Week of August 4, 2022
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JEFFERSON COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
GoldenTranscript.net
VOLUME 156 | ISSUE 33
Golden’s “The Best of the West” Parade Fewer floats, smaller crowds than usual during annual event BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, and their cowboys and cowgirls were back in the saddle again as “The
Best of the West” Parade returned to downtown Golden July 30. The parade, which is part of the annual Buffalo Bill Days festival, was canceled in 2020 and 2021. It returned this year, but with fewer floats and seemingly smaller crowds than in years past. Longtime emcee Matt Becker said there were only 32 floats this year, compared to the usual 100 or so, and some crowd-favorites like the Shriners and Westernaires
were missing. He explained that having a smaller parade was a way to ease back into the tradition after a two-year absence. Despite the smaller size, both parade participants and onlookers alike were glad to see the summertime tradition return. “I always look forward to it, and so does the community,” Becker said. “ … It’s a great civic event.” Jim and LuAnne Dale, who’ve attended about 10 times since
moving to Golden in 1999, said it’s always fun “to see all the people get excited” for the parade. They also appreciate the variety of participants, describing how they saw everyone from the Young Marines to local businesses and the fire department along the staging area. Decked out in his martial arts uniform, 4-year-old Xavier SEE PARADE, P2
Buffalo Bill Days returns to downtown Golden Historic contract Festival schedule, for Jeffco Public layout modified after Schools’ 2-year break Large starting pay increase and more job security top list of gains
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Parents Dave and Kelli were just trying to take their sons to Lion Park on July 30, but found downtown Golden much busier than they had expected. The family followed the crowds into Parfet Park, stumbling onto Buffalo Bill Days 2022. Golden’s annual summertime festival returned after a two-year absence during the pandemic, although this year’s schedule and layout was a bit different. There was no Wild West Show; the Saturday morning parade had fewer floats than usual; and the layout at Parfet Park was different than usual. Cody Moreland of longtime vendor Armstrong Concessions explained how his family usually sets up near the train along the Clear Creek Trail. However, this year, Armstrong Concessions SEE BUFFALO BILL, P4
BY BOB WOOLEY BWOOLEY@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Jason, left, and Buzz Baker walk around Buffalo Bill Days in costume, having their picPHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG tures taken by attendees of the festival.
INSIDE: VOICES: PAGE 14 | LIFE: PAGE 16 | CALENDAR: PAGE 19 | SPORTS: PAGE 32
Custodians, bus drivers, food service workers and other support staff — people who do the often overlooked work that helps keep the district running — have won a hard-fought contract victory in their latest union negotiations with Jefferson County Public Schools. The Jeffco Board of Education ratified a new labor agreement with the Jeffco Education Support Professionals Association July 26. The newlyratified agreement boosts starting pay for union members by 44%. The new contract calls for an $18/ hour starting wage by September 2023, increased job security, reduced
ART IN THE OPEN
There’s plenty of sculpture to see in parks and public places
P16
SEE GAINS, P5