Real World Events
FALL FEST – COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
8AM-2PM Level Up Young Professional Summit @ The Eddy Taproom & Hotel
9AM-4PM SLASH Collection @ Mount Vernon Country Club
10AM Saturday Train Rides @ Colorado Railroad Museum (through October 16)
10AM-3PM Brunch at the Rose @ Buffalo Rose
10:15AM Family Time @ Golden Library
3PM Wild West Walking Tour @ Golden City Brewery
3, 3:30, and 4PM Wild West Short Tour
1PM The Legend of Sleepy Hollow @ Miners Alley Playhouse
6-10PM Golden Hayride Beer Tour 2021
7 and 9:30PM Colorado Haunted History: Murder, Mayhem and Madness Tour (begins at Golden Visitors Center)
7-9PM Talking Dead Pub Crawl @ Golden Hotel
7:30PM The Crucible @ Miners Alley Playhouse
8PM Golden Ghosts & Spirits Tour
Live Music
11AM Bunny Blake @ Buffalo Rose (Sky Bar Stage – outdoor patio)
2PM Jamesons Duo @ Golden Mill
3PM Skank Williams @ Barrels and Bottles (at Camp George)
5PM Rocky Burning @ Barrels and Bottles (at Camp George)
5PM The Michael Hornbuckle Band @ Dirty Dogs Roadhouse
5PM Splendid Blend @ Goosetown Station
5PM Seeing Stars Band @ Over Yonder
9PM Karaoke @ Ace Hi Tavern
Golden History Moment
74 Years Ago
The October 16, 1947 Colorado Transcript announced a big change in Golden’s form of government. We were moving from a “strong mayor” form of government for a “strong city manager” form of government.
Since the City was formed in 1859, management had been in the hands of a small council of elected officials. That was about to change.
The City’s population was growing quickly during the 1940s, (from 3175 in 1940 to 5238 in 1950), and some community members thought it was time to hire a full-time administrator–a City Manager. Those who favored this idea said that citizens would have better customer service–there would always be someone on hand at City Hall, ready to solve the citizens’ problems.
Those who opposed it objected to the expense of a salary. They also felt that a paid City Manager would spend his time thinking of improvements that would cost money. Golden had operated on a pay-as-you-go basis throughout the Depression and World War II. There were many things around town that could stand an upgrade, but we weren’t in debt!
If Golden is gong to have a manager, prepare to vote for bonds. For a manager without money to spend can’t be expected to earn his salary.
Colorado Transcript – October 9, 1947
In the weeks leading up to the election, there were many articles and letters to the editor debating the issue. Based on the content of those letters, I would have expected the proposal to fail. Instead, with a small turn-out and a narrow margin, we voted to hire a manager.
With a population now exceeding 20,000, Golden certainly needs a city manager. The curmudgeons of old weren’t wrong about the expense of salaries and the propensity to incur debt though! Currently, we spend over $2 million/month on salaries and benefits for City employees. Our most recent debt was the $15 million that we borrowed to purchase the Coors property and to demolish the building. The proposed new municipal center will cost many times that much.
Thanks to the Golden History Museum for providing the online cache of historic Transcripts, and to the Golden Transcript for documenting our history since 1866!
