GoldenInformer JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2021
Join Our Conversation ON RACIAL EQUITY Helping our CommUNITY Supporting LOCAL Restaurants
INSERTS: 2021 RECYCLING CALENDAR & VIRTUAL CEFF
2021 Golden City Council
Laura Weinberg Mayor
JJ Trout District One
Rob Reed Ward One
Paul Haseman Ward Two
Casey Brown Mayor Pro Tem District Two
Jim Dale Ward Three
Bill Fisher Ward Four
303-384-8179 E-mail: lweinberg @cityofgolden.net
720-880-5084 E-mail: jtrout @cityofgolden.net
303-431-9891 E-mail: rreed @cityofgolden.net
303-513-2310 E-mail: phaseman @cityofgolden.net
303-900-2003 E-mail: cbrown @cityofgolden.net
303-916-0810 E-mail: jdale @cityofgolden.net
303-588-3389 E-mail: bfisher @cityofgolden.net
To contact the entire City Council, e-mail citycouncil@cityofgolden.net.
IN T H IS ISS U E
The Golden Informer is produced and published monthly by the Golden City Manager’s Office and mailed as a source of news and information to all residences and businesses inside the City limits. Comments on The Informer are welcome. Please write to: City of Golden 911 10th St., Golden, CO 80401 Attn: Karlyn Tilley Call 303-384-8132 or e-mail ktilley@cityofgolden.net.
Cover photo: file photo
3 Serve Your Community 7 Golden 5 Council Moves to Tuesdays Police Officer 6 An Important Community Conversation Honored 6 Helping Our CommUNITY 8 Zoning Code Draft Release 9 South Golden Neighborhood Update 10 C OVID-19 Vaccine Facts 10 Snow Safety Tips 14 Sales Tax Refund Form 11 P eculiar Find at 15 W ays to Support Local Golden History Museum
Restaurants
12 Tree Sale & Tree Recycling
15 Virtual Film Festival
City of Golden Department Managers
Jason Slowinski City Manager
Carly Lorentz Deputy City Manager
Dan Hartman Public Works
Rick Muriby Monica Mendoza Interim Comm. City Clerk & Econ. Dev.
Rod Tarullo Parks and Recreation
Bill Kilpatrick Police
Alicia Welch Fire Chief
Jeff Hansen Finance
Teresa Reilly Human Resources
Karlyn Tilley Communications
Jiles McCoy Innovation and Technology
303-384-8012 303-384-8098 303-384-8063 303-384-8150 303-384-8014 303-384-8120 303-384-8033 303-384-8090 303-384-8020 303-384-8017 303-384-8132 303-384-8010 clorentz@ rmuriby@ jmccoy@ dhartman@ mmendoza@ rtarullo@ bkilpatrick@ awelch@ jhansen@ treilly@ ktilley@ jslowinski@ cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net cityofgolden.net
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HEADS UP: Important Upcoming Items Serve Your Community Golden City Council is recruiting applicants to fill expiring appointments to: Downtown Development Authority; Golden Urban Renewal Authority; Parks, Recreation and Museum Advisory Board, Economic Development Commission, Public Art Commission and one appointment to the Fire Pension Board. To find out more about the board and commission application process, visit www.cityofgolden.net/boards. The application is on the main Boards and Commissions page. If you are interested in applying, you will need to complete the application form. You may be considered for up to three different boards on one application; be sure to rank your preference on the application. After completing the application, save and email it to: clerks@cityofgolden.net. The deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 12. Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for interviews which are scheduled to be held by City Council in the evening on Tuesday, April 13. If you have questions contact the City Clerk's Office at 303-384-8014, 303-384-8015 or clerks@cityofgolden.net.
Volunteering Made Easy It’s a new year! Consider volunteering virtually or in person with one of Golden’s many nonprofits. Check out www.volunteergoldenco.org.
New Trash & Recycling Calendar For residents on the City’s trash City of Golden PAYT Program • 2021 Recycle Calendar and recycling program through Alpine Waste, you will find the 2021 calendar inserted into this edition of the Informer, between pages 4 - 5. Feel free to pull it out and put it on your fridge or RED = Holiday bulletin board to ensure you have GREEN = Recycle the correct schedule throughout GRAY = Compost the year. Need Compost Service? Also included is a helpful list of the items that are recyclable. For any questions about the calendar, contact Alpine Waste & Recycling at 303-277-8727, email golden@alpinewaste.com, or visit their website at www.alpinewaste.com. JANUARY
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Jan. 12
Regular Business Meeting
Jan. 19
Holidays for 2021
Jan. 26
New Year’s Day Memorial Day Fourth of July – no delay Labor Day Thanksgiving Christmas Day – no delay
DECEMBER
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*Meetings Now on TUESDAY Nights at 6:30 p.m.*
If your scheduled service day falls on a HOLIDAY or any day after, service is one day delayed.
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SEPTEMBER
As of this writing, Council meetings are being held virtually instead of in-person. Council calendars, agendas, videos and information are available at www.cityofgolden.net/agendas.
Give us a call to set up today. 303-277-TRASH
Coffee with Councilors Grab a cup of coffee and join your District One and District Two city councilors online for a virtual chat. These take place on the first Saturday of every month at 10 a.m. through the Zoom platform. Councilors Casey Brown and JJ Trout will be on hand to listen, answer questions, and exchange ideas. You can find the link to the Zoom meeting at www.cityofgolden.net/Calendar. Look for the listing on the first Saturday of each month.
City Holiday Hours The City of Golden’s administrative offices will be closed on Monday, Jan. 18 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. The administrative offices will also be closed on Monday, Feb. 15 in observance of President’s Day.
For resources to help during the COVID 19 crisis, visit www.HelpGoldenNow.org.
Study Session Regular Business Meeting If you want to provide public comments during a council meeting, you will need to register online. The registration information will be available at least a week in advance of each scheduled meeting at www.cityofgolden.net/ agendas. If you want to send your comments to the City Council directly, you can email them councilcomments@ cityofgolden.net. January/February 2021 | 3
MAYOR’S MESSAGE By Mayor
Laura Weinberg
New Year, New City Goals
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appy New Year Golden! I write this with a great sense of optimism for 2021. While we are not through the health or economic crises and must continue to be vigilant and provide support, I do believe that the end is in sight and Golden is going to come back stronger than ever. The city is well positioned economically with our reserves and our adopted budget to be able to make lasting investments in the infrastructure and the people in the Golden to support an economic recovery for all. City Council is poised to officially adopt a Strategic Plan for Golden after initial conversations and reviews of draft documents. This guiding document will converge city, volunteer, and partner resources around priorities to achieve goals and move our city into the future that we all envision. We continue as a community to engage in big ideas like the Heart of Golden, to re-imagine the core of our city. This project is ongoing, and I expect that we will have a final direction and plan this year. Also, the continuing conversation on racism and equity in Golden will bring a community-wide conversation this month as well as future work assisted by an outside expert, to review and identify areas of focus for the city (see p. 6 for more details). Towards the end of last year, City Council adopted a new process to keep good ideas alive. Well, that is what I call it — it is really the Council prioritization process. Whether the ideas originate from councilors, staff, boards, or community members, we now have a much better way to keep those ideas going and determine who will be responsible and when the work will begin. A positive outcome from the crisis response work last year is that organizations and people came together in new and different ways to face the emergency. Partnerships were formed and relationships strengthened in ways that I think will reap dividends into the future as we continue to work regionally to address challenges in Golden. The opportunities to help people access food and housing and to keep small businesses open, as well as to make progress on sustainability efforts, transportation, and transit are all advanced further when we work with partners across the region. Now is the time to act on our plans and work for the changes we desire. It isn’t a matter of returning to how things used to be, but rather creating a new future for everyone. I hope that you will join me in these efforts because the more people and the more diverse thoughts and opinions at the table, the better the outcomes. My best wishes for this new year for you and your families. I hope that you are staying healthy and finding the support that you need to be successful. Please reach out and let me know how you are doing. We remain, as always, Golden Strong.
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Phew! We made it to 2021! Happy New Year Golden
ever before have we collectively been so anxious to put a year behind us and, at the same time, entertain doubt that the next year would even arrive. Alas, it is here! Recently, I spent time reflecting on the difficult year that has passed and the challenges presented by political division, social conflict, civil unrest, wildfires, economic uncertainty, and a global pandemic, among others. For many Goldenites, individual challenges added to the chaos. Many have lost jobs, their financial security, stable housing and even food security. For me, it was an unexpected breast cancer diagnosis for my wife of 20 years. Fortunately, the diagnosis was made early, and after a half dozen surgeries and an exhausting year of uncertainty, Stephanie is on the road to recovery and has an excellent prognosis. All of this has caused me to reflect on an important lesson of 2020 — the significance of kindness. It has been said that during 2020, we were all in the same storm… just in different boats. The past year has reminded us just how important kindness is in navigating troubled waters. I observed and learned of many acts of kindness, both large and small, that were made out of a humble
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regard for our fellow humankind. A successful business owner helping out a struggling competitor. A teenager assisting a vulnerable elderly neighbor retrieve needed food and medications. An extra donation to a food pantry or other community notfor-profit. The giving of a spare face covering to another so they wouldn’t have to go without. Or, something simpler—an unexpected expression of patience, encouragement, support, or understanding. The kindness of the people of Golden was on full display throughout 2020. I, too, was the recipient of that kindness. Support and encouragement for the work of the City, our dedicated employees, and the difficult public health decisions that needed to be
made. An understanding that not all would be perfect as we collectively navigated the pandemic. Patience when the results of our work weren’t always as anticipated or expected. And, the numerous offers of help from friends, neighbors, and co-workers in support of my family as my wife embarked on the uncertain road from diagnosis to recovery. Although we are not yet through this pandemic, my hope for Golden in the year ahead is that the lessons of kindness from 2020 extend beyond the pandemic and permeate throughout our community as we, once again, abandon virtual get-togethers in favor of in-person interactions. Kindness, I believe, is at the very heart of what being a community is all about. Until then, please continue to social distance, wear your mask, practice acts of kindness and know that there is no place I’d rather experience a pandemic than right here in Golden with all of you! Be safe and stay well!
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS MOVING TO TUESDAYS
olden’s City Council meetings are moving from Thursday nights to Tuesday nights. The Council passed Resolution 2758 in early December to make this change official. The primary purpose for the change is to allow council members to attend community events and meetings that typically take place on Thursday nights. Tuesday night is a common night for council meetings throughout the region, so it will allow for better scheduling opportunities. In January, there will be three City Council meetings: Tuesdays on Jan. 12, Jan. 19 and Jan. 26. Three city boards are impacted by this change. The Mobility & Transportation Advisory Board (MTAB), Parks, Recreation & Museums Board (PRAM), and the Economic Development Commission (EdComm) will move from Tuesdays to Thursdays at their regularly scheduled times. Please see www.cityofgolden.net/agendas for all upcoming meetings. January/February 2021 | 5
Join Us: Community Conversation on Racial Equity
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he year 2020 brought into the forefront two major issues that affect all of us in our daily lives. They affect how we act, how we talk, how we think, our daily habits, and how we view what is important. The first is, of course, the COVID-19 pandemic. The second is racial injustice. The dark and racist history of our entire country has led to many currentday disparities in education, health and safety, job attainment, income and wealth; housing and healthcare; disproportionate incarceration rates for people of color; and other systems of injustice. Many of us might not think we are part of the problem. However, the problem is – many of us haven’t thought about it before. Just like COVID-19, racial equity is not something we can ignore or dismiss as someone else’s issue. It impacts us all. The Golden City Council wants to be proactive in finding ways to combat
Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler
systemic racism. The first step is to hear from you, our residents and business owners. We invite you to join us for this very important conversation at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 13. We will be joined by a professional facilitator to help lead us in a productive conversation. This is not a decision-making night but a night for us to listen to our community. Every voice and opinion matters, and we want to provide a welcoming space for
you to share without critique. This is how we can grow and learn together. Dr. Nita Mosby Tyler is the Chief Catalyst and founder of The Equity Project, LLC – an organization designed to support organizations and communities in building diversity, equity and inclusion strategies. She is the former Senior Vice President and Chief Inclusion Officer the Children’s Hospital Colorado – the first African American woman to hold that position in the organization’s 100+ year history. Dr. Mosby Tyler will be facilitating our 90-minute conversation. We hope you will make the time to join in this discussion, whether you participate or just listen. We are stronger together. You will need to register for the virtual meeting. Visit www.cityofgolden.net/calendar and look on Jan. 13 for the login and registration information. Questions? Contact Deputy City Manager Carly Lorentz at clorentz@ cityofgolden.net.
Strength in CommUNITY
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efferson County Community Partners are joining forces to connect people in need in Jefferson County with community resources and assistance available amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Resources include food assistance, layoff support, unemployment assistance, work opportunities, housing, mental wellness support, childcare access, assistance for populations including pregnant women, children, aging adults, and more. “Because of the impacts of COVID-19, many people are in need of support for the first time and are unsure of where to begin,” said Mary Berg, Executive Director of Jefferson County Human Services. “The partnership of these Jeffco community organizations makes it easier to get what you need, when you need it.”
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The CommUNITY campaign is designed to bring together a multitude of resources into one easy-to-access hub. It also encourages neighbors to safely check in on each other and share information about services they may not know exist. Information is also available to connect locals to volunteer opportunities with one of the many community partners supporting those in need. The partners include Jefferson County Human Services, Jefferson County Public Health, Benefits in Action, BGoldN, Calvary Church of Golden, Community Table, Hunger Free Colorado, Jeffco Eats, The Action Center, and many more. The campaign landing pages are in English (CommUNITY) and Spanish (ComUNIDAD): www.jeffco.us/community and www.jeffco.us/comunidad or call 2-1-1.
ongratulations to Golden Patrol Officer Aden Jones, honored as the Patrol Officer of the Year by the Jefferson County District Attorney. The award is designed to honor exemplary law enforcement officers, thanking them for their service to the community and their dedication to the cause of justice. Honorees are nominated by prosecutors. It was Deputy DA Chris Ponce who nominated Officer Jones. Here is an excerpt from his nomination:
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Golden Officer Honored
(L to R) Ofc. Aden Jones, DA Pete Weir, GPD Chief Bill Kilpatrick, Deputy DA Chris Ponce.
“On July 2, 2019, Officers of the Golden Police Department were dispatched to a rolling domestic violence disturbance… The vehicle was observed to be driving erratically and swerving all over the road, putting numerous other motorists in danger, aside from the female (passenger) that had been attempting to escape (the vehicle). Officer Aden Jones contacted this vehicle… (he) observed the defendant and driver to be displaying all the signs and tendencies of alcohol intoxication. The defendant had three prior convictions for DUI in Missouri. …For law enforcement officers, it would be easy to see how a DUI, even a felony DUI, could be viewed as small potatoes in the larger context (of serious crimes). Time is everyone’s most precious commodity, and everyone is strapped for resources. For the patrol officer, who receives call after call, it would seem understandable for less time and attention to be allocated to investigating a DUI… Yet, every day, almost 30 people die in drunk driving crashing in the United States, claiming more than 10,000 lives a year. I prosecuted this case to a jury trial… The evidence consisted almost entirely of Officer Aden Jones’s observations of the defendant. In a society that seems to be grappling with increased difficulties with trusting and maintain confidence in local law enforcement, it seemed to me to be momentous, awe-inspiring, and cause for renewed hope that these jurors, these ordinary citizens, would rest a conviction on almost nothing other than Officer Jones’s word. Here is why I think they did. …Officer Jones’s testimony was without exaggeration the best, most professional testimony I had observed from any patrol officer. Not only was he familiar with his report, but he clearly knew every single detail from his report… Any time the defense attorney attempted to misdirect him or trip him up, he firmly, confidently and factually refuted it… Not only was he in full possession of the knowledge of his domain, but his appearance, respectful attitude, and forthright demeanor on the stand no doubt left the jury with an impression that police officers in this jurisdiction are positive, courteous, proficient and respectable.” The First Judicial District is comprised of Jefferson and Gilpin counties and has 13 law enforcement agencies, including 11 police departments and two sheriff’s offices. To receive this top honor over more than a thousand other sworn officers is impressive. “I am so incredibly proud of Aden’s achievement,” said Golden Police Chief Bill Kilpatrick. “What a great honor for him. DA Ponce expressed so well what we all know about Aden’s commitment to this profession.” Officer Jones has been in law enforcement for just two years. Way to go!
January/February 2021 | 7
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Zoning Code Draft Coming Soon
appy New Year, Golden Community! The Planning Division is excited to share with you an update on our Zoning Code rewrite efforts and a preview of what is to come for the project in the first quarter of 2021. As you may recall, internal departments from the City of Golden worked with our consultant team in November and December to provide feedback on the pre-draft code document that was provided to the planning division in late October. The consultants spent the final months of 2020 updating their initial draft and incorporating the many comments collected from several divisions within the Public Works Department and the Fire Department. Consultants are making the finishing touches to the initial code draft and it will be available to the public in late January. You are invited to join a virtual community meeting on Jan. 28. This meeting is intended to educate the community on the code’s contents and how it has been constructed. Upon the release of the code draft, the community will have approximately one month to review it, make comments, and provide those comments to the Planning Division and the consultants for consideration. In the spring of 2021, Planning Commission and City Council will review the draft and public comments provided in order to offer additional guidance to the consultants for their second draft of the code. In the meantime, staff will begin working on coordinating the new zoning code with various sections of the municipal code in order to link those sections together in a cohesive manner. Public outreach will continue to build throughout 2021. Please be on the lookout for updates posted on both social media and our page on www.GuidingGolden.com for this project.
Golden Community Partners and Golden United present:
VIRTUAL COMMUNITY CONVERSATION ON MENTAL WELLNESS Wednesday, Feb. 24 from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. • R egistration at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/communityconversation-on-mental-wellness-tickets-133256789645 • F or more details visit: https://www.facebook.com/MentalHealthIsGolden
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ZONING CODE DRAFT RELEASE Virtual Community Meeting Thursday, Jan. 28 Beginning at 6 p.m. • Watch for details on how to join in early January. • www.cityofgolden.net/ Calendar - click on Jan. 28 • More details at www.GuidingGolden.com
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South Golden Neighborhood Feedback
he City of Golden Planning Division is hard at work processing the large amount of data received for the South Golden Neighborhoods Plan 2020 outreach effort. This process ran from the summer of 2020 to December 1 and included multiple online surveys plus a virtual community meeting. Over 160 individuals answered our surveys and more than 35 individuals participated in our virtual community meeting. The topics covered during this initial outreach effort focused largely on two projects: the redesign for West Colfax Avenue and the potential redevelopment of the former Heritage Square amusement park. Outreach for these two projects will continue in 2021 but it may come from different voices. Our partners at David Evans and Associates, an engineering design firm, will continue public engagement to refine their understanding of our community preferences for a ‘complete street’ on Colfax Avenue. In addition, Jefferson County Open space may elicit more feedback for the types of land uses appropriate for the Heritage Square parcel in the future. If you need background information on these projects or would like to review the results of either of these two efforts, visit www.GuidingGolden.com. In addition to these topics, staff also gathered information
regarding general updates to the South Golden Neighborhood Plan and will work to develop some concepts to be incorporated into the plan document prior to writing. Finally, staff will work to determine how to combine the ongoing Zoning Code Rewrite into the South Golden plan for consideration as well. A final public outreach effort will be made to gather feedback on these last few items from city staff. The date and makeup of that event is yet to be determined. Make sure to keep checking Guiding Golden for the latest engagement opportunities and dates.
Your active participation is helping to shape the future of Golden at GuidingGolden.com Waste Services Survey - What services or improvements would you like to see for the City’s Waste & Recycling collection program? Your feedback will inform the re-bid process for the City’s waste hauler contract this spring.
Striving for Racial Equity - While the City of Golden strives to be a diverse, inclusive and welcoming community, we understand there is still work to do. Give us your ideas on what we’re doing right and how we can do better.
Wastewater Treatment Odor Control – MillerCoors is City of Golden Zoning Code Update - A draft of the working on ways to minimize unpleasant odors from their Zoning Code Rewrite will be published in early February for wastewater treatment plant. Help locate problem areas by public review and feedback. tagging our map with odor hot spots. January/February 2021 | 9
COVID-19 Vaccination Facts T
he big news over the past month has been the virus vaccine and how it will be distributed. At the time of this writing, here are some facts released by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Envrionment (CDPHE).
• L eading scientists in the private sector rigorously test • A diverse group of people participated in every phase of the clinical trials, including populations disproportionately vaccines and then the FDA authorizes them before they are impacted by COVID-19 due to generations of systemic available to members of the public. This vaccine process is inequities. For example, in Pfizer’s clinical trials, about overseen by the top scientists and doctors in our nation. 42% of volunteers identified as Asian, Black/African • The initial supply of vaccines will be very limited. Experts American, Hispanic/Latino/a, or Native American. About 37% of volunteers for Moderna’s trials were also in those planning the distribution are working to make the process minority groups. swift, fair, and efficient. • It is expected to take several months until everyone can • The pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and Moderna were the first to apply with the FDA, and their vaccines were access it because of limited availability. To be as safe as the first to be distributed. Both companies report around possible and until the vaccine is widely available, we will all 95% efficacy. Be sure to check with your physician to see if need to continue to follow critical public health protocols. a vaccine is right for you. Please wear a mask in public, maintain at least six feet of As with all information related to the pandemic, things distance from others, avoid in-person interactions with can change rapidly. To be sure you have the most up-to-date people outside your households, wash your hands often, and information regarding vaccines, visit https://covid19.colorado. stay home if you are sick. gov/vaccine.
Clearing the Way for Emergency Response
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s we approach or coldest and snowiest months of the winter season, it’s important to remember the potential hazards that could put you in danger. The Golden Fire Department (GFD) wishes you a safe and healthy new year with these winter reminders:
• I f you have a fire hydrant in or near your yard, you are winter months so be sure to regularly test your carbon monoxide and smoke alarm batteries (monthly is the encouraged to help keep it clear of snow, or at least avoid recommendation). piling snow on it. In an emergency where seconds count, clearing snow from fire hydrants could cost rescuers valuable • C himneys, fireplaces, and vents need to be inspected at time. With about 1,000 fire hydrants across the city, GFD least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, appreciates a partnership to help keep hydrants clear of snow and correct clearances. According to the latest statistics (and even obstructive vegetation throughout the year). available (2019), there are over 25,000 chimney fires per year in the U.S. resulting in $125 million in property damage. • B e mindful of your address numbers and make sure they are Chimney fires can quickly spread, engulfing an entire home. kept visible and uncovered by snow. This includes addresses Sadly, there are an average of 3,700 deaths and 16,600 for those that have detached accessory dwelling units reported injuries from these types of fires annually. behind their homes. • M aintaining clear access to the home (or accessory dwelling • C arbon monoxide, also known as “the silent killer,” is colorless, odorless, and deadly. Be mindful of clearing snow unit) clear of obstructions and snow or ice is very helpful away from fresh air inlets, whether they are on the roof or in emergency response. We realize that sometimes “snow in crawl spaces and basements. That fresh air is critical happens” overnight and an emergency can occur before for fireplaces and furnaces or even hot water heaters to you have a chance to clear it. As a result, sometimes you’ll minimize the chance of a carbon monoxide exposure to you see fire trucks responding to medical calls with ambulances and your family. to assist in clearing deep snow or moving obstructions between the ambulance on the street and the door to a Although snow can be an inconvenience at times, remember home or business. it will eventually melt and help provide us with our most • F ireplaces and furnaces are often operating more in the precious resource – water. Let’s have a great 2021 together!
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It is a Parrot – it Can’t Swear, but it Can Swing
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he multiyear inventory of the museum collection is progressing at a steady clip. Curatorial Assistant Vanya Scott recently “rediscovered” an interesting little piece of folk art in the form of a hand-carved parrot in a cage. The object dates to the Museum’s founding in 1938 and is associated with a sensational event in Golden history. The following is excerpted from the December 15, 1938, Colorado Transcript: “A small cylindrical package, measuring five inches in diameter and seven and three-eighths inches long, received through the United States mail Tuesday morning caused considerable excitement at the office of the Colorado Transcript. It would probably have been opened in regular course had it not been plainly marked on the outside wrapper, “Don’t fear, this isn’t a BOMB!” Bomb!...” “On the cover of the box was this inscription: ‘Editors of the Colorado Transcript: Will you please see that the contents of this carton is given to the Golden Museum! Open it! You needn’t be afraid—it isn’t a BOMB —nor is it Quaker oats. It is a parrot—it can’t swear, but it can swing.’ ‘If the museum cares for this, l give it to them for their collection of old and new articles assembled. Best wishes to the museum at Golden, ‘Cradle Town’ of Colorado. Amos Snodgrass…’” A note inside the package further explained, ‘This carving is one piece. It was cut from a tie that once laid on a bridge which crosses Kinney creek on Jackson Street, at Seventeenth Street,
Above Left: Amos Snodgrass’s carving of a parrot in a cage. Left: Parrot detail. Right: Amos Snodgrass circa 1890. Photos: Golden History Museum & Park, City of Golden Collection.
with the bomb shaped container in which it was received, at the Jefferson County Museum in the Jefferson County Court House Annex at the north end of Washington Avenue.”
Golden. This was the bridge that Seminole and Woodruff were hanged on in 1879, for murdering one, Mr. Haywood—an honorable and good citizen —a ranchman who once lived on Lookout mountain. On the bottom of this remarkable carving is the date of the carver, Amos Snodgrass, 1879.' It can now be seen, together
The Snodgrass family was one of Golden’s early settlers. Amos Snodgrass’s father ran a shoe and boot shop on Washington Avenue. Once lost to history, said parrot was found - just as Snodgrass described it - safely wrapped in an unmarked box in collection storage. Vanya updated all of the records which may now be seen in the GHM&P Online Collection at www.GoldenHistory.org/ collection. Mark Dodge, Curator
Golden History Museum & Park • 923 10th St. • 303-278-3557 Check GoldenHistory.org for hours of operation, calendar of programs, and special event details. January/February 2021 | 11
Recycle Your Tree
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he holidays are now over and it’s time to get rid of that dry, brittle tree in your home. The City of Golden has an easy way for you to get rid of your tree, and help give it a second life by turning it into mulch. Drop off your trees through Jan. 24 at the former Golden Recycle site, just west of Hwy 93 and north of Golden Gate Canyon Road. Please leave trees at the south end of the site; there will be a sign there for tree recycling. Trees must be stripped of all ornaments, hardware, strings of lights and tinsel. The trees will be turned into mulch, which will eventually be available for free at the public pickup site on 11th Street, just west of the Clear Creek History Park. For further details, contact the City of Golden Forestry office at 303-384-8141.
Annual City Tree Sale Coming Soon
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ant to spruce up your yard? Check out the City of Golden’s annual tree sale, brought to you by the Golden Parks and Recreation Department. The sale runs from March 1 through April 15 or until we run out of trees. Do not wait! All trees come in seven-gallon pots and are $70 plus tax. This is your opportunity to get trees that are known to adapt and thrive in our area. Our program is offered to City of Golden residents and proof of residency will be required. Quantities are limited and households may order up to three trees. Information on how to purchase your trees will be published prior to March 1. Purchased trees will be distributed at the Golden Cemetery, 755 Ulysses Street, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 17. For details visit www.cityofgolden.net/TreeSale. Question? Call the Forestry Office at 303-384-8141 or Stacy Turner at 303-384-8191.
Norwegian Sunset Maple
12 | January/February 2021
Redbud
Choose from the following selection: • Norwegian Sunset Maple • Autumn Brilliance Serviceberry • Hot Wings Maple • Hackberry • Redbud • American Yellowwood • Kentucky Coffeetree • Chanticleer Pear • Bur Oak • Swamp White Oak
Swamp White Oak
Social, Economic & Environmental Issues
Two New Public Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations
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unded by a State of Colorado grant, two new dual EV charging stations are now available in Golden. Located outside the Canyon Point Commercial Center on North Washington and in the Clear Creek History Park east parking lot, charge your electric vehicle FOR FREE while you enjoy Golden’s holiday lights or visit local businesses. These chargers were made possible by a State of Colorado grant in partnership with the Golden Sustainability Division. Find these and other public charging stations at na.chargepoint.com/charge_point.
Check Out Sustainability Task Force Recommendations
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une in at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 27 when the Community Sustainability Advisory Board will hear from the Waste, Water, and Energy Task Forces to discuss their top recommendations for future sustainability initiatives. These citizen task forces have compiled the input suggested by Golden residents from www.GuidingGolden. com and their own expertise to come up with collaborative solutions to achieve Golden’s sustainability goals. Find login information for this virtual meeting at www.cityofgolden.net/agendas.
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WHAT WASTE & RECYCLING SERVICES DO YOU NEED? This spring, the City will re-bid the current waste hauler contract that serves more than 4,500 households in Golden. We want to hear what services you would like to see in the future. What’s working? What’s not? What improvements should the City offer for recycling and composting? Take our survey online at www.guidinggolden.com/ waste-services-survey or send us an email at goldensustainability@cityofgolden.net.
CONSIDER A WASTE AUDIT
he premise of a home waste audit is simple - by knowing what is in your household’s waste stream, you can better work to reduce it. To perform an audit, you’ll first want to collect the household’s trash for a set amount of time (2-7 days of collection is generally recommended and depends on the number of people in the household). The next step is to gather some gloves and prepare a space to sort the collected waste. Waste items can be sorted into any number of categories; some of these might include general recycling, specialty recycling, landfill, food waste, and donationeligible. Consider using a weight scale. Do you have a lot of single use items and could be replaced with a reusable option? Are there any patterns in your household’s waste? Could any of these items be repurposed? According to the EPA, the average American produces 4.4 pounds of waste per day; how does your household compare? Proactive steps toward reducing waste include shopping in bulk, shopping second hand, and avoiding products with excess packaging. Question? Email goldensustainability@cityofgolden.net. January/February 2021 | 13
2021 Claim Form for 2020 Sales Tax Refund The sales tax refund is limited to senior, low-income or disabled individuals who have lived within the city limits of Golden for at least 90 consecutive days in 2020 and cannot be claimed as a dependent on any other person’s tax return. The refund amount for 2020 is $50. This will be adjusted for partial year residency in Golden and partial year at age 65. Please email salestax@cityofgolden.net or call 303-384-8024 with questions.
Please check one box only:
q q
Senior Refund (must be 65 years or older) Low Income Refund Proof required. Attach a photocopy of one of the following: • State of Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate approval notification • Proof of Medicaid benefits • Proof of LEAP eligibility • Proof of eligibility for food stamps
q
Disabled Refund Proof required. Attach a photocopy of one of the following: • State of Colorado Property Tax/Rent/Heat Rebate approval notification • Proof of full benefits from Social Security Disability Income, SSI or the Department of Human Services • Proof of total disability from a public or private insurance plan
Please print or type: Name: Mr(s). Age: Name: Mr(s). Age:
Date of Birth: Date of Birth:
Physical Address:
Golden, CO ZIP
Mailing Address:
City
State
ZIP
Phone: How many months did you reside in the city limits of Golden during 2020? Were you claimed as a dependent on any other person’s income tax form? Signature:
months
q yes
q no
Signature:
This form must be submitted by no later than April 15, 2021. Refund Donation Option: You have the option to donate your refund to a City of Golden program or department by checking one of the boxes below:
q Golden Volunteer Fire Department q Golden Cemetery q Other City program or department (please identify): Office Use Only: Account #01-3031-61900
STR Vendor #
q Community Grant Program q Golden Senior Front Porch
Received
Payable
SUPPORT GOLDEN RESTAURANTS
F I V E F U N WAYS TO SU PPORT G O L D EN R E S TAUR A N TS IN 2021 Golden, it’s time to rally! The pandemic has been especially challenging for our hard-working restauranteurs. Hopefully, we’re in the home stretch but the next few months are critical. Helping our foodie friends is a boost for all because who doesn’t want to nosh on nutritious and delicious meals lovingly prepared by a pro?
Here are Five Ways to Support Golden Restaurants in 2021: 1. Take Out Times Two Commit to take out from a favorite Golden restaurant at least two times a week. Golden is home to a wide variety of excellent restaurants so mix it up with Italian, Thai, pizza, burgers, even coffee and pastries.
4. Virtual Happy Hours, Dinner Parties & Sunday Suppers Why not invite your friends and family for a virtual gathering complete with Golden fare or drinks. Pick up take out from a Golden restaurant and hold a video call to dine together. Have an online happy hour or fun video tasting featuring a selection from Golden’s craft breweries and distilleries. Cheers!
2. Bundle Up & Soak in the Sunshine
3. Grab a Restaurant Gift Card
Colorado’s climate will provide plenty of opportunities to sit on a sunny patio – bundle up and enjoy the fresh air, delicious food and Golden views. There are outdoor seating options throughout downtown (based on the latest COVID health guidelines), including heated patios, enclosed igloos, even retractable roofs. Grab a jacket and dine under the stars or in the winter sunlight. We’re hearty Coloradans, after all!
Pick up a couple gift cards to your favorite restaurant or coffee shop and spread the love. Give your babysitter a “tip” or thank a neighbor with a coffee shop gift card. Mark your anniversary or celebrate Valentine’s Day with 12 gift cards for a year of date nights.
5. Let’s Do Lunch! Miss having dinner with friends? Don’t overlook lunch. Schedule lunch and a walk through Golden for a perfect way to stay social and enjoy some sunshine this winter.
Check out www.VisitGolden.com for a listing of Golden restaurants and take-out options. Let’s be Golden Strong in 2021 and support our wonderful restaurants.
Colorado Environmental February 12 - 21, 2021 Film Festival is back and virtual this year! www.ceff.net Enjoy the best seat in the house and watch over 70 new and inspiring environmental films from the comfort of your home! Join CEFF and filmmakers from around the world for a new festival experience with important films, expert panels, filmmaker Q&A's, kid filmmaker workshop, community Eco-Expo and many fun social events! Full film lineup and tickets on sale can be found @ ceff.net in January.
Questions? Email info@ceff.net.
Golden residents enjoy 20% off both the Festival All-Access Pass and Individual Film Collection tickets. Use code GoldenCO when purchasing. Tickets start at just $10!
January/February 2021 | 15
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOLDEN, CO PERMIT #26
POSTAL PATRON
WHAT'S YOUR GOLDEN
New Year's Resolution? S U PP O RT AT L EAST O N E LO CA L B U S I N ES S EACH W EEK! 5 Reso l u t i o n s to S u pp ort G old en in the New Year 1. O rder takeout from your favorite local restaurant. Check out the Takeout Takeover page on visitgolden.com for a list of restaurants.
2 . C onsider purchasing a gift card to any local retailer. Check out the Golden
Chamber of Commerce Gift Card Hub. goldenchamber.org/golden-gift-card-hub/
3 . K eep your gym membership. 4. C onsider a gift from a local small retailer. Check out the series of great local gift guides on Goodtobegoldenco.com.
5 . G ive locally. Consider supporting a Golden non-profit through donation or volunteerism. For local volunteer opportunities visit volunteergoldenco.org/volunteer.
For more ideas and information about supporting Golden businesses,
visit Goodtobegoldenco.com.
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GOOD TO B
Golden