YOUR CITY SPOTLIGHT ON THE HERE AND NOW
Highlights
STATE OF THE CITY
Join us to celebrate the past year and look ahead to Golden’s future!
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION AVAILABLE!
Rooted Beginnings Preschool, where children feel safe, supported, and inspired.
ULYSSES PARK IS OPEN The wait is over!
STATE OF THE CITY THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 5:00–7:00 P.M. Join the City of Golden & the Golden Chamber of Commerce at the Golden Community Center for the 2026 State of the City! This is our annual opportunity to come together as a community to reflect on the past year, celebrate accomplishments, and look ahead at the priorities and projects shaping Golden’s future. Hear updates from City leadership, learn about key initiatives across departments, and connect with business and community partners. February
20-22 Friday– Sunday
March
Colorado Environmental Film Festival | School of Mines Campus The Colorado Environmental Film Festival is dedicated to celebrating the stories that shape our planet’s future. The festival highlights films that explore the beauty of nature, the urgency of conservation, and the creativity of people working toward solutions, hosts an Eco Expo, festival parties and other events. Watch in person at the Colorado School of Mines Green Center, or online. Tickets and info: https://ceff.net/festival/
7
Coffee With Councilors: Demystifying Community Engagement Have a Saturday morning coffee at the Golden Community Center, Bear Creek Room, 10:00–11:00 a.m. with Councilors Patty Evans and Lisa Vitry, joined by Communications and Community Engagement Director, Meredith Ritchie, and Principal Planner, Matt Wempe, to talk all things community engagement. Learn how you can become more engaged with City projects and how your voice makes a difference.
April
4
Easter Egg Hunt | 10:00 a.m. in Parfet Park The Kiwanis of Golden present the annual Easter Egg Hunt in Parfet Park. The hunt starts precisely at 10:00 a.m. and it only takes minutes for all the eggs to be scooped up! All children 10 and under are welcome!
April
Colorado School of Mines Engineering Days (E-Days) While most events are for students, the public is welcome to attend the always entertaining Cardboard Boat Races on Saturday, April 18, at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park. A fireworks display later that same evening isn’t open to the public, but it will be visible from various spots around the City starting around 9:15 p.m. (weather permitting).
Saturday
Saturday
16-18
Thursday– Saturday
Looking for even more activities?
Check out the City calendar at www.cityofgolden.gov/calendar
CITY NEWS AND
THINGS TO DO!
Nominate a Sustainability Champion! The annual Golden Sustainability Awards recognize the businesses, community groups, individuals, and students who inspire us to live more sustainably. Know a sustainability hero helping lead Golden toward a greener future? Golden’s Community Sustainability Advisory Board (CSAB) is now accepting nominations in four categories: student, individual, business, and community group. Scan the QR code and submit your nomination by March 13. Awards will be presented by City Council in April in celebration of Earth Day.
Lions Park Improvements: Join the Conversation in March The City of Golden is planning improvements at Lions Park and continues to seek your input on this project. Upgrades may include a new playground, updated irrigation, new picnic pavilions, and improvements to accessibility and drainage, with the goal of creating a better neighborhood park for nearby residents. Design concepts will be shared in March for community feedback. Learn more and watch for meeting details at: www.GuidingGolden.com/east-end-amenities.
Boards & Commissions Applications Open Serving on a board or commission is a great way to contribute to the community and help shape decisions that impact Golden. Community members interested in serving on a Board or Commission are encouraged to visit the City website to learn more about each position’s purpose, responsibilities, and time commitment. There are currently openings on seven Boards and Commissions. Scan the QR code to learn more and submit your application!
Golden Awards $350,000 in Arts & Culture Grants The City of Golden is making its largest direct investment in the local creative space to date, awarding $350,000 through the Arts and Culture Commission’s new grant program. Funding will support a wide range of arts organizations, cultural institutions, and community-based projects that serve Golden residents, from operating support for longtime cultural anchors to project-based initiatives like music education, maker activities, creative wellness, trail improvements, and the beloved Shiny Sphere Search community scavenger hunt.
ULYSSES PARK IS OPEN! The wait is over! Construction fencing has come down, and Ulysses Park is fully open as of Tuesday, January 27. Come check out the new restrooms, picnic shelter, improved paths, a vibrant playground for all ages and abilities, a kinetic art feature, the dog park, and restored lights and power at the park and skatepark. New grass fields will open for use in early spring as they finish growing in, and you may still notice a few small temporary closures as final touches wrap up. Thank you for your patience and we can’t wait to see you all out there!
PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE Conveniently located in its own dedicated wing of the Golden Community Center, Rooted Beginnings Preschool offers a thoughtfully designed early learning environment where children feel safe, supported, and inspired. Through play-based learning and enriching experiences, our program helps children build curiosity, creativity, and confidence, laying a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Now featuring aftercare where parents can count on Rooted Beginnings Preschool for convenient full day care until 5:30 p.m. For more information, visit: www.cityofgolden.gov/ community/preschool or contact Preschool Director Jessica Long at jlong@cityofgolden.net.
WATER CONSERVATION PROGRAMS Golden residents can save water and refresh their yards this spring with two Resource Central programs supported by the City of Golden: The Lawn Replacement Program opens March 9 and offers up to $750 to replace nonessential turf with low-water landscaping. Garden In a Box goes on sale March 11 with $25 discounts available for Golden residents on easy-to-install, Coloradofriendly garden kits (with another discount round planned for late summer if spring funds run out). Learn more about these and other 2026 programs, like free Slow the Flow irrigation audits and Water Wise Seminars, on the City’s Sustainability Programs webpage.
THE BROAD STROKES
What Else is Going on in Golden Right Now? Historic Preservation Update: Implementation of the City’s Historic Preservation Policy Study recommendations is moving forward with draft guidelines expected in April 2026. Watch for engagement opportunities to share feedback in April and May. Visit www.GuidingGolden.com/past-forward-golden for the latest news and ways to engage. Docked Bike Share Feasibility Study: The City of Golden, in partnership with the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), is conducting an early look at how docked bike share could support Golden’s transportation goals. The study is fully funded through DRCOG’s Innovative Mobility Set-Aside program. Learn more and watch for the upcoming survey at www.GuidingGolden.com/docked-bike-share-feasibility-study. Questions? Contact Grace Fleming at gfleming@cityofgolden.net or (303) 597-5242. Transportation Demand Management Plan Heading to City Council: The City of Golden is developing a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) program to support Goldencentric ways to reduce car trips like walking, biking, carpooling, and transit. The Mobility and Transportation Advisory Board and City Council will consider the plan in Spring 2026, with implementation planned later in 2026. Learn more at www.GuidingGolden.com/tdm-plan. Questions? Contact Matt Wempe at mwempe@cityofgolden.net or (303) 215-8884. Final Adoption for City Comprehensive Plan: After an 18-month engagement process, the 2026 Comprehensive Plan heads to Planning Commission (February 18) and City Council (March 17) for final consideration. Public comment is encouraged at both meetings, via an online survey, or by contacting City staff. Review the Plan and take the survey at www.GuidingGolden.com/comprehensive-plan. New Emerald Ash Borer Rebate Program: The City has launched a pilot Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) Rebate Program, offering rebates for up to 50% of the cost of EAB treatment or removal of at-risk/impacted ash trees. Details, eligibility, and applications are available on the City Tree Care page, www.cityofgolden.gov/services/tree_care.php. Annual Tree Sale Returns: Golden’s Annual Tree Sale runs March 2–April 17 (or until sold out). Residents can buy up to two trees for $85 + tax, a Golden Community Center account is required. Pickup is April 25, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. at Golden Cemetery. Scan the QR code for details. Join GPD in Congratulating Officers: On January 28, GPD swore in Officers Ryan Edney (from Missouri) and Joshua Huss (Colorado; former Adams County Sheriff’s Office). Sam Hufschmidt, a GPD leader and mentor since 2022, was promoted to sergeant. Water Rate Adjustments: Golden’s water and wastewater utilities are funded by user fees, and rates are periodically adjusted to cover operating costs. Following City Council approval in December 2024, rates will increase 6.2% in 2026. A typical home using 6,000 gallons/month will pay about $4–$5 more per month, and costs remain below many regional providers. Wildfire Mitigation Update: With Colorado’s record-low snowpack, City Council is expected to adopt a Wildfire Resiliency Code by April 1, 2026, with a draft discussed at the February 10 Study Session. Scan the QR code to stay tuned in and request your free wildfire home assessment.