists from NREL, who will discuss cutting-edge technologies and career opportunities in carbon management. The second panel will bring together industry representatives to share insights into their roles and their companies' contributions to this rapidly growing field. This event offers a valuable opportunity for Golden community members to learn more about the emerging carbon management industry.
More information
Golden Welcome Center
1010 Washington Avenue (map)
Live Music for Wednesday, Sep. 18th
- 6-9PM Jordan Yewey @ Miners Saloon
- More Live Music
4-8PM Chrispy @ Mountain Toad
6PM Live Music @ Rock Rest Lodge
For more information, visit the Golden Today Calendar
Golden History: Needing Some Direction
Nineteen-teens: not much competition for the middle of the road
Click to enlarge
Drive on the right side of the road.
Don’t drive drunk.
Children can’t drive.
Don’t back up in traffic.
No U-turns in the middle of the block.
105 Years Ago
Our traffic laws are so ingrained that it’s easy to forget that those rules had to be invented. The September 18, 1919 Colorado Transcript announced that Golden’s City Council proposed to impose our first traffic ordinance. Their plan was to put several traffic laws on the books, but to enforce them selectively, as needed.
The new rules stated that no one under fifteen could drive unless a competent driver was supervising. Drivers should stay on the right side of the road. No one under the influence of liquor could drive. One rule that mystified me was “a provision forbidding siren whistles and those operated by the exhaust gas of a car.” I’d never heard of an exhaust whistle, but apparently they’re still around (and still obnoxious).
83 Years Ago
A September 18, 1941 Transcript article described a typical session of Golden’s traffic court. “After listening to several cases charged with speeding, reckless driving, backing and turning (also overtime parking) you will be convinced as we were, that the city council, police department and this court have only one object in view–that is to make the Golden streets safe for those who use them.”
The goal of the article was to convince the public that Golden was ready for its first traffic light, proposed for the intersection of 12th and Washington. Mitchell Elementary was located at 12th and Jackson at that time, and hundreds of school children used that intersection going to and from school.
These lights are something that every citizen of Golden should insist upon now before some little tot gets hurt–money or no money, budget or no budget. Surely $160 to $200 is a small premium to pay to insure the safety of these children against accidents which are almost certain to happen without this protection. If you don’t believe it come down any morning, noon or night and see for yourself.
Golden’s first stoplight was installed at 12th and Washington in 1946.
Many thanks to the Golden Rotary Club for sponsoring Golden History Moments for the month of September.
Weather
Overnight: Clear. Low around 52, with temperatures rising to around 55 overnight. West southwest wind around 7 mph.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 81. South southwest wind around 8 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear. Low around 53, with temperatures rising to around 56 overnight. West wind 7 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Wednesday Night: Clear, 53°F
Thursday: Sunny, 81°F
Thursday Night: Mostly Clear, 57°F
Friday: Sunny, 83°F
Friday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Clear, 56°F
Saturday: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 67°F
Saturday Night: Showers And Thunderstorms Likely, 49°F
Sunday: Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 64°F
Sunday Night: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Partly Cloudy, 48°F
Monday: Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 72°F
Monday Night: Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 50°F
Tuesday: Slight Chance Rain Showers then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms, 70°F
News About Golden - September 18, 2024
NREL Breaks Ground on New Facility in Golden, CO
Printed Electronics
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) broke ground on its new Energy Materials and Processing at Scale (EMAPS) facility on the east side of its South Table Mountain Campus in Golden, CO... Read more...
Golden Civic Foundation receives $290,000 gift for technology-related grants, loans
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
For Golden-area businesses and nonprofits planning to upgrade their technology in 2025, the Golden Civic Foundation may be able to help... Read more..
Golden-area RV murder case moving toward November trial
By Corinne Westeman
Golden Transcript
The prosecution and defense are moving toward a Nov. 4-18 trial in the Golden-area RV murder case... Read more...
Foothills Art Center Newsletter
Creative Campus Open House, Clay Classes, and so much more... Read more...
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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, Morris & Mae Market, Miners Saloon, Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden Hayride Outpost, Kona Bowls, Unite Fitness, Tom Reiley, Michael Mason, and Esther Kettering
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, Joy Brandt, Ann Norton & Jonathan Storer
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, AC Development, Cynthia Merrill Tamny, Stephen Pero, Meg Van Ness & Steve Kalasz, Steve & Karla Schaefer
Members:
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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, Casey & Gina Brown, Sandy Schneider, Mark and Cathy Pattridge, Cheryl G Leidich, Jen Rutter, Carol Abel, 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, Lynne Haigh, Elizabeth Hilliard, Frank Young & Terre Deegan-Young, Kathy Hirons & Jack Markin, Jess & Anthony Monasterio, Ella Lyons & Jeanne Fritch, 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, and Ken and Colleen Krantz.
Followers:
($5-9.99/month)
Golden Community Garden, Lora Haimes, Mariane Erickson, J.J. Fraser
