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Miscellaneous Seasonal Frolics (with Suitable Social Distancing) and a Transcript Anniversary

Golden Eye Candy – Lighting at the Visitors Center – Chris Davell – click to enlarge

Coronavirus/COVID-19

Public Health References
CDC * Colorado * Jefferson County * City of Golden

Jefferson County is at Level Red, “Severe Risk.” Here’s the most recent Coronavirus report from Jeffco Public Health’s Case Summary Page:

Cases in Jeffco – Thurs: 26,948 | Fri: 27,160 (+212)
Deaths in Jeffco – Thurs: 595 | Fri: 594 (-1) *
Currently Hospitalized in Jeffco Thurs: 197 | Fri: 160 (-37)
Known Cases in Golden – Thurs: 999 **

* When I’ve asked JCPH in the past why the number of deaths decreased, they said it was because a cause of death was changed from COVID to something else.
** Golden cases will be updated on Monday and Thursday. The other stats will be updated Monday through Friday.

Mines COVID Testing | Jeffco Fairgrounds COVID Testing | School of Mines COVID-19 case page. | Stage 2 fire restrictions | Sign up for exposure notifications.


Virtual Golden

The City’s Community Access TV station has holiday programming all day today, including cooking & baking shows, past Olde Golden Christmas parades, a video by the Railroad Museum and a short concert by Jefferson Symphony Museums, ending with Creature Features at 10PM. See the full schedule….

See a Play Tonight!
Miners Alley Playhouse is offering three plays that you can watch on-demand. Learn more….

The City’s public access cable channel will show Olde Golden Christmas parades at 10AM and 1PM, and several cooking shows featuring Christmas cookies. At 7PM, they’ll air “A Christmas Card” featuring musicians from the Jefferson Symphony. You can watch on Comcast Cable Channels 8SD and 880HD or via internet on GCO.tv. See today’s schedule.


Real World Golden

10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market
11AM-2PM Brunch at the Rose
12PM Walk with a Geologist
2PM Wild West Walking Tour

Real World Golden

Holiday Characters with the Golden Hayride – click to enlarge

Strolling Saturdays
Spend a magical day in downtown Golden, where you’re sure to spot carolers, festive holiday characters, elves, the Golden Hayride playing music, a roaming Christmas tree and more. Each Saturday, Golden will unveil a fun artistic pop-up.

Holiday Story Strolls
Take a stroll through Golden at your leisure and find displays that highlight various holiday traditions from around the world. Created in partnership with the Jeffco Public Library, the engaging displays offer an inspirational way to celebrate our global connections and promote peace on Earth. From your Smartphone, download the Scavify app and search for “OLDE GOLDEN CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY STORY STROLL” to join, or simply pick up a map outside the Golden Visitors Center (1010 Washington Avenue) for the location of all of the displays. Anyone who joins on the Scavify app will earn points and a chance to win prizes.

Winter Wonderland Walks + Golden’s Holiday Light Display
Golden’s impressive holiday lights transform the charming town into a winter wonderland with downtown, the Clear Creek Walking Path, Golden History Park, Parfet Park and the Visitors Center spectacularly illuminated with an estimated 45,000 bulbs. A single giant evergreen tree in front of the Golden Visitors Center is wrapped in approximately 5,000 lights all on its own. Start a new family tradition and bundle up, pick up hot cocoa at a Golden coffee shop, and enjoy an evening walk with holiday lights reflecting in the icy waters of Clear Creek and in the downtown shop windows.

Candlelight Nights: Be Merry, Be Bright, Share Your Golden Light
Golden residents are encouraged to put an electric candle in their windows every evening in festive citywide solidarity. You can collect your free electric candle at the Visitors Center (On Tap Credit Union is out of stock). The Visitors Center is open M-F 9-5, Sat 9-12.

10AM-5PM Holiday Art Market
11AM-2PM Brunch at the Rose
7PM Live Music: Mr. David Booker at Golden Moon Speakeasy

Stop by Icelantic Skis at 13th & Washington to see our latest ice sculpture! Photo by Chris Davell. Click to enlarge.

Golden History Moment

December 19, 1866 Colorado Transcript

The first issue of The Colorado Transcript was published 154 years ago today–December 19, 1866. In it, founder George West explained his reasons for choosing Golden. He thought the town had excellent prospects, with its “contiguity to the mines,” immense water power, excellent flour mills, rich agricultural lands, brick factory, and many stores and houses.

The first issue included Mr. West’s usual blend of government reporting, business developments, society news, and editorial comments explaining how the world should be improving itself.

In one brief article, he recalls how rowdy drunks back in Boston were jailed for three to six months. He then reports that “A party of night-walkers awakened us from a balmy sleep Monday night, and should be served likewise.”

He goes on to comment that “We have been greatly aided in starting our outfit to running by frequent and copious bottles of lubricator from the popular saloon of our friend, Charley Garborino. Thanks, Charley.” Apparently drinking was fine, as long as you didn’t wake people.

The Transcript’s first home – click to enlarge

A January 26, 1967 article tells us that the Transcript began publishing in the old Boston Company building, which was on land that is now Parfet Park.

The Transcript building, then and now (map). Left photo – Golden History Museum collection

In 1870, West made an agreement with James Kelly to share a building on Washington Avenue. Dr. Kelly owned the first floor, where he kept a drug store, and the Transcript owned the second floor. It stayed there for nearly 100 years.

1000 10th Street in 1967 (the Transcript’s new home) and now (City Hall Annex) – click to enlarge

In 1966, the Transcript bought a new press and needed more room, so they built a new home at 1000 10th. Street, right across from City Hall. They stayed in that building until about 2006, and have been in several different offices since then.


Many 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!

Highlights