The Creative Side of Golden

F4D Studio

GOLDEN IS HOME to spectacular natural beauty surrounded by rocky buttes and evergreen-covered mountains with gorgeous Clear Creek at its center. But there’s more than natural beauty to admire in this historic town. Golden proudly showcases more than 40 public art works, including beautiful statues and colorful murals. Creativity abounds in Golden—the city also boasts the Foothills Art Center, Miners Alley Playhouse and the Jefferson Symphony Orchestra. Here are a few creative highlights to check out during your Golden visit:

► Take a photo with “The Monarch,” a life-size statue of a buffalo located, appropriately, in front of the Buffalo Rose Bar & Restaurant. Across the street is “The Cowboy,” depicting a bronco buster with his saddle, while down the block along the creek bank is “Winter Wind on the Mesa,” a colorful, lifelike statue of a young Native American woman. The “Howdy Folks” statue at 10th and Washington depicts Buffalo Bill Cody with a young child on his shoulders. The famous frontier scout and showman Buffalo Bill is buried on top of nearby Lookout Mountain, overlooking Golden. ► Beer & Mining: It was mining that created Golden, and “The Golden Touch” on Washington Avenue depicts a lucky miner with his burro, the “old-timer” clenching a huge hunk of gold in the air. Golden is also known as the birthplace of the Coors Brewing Company, founded here in 1871 and this fact is celebrated with a statue of brewery founder Adolph Coors. ► A River Runs Through It: Golden is, above all else, a river town with Clear Creek flowing right through the center. Along the Clear Creek Trail— a paved pathway that follows the creek in both directions for several miles —statues of kayakers, fishermen, butterflies and giant cutthroat trout depict the creek’s impact on Golden. ► Murals & Miners Alley: Golden is filled with many colorful murals, some of them nearly a block long. Check out a quirky mural of a UFO abducting a cow at Bob’s Atomic Burgers. Admire Picasso, the West’s most famous wild horse. Golden features several murals by local artist Jesse Crock, known for his bold work celebrating Golden’s natural beauty. Outside of Miners Alley, you’ll find a long mural depicting historic Golden as a thriving Old West town. Inside, you can catch award-winning theater, improv and more from Miners Alley Playhouse.

Keep your eyes open—you’re sure to spot public art all throughout Golden. Better yet, stop into the Golden Visitors & Information Center to pick up a free Public Art Walking Tour brochure to guide you to special pieces as you explore the city. •

Top left: Foothills Art Center. Lower left: “The Monarch,” Washington Ave.; “Picasso: Spirit of the West” mural, downtown Golden. Above, top row: “Run & Fly,” SH 93; “Golden Touch,” Washington Ave. Bottom row: “Rocky Mountain Hummer,” South Golden Rd.; “Winter Wind on the Mesa,” Washington Ave.; “Return of the Cutthroat,” Clear Creek.