welcome to golden!

On behalf of our great city, I would like to thank you for visiting Golden. There is so much to see and do all 365 days a year that you may find your visit too short to fit it all in.

Laura Weinberg Golden Mayor

Golden is the home to the world’s largest single site brewery, a world-renowned university, tremendous outdoor recreation opportunities, abundant arts and cultural experiences, and a rich history of the Old West. Whatever brings you to Golden, my hope is that you have a chance to interact with members of the community and visit our excellent museums, stores and restaurants.

The city and our businesses and community partners take health and safety seriously and your well-being is a top priority. Whether you are here for a couple of hours or a couple of months, I hope you have a fun, safe, enjoyable visit in our beautiful city.

By Barb Warden – GoldenToday.com

Golden was established during the 1859 Gold Rush. Prospectors from the East headed into the mountains, hoping to locate gold. Many of Golden’s founders had participated in the 1849 California Gold Rush and had learned that the surest way to get rich was to “mine the miners” by selling them food and supplies. Golden’s location at the foot of the mountains made it an ideal place to rest and resupply before making the final, arduous trek. One of the founders was named “Tom Golden,” and his name was chosen for the new settlement.

Many towns were established during that brief and intense Gold Rush period, and many quickly faded — first to ghost towns and later to dust. Golden had a precious commodity that gave it staying power — water. This was necessary for both drinking and agriculture. The rainfall in this region is not sufficient to grow most crops, but with irrigation water, almost anything will grow here. Farmers and business investors immediately began to dig ditches, to route Clear Creek water into the surrounding hinterlands. A thriving agricultural community formed, with Golden as its commercial hub.

The next big boost in Golden’s economic vitality was the 1870 arrival of the Colorado Central Railroad. This line connected the mountain mining towns —including Central City, Idaho Springs and Georgetown — to Denver.

This new ability to transport people and freight allowed Golden to become an industrial hub. By the late 19th century, Golden had smelters, coal and clay mines, brick and tile manufacturers, and one extremely promising brewer.

Adolph Coors arrived in Golden in 1873. He found pure, abundant spring water in the Clear Creek valley and recognized the site as the perfect place to build a brewery. Coors’ attention to not only production but distribution allowed the company to thrive, and it soon became one of Golden’s biggest employers. Today, it is the largest single-site brewery in the world!

The Colorado School of Mines was established in 1874. Its original focus on mining soon expanded to include oil exploration and engineering. The school now partners with the nearby National Renewable Energy Laboratory to develop emerging energy sources. CSM has been another long-term employer and economic engine for the Golden community.

Golden’s beautiful scenery has always drawn tourists. Early visitors rented burros to carry them to the top of South Table Mountain. In 1912 and 1913, competing funicular railways brought eager sightseers to Castle Rock and Lookout Mountain. PAGE

The funiculars soon lost popularity when the Lariat Loop Trail was built in 1913, and the mountains were opened to automobile travel. Today, Golden’s extensive trail system and surrounding Open Space make it a haven for hikers and bikers.

Clear Creek remains the historic heart of the Golden community. It continues to provide top-notch drinking water and has become a popular recreation spot with its kayak course and miles of paved trails.

Roofing

Solar

Roper Roofing and Solar, based in Golden, would love to assist with your exterior renovations. We pride ourselves on our knowledge of construction as well as restoration processes.

With four former insurance adjusters on staff, we are able to assist with losses from perils such as hail, wind, and snow loads. Beyond that, we are proud to offer premium solar design and installation services.