Golden's New Waste of Water Ordinance

Golden is vulnerable to climate change, aridification, and drought conditions that may adversely impact the City’s water supply. The City of Golden wants to ensure that residents and businesses have sufficient water during times of drought. A Waste of Water Ordinance helps ensure water availability through irrigation best practices. This ordinance outlines ways residents and businesses can prevent wasting water and lists allowable and prohibited outdoor uses.

In 2019, Community Sustainability Advisory Board (CSAB) members and City Council adopted water savings goals to reduce per capita water use in Golden by at least 15% by 2030. A Waste of Water Ordinance is one of many tools that will help the City meet this goal.

Waste of Water - Ordinance 2206 and Golden’s Drought Management Plan - Resolution 2942 were adopted by Council on April 25, 2023.

Learn more about allowable outdoor irrigation use, prohibited activities and outdoor watering best practices at cityofgolden.net/SaveWater.

Slow Down Golden

In September 2022, Golden City Council approved a measure to reduce neighborhood speed limits from 25 to 20 mph. The “20 is Plenty” campaign is designed to make neighborhood streets, school zones and construction zones safer for everyone. The City Traffic Engineer, Police Department and the Mobility and Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB) support this council-directed initiative. City Council will consider an amendment to the ordinance approving the reduction in the speed limit in July.

The City of Golden will join Denver and Boulder in implementing this traffic safety strategy. The primary reason to support this initiative is to reduce accidents and injuries caused by accidents. Accidents occurring at 20 mph have a 13% likelihood of ending in death or severe injury. At 30 mph, that number increases to 40% and jumps to 73% at 40 mph. It is simple; drive slower and reduce accidents, injuries, and potential deaths.

Golden implemented pilot programs and reduced the speed limit to 20 mph on Lookout Mountain Road, Peery Parkway, and, most recently, S. Ford Street. In August, residential streets will see a change in the speed limit. New signs will be posted, and some neighborhoods will get additional speed limit signs. Enforcement efforts will begin immediately. Photo radar will be used with the new “20 is Plenty” initiative to make our residential, school and construction zones safer. By state statute, citations can only be issued to violations over 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The police department will only issue citations for those violations at 11 mph over the posted speed limit.

The City of Golden is a wonderful place to live, work and play. Please help us keep our community safe by driving the speed limit.

Lead Service Line Survey

Attention residents! You may soon receive a lead service line survey in the mail. The City of Golden is developing a service line inventory map to maintain compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act’s Lead and Copper Rule. This is part of an initiative to remove lead service lines throughout our community.

Golden is committed to providing safe drinking water to all our residents and we do this by consistently complying with all regulations of the US EPA Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). Recent revisions to the SDWA’s Lead and Copper Rule require the City of Golden to create a mapped inventory of water service line materials throughout our public water system. For the City of Golden, historic city ordinances document the installation of lead service lines starting in 1879 and ending in 1937. The City prohibited lead service lines in 1937, so homes built after 1940 should not have lead service lines.

Learn how to tell if you have a lead service line and how to conduct the survey by watching the video below!

Clear Creek Corridor Cleanup

Join us in making a difference! Every Monday morning at 8 a.m. this summer volunteers gather on the picturesque creekside patio of the Golden History Museum (923 10th St) for this cleanup effort. To get started, simply check-in at the table on the patio to sign in, receive necessary equipment, and get instructions. Clean-up typically begins around 8 a.m., and all are welcome to lend a hand for as long as your schedule allows.

For your comfort and safety, please dress appropriately by wearing long pants, long-sleeved shirts, hats, and sturdy closed-toe shoes. Don't forget essentials such as sunscreen, insect repellent, and a water bottle! If you prefer, bring your own work gloves and trash collection bags, but we'll provide safety vests, gloves, bags/buckets, and any other tools you may need.

IMPORTANT: As a requirement to join us in this cleanup effort, all volunteers must sign a participation waiver. Please note that this is an independent volunteer activity, and we kindly ask that children be under the direct supervision of a parent or adult guardian at all times.

If you're unable to join us on Mondays but still want to contribute to creek clean-up, please reach out to Rheana Rogers at [email protected] to coordinate a different day or time. Together, we can make a positive impact on our community!

Sign up today!

Mondays with the Mayor is on a Brief Hiatus

Mayor Laura Weinberg is excited to keep everyone informed about upcoming city events and projects, and will resume Mondays with the Mayor on June 26th!

In the meantime you can always submit questions via the City's Facebook Page.

The current status of the creek is red flag 🚩

With the weather starting to heat up, we want to remind you about the warning flags in place for Clear Creek so you can have a safe and golden summer.

Green Flag 🟩 : Moderate Flows – Clear Creek is open to all uses. Please use regular caution in the creek

Yellow Flag 🟨 : Moderate to High Flow – Considered unsafe for children under 18. Clear Creek is open to all uses. Please exercise heightened caution while in the creek.

Red Flag 🚩: High Flow – Clear Creek is closed for swimming and tubing. Only experienced kayakers and other vessels should be on the creek. Users should wear protective gear and be able to rescue themselves in the water. High caution should be used in the water.

Double-Red Flag 🚩🚩: Closure – Clear Creek is closed to all uses. This is due to a combination of high flows and other unsafe conditions, such as low temperature or water debris, making Clear Creek dangerous for all uses.

You can always check the current status of the creek at: www.visitgolden.com/creek-info

Ulysses Park Redevelopment

The community is invited to provide feedback on the Ulysses Park Field Redevelopment Design Plan! The preferred design plan was based on public input. Q&A will be open through June 9. To submit feedback and for more information, check out the Guiding Golden web page! www.guidinggolden.com/ulysses-park

Introducing the "Ore Cart": A Convenient Downtown Circulator Shuttle

Exciting news for residents and visitors of Golden! In collaboration with the Colorado School of Mines and the West Line Corridor Collaborative, the City of Golden is thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of the 'Ore Cart' free transit service in the summer of 2023. This service aims to enhance transportation options and improve accessibility by working in harmony with existing transit alternatives, such as the RTD 16 bus and W and G regional train lines.

Our inaugural route, the AU (Gold) Route, will serve as a Downtown Golden circulator, connecting various key locations. Passengers can enjoy hassle-free access between the Clear Creek and Marv Kay Stadium remote parking lots, downtown parking garages, Washington Avenue, and the Colorado School of Mines campus. The service will commence on Friday, June 16 and continue through mid-September, with potential expansion of the schedule in the future.

To accommodate your travel needs, the shuttle buses will operate on Fridays from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. We understand the importance of flexibility and convenience, and we are committed to providing you with a reliable transportation option.

The Gold Route forms a vital part of our comprehensive strategy to enhance accessibility in and around Downtown Golden while making the most of our new and existing parking facilities. To ensure the smooth operation of the service for summer 2023, Via Mobility Services, a respected Colorado non-profit organization that specializes in accessible transportation and mobility solutions, will be responsible for its management.

We are excited to offer the "Ore Cart" shuttle service to the community, and we look forward to providing you with a convenient and enjoyable transportation experience. Together, let's make getting around Downtown Golden easier than ever before!

Sharing the Table | June 11, 5 - 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church (1500 Ford St.)

Sharing the Table is an event hosted by the Golden Community World Cafe and Home in Golden. Get to know your neighbors in Golden, enjoy free dinner and casual conversation, and explore a resource fair for those living both sheltered and unsheltered.

Open to all members of the Golden Community. Bring a friend! Please reach out to Susan Otey ([email protected]) with any questions.

Summer Swimming Pool Schedules

Pool schedules for the Golden Community Center swimming pools are always available by visiting rec.cityofgolden.net. Our summer schedules include limited weekend hours for lap swimming and no weekend hours for the leisure play pool.

Please note:

1. Pool safety is the number one priority for all pool operations. This correlates directly to setting any schedule at any of the Golden aquatic facilities. If the team does not believe the pool can operate in a safe manner the decision to close the pool should be made.
2. Staffing is the top component regarding safe pool operations. The good news is that Golden has been successful in recruiting and now training a young staff to operate the pools.
3. As staff training continues and the team grows, the team is confident that hours of operation on the weekend at the GCC pools will increase.
4. We are looking into a safe and efficient way to open the GCC pool if the Splash is closed for weather in the future. This would most likely occur if a closure is determined prior to that day’s opening.
5. Please know that the Aquatics team is working to make swimming at all of our pools as open and accessible as possible. They love kids and families and providing safe operations for the great family experiences that take place at a pool!

Weather permitting, the Splash is open 7 days a week through the summer. For more information, visit www.splashingolden.com.

Join Emily Oliver and Tim Wolters at the Upcoming Golden Startup Coffee | June 14, 9am at Morris & Mae Market (18475 W. Colfax Ave.)

Golden Startup Coffee is built on the mindset that entrepreneurs are better together and have engagement from the surrounding community. This can only be more energized through caffeine, right?

In its purest form, this event emphasizes connection. The schedule is limited to two short presentations with robust audience Q&A. Local entrepreneurs share their ideas and those in the crowd help them in their growth. “Have you thought about this? You should contact my friend… What about targeting this market?” - these are some of the common questions you’ll hear on Wednesday mornings.

Join next Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. to connect with Golden’s thriving entrepreneurial community. Look for the fresh local brew on the stadium seats at Morris & Mae!

Paws in the Park Event is Cancelled

Unfortunately, the Foothills Animal Shelter will not be hosting the Paws in the Park event on June 10.

You can find upcoming events on the Foothills Animal Shelter webpage

6th Annual Golden Summer Jam!

A Community Celebration of Bands, Bites and Beers

Presented by Miners Saloon, the Golden Civic Foundation is proud to host the 6th Annual Golden Summer Jam, a Community Celebration of Bands, Bites and Beers for 800 guests on Thursday, June 22nd at the Colorado Railroad Museum from 5:30 to 9:30pm. This 100% Golden-sourced, “locals-only,” community-oriented event is designed to bring Golden residents together and features fun for all ages including live music, family-oriented activities, and great food and beer by New Terrain Brewing. All proceeds from this Community Celebration with Golden Bands, Bites & Beers benefit the Golden community and the Golden Civic Foundations Work for The Good of Golden!  

This year’s performers include Earl Nelson & The Company (Rocky Mountain Hill Country Blues), The Wrecklunds (Americana), and Kayla Ruby (Contemporary Country) – three rockin’ bands with Golden connections! Guests can also explore the Museum’s scenic, 15-acre railyard that is home to more than 100 locomotives, catch a ride on a vintage passenger train, delight in the charm of the miniature garden railway and enjoy a variety of fun activities provided by local businesses and non-profit partners including Foothills Art Center, Golden Bike eXperience and Golden Women in Business. Food will be sold by local food vendors. Margaritas will be sold by Miners Saloon and beer and seltzer by New Terrain Brewing Co. Tickets are $30 for adults and are free for youth under 18 (limit two per family with $8 tickets per additional child) and can be purchased at www.goldencivicfoundation.org.

New this year, Golden Bike eXperience (GBX) will host a monitored bike corral to accommodate guests who ride their bikes to the event! All adult bike riders will receive a free New Terrain beer or hard seltzer in thanks for helping to minimize parking congestion and earth impact. All bike riders are encouraged to follow the paved Clear Creek Bike Trail that leads to the Railroad Museum. Riders must also bring their own lock and check their bikes into and out of the monitored bike corral with the help of GBX bike attendants. Guests are also encouraged to bring their own blankets and/or low-profile "festival" chairs to spread out throughout the Railroad Museum’s spacious grounds. Guests are also welcome to bring your own water bottles, but other beverages (including alcohol) are not allowed. Sorry no pets are allowed!  

Campout Kids

Do you enjoy day camps at the Colorado Mountaineering Center, but are looking for more? Join them for an adventure: hiking and a two-night overnight camping trip where kids can practice tent building, fire building, backcountry cooking, and more. This great two-night overnight camp will help build skills for longer overnight and backpacking trips that we offer. S'mores and campfire stories are definitely on the menu!

Apply for your City of Golden summer job now!

Working for the City of Golden is about service to community with flexible schedules and competitive wages. There are opportunities for people aged 16 years through retirees, including many seasonal positions. Make your summer mean more!

Apply today at www.cityofgolden.net/jobs.

Upcoming Events

Fire Master Class with Aaron “Hutch” Hutchings | June 17

In Hutch's own words:

“Whether adventuring in the outdoors or enjoying a book about adventuring in the outdoors, fire always comes up. In fact, it has been said that fire is directly related to every other survival priority. Not just survival but most outdoor adventures are enhanced with safe, effective fires. It helps regulate core body temperature, boils water for purifying, cooks food, signals for rescue, makes tools, scares away the bumps in the night, and so much more. This is also one of the areas that I see most people struggle with, especially if they do not have the perfect situations and resources. There is a great deal to learn and master with fire, including basic principles about tinder, ignition tools, strategies, and techniques. 

Teaching different methods of fire is without a question one of my favorite subjects. This four-part series will be a culmination of over 30 years of professionally teaching pioneer, survival, primitive, boy scout, military, and every other type of fire hack. We will explore both modern and historical ways of making fire as well as looking at safety and dealing with poor fire situations. At the end of this series you will look at fire in a totally different way and will be able to achieve it with a tiny spark, sticks only, modern tools, pioneer tools, wet wood, windy weather, no wood, and more.”

Register and purchase your passes today!

Photo by Doug Skiba

CDOT Hwy 93 Project

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) continues the CO 93 Repaving and Improvements project to improve driving conditions and safety along the 3.1-mile stretch of CO 93 between the intersection of CO 58/US 6/CO 93 and 58th Ave.

Learn more about the project at CDOT.gov.

For additional information about this project, contact the CDOT project team:

Project hotline: 303-495-3030

Project email: [email protected]

For information on travel conditions, visit COTrip.org, sign up for Travel Alerts & News, or call 511.

2023 Utility Replacement

Installation of a new fire hydrant and associated piping adjacent to the Coors Wellness Center (12th and Ford) has been delayed until June 12. No impacts to residents are expected.

Public Road Closures