June 10, 2021
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 155 | ISSUE 25
Changes ahead of anticipated big year on Clear Creek Tuber shuttle, creek ambassador, flag system among new features BY PAUL ALBANI-BURGIO PALBANIBURGIO@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
A mountain goat peeks around the corner of the restroom building at the Mount Evans summit on the morning of June 4. Several photographers and visitors were excited to see alpine wildlife, as the highway to the summit has been closed to vehicle traffic since September 2019. PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Mountain life is a highway Locals celebrate returning to Mount Evans highway BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Aurora’s Robin Brilz has visited Mount Evans hundreds of times — at least once or twice a year annually for more than 50 years. Until the pandemic and all its complications prevented her and thousands of others from seeing the summit last year. The Mount Evans Scenic Byway SEE EVANS, P18
Motorists line up at the entrance of the Mount Evans Scenic Byway near Echo Lake on the morning of June 4. When the gates opened at 8 a.m., there were about 40 vehicles already in line to enter.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 17 | SPORTS: PAGE 18
What a difference a year makes. Last summer, Golden’s beloved Clear Creek became a lightning rod of controversy and, for many in Golden, anxiety as the result of the possibility that crowds of tubers and recreators could create a hotbed of COVID-19 transmission. In fact, the creek was even closed to recreation altogether for two periods (although many crafty tubers still found their way around the barricades). But now, with COVID-19 rates to their lowest levels in nearly a year, over 70% of Jeffco residents who are eligible for the vaccine having received one dose and updated public health guidance suggesting there is little risk of COVID-19 transmission in outdoor settings, city officials are gearing up for a very busy summer on the creek. “We think it’s going to be a pretty big year,” said Deputy City Manager Carly Lorentz. “Probably one of the busiest.” But when those crowds descend with the creek with their tubes on weekend afternoons, they will be met with several changes that the city hopes will increase both safety SEE CLEAR CREEK, P10
GETTING SKIN DEEP Enjoy summer sun while protecting your skin P14