Week of July 28, 2022
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 156 | ISSUE 32
In the heights on North Table Mountain State board
approves Golden Mine expansion Next step is county review process BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Arvada’s Ethan Crosby stands atop North Table Mountain’s western rock face on July 21. Crosby is an avid rock climber and enjoys all PHOTOS BY CORINNE WESTEMAN the climbing features on North Table Mountain. BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
South Table Mountain and its Castle Rock might be the iconic face of Golden, but North Table Mountain has just as much to offer, if not more. With almost 2,000 acres, 17 miles of trails and three formal trailheads, North Table Mountain has a myriad of hiking and biking opportunities. It’s also well-regarded for its rock-climbing features, with avid climbers like Arvada’s Ethan Crosby frequently testing their mettle on the mountain. Like its sister mesa, North Table Mountain was formed about 60 SEE HEIGHS, P8
Hikers walk down the North Table Loop Trail toward the mountain’s west trailhead on July 21.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 24
A state land board has approved Denver Brick Company’s application to expand its clay-mining operations on the Dakota Hogback in northwest Golden. The Mined Land Reclamation Board, which is under the Colorado Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, heard about seven hours of testimony and comments from the applicant, DRMS staff, and objectors during its July 20 hearing. Last year, the Denver Brick Company applied to expand its operations at its Golden Mine, which is across Highway 93 from North Table Mountain, from the current 9 acres to 70 acres. However, not all 70 acres will be an active mine. The company has had a permit to mine the state-owned land since 1977. Nonprofit Protect the Hogback and other objectors have been outspoken against the mine’s expansion, describing concerns about noise, safety, wildlife impacts, archeological preservation and more. However, DRMS staff recommended approval, saying the applicant had addressed all adequacy
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SEE EXPANSION, P4
July 29, 30 & 31