Coronavirus Update
Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden
Jefferson County’s case count page says that as of 3PM yesterday, there were 851 (up from 826) cases in Jefferson County. There have been 32 deaths (up from 31) and 213 are hospitalized (up from 206). There are 79 known cases in Golden (up from 77).
The State-Wide Stay-at-Home Order is in effect through April 26, 2020. Everyone is asked to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth when leaving the house. City and County fire restrictions are in place. Clear Creek is closed to all recreational activities.
Transparency Part II
Yesterday, I wrote about the Code Rewrite project that the City has undertaken. I wrote of my concern about such a significant process taking place without public involvement, of the Open Records Request I had made in order to see the consultants’ report, and of the response I received from the Planning Manager, saying he did not have to give me the report as he did not consider it to be a public record.
The report is now online. I’ve skimmed it and look forward to reading it in more depth. One of the most striking sections shows how big new buildings can be under our current code.
Virtual Golden
Last night’s Coronavirus Community Briefing by the Mayor and City Manager is available for viewing on GCO.TV.
Today’s Events:
8-8:55AM Zumba Virtual Class
10-10:30AM Call-in Mid-Morning Medication offered by Jefferson Center for Mental Health. Call 303-502-5189 to participate. Hear previous sessions.
10:15-11:15AM Virtual Storytimes with the Jeffco Library: Preschool TIme
11:30AM-1PM Virtual N.E.W. Connction
N.E.W. stands for Networking Experienced Workers. This group is for job seekers, employers, and entrepreneurs to help each other prepare for and make meaningful, successful career connections. Hosted by Jefferson County Public Library. Join online meeting https://www.uberconference.com/room/jcplhomeservices
12PM Virtually Golden: The 1889 White Ash Mine Disaster in Golden with Donna Anderson. Click here to join the Zoom meeting.
2PM What’s Baking in the Kitchen?
Tune in to FB Live today to chat with History Museum Director Nathan Richie and learn to make delicious Cornish pasties. Check out the recipe in advance on our blog.
3-5PM Call In: Hard Times Writing Workshop
Telling our stories can often help process our life experiences and find new paths. This safe and supportive weekly writing workshop is free and open to all. Call 303-502-5189 to participate.
6PM Design Your Own Organic Veggie Garden
Want to create the veggie garden of your dreams but don’t know where to start? Jessica Romer, Horticulturist and Landscape Designer will share tips on how to get started with vegetable gardening in Colorado, choosing and preparing a garden location, plant selection, planting times, and how to design your own edible garden. Speaker Jessica Romer is the Former Director of Horticulture at Denver Urban Gardens Register
City Business
5-9PM Councilors Reed and Brown will be interviewing candidates for various boards and commissions tonight. The interviews will not be broadcast or recorded. In previous years, the applications were posted on the city website. They weren’t this year, so I requested them. If you want to review candidates’ applications, you can download them here.
Golden History Moment
The End of History
I have completed my set of four Golden History talks for Golden United’s Virtually Golden series. You can watch them here:
Part 1 – The Gold Rush (1859-1870)
Part 2 – Industry and Gentility (1870-1900)
Part 3 – Tourism, Transportation, and Two World Wars (1900-1945)
Part 4 – Destruction and Preservation, Growth and Anti-Growth (1945-the present)
You can also catch Paul Haseman’s talks about Charles Welch and the Welch Ditch and Golden the Stolen Capital.
Don’t miss Donna Anderson’s presentation today at noon about the 1889 White Ash Mine Disaster!
Cemetery Hill
I’ve been researching the growth of Golden’s residential neighborhoods, particularly after World War II, and came across a 1957 advertisement for new houses on Goldco Circle.
For close to a century, the hill on which Goldco Circle is built was known as “Cemetery Hill.” Golden’s first cemetery was placed there, beginning in 1859. Burials continued in that location until the “new” (our current) Golden Cemetery was platted in 1873. At that time, the graves were supposed to have been removed from Cemetery Hill, but the job was done incompletely.
A 1922 Colorado Transcript article mentioned that “on a fallen tombstone, one can read the name of Henry W. Frink, who died October 12, 1860…. His fallen tombstone is the only one in the old Golden cemetery on which the inscription is still legible.” As late as 1962, the Transcript was reporting, “Police…received a report of another open grave showing up on old Cemetery hill in North Golden with bones falling out of it.”
In the 1930s, there was much talk of building a road to the top of the hill and using it as a scenic overlook–a tourist attraction. It does have a great view!
The Golden Transcript (originally called the Colorado Transcript) has been publishing since 1866. The Golden History Museum has been working on digitizing the historic issues. You’ll find old Transcripts online at coloradohistoricnewspapers.org.
