Jefferson County emergency service agencies, including law enforcement, fire and EMS, have launched a Text to 911 service. Broomfield is also adopting the service.

Most cell phone carriers now have the technology to make this available. Major carriers such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile have made this available.

"We are rolling out this service to better serve our communities, but with the motto, 'Call if you can, text if you must'," said Vicki Pickett, director of 9-1-1 Communications at Arvada Police Department.

A text sent to 9-1-1 will go to emergency dispatchers who are logged in to a secure website to see the message. If you are in a service area where texting is not available, you will be sent a bounce-back text alerting you. At that point, you will need to call 9-1-1.

Like cell phone calls to 9-1-1, dispatchers will not know your exact location. The location service for texting is even broader than with cell phones, which make pinpointing an exact location more difficult. So if you are texting your emergency, it is important to include your location and the nature of your emergency as part of the first message.

While calling 9-1-1 is the preferred method of contact, making Text to 9-1-1 available is important for when calling is not a viable or safe option. This service will be very useful to those who are hard of hearing, deaf or speech-impaired.

• The caller is facing a threatening situation and a voice call could increase the threat.
• The caller is injured or suffered a medical condition and cannot speak.
• The caller is in a remote location and can only send out text messages.
• Phone lines and cell phone towers are overwhelmed and only a text message can get through.

When texting, residents are asked to avoid slang and abbreviations for the sake of clarity. Photos and videos cannot be sent to dispatchers through this method, and texts are limited to 160 characters. These limitations, however, may change as technology advances.

"It is important that dispatch centers make available every method possible to help those in need," said Pickett. "And while a phone call is preferred, we know this service will prove valuable to many Jefferson County and Broomfield residents."

Residents who are unsure if their carriers offer this service should call their provider directly to find out.

Jefferson County Library Foundation (JCLF) is now accepting individual donations to support the Golden Library remodel.

"Earlier this year, we launched a naming recognition initiative with the Golden remodel to help us develop alternative sources of revenue to support the Library," said Jo Schantz, executive director, JCLF. "So far, we've raised more than $20,000 from the naming recognition program.

"We've also heard from patrons who asked if they could support the library at lower donation levels," Schantz continued. "We've listened to their request, and we're now accepting individual donations ranging from $100 - $5,000 dollars."

Donations will be used to support enhancements to the building and its amenities. Donors will be recognized on the Golden Library's donor wall and in the Library and Library Foundation's annual report.

"We've seen an outpouring of support from the Golden community for our remodel project," Schantz added. "This gives patrons and residents a way to show that support in a very tangible and personal way."

Patrons and residents can donate online at jeffcolibrary.org/donate and note that their contribution is for the Golden Library, or send their contributions to the Jefferson County Library Foundation:

ATTN: Golden Library Remodel
10790 W. 50th Avenue, Suite 200
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

"We're asking donors to be sure to include their contact information so we can recognize their contributions appropriately," Schantz concluded.  

If you missed paper shredding this weekend at Community Pride Days, don't worry - there's another opportunity coming up on May 16!

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office is proud to once again be a part of the Crime Stoppers annual Shred-a-Thon. On Saturday, May 16, from 7 a.m. to noon, Shred-it, Inc. will be providing on-site shredding of your personal documents (bank statements, bills, old tax returns, etc.). This event is a major fundraiser for Crime Stoppers, and tax-deductible donations are encouraged. 

The process is an easy drive-thru and drop off. Shred-it, Inc. will accept three boxes or plastic grocery bags of documents per vehicle, and all documents will be shredded on-site using commercial-size shredders. The resulting confetti-like material is then recycled. The shredders will chew through metal binders and clips, so there is no need to remove staples, paperclips or other metal pieces.

• Cancelled checks
• ATM & credit card receipts
• Old credit cards
• Credit card offers
• Bills
• Old bank statements
• Tax records & receipts (keep for 7 years)
• Medical records (keep for 7 years)
• Pay stubs (keep for 7 years)

Law enforcement personnel will be on hand to accept your documents and donations. Shredding will take place in the lower west parking lot of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, 200 Jefferson County Pkwy. in Golden.

Benjamin Reece Idler, a Bell Middle School seventh grader, recently took second place for his grade level for the Jeffco Writing Challenge. In its second year, the competition, sponsored by Education Nonprofit Corporation (ENC), a Golden-based nonprofit, in collaboration with Jefferson county educators, offers Jeffco students in all grade levels the opportunity to showcase their writing talents. This year, 1,061 students from schools throughout Jefferson County submitted works of short fiction and poetry imagining mash-ups of their favorite stories, tripling the number of entries from last year. Three students from each grade, kindergarten through eleventh, were chosen as winners, and one high school senior. Benjamin Reece Idler was the only student from Golden to place - congratulations, Benjamin!

Submissions were judged by a panel of elementary to post-secondary educators. First place winners of the competition will receive $100, while second place awards are Barnes and Noble gift cards, and third place awards are Baliyo skill toys.

Winners will be announced at an Awards ceremony tonight, May 5, at the American Mountaineering Museum. Denise Vega, an award-winning author of books for kids and teens, will offer the keynote speech, while Charlee Burnor of Alice 105.9 will MC the event.

With the current transition for economic stewardship of the downtown area from the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) to the new Downtown Development Authority (DDA), Golden residents are wondering about the status of both groups. While the DDA is starting to administer downtown programs like the holiday lights, seasonal banners, maintenance, and a continued small grants process, GURA also continues to make strides to achieve longstanding downtown goals.

• Construction has just begun on one of GURA's remaining lots adjacent to the 1250 Jackson Street parking structure. After many years of seeking desirable development proposals for these two lots, the board selected a development team in 2013 and entered into an agreement for development of the two lots in late 2014. The first project is a mixed use building of office and residential uses with under-building parking at 13th and Jackson Streets.
• A site development plan has been approved for a second mixed use retail/office and residential building on the 12th Street GURA lot at Jackson Street. Construction on this site should begin later this year. Both of these projects required a careful study of current and future downtown parking capacity.
• Since early 2014, the GURA board has been actively pursuing options to provide an exclusive use access gate for the sole benefit of Eileen and Roy Banks and their property adjacent to 1250 Jackson Parking Garage. When GURA built the parking garage in 2007, GURA entered into an agreement with the Banks to purchase 1,400 square foot of their property and minor necessary easements for the construction, and in exchange the Banks were given i) six exclusive use ground level parking spaces in the garage and ii) an exclusive use access gate at the corner of their property. Upon inspection at the end of construction in 2007, the city's  building official deemed that, for public safety reasons, the gate could not be locked and therefore could not be used "exclusively" by the Banks family. Pursuant to its original commitment to the Banks family, GURA has issued a request for proposal and expects to have bids shortly for the construction required to permanently remedy this situation for the Banks family.
• Through careful management of GURA's downtown revenues, the board collected and has designated a "legacy" fund to be used for significant continued investments in the downtown area to fulfill both the original GURA plan and the update Golden Vision and DDA plans for the area. The GURA board, DDA, and City Council will target these funds for needed investments in the next few years.

The transition from the GURA project to the DDA future project has shown Golden's continued commitment to our downtown area, and should lead to many more successes and positive investments in the future.

If you ever have questions about how GURA, the DDA, and the City work together for the entire community, contact City staff at [email protected]. 

City Council awarded the contract for the reconstruction of Heritage Road at its meeting on Feb. 5, 2015, and the contractor, New Design Construction, presented the project schedule, phasing plan, and traffic detours at a public meeting held on March 31 at 6 p.m. at the Shelton Elementary School Library.

New Design Construction is still on schedule with both phases of the project. This week they continue storm sewer installation on phase 1A and curb and gutter sub-grade prep on phase 2. Due to the weather again this week, however, there may be minimal work. Pedestrian lighting at Kimball roundabout is now complete. Crews are just waiting on a meter from Excel Energy.

Martin Marietta started the Street improvements project last week and complete:

• Foothills Rd from Goldenvue Dr to Mt Zion Dr
• Mt Zion Dr from Goldenvue Dr to Foothills Rd

The 2015 Concrete Replacement Program will finish up concrete replacement on 5 areas this week:

• Lily Lane
• Ruby Drive
• High Parkway
• Dunn Road
• Sunshine Parkway

The Planning Commission will meet on May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The Planning Commission, established in 1948, affords residents the opportunity to actively participate in the planning of the City and its welfare; to learn all facets of the regulations governing such functions; interact with a wide variety of citizens participating in the shaping of Golden's future; and assume an active role in any regulation changes involving zoning and subdivision activity.

Planning Commission public hearings are regularly held on the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers unless otherwise noted. Please visit our Planning Commission page for more information.

The Public Art Commission will meet at 9 a.m. on May 7 in the Public Works Building at 1445 10th Street.

The Public Art Commission (PAC) affords residents the opportunity to actively participate in creating a vibrant and appealing atmosphere that contributes to the quality and identity of the City of Golden, through public art.

The Public Art Commission meets the first Thursday of each month in the Public Works Building, 1445 10th Street, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. These meeting are open to the public.

For more information and to view current and past agendas and minutes, please visit the Public Art Commission page.

This is a special year for the Golden High Dance Team at their Spring Show on May 9. It is a fifteen year celebration with Coach Brandy Wegscheider. The Dance Team will have almost ninety GHS alumni returning, and Mayor Marjorie Sloan will also be in attendance to say a few words before the show.

Coach Brandy began the tradition for aspiring dancers in our community in 2000 as one of the first dancers for the brand new Golden High School Dance Team, with her mother as the coach. Brandy then went on to dance at UC Boulder and returned to Golden to coach after college. Her team has been recognized at the state, local and national level, and is one of the top competitive dance teams in Colorado. She is a board member and dances for the company Dream Project, and is also on staff with Elite Dance Academy serving as Business Operations and Organization Manager.

Golden High School Dance Team Spring Show
Saturday, May 9 
12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
GHS Auditorium
Tickets: $5 for students and children, $10 for adults

The Golden Urban Renewal Association will meet on May 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

In 1989, the Golden City Council created the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) to support the economic vitality of downtown Golden. When the Golden City Council created GURA, it also adopted an Urban Renewal Plan to provide guidance to GURA. The organization implements urban renewal projects, consistent with community values.

The Golden Urban Renewal Authority meets on the second Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers.

The Economic Development Commission will meet on May 12 at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Works Building at 1445 10th Street.

The Economic Development Commission (EDComm) was established by Golden City Council in June of 1999 and consists of eight members. The purpose of the Economic Development Commission is to provide leadership, education, and the tools necessary for the Golden community to optimize appropriate economic opportunities. Their duties include developing a structure and strategy for marketing/promoting the Golden community.

The Economic Development Commission meets regularly on the second Tuesday of each month starting at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Works/Planning building located at 1445 10th Street. If a meeting must be rescheduled for some reason, the date will be noted on the Community Calendar.

For more information visit the Economic Development Commission page.

The job market can be tough for young people, but each summer, the City of Golden offers lots of opportunities for students looking to make some extra money between terms. The Splash, Fossil Trace Golf Club, and other seasonal hiring throughout the City provide a great place for students to have fun, be productive, and earn some cash. There are a lot of job opportunities currently available with the City of Golden - and not just seasonal, so have a look on our Employment page, and apply soon!

 Employment opportunities currently available with Golden

The Golden Library will be closed until June 11 for remodeling. The following alternative services will be available in the meantime:

Bookmobile Visits (pick up and return books)
Golden Library Parking Lot
12-4 p.m. Sundays
6-8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays

Storytimes - early literacy experiences for children and caregivers
Golden Community Center
1470 10th Street
Wednesdays and Saturdays, through May 30 (No Storytimes on May 2)
10:15 a.m. Wednesdays (Babytime)
11 a.m. Wednesdays (Toddler Time)
10:30 a.m. Saturdays (All Ages)

Teen Advisory Board Meetings
Golden HighSchool Library
701 24th Street
4 p.m. second Wednesday of every month

DIY Explorers Club (for kids in grades 5-8)
Golden High School Library
701 24th Street
4 p.m. third Thursday of every month

Adult Book Group (everyone welcome)
Starbucks
13th and Washington
6 p.m. third Tuesday of every month

Young Reader's Fun Club (for kids 8-11)
Astor House
822 12th Street
4 p.m. fourth Wednesday of every month

For more information, please visit the Jefferson County Public Library website.