Golden Informer November 2016

GoldenInformer NOVEMBER 2016

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CELEBRATE Sustainability

COULD YOU AFFORD YOUR HOME TODAY?

2016 Golden City Council

Marjorie Sloan Mayor

Saoirse Charis-Graves District One

Marcia Claxton Ward One

Joe Behm Mayor Pro-Tem Ward Two

Casey Brown District Two

Pamela Gould Ward Three

Laura Weinberg Ward Four

303-279-0088 E-mail: msloan @cityofgolden.net

303-709-7529 E-mail: scharisgraves @cityofgolden.net

303-621-5133 E-mail: mclaxton @cityofgolden.net

303-918-1103 E-mail: jbehm @cityofgolden.net

303-900-2003 E-mail: cbrown @cityofgolden.net

303-279-1164 E-mail: pgould @cityofgolden.net

303-241-9823 E-mail: lweinberg @cityofgolden.net

To contact the entire City Council, e-mail citycouncil@cityofgolden.net.

IN T H IS ISS U E

The Golden Informer

Cover: file photo

is produced and published monthly by the Golden City Manager’s Office and mailed as a source of news and information to all residences and businesses inside the City limits. Comments on The Informer are welcome.

6 Downtown Parking Latest

5

Court Costs Donated to Charity

8 Optimists Find NEW HOME for Bike Shop

Please write to: City of Golden 911 10th St., Golden, CO 80401 Attn: Karlyn Tilley

7 The Linking Lookout Lid

17 Small Business Saturday

Call 303-384-8132 or e-mail ktilley@cityofgolden.net.

City of Golden Department Managers

Jason Slowinski City Manager

Dan Hartman Public Works

Steve Glueck Comm. & Econ.

Development

Susan Brooks City Clerk

Rod Tarullo Parks and Recreation

Bill Kilpatrick Police

John Bales Fire

Jeff Hansen Finance

Teresa Reilly Human Resources

Karlyn Tilley Communications

303-384-8150 303-384-8095 303-384-8014 303-384-8120 303-384-8033 303-384-8090 303-384-8020 303-384-8017 303-384-8132 303-384-8010 dhartman@ sglueck@ sbrooks@ rtarullo@ bkilpatrick@ jbales@ jhansen@ treilly@ ktilley@ jslowinski@ cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net

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HEADS UP: Important Upcoming Items

Get Out the Vote!

November 8 is Election Day. This election is done by mail ballot, conducted by Jefferson County.

Ballots were mailed out to all registered voters in Golden the week of Oct. 17. If you did not receive a ballot, you may go to Jefferson County Elections Department, 3500 Illinois St., Suite 1100 in Golden, to register and vote, or if you think you are registered, find out why you did not receive a ballot. You can also find information at www.GoVoteColorado.com.

There are numerous locations for ballot drop-off if you don’t want to mail yours. One of those locations is the new 24-hour Ballot Drop Box located at Golden City Hall, 911 10th St. You may also drop your ballot in the drop box on Election Day up to 7 p.m. Visit http://jeffco.us/elections/results/ for Election results or the City of Golden’s website www.cityofgolden.net after the final count is in on Election night.

And NEW this year, on Election Day only, all voting services are available at the Voter Service and Polling Center in City Council Chambers, at City Hall, 911 10th St., which allow you to: • Vote in Person • Drop off your ballot • Request a new or replacement ballot • Change voter registration information - also available online at www.GoVoteColorado.com • Register to vote - also available online at www.GoVoteColorado.com • Accessible voting equipment

Civic Foundation Dinner and Auction The 41st Annual Golden Civic Foundation (GCF) Dinner and Auction will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12 at the Denver West Marriott. This event is the primary fundraiser for the Golden Civic Foundation’s grant program, which supports all of Golden’s K-12 schools and over 30 local nonprofit organizations.

The GCF has provided more than $5 million to charitable organizations, cultural centers and schools over nearly five decades. For more information about the auction or to purchase tickets, visit www.GoldenCivicFoundation.org or call 303-279-9169.

City Holiday Hours The City of Golden’s administrative offices will be closed on Nov. 24 and 25 for the Thanksgiving holiday. Offices will return to regular business hours on Monday, Nov. 28.

The Golden Community Center will be closed on Thanksgiving, but will be back open for normal business hours on Friday, Nov. 25.

B

elow is Golden City Council's monthly

calendar. Meetings are held on Thursdays and begin at 6:30 p.m. in Council Chambers at City Hall, 911 10th St., unless otherwise noted.

Nov. 3 Rescheduled business meeting

Nov. 10 Regular business meeting

Nov. 17 No meeting

Nov. 24 No meeting Council’s upcoming agendas, packets and meeting minutes are available online under the City Council link at www.CityofGolden.net.

Public comment is welcome on the agenda at all regular business meetings.

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COUNCILOR’S MESSAGE

By Councilor

Casey Brown

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The Importance of Voting on Local Issues

ovember brings the beginning of the ski and holiday seasons, but it also brings an end to the political season. This year, while most of the excitement has been at the top of the ballot and the presidential campaigns, the bottom of the ballot will also have a large impact on our daily lives due to the numerous state, county, and local ballot measures. These measures cover a wide range of issues, but this year, the following three ballot measures have the potential to directly affect the City of Golden. The Jeffco Schools 3A/3B bond/mill levy that will address school funding; the reauthorization of the Scientific Cultural and Facilities District that provides funding to Golden cultural institutions and museums; and Golden’s own municipal broadband initiative that will allow us to evaluate possibilities for providing next-generation internet services in the City.

So if you haven’t yet completed your ballot yet, make sure to set aside some time and work your way to the bottom of the ballot where you’ll have an opportunity to vote on these and other important issues. And most importantly, make sure that you drop off your ballot by 7 p.m. on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8.

November also brings one more opportunity for citizens to weigh in on Golden’s 2017 operating budget and Capital Improvements Plan at the City Council hearing on Nov. 10, in advance of final adoption in December. The budget and capital improvement process is one of the most significant tools we have to achieve the community values and objectives contained in Golden’s Vision 2030 and Comprehensive plans. Because this process is so important, the City Council prioritized revising this process in early 2016 to make it more open and transparent, and better leverage the expertise of our hardworking board and commission volunteers. Now that staff has taken that input and drafted a 2017 Budget and Capital Improvements Plan, we need the opinions of residents to help evaluate how well the proposed budget addresses the issues, concerns, and priorities identified earlier in the process. You can find more information in the City Council agenda for the Nov. 10 meeting on the City website, www.cityofgolden.net/agendas. We would love to hear from you.

Finally, as this truly remarkable election season comes to a close and we are nearing the end of 2016, I’ve been reflecting on my first year on City Council and some of our achievements over the past year. Golden’s Vision 2030 plan states that the two philosophical principles that should guide our actions as a City are a responsive government (that is, our government is approachable, responsive, and good at listening) and controlled and directed change (that is, in concert with our community values, we will direct and manage change to address our impacts and those of the region). This year, Golden made great strides in responding to address the impacts of change. For example, to help manage traffic growth, we started construction on the Linking Lookout project, one of the largest, most expensive, and challenging projects ever undertaken in our City’s history.

To help manage the increasing number of visitors to downtown, we implemented a new downtown parking system to make more efficient use of our existing parking facilities and ensure residents can find a place to park downtown. To better manage special events, we implemented a new policy to better evaluate and mitigate the noise, traffic, and security impacts on neighbors and the community. While change is never easy and there is much more work to be done, I am thankful that we live in a town that can unite in a collaborative, civil, and non-ideological way to resolve problems and further improve our quality of life. To borrow a phrase from the Presidential election, it’s tremendous!

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Turn a Fine into Philanthropy

hether it’s a traffic violation, parking ticket or something else, it’s no fun to pay fines. However, during this holiday season, if you have to pay court costs in the City of Golden, you have the opportunity to turn it into something good. Each year Golden’s Municipal Court gives defendants the option to donate court costs to charity rather than paying them to the City.

The Holiday Charity Drive begins the week before Thanksgiving and runs for four weeks.

For those who opt in, the standard $30 court costs you pay will go to the

Golden Backpack Program (GBP). The GBP helps children from low income families in Golden enjoy free, balanced meals on weekends and during the summer when school is not in session.

Last year voluntary donations totaled $2,160. “I think the idea is incredibly creative,” said GBP President Peggy Halderman. “This gives an individual an opportunity to feel really good about a difficult situation.” Additionally, Halderman said the donations help the GBP tremendously. “Food donations are great, but money allows us to better leverage the types of food we give out,

and use it where we really need it.”

Participation in this drive is completely voluntary and is not a factor in the judge’s sentence. The judge does not solicit these donations, but defendants make the choice once they exit the courtroom to pay their fines.

Give Where You Live

you are encouraged to give early and up to the event date. It’s simple, just go to www.coloradogives.org and type in zip code 80401 in the search bar. It will pull up all of the local charities The Colorado Fourteeners Initiative helps to protect and preserve Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks. They are one of many nonprofit groups based out of the American Mountaineering involved, and you can choose where to Center in Golden, to which you can donate. donate. The choices are varied; from ach year there is a big push to together to support the nonprofit schools to cultural groups and other promote Colorado Gives Day, a organizations that make our City such nonprofits. If you are unable to donate statewide movement to celebrate and a vibrant place to live, work and play. now, the Colorado Gives website is up increase philanthropy in Colorado The Community First Foundation’s and running year around, so you can through online giving. As this program theme for Colorado Gives Day this donate any time. If you have additional continues to grow, it’s a great way year is “Give where you live.” The questions, you can call the Community to bring our local Golden community actual event day is on Dec. 6. However, First Foundation at 720-898-5900.

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Downtown Parking Management Efforts Closer to Implementation

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hroughout the past several weeks, City staff has been working to refine the details of the parking management plans for the downtown Golden core. That area includes Clear Creek to 14th Street and Arapahoe to Ford Street. The new management program for this specific part of town starts in January 2017, as authorized by City Council back in July. This, after almost two years of study, public input, and review of various alternatives. While there will be changes in this area, in many ways things will be similar to the current system.

• Like today, the 2-hour limits on free parking on Washington Avenue will only be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Evenings will continue to allow longer-term free parking, even on Washington Avenue.

• For most other streets and the City lots and garages, the parking restrictions will only apply from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. For evenings and weekends these areas continue to be free of charge and open to all users.

• There will still be free 2-hour customer parking in the various streets, lots, and garages where the Pay Stations will be installed. Users will stop at the Pay Station to input their license number, but the first two hours will be free of charge.

• Rates for longer term customer use during the weekday hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. will be $2.00 for the first extra hour (after the free two hours) with a maximum of $8.00 per day. Customers will have the option of paying by cash or credit card at the Pay Station or by a smart phone application, as used in many other locations.

The City is also reviewing details for the system to issue no-charge permits for businesses and employees in the downtown core, as well as for residents in this small area to purchase permits if they happen to have more cars than the parking available with their unit. Residents and businesses covered by these programs are being contacted directly through the middle of November.

Finally, City staff is ready to make the small adjustments authorized by City Council in the neighborhood permit parking areas also surrounding the Colorado School of Mines campus. These changes are expected to be in place for the start of the spring semester at Mines and will be separately communicated to any affected residents.

For the latest information on these programs, visit www.cityofgolden.net/parking or call 303-384-8095.

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An example of what the Pay Station kiosks will look like.

Put a Lid On It!

T

he massive construction project at US 6 and 19th Street is changing rapidly, and you will start to see the lid over US 6 begin to take shape. Now that the girders are in place, work will shift to the top of the lid, while final excavation for the mainline US 6 continues below. What you will see is construction of the final 19th Street alignment on the lid, with the goal of moving 19th Street traffic on to the lid by the end of the year.

In addition to the concrete curbs and asphalt streets,

THERE WILL BE SOME TRAFFIC DISRUPTION The grade of both the 19th Street and US 6 ramps will need to be adjusted to the final grade before traffic can be moved to the new 19th Street alignment. This will require some disruption on the ramps carrying the through traffic on US 6.

There will also be some interruption on 19th as crews tie the new grades into the existing street.

Watch www.LinkingLookout.com for the most up to date information. The City will also tweet any closures or disruptions daily @LinkingLookout.

there will also be conduit placed on the lid to carry communication cables, electric services, a 12� city water line and irrigation for the plaza and surrounding areas.

Main line US 6 traffic will remain on the ramps, but when 19th Street is moved, excavation of the area where 19th Street traffic is currently crossing (south of the lid) will be excavated.

Just like the excavation under the lid area, soil nails and walls will be constructed on the way down.

6TH AVENUE TRAIL STILL CLOSED While the concrete has been re-poured in many places along the 6th Avenue trail, remember that the trail is still closed.

The trail goes through the construction site where heavy equipment is moving about and we do not have the flagging and safety resources to insure it can be used safely. So please abide by the closure signs; they are there for your safety.

You can watch the construction activities in real time by visiting www.LinkingLookout.com and click on the Webcam logo on the top left of the page. The picture there is updated every minute.

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Golden Police Reveal New “Ride”

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here are major consequences for driving drunk. Last year, there were 123 DUI arrests just in City limits, and more than 80 arrests so far this year. The Golden Police Department (GPD) wants to see those numbers drop.

That’s why they’ve created incentives for driving sober. The GPD is working with local businesses to provide gift certificates to anyone “caught” being a designated driver. This initiative is called Project Sober Hero, created by Sgt. Matt Porter and Ofc. Jake Lizakowski, and is

You’ll see this new rolling advertisement around Golden to remind people not to drink and drive.

used department-wide.

In addition, GPD has partnered with Metro Taxi to make sure taxi cabs are available in and around Golden for those who do not have designated drivers.

An impressively decorated car donated

by Metro Taxi will now serve as a rolling billboard to advertise the perks of getting in the back of a taxi rather than being put into the back of a police car.

The rear of the car looks like a taxi cab, which would cost someone who lives around Golden about $10 to take home.

The front looks like a Golden Police car, and shows that it can cost upwards of $10,000 if you end up facing DUI charges.

Make the smart choice this holiday season and throughout the year.

Designate a driver or call Metro Taxi for a ride at 303-333-3333.

Optimists’ Community Bike Shop Moves to New Location

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he Golden Optimists Bicycle Recycle Program is making a permanent move to central Golden and expanding its program, thanks to a new partnership with Connections Learning Center (CLC), Jefferson County’s alternative middle school located on Johnson Road. For the past 30 years, the Optimists have repaired new and used bicycles and provided them to those in need.

The Optimists lost their long-standing home in Heritage Square earlier this year. The group moved to a temporary location in the parking lot of Golden Real Estate on South Golden Road, courtesy of owner Jim Smith. But the hunt was on for a permanent location. Conversations with CLC Principal Lisa Mumma and Jefferson County Schools led to a solution that will involve the Connections students and ultimately create a better outcome for the future of the bike program.

The new modular building was recently moved to the new permanent location at 1200 Johnson Road. Work is being done to set the building up, including electricity, heat, a ramp and an entrance door. Sometime this month, the Optimists will move to the new building, but until it’s complete they will continue to work out of their temporary location on South Golden Road. With the help of a grant from the City of Golden and donations they hope to get from the community, the Optimists

8 | November 2016

The new modular building for the Golden Optimists has now been placed in its new location at 1200 Johnson Road.

will continue their work to repair donated bicycles for people who need them, with the added bonus of student involvement.

“This is a perfect fit for the Golden Optimists, whose civic organizational roots are to bring out the best in kids,” says Suzy Stutzman, chair of the program. “The bike shop will tie into CLC classes and service learning, and especially enhance their new programs in industrial arts and education. We’re excited to mentor and work with the students, teaching them new skills and fostering an interest in bicycling.”

The Optimists are now raising funds for the expansion and to equip and finish out the interior of the bike shop. For more information about the campaign, the program and volunteer and bike donation opportunities, visit www.GoldenOptimists.org or contact Suzy Stutzman at goldenoptimists@gmail.com.

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It’s Great to Live in Golden!

But Could You Afford Your Home Today?

f you have had the good fortune to call Golden your home for a number of years, this may not be something you’ve considered.

But what if you were just starting out today as a young professional, would you be able to buy the home that you are in or pay the average $1,500 per month for rent? If you have children, would they be able to afford to continue to make Golden their home as they embark on their adult lives? Or perhaps you have aging parents who would like to live closer to you, so that you could help them live comfortably and safely through their retirement years. Goldenites have worked hard to maintain a charming small town with strong family traditions in an historic and picturesque location. Home values prove that Golden is unquestionably an attractive place to live, work, and raise a family. It is the diversity of the people who live here who make up the heart and soul of our small community.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING – WHAT IS IT? Affordable housing is a term that can mean a variety of things – either to different people or to people at different stages of their life. The standard U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) definition is that housing is “affordable” when your monthly payment (including utilities) costs less than 30 percent of your gross family income. In everyday terms it means the ability to live, work and participate in your community without the fear of losing the roof over your head.

HUD LOW INCOME DEFINITIONS Why does the HUD definition matter? From FHA mortgages to Section 8 rental assistance, HUD is the primary public agency in the country for assisting homeowners and renters. Each year, HUD issues housing related data for use in their programs. A key number is the Area Median Income, or AMI, which is given for different household sizes.

2016 AMI for a Golden Family of 4 $80,100

Using the HUD definition » » »

Affordable Single Family Price $195,000

Low, moderate and middle incomes are then expressed in terms of a percentage of AMI. Most HUD direct assistance programs are limited to low and moderate income households. In 2014, 44 percent of Golden households were low or moderate income.

The following illustration provides income information and examples for the average Golden household size of 2.3 people, using 2016 HUD income limits.

Whether it is for ourselves, family members or employees, affordable housing is an issue that affects every household, business owner or patron to some degree.

Upcoming Informer articles on this topic will explore the challenges of creating and maintaining affordable housing, as well as what it can and does look like in Golden. Find out what the community has done so far to support affordable housing, along with options for what we could do in the future.

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GOLDEN COMMUNITY CALENDAR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Through Jan. 21 Patchwork Pundits Take on Politics

Nov. 6 Daylight Saving Time Ends

Fall Back: set your clocks back one A timely political exhibit like no other. hour. Take this time to also replace In the 19th Century, quilt-making was the batteries in all smoke and carbon often the only socially acceptable monoxide detectors. way for a woman to express her political views. Note new location: Nov. 8 Election Day Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum, 200 Nov. 10 through Dec. 23 Violet Street, Suite 140. For details call The Polar Express 303-215-9001 or visit www.rmqm.org.

This popular children’s tale is theatrically re-created so you and your Oct. 31 through Dec. 9 family can be immersed in the sights, Boot Camp Challenge sounds, intrigue, magic and wonder of Registrations accepted through Nov. 7. the holiday season. Colorado Railroad New campers, mention you saw this in Museum, 17155 W. 44th Ave. For tickets the Golden Informer and receive a 15% and show times, call 720-253-1023 or discount. The affordability of group visit www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org. exercise with the accountability and results of personal training, designed Nov. 11 Veterans Day for every fitness level. 5:45 to 6:45 a.m. An important time to remember those on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays who risked their lives to defend our at the Golden Community Center, 1470 freedom and the freedom of others.

10th St. For info call 720-628-2901 or email kim@completefitnessdenver.com. Nov. 11 through Dec. 31

Nov. 5 Coffee with a Councilor – South Neighborhoods

Holiday Art Market

The Holiday Art Market (HART) is a Golden tradition with fine art and unique crafts by Colorado artists, on Chat with your District One Councilor display and ready for purchase at the at 10 a.m. at Bean Fosters, 720 Golden Foothills Art Center, 809 15th St. Shop Ridge Rd. For details call Councilor for gifts in all price ranges. Admission Saoirse Charis-Graves at 303-279-7529 is free. For details call 303-278-3922 or or scharisgraves@cityofgolden.net. visit www.foothillsartcenter.org.

Nov. 5 Community Craft and Bake Sale

Nov. 19 Coffee with a Councilor – North Neighborhoods

Choose from a wide array of tasty baked goods and one-of-a-kind craft items at this annual event at the Golden Terrace Village Community, 17601 W. Colfax Ave. For more information, call Jan at 402-960-0772.

Chat with your District Two Councilor from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Front Porch of the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th St. For details call Councilor Casey Brown at 303-900-2003 or email cbrown@cityofgolden.net.

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Information is subject to change.

Please use contact information to confirm the details of an event. To list a community event happening in Golden, please send your listing to: Golden City Hall, Communications Dept., 911 10th St., Golden, CO 80401, or by e-mail to ktilley@ cityofgolden.net. Listings should include the date(s), the event name and a brief description of the event, which may include cost, location and contact information.

Submissions must be received by the first of the month prior to the issue you would like them printed in (i.e., Jan. 1 for the February issue). Call 303-384-8132 with questions or for more information.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . November 2016 Nov. 24 Thanksgiving Day City Hall Administrative offices closed Nov. 24 and 25. Golden Community Center closed Thanksgiving Day only.

Nov. 25 through Dec. 23 A Christmas Carol This hilarious new adaptation brings Dickens’ most beloved characters to life in what’s sure to become your favorite holiday celebration. Miners Alley Playhouse, 1224 Washington Ave. For tickets and show times call 303-935-3044 or visit www.minersalley.com.

Nov. 26 Small Business Saturday Shop “small” and support local merchants as you begin your holiday shopping.

See p. 17 for details.

Nov. 30 Golden Sustainability Night Join the City of Golden for a night to celebrate and learn about sustainability efforts. There will be an expo featuring a variety of topics, vendor booths, food and beverages. The night is capped off by two featured speakers. Details on p. 12. For more info contact Golden Sustainability Coordinator Theresa Worsham at TWorsham@cityofgolden.net or 303-384-8117.

FOR A COMPLETE LIST OF HOLIDAY EVENTS,

GO TO WWW.VISITGOLDEN.COM Dec. 2 Candlelight Walk Walk down Washington Avenue, candle in hand, to the Visitors’ Center to marvel at the official lighting of the downtown and creek holiday lights.

Walk begins at 6:30 p.m. Stroll on over to the Golden History Museum and History Park for warm cider and roasted chestnuts, along with a free look at GHM’s latest exhibit. At the Golden Library, warm up by the fire and enjoy tasty treats and entertainment for the entire family. More details on p. 19.

Dec. 3 Holiday Choir Concert Jingle All the Way with the Golden Concert Choir at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3 at Clear Creek Church, 10555 W. 44th Ave. Enjoy Irving Berlin’s Christmas along with many old favorites. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at www.goldencommunitychoirs.org. All proceeds go directly to the choirs, which are based in and practice in Golden.

Dec. 3 Olde Golden Christmas Parade The first of three parades on Saturdays in December. Bursting with Golden’s charm and holiday spirit, this free family tradition is fun for all ages.

Featuring floats of all shapes and sizes, bands, and colorful characters, these parades are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Join in the holiday fun on Washington Avenue in Historic Downtown Golden starting at 10:30 a.m., and plan to spend the day in Golden shopping, dining, and visiting local attractions. For more information go to www.goldenchamber.org and www.visitgolden.com or call 303-279-3113.

FSalesREE and Use

Tax Workshops The City of Golden is hosting FREE Sales and Use Tax workshops taught by our professional staff of auditors and geared toward individuals who need to learn sales and use tax concepts on an in-depth level.

The workshops will be held in the Golden City Hall Conference Room, City Hall, 911 10th St. Dec. 7, 2016................. 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Although these classes are free, space is limited.

Please call 303-384-8024 for your reservation.

FREE

Building Use Tax Workshop The City of Golden is hosting a FREE Building Use Tax Workshop taught by our professional staff of auditors.

Class is geared toward individuals who need to learn about building use tax concepts on an in-depth basis.

The workshop will be held in the Golden City Hall Conference Room, City Hall, 911 10th St. Nov. 2, 2016................. 8:30 to 10 a.m.

Class is free, but space is limited.

Please call 303-384-8024 for your reservation.

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Social, Economic & Environmental Issues

Golden Sustainability Night NOV. 30

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he City of Golden Sustainability Department and the Community Sustainability Advisory Board (CSAB) invites community members to Golden Sustainability Night from 5 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at the American Mountaineering Center (AMC), 710 10th St.

Golden Sustainability Night will kick off with a sustainability expo in the AMC Conference Center, and will feature refreshments from area food trucks and beer from local breweries. During the expo, attendees can browse a variety of sustainability vendor booths, learn about local green resources and chat with industry experts. Topics will range from green building and renewable energy to alternative transportation and water conservation resources. With prize drawings, giveaways, and hands-on learning activities, Golden’s Sustainability Night is the perfect event for families to learn about the City’s green initiatives.

Speaker:

Keynote Speaker: PATTY LIMERICK

KEN REGELSON Starts at 5:30 p.m.

Sustainable Energy Policy Analyst, Ken Regelson, will give two short presentations in the Foss Auditorium, interspersed with short films for kids and adults alike. As the founder of EnergyShouldBe. org, Ken makes short videos encouraging action toward a 100 percent renewably-powered world by 2035. Regelson has many awards for his work in renewable energy and a Masters Degree in electrical engineering.

LEARN ABOUT GOLDEN’S COMMUNITY SOLAR INITIATIVE at the Sustainability Expo from 5 to 9 p.m.

The keynote address starts at 7 p.m., given by Colorado State Historian Patty Limerick. Patty is the Faculty Director and Chair of the Board of the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she is also a professor of environmental studies and history. In addition, Patty currently serves as the Colorado State Historian. She is the author of Desert Passages, The Legacy of Conquest, Something in the Soil, and A Ditch in Time.

For more information on Golden Sustainability night, contact Golden Sustainability Coordinator Theresa Worsham at TWorsham@cityofgolden.net or 303-384-8117.

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Got Leaves?

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ags of loose leaves take up a lot of space. This fall, try this tip… use your lawn mower to mulch and bag your leaves! Simply raise the mower’s height slightly, and let your mower do the compacting for you. The mower blade will cut the leaves into much smaller pieces, and the grass catcher helps make it easier to bag the mulched leaves.

The 2016 Fall PAYT yard waste collection is scheduled for the week of Nov. 14 to 18.

This is for Alpine Waste customers only.

Yard waste should be placed at or near where your trash is collected by 7 a.m. on your regular pick-up day. Place yard waste in reusable containers or in compostable bags. Compostable bags may be purchased at Meyers Hardware, The Home Depot and other home improvement stores. Materials for this pick-up are limited to grass clippings, pine needles, leaves, weeds, branches, sawdust, and ground or chipped wood.

FALL YARD WASTE COLLECTION GUIDELINES

yards per resident which is equivalent to: - an area that is approx. 4 feet x 4 feet x 4 feet.; or - 2 1 compostable 30 gallon bags

• Branches must be less than 4 inches • This yard waste is recycled! Please do in diameter and bundled with natural not contaminate this material with any fiber string, yarn or rope like cotton of the following: or sisal.

- NO plastics, dirt, cactus, tree stumps, -D o not use wires, nylon, polyethybranches greater than 4 inches in lene, or other synthetic materials diameter, ashes, animal waste, treated for bundling. lumber, logs, old garden hoses or - Bundles should be 4 feet in length broken flower pots. or less, and no more than 2 feet in -N o Construction material is allowed diameter. for this service. Plastic bags are not allowed.

• Yard waste will be limited to 3 cubic

• Material that is not bundled, not in reusable containers or in noncompostable plastic bags will not be picked up.

• Look for this label on products that can be commercially composted!

For more information, contact Alpine Waste and Recycling at 303-277-8727, golden@alpinewaste.com, or visit Alpine’s website at http://alpinewaste.com/ city-of-golden/.

ALPINE RECYCLES ALL ORGANICS - KITCHEN WASTE INCLUDED! Tired of stuffing leaves into compostable bags? Try subscribing to Alpine Waste and Recycling’s subscription Compost Program. Alpine accepts all organic materials and recycles it into compost. Yard waste can be dumped right in the designated cart, no compostable bags required! The Compost Program is available year-round and includes every other week pick up of your organic waste cart at your curb. It’s convenient and reasonably priced. Call Alpine Waste and Recycling today at 303-277-8727 to subscribe and start recycling your leaves early.

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Golden Community Center activities calendar YOUTH & TEEN ACTIVITIES

to the youngest of doodlers. The focus is on exploration! Activities are designed to Rocket Blast Thanksgiving Week provide opportunities to touch, feel, hear, Camp - #14243 see and explore while building fine motor, Rocket Blast is SpaceTime’s “Best language, creativity, school readiness and Of” rockets and space mission camp cognitive skills. Lessons never repeat! An program. It combines the most popular adult must attend with child. elements of our other rocket science Age: 1½ - 4 years, Min/Max: 7/12 programs into one hands-on, funWednesdays, Nov. 2 - 23 packed rocket building and launching 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. extravaganza and includes lots of all new $66 Resident, $71 Non-resident elements for 2016 for hours of serious rocket and space exploring excitement.

ADULT/YOUTH SPECIALTY Age: 5 - 10 years, Min/Max: 5/12 Advanced Care Babysitting Half Day Class Courses - #24210 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday This course is designed for the pre-teen Nov. 21, 22, 23 & 25, 9 a.m. to noon and helps them to prepare for those first $120 Resident, $125 Non-resident babysitting opportunities. Certification Full Day Class provided. Bring a sack lunch to class. No Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday refunds for no-shows.

Nov. 21, 22, 23 & 25, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Age: 11 years and older, Min/Max: 5/25 Children will need to bring a sack Saturday, Nov. 19, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. lunch each day. $65 Resident, $70 Non-resident $190 Resident, $195 Non-resident

CREATIVE ARTS Mud Makers - #28020 Every week there will be a completed piece to take home (except week one).

Age: 3 – 6 years Tuesdays, Nov. 8 - 29 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. $45 Resident, $50 Non-resident

Clay Creations - #28025 Age: 6 – 12 years Thursdays, Nov. 10 – Dec. 8 (no class Nov. 24) 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. $50 Resident, $55 Non-resident

(no class Nov. 21) 12:45 - 1:30 p.m. $50 Resident, $55 Non-resident OR Thursdays, Nov. 10 – Dec. 15 (no class Nov. 24) 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. $50 Resident, $55 Non-resident

AQUATICS Lifeguard Training - #11012-02 This American Red Cross certification course is one of the National Standards for Lifeguard Employment. Prerequisites required to enroll. Visit rec.cityofgolden. net for details.

Tuesday thru Friday, Dec. 27-30 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. $175 Resident, $200 Non-resident

TYKES JumpBunch® Parent/Tot - #13040 Let JumpBunch® make sports and fitness fun for your toddler and start them on the path to a healthy lifestyle!

Age: 15 months - 3 years Min/Max: 4/15 Thursdays, Nov. 10 – Dec. 15 (no class Nov. 24) 4 to 4:30 p.m. $45 Resident, $50 Non-resident

JumpBunch® Preschoolers #13045

JumpBunch® is a national leader in sports and fitness for children 15 months My First Abrakadoodle Art Class - and older. #18045 Age: 3 - 6 years, Min/Max: 4/15 This class introduces new art experiences Mondays, Nov. 7 – Dec. 12

A Venue with a View Located at the base of the foothills, the Golden Community Center is a venue with a view!

Perfect for weddings, graduations and other events, put your mind at ease with the support of professional staff members and the convenience of an adjoining caterer’s kitchen.

Call Bryan Smith at 303-384-8133 or email bsmith@cityofgolden.net for availability, facility tours and rates.

Make your event special – have it at the Golden Community Center.

For more information and to register, visit https://rec.cityofgolden.net.

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Check out the Golden Community Center’s Front Porch designed specifically for active adults.

The Front Porch offers respite and entertainment, coffee and healthy snacks. There is a full schedule of games, sports, social events, and trips. Shoot some pool, surf the internet, work on a puzzle, or just relax before you hit your next fitness class.

Celebrate Health!

Friday, Nov. 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Celebrate Health! is a monthly wellness program featuring a variety of healthy living opportunities for adults of all ages. The first Friday of each month we offer healthy refreshments and presentations on a variety of wellness topics. For more information or to make an appointment for one of our services, please call 303-384-8130.

Chair massages & Reflexology sessions .......................................... $13 for 15 minutes

Golden Book Club This group meets in the Front Porch the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m.

The book for November: Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee If you are interested in joining, please email Jan Bradbury, bobjanbradbury@comcast.net.

Holiday Potluck A Gathering to Celebrate the Holidays In December, in lieu of Celebrate Health!, we will be having a Holiday Potluck on Friday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. Start thinking today about your favorite healthful dish that you would like to share. Meal sign-ups will be available at the Front Porch desk starting mid-November. More information to come.

TRIPS FOR NOVEMBER Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum #354200-1 Wednesday, Nov. 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. $20 - Transportation and museum admission included.

Bring money for lunch. Exertion Level 3.

The remarkable sculpture by World War II aviator Major Fredric Arnold, USAAC (Ret.) – “Lest We Forget: The Mission” – honors, preserves and promotes the heritage of the American combat pilots for future generations.

The statues were sculpted by Major Arnold and fellow artist, Sutton Betti, using 3,000 pounds of clay, then cast in bronze, a process that took more than four years to complete. The 12 life-size sculptures depict a group of fighter pilots – inspired by the deaths of 12 fellow pilots in Arnold’s Class of 42-J, they represent the 88,000 airmen who died in WWII combat – in a pre-flight briefing before yet another of the war’s seemingly endless critical missions.

Denver 29th Annual Food and Holiday Gift Festival at the Colorado Convention Center #354300-1 Friday, Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $10 - Transportation included.

Bring money for admission, food and gifts.

Exertion Level 3.

The Holiday Food & Gift Festival is the largest holiday celebration in the West, drawing many shoppers annually who happily complete their holiday shopping early. With over 400 exhibitors, the festival will provide shoppers with one-of-a-kind gifts that cannot be found anywhere else. Featuring art, crafts, jewelry, clothing, wood, music, photography, toys, Christmas décor, and much more makes this a gift buyer’s delight. There is a large gourmet food area where you can sample and purchase a wide range of food items including toffee, tea, chocolates, pasta, soups, dips, meats, coffee, jams, shortbread, chili, sauces and more!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Stop by The Front Porch, upstairs at the Golden Community Center, 1470 10th St. • Call 303-384-8130.

Check out the Golden Community Center’s Recreate activity guide. • Visit www.cityofgolden.net/links/FrontPorch.

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2017 Claim Form for 2016 Sales Tax Refund The sales tax refund is limited to senior, low-income or disabled individuals who have lived within the city limits of Golden for at least 90 consecutive days in 2016 and cannot be claimed as a dependent on any other person’s tax return. The refund amount for 2016 is $50. This will be adjusted for partial year residency in Golden and partial year at age 65.

Please check one box only: q Senior Refund (must be 65 years or older) q Low Income Refund

Proof required. Attach a photocopy of one of the following: • State of Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate approval notification • Proof of Medicaid benefits • Proof of LEAP eligibility • Proof of eligibility for food stamps

q

Disabled Refund

Proof required. Attach a photocopy of one of the following: • State of Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate approval notification • Proof of full benefits from Social Security Disability Income, SSI or the Department of Human Services • Proof of total disability from a public or private insurance plan

Please print or type: Name: Mr(s).

Age: Date of Birth: Name: Mr(s).

Age: Date of Birth: Address: Golden, CO ZIP: Phone: How many months did you reside in the city limits of Golden during 2016? months Were you claimed as a dependent on any other person’s income tax form? q yes q no Signature:

Signature: This form must be submitted by no later than April 15, 2017.

Refund Donation Option: You have the option to donate your refund to a City of Golden program or department by checking one of the boxes below: qGolden Volunteer Fire Department qGolden Cemetery qGolden Senior Front Porch qOther City program or department (please identify): Office Use Only:

Account #013031-6190

STR

Vendor #

Received

Payable

Golden, the Perfect Town for “Shopping Small”

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hop and dine in Golden on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26. New this year is Golden’s Shop Small Welcome Station. Pick up this year’s Shop Small tote bag filled with local merchant’s coupons, sip a hot drink and enjoy the festivities before experiencing all of Golden’s five shopping areas. The welcome station will be located on the East side of the Golden Visitors Center, 1010 Washington Ave., and will be marked by balloons.

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Golden is the perfect escape from the frenzied shopping scenes. You’ll find unique and meaningful gifts for the holidays at our one-of-a-kind shops.

Be sure to snap some pictures and tag both @visitgoldenco and the business

you’re supporting on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #shopsmall for the chance to win $100! Five winners will be randomly selected.

Come find your gold in Golden, Colorado, www.visitgolden.com.

Join in the Elf Race on Small Business Saturday

ick-off the holiday season in Golden on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 26 in historic downtown Golden with the Be a Tool 5K Elf Run. This event will take runners and walkers of all ages and in elf costumes, through Golden and along Clear Creek.

The 5K will start at 8:30 a.m. under the Welcome to Golden Arch with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. Runners will finish on 12th Street where they can enjoy a free pancake breakfast and win prizes from Golden’s local businesses. Prizes will be awarded for the best elf costumes! Categories include adult, child, group and pet.

Race participants will also receive a reusable goodie bag with discount coupons to Golden businesses and an event t-shirt. The first 200 registrants will also receive a free elf hat.

Register at www.beatool.org. Adults are $35 and youth (under 12) are $15 for the 5K Run through Nov. 26. Walk-up registration for the 5K Run will be $39.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Golden’s Neighborhood Rehab Project (NRP). The NRP is a project of Community Faith in Action, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to help homeowners in Golden address their warm, safe and dry household needs through empowering volunteers and purchasing materials to meet those needs. For more information about the NRP or 5K Elf Run, visit www.beatool.org.

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The Power of the Written Word

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olden is home to an unusually dense population of authors, especially those interested in the deep history to be mined in Jefferson County. Mary Ramstetter is a prime example.

Mary grew up in Golden, and to this day raises cattle in Golden Gate Canyon with her husband. She is the daughter of Owen Acers, who was an electrical contractor and founding member of the Golden Thespians, and Geneva Acers, onetime payroll clerk for Jefferson County. She married Charles Ramstetter, who was born in Eight Mile House in Golden Gate Canyon, the son and grandson of local homesteader families. Between working as the secretary for the Humanities and Social Sciences department at the Colorado School of Mines, and raising four children, Mary found time to author indispensable historical reference books and historical fiction. With Charles she compiled John Gregory Country, Place Names and History of Ralston Buttes Quadrangle, Jefferson County, Colorado.

Golden author Mary Ramstetter at a recent book signing.

And, on her own, she authored the award-winning El-Dorado Trilogy.

Mary also wrote the script for the video introduction to the newest exhibit at Golden History Center, Epic Events.

Golden was Born the Handmaiden to the Miners was originally the introduction to an oral history project. Now, Mary narrates this metaphorical description of Golden’s history to accompany video

Photo courtesy Scott Dressel-Martin.

images of historical murals from around the Golden area. Her verbal imagery creates connections to the strong women and men of Golden’s past: homesteaders, merchants, manufacturers, and outdoorspeople. Mary Ramstetter’s histories and novels are available for purchase in the museum bookshop, along with the books of many other local authors.

Visit Epic Events from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. six days a week (closed Tuesdays) at the Golden History Center, 923 10th St. This new exhibit showcases over three dozen events in a timeline covering 150 years of Golden history. From the founding of Golden to the discovery of the world’s first T-rex tooth, we cover a huge spectrum of material. Visitors will discover Colorado Prohibition, William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s burial, and a blizzard that dumped five feet of snow on the town, all of which are paired with some amazing artifacts.

Golden History Museums Astor House Museum (822 12th St.) and Golden History Center (923 10th St.) • Call ahead or check website for hours and special event details.

Clear Creek History Park (11th and Arapahoe) • Open daily sunrise to sunset. • 303-278-3557 • www.GoldenHistory.org

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It’s Time to Light the Lights

xperience the beauty of the holiday season as you walk through downtown Golden, candle in hand, singing holiday carols. Golden’s traditional Candlelight Walk on Friday, Dec. 2 offers an old-fashioned way to start the season of lights and is open to all. Gather at 6 p.m. at Foothills Art Center, 15th and Arapahoe Street, for pre-walk caroling.

The Golden Chamber of Commerce will be selling candles and glow sticks for $1 each. The walk will begin at 6:30 p.m. and ends in front of the Golden Visitors Center at 10th Street and Washington Avenue for the tree lighting.

Stop by the Visitors Center after the walk to see Santa & Mrs. Claus, sip some hot cider and see this year’s special holiday ornament of the old music hall at Heritage Square. Warm up by the fire at the Golden Library, and stroll through the Golden History Center for a free look at the new exhibit, Epic Events and listen to music played on an historic piano. Take the bridge across Clear Creek to the History Park for roasted chestnuts and warm cider. While there, explore the inside of the Pearce/Helps Cabin, smell freshly baked goods from the woodfired oven, watch live blacksmithing, and enjoy music and singing.

Hot beverages, cookies and entertainment will be provided at several businesses and cultural facilities in downtown Golden. For a complete list of events, go to www.VisitGolden.com.

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PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOLDEN, CO PERMIT #26

POSTAL PATRON

November 26th, 2016 | 8:30 AM Under the Arch Downtown Golden

To register visit

www.beatool.org