Week of July 7, 2022
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 156 | ISSUE 29
Could the Marshall Fire happen in Golden?
Red, White and Golden
Golden residents, business owners must harden properties against wildfires BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
traditions. As his three children were playing with their new red-white-and-blue pinwheels, dad Jason Patel explained that his family loves coming every year for the live music, the people and the atmosphere. Meanwhile, Golden’s Sarah and Joe Heywood and their sons Ben and Max, 7 and 4, respectively, were new to the 4th of July Festival. Sarah explained that the family is usually out of town for the holiday. However, since they were in Golden this year, they were “excited to try it
With about 50 people sitting in City Hall and more watching online, Fire Marshal Scott Case started the meeting by addressing “the 6,000-acre elephant in the room.” “Most of us are here and interested in the (Community Wildfire Protection Plan) because of the Marshall Fire … and how it relates to us here in Golden,” Case said. On June 29, the city hosted a meeting about its recently updated Community Wildfire Protection Plan. It will be hosting smaller meetings in July to address specific neighborhoods’ risk factors and steps property owners can take to mitigate those risks. The CWPP was first released in 2007 and updated again last year. In its 2021 update, Golden Fire Chief Jerry Stricker said the city incorporated lessons learned from 2012’s Waldo Canyon Fire and beyond, “all the way up to the Marshall Fire.” “This plan was in its final edits
SEE GOLDEN, P2
SEE FIRE, P4
Audrey Patel, 6, plays with her new pinwheel during Golden’s 50th annual 4th of July Festival at Lions Park.
Golden’s 4th of July Festival turns 50 with music, family fun BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
It doesn’t get much more American than enjoying live music and eating food in the shade of a local park. Perhaps the only thing missing was apple pie. Golden celebrated Independence Day with its 50th annual 4th of July
Festival. The annual event at Lions Park featured three bands, food trucks, and more, although it was missing its usual fireworks. Thousands of people turned out for the festival, arriving by foot, scooter, bike and innertube. The event is cohosted by the city and the Lions Club and raises about $30,000 annually. Co-organizer Sondra Welsh said the proceeds go toward local charities and scholarships for Golden High School students. Many families, like the Patels of Broomfield, have made the festival part of their Independence Day
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 30
PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN
Evergreen Jazz Festival Big Talent! Small Venues! Great Setting!
Dancers Welcome!
Free Parking!
EvergreenJazz.org 303-697-5467
July 29, 30 & 31