May 17 Weekly Digest
City of Golden /  911 10th Street  /  Golden, CO 
(303) 384-8000
This week in Golden

Flagger on Linking Lookout
There are two big stories happening in Golden at the moment, and the first is not a good one. Some of you may have received a CodeRed call last night. This was due to a home invasion that resulted in a victim being seriously injured. Police have apprehended two suspects, but two still remain at large, and the police need the public's help in apprehending them. Please scroll down to read more, or go to the City Website to get the full story, including a picture of one of the suspects still at large. If you have any information, please contact  Det. Eric Jones at 303-215-8863.

The second big story is that a portion of US 6 will be completely closed this weekend as part of the Linking Lookout project. We know this is a big deal, but we're trying to make it as pain-free as possible on our residents! Please visit www.LinkingLookout.com for maps of local and regional detours and to get the full scoop. The closure will begin at 10 p.m. Friday night and, at the latest, will run until 5 a.m. Monday morning - but we're keeping our fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and the road can be opened up sooner.

Please keep reading for more happening in the City and have a good, safe week.

Your friends at the City of Golden
Current Projects
Linking Lookout Logo
Linking Lookout (US 6 & 19th St. Interchange)
 
Weekend Closure:
There will be a full closure of US 6 from Heritage Road to SH 58 for utility line installation related to construction of the interchange at US 6 and 19th Street. The closure will begin at 10 p.m. on Friday, May 20. The road will be closed through the weekend and will reopen by 5 a.m. on Monday, May 23. If the project goes well and weather cooperates, the road could open back up earlier. For the very latest updates, visit www.LinkingLookout.com , where you will find details on the project including detour maps and a live web cam so you can watch what's happening. During the US 6 closure, 19th Street will remain open.
 
Contractors will be installing sanitary sewer lines and stormwater drainage lines ranging in size from 8 inches up to 56 inches with some at depths of over 20 feet and across US 6. The full weekend closure was preferred by citizens comparing it to "ripping the bandage off quickly" by doing the entire project at once instead of causing several closures over multiple weekends. Work will take place 24 hours a day, so there might be some disruption to local neighborhoods.

Please note the local detours:
  • Southbound traffic: Take SH 58 to the Washington Avenue exit. Cross over Washington Avenue to 7th Street. Turn right on Ford Street and follow that until it turns into South Golden Road. From there, go right on Johnson Road and you will get back to US 6 east.
  • Northbound traffic: Take a right on either Johnson Road or Jefferson County Parkway.  Go east to South Golden Road and take a left. South Golden Road turns into Ford Street. Take a left on 10th Street, a right on Washington Avenue, and then left onto the on-ramp for SH 58 to SH 93.
Other work this week:
  • Work along 19th Street will begin on Thursday with removal of concrete on the south side.
  • Utility work up to US 6 being done to minimize the amount needed over the weekend closure.
  • Us 6 will be saw cut where the 4 utility lines will be placed during the closure in advance. This will require some short lane closures controlled by flaggers.
  • Some retaining wall facing will continue. 

Below are 36 inch drainage pipes awaiting installation this weekend. 



Please note, these plans can change at any time depending on weather and other factors. 
Follow us on Twitter!
Follow us on Twitter for real-time updates! You can also get lots of project information, including maps and long-term plans at LinkingLookout.com.

New Water Meter
Water Meter Replacement project - all notices now sent out
 
The City of Golden water meter replacement project began in late March, with Keystone Utility Systems as the City's contractor for the project. About 40 to 60 replacements are happening per day now, city-wide. Notices of replacements are going out in utility bills, and as of the last billing cycle, all notices should now be out. If your notice indicates you should call for an appointment, please contact Keystone with the contact information below. Appointments  are available Monday through Saturday between approximately 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Please remove any items blocking access to the water meter before Keystone arrives to ensure a quick and trouble-free replacement.

A typical residential replacement will take approximately 20 minutes; a commercial replacement may take several hours. If your meter is in a pit outside, you do not need to do anything. If you have an inside set meter you will need to contact Keystone and schedule an appointment. You can schedule via email at  Office@keystoneutilities.com or by phone at 1-877-587-2279 between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Contact Les Major at 303-384-8170 or Keith Mehls at 303-384-8171 with questions regarding this project.
2016 Concrete Program
 
Fasick Concrete is wrapping up in the East St. neighborhood and moving to Jackson St. Crews will be closing Jackson from 14th to 15th Sts. to install wider sidewalks on both sides. Traffic will be detoured west on 13th St and back to 15th. The work is expected to begin Monday and anticipated to take 4 days to complete.

Crews will also be working on Illinois St. from 10th St. south to the Billy Drew bridge.
2016 Utilities Replacement Program
 
Water line replacement on Iowa Drive and Iowa Ct continues. Miscellaneous sanitary sewer manhole replacements will be scheduled as weather permits.
2016 Streets Program
 
Martin Marietta Materials finished paving the Visitor's Center parking lot and Illinois south of 10th last week and Jackson from 14th to 15th. 
noise mitigation sign
19th St. Noise Mitigation Sign
 
The experimental sign that provides feedback to drivers about the noise they are creating as they drive up Lookout Mountain has been installed. Staff will be adjusting and refining the levels and sign operation over the next few weeks.
Upcoming Events
Parks & Recreation Board Meeting
 
The Parks & Recreation Board will meet tonight, May 17, at 7 p.m. at the Golden Community Center at 1470 10th Street in Golden.

At the meeting, the board will discuss the following:
  • Golden Bike Library UpdatePark Rules Discussion
  • Planning Commission, upcoming visit
  • Parks and Recreation Capital Budget Discussion
  • Director's Report, which will include a Master Plan Update, Ulysses Skatepark Update and an Astor House Update
For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page.  
Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee Meeting
 
The Citizens' Budget Advisory Committee will meet May 18, at 7:30 a.m. in Council Chambers at 911 10th Street.

At the meeting, will consider the following:
  • CIP and Operating Budget Discussion
  • IT Security Update - Kirk Dickson
  • Event Policy Update - Steve Glueck / Diane Tiberi
  • TABOR refresher
For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page.  
Planning Commission Meeting
 
The Planning Commission will meet May 18, at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at 911 10th Street.

At the meeting, Planning Commission will conduct a review of the existing Sustainability Menu found in Chapter 18.40 of the land use code, and work with the Sustainability Board to identify any potential changes for consideration by Council.

For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page.  
City Council Study Session
 
City Council will meet in regular study session on May 19 at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall Council Chambers located at 911 10th Street.
 
At the meeting, City Council will discuss the following items:
  • Xcel Energy has requested time to make their "Our Energy Future" presentation to city council. 
     
  • Staff will update Council on the progress of a project to replace existing water meter technology with AMI (Advanced Meter Infrastructure or "smart meter") throughout the city, receive direction on changes to municipal code that may be necessary as a result, and provide a demonstration of the customer portal software.
  • Council discuss broadband opportunities within the city, next steps that would need to occur, as well as pros and cons of implementation.
  • Staff will provide City Council with an update on proposed changes to the 2017 - 2018 budget process, based on feedback provided by City Council at their retreat in April. Staff will also be available to discuss City Council's budget letter.
For more information on this or other upcoming board meetings, please visit our  Agendas, Minutes, Web Casts and Schedule page .
Jefferson County Public Library
Golden Library Events - May 17-24
  • Lego Play and Build (May 17 & 24, 4 p.m.) -You're never too old (or young!) to play with LEGOs! Join the Golden Library all-ages LEGO Play and Build program. Build something based on the month's theme or use your imagination! Everyone is welcome, just drop-in. Space is limited, however, and program is limited to 45 participants.
  • Book Group (May 17, 6 p.m.)Join us for our Tuesday Night Book Group. We will discuss A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking.
  • DIY Kids (May 18, 4 p.m.)If you love to invent, create and reimagine things, DIY Kids isthe place for you! We'll be making and experimenting in this awesome, hands-on program! Registration with the Golden Library is required. This week is a special activity. Create with celery, artsy artichokes and lovely lemons. Learn to do printmaking with fruits and veggies! Join us in the library laboratory and experiment with some food!
  • Feed Your Brain: Nutrition for Concentration and Focus (May 24, 2 p.m.) Is your brain starved for better nutrition? Do you find it hard to concentrate or focus? Feeling irritable or moody for no discernible reason? Are you absentminded or suffer from periodic brain fog? Come learn the secrets of a better brain at any age. Presented by a Natural Grocers nutritionist.
For more information or to register for programs that require pre-registration, please visit the Golden Library website .
Jeffco Innovators' Workshop: Time for a New Brew!

Join us for this week's Jeffco Innovators' Workshop to learn about Golden's new Holidaily Brewing Company. Owner Karen Hertz will give us the "suds" on her delightful gluten-free beer, which just won the top spot for Best Local Brewery on Denver's 2016  A List .

When: May 18, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Holidaily Brewing Company, 801 Brickyard Circle, Golden

A proud Colorado native, Hertz earned an MBA at the University of Colorado and spent 10+ years in distribution and logistics. She is a beer lover who has been gluten-free for over 5 years and recently opened Colorado's first 100% dedicated gluten-free brewery. When not at the brewery, she spends her time with her husband and twin daughters.

Learn the story of Karen's unique beverage - crafted unlike any other gluten-free beer - and hear how she achieved the dream of owning her own brewery.

The Workshop will take place at Holidaily Brewing at 801 Brickyard Circle, Golden, CO at 6:30 p.m.

The meet-up is free but space is limited so you must  RSVP online in advance.

Colorado Railroad Museum
Magnificent Moms and Model Trains

We're celebrating Mom the whole month of May! Spoil Mom on May 21 with a picnic and an afternoon of live jazz music and model train demonstrations at the Colorado Railroad Museum.

The CRM new pavilion is an ideal picnic spot to take in an afternoon of live music.  Singer Wendy Fopeano will join  pianist Doug Roche - both renowned local jazz artists - as they perform timeless tunes from the Great American Songbook. Performances will begin at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Enjoy fascinating demonstrations from model train clubs, and don't forget to visit the Museum's permanent G-scale model railway from the Denver Garden Railway Society and our HO model railway from the Denver HO Model Railroad Club.
Coffee with a Councilor, North Neighborhoods

Join District 2 Golden City Councilor Casey Brown for coffee at Natural Grocers at 10 a.m. on May 22, and discuss the things that matter to you and your community!
Around Town
Police Need Public's Help to Catch Home Invasion Suspects
 
Golden Police continue to search for one of three male suspects involved in a home invasion in Golden last night, and we're asking for the public's help to track him down. The man is 20-year old Cody Aaron Jones, DOB 3/4/1996 (pictured right).  Jones is currently on probation for 2nd degree burglary charges, obstructing a peace officer, theft, and also has an active nationwide warrant for his arrest on another case.

Two suspects are in custody. One is a 17-year old juvenile male and the other is 21-year old Caleb Williams, DOB: 4/15/95. He is in custody at an area hospital with stab wounds he received from the victim during the altercation.

Police are also searching for an unidentified female who was apparently driving the getaway car for the other suspects during this incident.

If you have any information about the at-large suspects, please call Det. Eric Jones at 303-215-8863.

Background
A home invasion in Golden has turned out to be a tragic case of mistaken identity. According to one suspect in custody, he and two other young males broke into a home in the 1900 block of Washington Avenue last night just before 9 p.m. They were expecting to find $10,000 in cash and drugs. However, they went to the wrong house.

The victims heard a soft knock at their door.  When the wife opened the door, the three men pushed their way inside. The husband quickly got into an altercation with all three suspects in an attempt to stop them. At one point he was able to grab a knife from the kitchen and stab one of the suspects. Meanwhile, the wife ran out of the house to a neighbor and called 911. Golden Police arrived in less than three minutes from the time the 911 call was received.

The husband has stab wounds to his kidney and a punctured lung, along with several other lacerations. Fortunately, he is expected to survive. Both the husband and wife are middle school teachers, and their two children were in the basement asleep during the incident.
Youth Citizens' Police Academy - application deadline extended!
 
Do you know a young adult who is considering a career in law enforcement, or would be interested to learn how and why police do what they do? For one week in June, young adults between the ages of 13 and 17 will have the opportunity to experience what Golden Police officers and Police employees do in an action-filled hands-on environment.

The Youth Citizens' Academy is packed full of fun including searching a building for suspects, touring a jail, learning about SWAT operations, investigating a traffic accident and collecting evidence from a mock crime scene. This is a very entertaining way to learn about your local law enforcers and the laws that guide them.

The application deadline has been extended to May 26! To apply, you must be between the ages of 13 and 17 (13 year olds must have completed 7 th grade). The academy is one week long; June 13 to 17 from 8 a.m. to 4 p. m. You must be able to attend all five days. It is preferred applicants are enrolled in schools within the city limits of Golden.

To apply, visit our  Volunteer page.
Rabies confirmed in Jefferson County - vaccinate your pet!
 
Over the past several weeks, four cases of rabies in skunks have been confirmed in Jefferson County and throughout the metro Denver area. The first case was reported at the end of April and was the first ever confirmed in Jefferson County. With this news, Foothills Animal Shelter and Jefferson County Public Health are strongly encouraging all pet owners to make sure their animals are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations.

Rabies is caused by a virus that affects the nervous system of humans and other mammals, and is almost always fatal. When rabies is present in wildlife, the risk of transmission to humans and domestic animals increases dramatically. Wild animals infected with the virus can spread it through bites and scratches.

"With the dramatic increase of confirmed cases of rabies in the metro Denver area, we want to encourage all pet owners to make sure their pets' rabies vaccines are current. It is an easy and effective way to help protect both pets and humans from this deadly disease. Sometimes dog and cat owners do not realize the importance of the vaccine. If your dog or cat interacts with a skunk in your backyard and is not vaccinated, the animal may need to be quarantined for up to 180 days," said Jennifer Strickland, Executive Director of Foothills Animal Shelter.

Pet owners should speak with their veterinarian about getting a rabies vaccine and keeping it updated. As another option, Foothills Animal Shelter offers rabies vaccinations at weekly Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinics.

Vaccine, License & Microchip Clinic details
  • What: Affordable Vaccine, License, & Microchip Clinics
  • When: Every Friday from 4 - 5:30 p.m. and various Saturdays from 2 - 4 p.m.
  • Where: Foothills Animal Shelter (580 McIntyre Street in Golden)
  • Note: No appointment necessary. If applicable, please bring your pet's past written vaccine records to help us better serve you.
  • More info and full schedule: Foothills Animal Shelter
Other tips for pet owners to prevent possible exposure to rabies
  • Avoid contact with wild animals. Make sure your dog is on leash at all times to avoid the possibility of contact with wildlife.
  • Keep your cats indoors to decrease the chance of contact with wild animals.
  • Do not intentionally feed wild animals or leave your pet's food outside.
  • If you believe your pet has been bitten or scratched by a wild animal, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Parks & Recreation Master Plan Survey
 
The City of Golden Parks and Recreation Department has commissioned a Parks and Recreation Master Plan Survey as part of an effort to update the 2008 Master Plan. Community input is an important part of this process and helps the Parks and Recreation Department to best tailor the plan to reflect Golden residents' desires and needs.

A random sampling of Golden residents was invited to take a survey via postcard last week. These responses will provide statistically valid results. Residents who have received a postcard are encouraged to follow the web link on the card to fill out the Parks and Recreation survey. Completed surveys will be entered into a drawing to win one of two prizes: one 20 visit pass for the Golden Community Center and one 10 visit pass for the Splash Water Park!

The results of the survey will provide critical information in determining community values, satisfaction levels, needs and priorities, and demographics for Golden Parks and Recreation's long-term planning efforts. Questions asked include what types of programs, facilities, and services residents want in their parks system and where priorities should be placed.

This project is led by GreenPlay, LLC with survey and data work done by RRC Associates. A total of 3,000 households in the City of Golden will be mailed a survey, and responses from these residents will comprise the statistically-valid sample.

Residents who were not selected for the random sample will have the opportunity to participate in a larger Golden Parks and Recreation public survey in several weeks. The website for this open link survey will be shared in coming weeks here and on the City of Golden website.