Golden Informer - June 2020

Page 1

GoldenInformer JUNE 2020

Status of SUMMER EVENTS

RESILIENCE & RECOVERY INSERT INSIDE: 2019 WATER QUALITY REPORT

2020 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

303-241-9823 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: file photo

3 Staying Virtual 5 Council Encourages Housing Assistance 6 Status of Summer Events 6 Welcome (back) to New City Councilor 7 How You Can Help Local Businesses 8 Heart of Golden 9 Revised Farmers Market 10 -11 State of the Creek 13 Fireworks Postponed 14 Community Center Online 15 GHM – Leadership During Crisis

16 Rotary Peach Sale & Toy Drive 17 Fore! Fossil Trace 18 C ity Support for Face Coverings 18 Congrats 2020 Grads 20 19

CITY OF GOLDEN

Report Water Quality

INSERT INSIDE

City of Golden Department Managers

Jason Slowinski City Manager

Carly Lorentz Deputy City Manager

Dan Hartman Public Works

Steve Glueck Comm. & Econ. Development

Monica Mendoza City Clerk

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 303-384-8063 303-384-8150 303-384-8095 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@ jmccoy@ dhartman@ sglueck@ 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

2 | June 2020

HEADS UP: Important Upcoming Items Status of City Parks and Facilities As City facilities and parks begin to reopen under Safer-at-Home guidelines, we are maintaining a list online to provide you with the very latest information and open/closed status for Cityowned properties. Please keep in mind that this will change and evolve, so things you see one day may be different the next time you check. We recommend visiting this page often: www.cityofgolden.net/open-or-not. If you have a question about a service that is not listed on that web page, email us at COVID19@cityofgolden.net.

March 11 Refining Participate online! GuidingGolden.com

Scaling Up Emergency Rental & Utility Assistance The Salvation Army Golden Service Extension Unit, the City of Golden, Golden Civic Foundation, and Golden United are working together to help the growing number of people during the COVID-19 crisis who are facing housing insecurity. Golden residents experiencing financial hardship because of COVID-19 are at risk of losing their homes or being evicted. Many do not have other means of financial support. These four organizations are mobilizing funding for emergency rent and utility assistance through the Salvation Army Golden Service Extension Unit and are conducting outreach to make residents aware of the support that is available. Support your community and donate today to keep Golden residents in their homes and help us spread the word to those in need of rent and utility assistance. Visit www.goldenunited. org/covid-19-rental-assistance for details on how to donate and how to apply for assistance.

Coffee with Your Councilors Online Join your District One and District Two Councilors for a virtual chat, in place of the monthly in-person gathering. The councilors are committed to continuing this tradition, and they know you probably have more things to talk about than ever! You are welcome to join them online at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 6. For details on how to log into the Zoom call, visit www.cityofgolden.net/CWAC.

City Meetings Online in June All regularly scheduled meetings of the various Boards and Commissions, as well as City Council meetings, will take place virtually in June. Details for viewing or participating in public meetings are listed at the top of the agenda for each meeting. The agendas are located at www.cityofgolden.net/Agendas. For meetings with a public comment period, you will also find on each agenda the instructions for providing your comments. In some cases, there will be opportunities to provide your comments live during the online meeting. In other cases, you will have an email address to which you can send your comments ahead of the meeting. Not all meetings will have live public comment opportunities. NOTE: At the time of this writing, drastic measures are being taken to stop the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Events involving 10 or more people are all cancelled. For the very latest information, visit www.GuidingGolden.com/COVID-19.

As of this writing, Council meetings are being held virtually instead of in-person. Please check the online council calendars for the very latest meeting information at www.cityofgolden.net/agendas.

June 4 Regular business meeting

June 11 Regular business meeting Council’s upcoming agendas, packets and meeting minutes are available online under the City Council link at www.CityofGolden.net. Public comment is welcome on the agenda at all regular business meetings.

June 2020 | 3

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

#GoldenStrong

By Mayor

Laura Weinberg

Live Your Best Story

A

common reminiscing about important events starts with “what were you doing when”. What were you doing when you heard JFK was assassinated or what were you doing when the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11? With peers in South

Florida I might ask, what were you doing during Hurricane Andrew? With friends in Colorado it might be, what were you doing when the shooting occurred at Columbine High School? We are in an important moment in time on a global scale. Someday we, or our children or grandchildren, will sit down with others and answer “what were you doing during the pandemic of 2020”. What do you want to be able to say, not just about where you were, but also about what you did? We are defined not just by being in a certain place at a certain time, but by how we responded to that moment in time. Did you rise to the challenge to offer your best? Golden is rising to the challenge. Beyond taking personal responsibility by wearing face coverings to keep others safe or expressing support for healthcare workers by howling at night, Goldenites are taking action. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well with new production of protective equipment and products, development of programs to support the vulnerable, and innovative and creative efforts that are bringing moments of joy and community bonding. Each of these is led by individuals rising to their best. Golden was recognized earlier this year as the Most Caring City in Colorado because we have the highest share of individuals working in altruistic fields. In this moment in time, it means we have more teachers who are adapting and keeping our children connected; more healthcare workers on the frontlines of the disease; more social workers and counselors connecting people with needed resources and supports, and more public safety professionals protecting us while equitably enforcing all orders. This is who we are, Golden, and it shows. For it is now, of all times, that our actions reflect on ourselves and who we want to be. Taking personal responsibility and accountability for our behaviors is what will allow our businesses to fully reopen. Protecting the vulnerable in our population will allow us to get back to attending events and celebrations. Helping those who need a little help now will allow everyone to thrive again sooner. There are times when collective action brings about the most change. This is a time when individual action will collectively have the biggest impact. You can set an example for other people to follow. You can make a meaningful difference by caring for others. You can bring us to an economic recovery that benefits everyone. Decide what you want your story to be when asked, “what did you do during the pandemic of 2020”.

4 | June 2020

City Manager's Message: Our Unsung Heroes

R

arely do we know their names. More often than not, we don’t exchange pleasantries or greetings with them. If they are lucky, we spend a second or two in our interactions with a basic acknowledgement of their existence. And, often times, they are fortunate to get a simple (yet insincere) “thanks.” For many folks, they are just faces. Indistinguishable from the masses, they are the faces that are there to serve us. To fulfill our needs. To make our lives better, more efficient, and easier. And they are there to take the brunt of our frustrations when we don’t receive exactly the service we expected. THEY are our unsung heroes in this current COVID-19 pandemic—our grocery store clerks, our delivery drivers, our gas station attendants, and assembly line workers to name a few. They stock

shelves, pack and unpack boxes, move product, and scan our purchases. They aren’t issued a badge and they don’t take an oath pledging to serve. They aren’t celebrated with a national holiday or represented in community parades. They don’t receive gold trophies or participate in swanky, red carpet ceremonies and dinners. They don’t receive multi-million dollar contracts or guaranteed stock options. Yet, these essential workers ARE the unsung heroes of the current crisis. Without them, our way of life would be even more dramatically altered than it already is. I was struck by the story from a colleague who witnessed a customer criticizing a teenaged checkout clerk about the store’s requirement to wear a mask while shopping inside. Unprepared for a battle with a customer over the

business’s desire to protect the health of all its customers, the clerk was immediately thrown into the chaos and polarization of a public health emergency. I felt compelled to write about how lucky we are that these essential workers do what they do. As businesses begin to re-open, the next time you find yourself in one of our local stores or restaurants, be sure to thank those that are there to serve you. They deserve our praise and sincere gratitude for helping carry us through to the other side of this pandemic. They also deserve the chance to stay healthy and not be infected by those of us who may carry the virus without knowing it.

Jason Slowinski

City Council Encourages Housing Support & Leniency

T

here is a lot of focus on helping our business community work to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, but Golden City Council wanted to be sure to recognize the struggles in our residential community as well. Resolution 2728 unanimously passed during the council meeting on April 23 requesting that all banks, mortgage companies and the financial industry, as well as all rental property owners, landlords and rental businesses, to consider the financial impact of the virus and provide reasonable accommodations and leniency. This would mean delaying rents, mortgages, foreclosures, evictions, and utility shut-offs for everyone affected by the pandemic. At the Council meeting, Mayor Laura Weinberg noted, “We do not have the authority to prevent certain things like evictions or foreclosures as a city. Certainly, this is in the spirit of who we are as the City of Golden, what is important to us, this idea of working together. We do have community members who will be at risk of losing their housing and we want to support them and make sure that they are able to have the conversations and make those accommodations. And we have property owners who will be at risk of missing payments and potential foreclosure.” Councilor JJ Trout added, “We really

want to make sure people are working together. For tenants to talk with landlords and for landlords to talk with mortgage companies and banks. It’s not about putting the burden on one institution or one person… it’s thinking about the fact that we’re all going through this together and how can we have these conversations together.” Council also requested continued state and federal action to provide ongoing financial assistance to families and individuals, as well as enact a formal suspension of rents, mortgages, utility, and telecommunications service payments for both residential and commercial properties. The City of Golden is suspending all utility shutoffs within our control, such as trash and water. Mayor Weinberg added, “Whatever accommodations and collaboration that we can help foster around housing is what we’re looking for and asking of our community through this resolution.” In addition to the resolution, the City of Golden worked with local, county and state groups to compile a list of housing and food assistance resources. As the City gets new information, it is added to the page. Visit HelpGoldenNow.org for details on assistance programs and how you can help if you’re able. June 2020 | 5

Summer Events: To Be or Not to Be

I

t is no secret that this summer in Golden will feel very different than in years past. State and county guidelines that restrict gatherings are making it impossible for events to happen in the traditional ways. At the moment, nearly all special events in the City of Golden are cancelled or postponed through the end of July. Event organizers across the state are forced to make difficult decisions about their events, which are sometimes months out, and based on factors that we have no way of knowing in advance. Some are finding creative ways to bring their events to the public, either virtually or in spirit. Yet, it’s not the same as the amazing gatherings we have grown to love. We as a city will certainly feel the loss of our beloved

and long-standing community events that raise money and awareness for our local non-profits. July and August seem far off, but there is a lot of planning and time that need to go into events. With social distancing guidelines likely to last into

the late summer, if not beyond, many of our familiar summer events have had to make these difficult calls. While we will miss these events this year, we honor the decisions of event organizers who have community health and public safety in mind.

Déjà vu for New Ward 4 Councilor

T

he City of Golden welcomes back Bill Fisher to the Golden City Council as the Ward 4 representative. A Golden resident for more than 20 years, he was elected to the position in a special election held on April 28 after the seat was vacated by Laura Weinberg who was elected as Mayor. Councilor Fisher is not new to City Council, nor to this particular circumstance. In 2008, he filled the Ward 4 Councilor seat that was vacated, and then was subsequently elected to a 4-year term which ended in 2013. Councilor Fisher was sworn in on May 14, 2020 and will serve the remainder of the current term. We welcome Bill Fisher back to City Council!

A MESSAGE FROM COUNCILOR FISHER:

WARD 4 COUNCILOR

We face challenging times and changing circumstances. I am grateful to the residents Bill Fisher of Golden and our local business owners for your resiliency, caring, and communityminded approach to reaching out to and helping each other. Thank you for supporting and trusting my candidacy during the recent Special Election for Ward 4. Golden is worth it! With an unprecedented voter turnout, the message is clear: we care about and remain engaged in maintaining Golden and moving forward. I remain optimistic about our future and remain focused on meeting the needs of today and creating a legacy for our families. I am already hitting the ground running and supporting efforts underway throughout the City’s government, our non-profits, cultural partners, and businesses in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and financial crisis. I will work to earn the trust of all residents in Ward 4 and Golden during my tenure, with open and transparent communication and leadership to benefit us all. Let’s stay in touch, even as we evolve ways to stay safe and meet the economic and personal needs of Goldenites. Please reach out with your thoughts and ideas to bfisher@cityofgolden.net, and consider signing up for the Ward 4 Email Newsletter to stay in-the-know at WilliamFisher.com.

6 | June 2020

A

Working Toward Economic Recovery

s the COVID-19 pandemic quickly placed great strain on the local economy, the City of Golden immediately commenced an extended and multifaceted community effort to encourage positive economic activity in Golden. Emergency relief was the goal of the first set of programs; the goal then shifted to establishing programs directed toward economic recovery. In March, the City, along with the Golden Civic Foundation, the Golden Backpack Program and community donors, provided initial funding for BGoldN, a partnership created by Mayor Laura Weinberg and Golden restaurant owners to make meals for those in need. Additionally, the City’s Finance Department worked with businesses to create sales tax payment plans for

those with cash flow challenges. In April, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) offered special onetime downtown business rent grants to places that had been closed for public health safety: food establishments, personal service providers, and small medical offices. The DDA also made food and housing assistance grants to the Golden Backpack Program, Christian Action Guild, and Calvary Church Golden Rescue Fund to support their aid work. Visit Golden created a restaurant takeout page and Good To Be Golden, the City’s shop local program, promoted restaurants and shops offering curbside pickup. Later in April, the City began to implement economic recovery efforts. The DDA and the Golden Urban Renewal

Authority lent $1 million to the City to fund the COVID-19 Business Recovery Loan Program, available to eligible businesses throughout Golden. A total of 32 eligible applications were submitted for a total requested loan amount of $502,046 in the first round of applications; a second round was offered from May 19 to June 1. The City is currently working with restaurants and shops to develop innovative uses of public spaces to host socially distant economic activity. Watch for ways you can help support our businesses. There has never been a better time or reason to shop local. For more details on economic recovery efforts, visit HelpGoldenNow.org.

Our mission: to help the underserved while supporting the local economy by feeding residents in need and supporting local restaurants.

How can I help? Support local businesses by purchasing

gift cards

through our auction site! 32auctions.org/giftgoldn

These local businesses receive 100% of their gift card sales with all fees being paid for by BGoldN. The more cards you buy, the more gifts you can give!

To view all of the participating local businesses and learn more about our offerings, visit our website:

www.bgoldn.org

for updates follow us @bgoldn_co

June 2020 | 7

W

Heart of Golden Process Slowed

e want to thank each of you that have attended meetings, sent emails, provided feedback, and talked to your neighbors about the Heart of Golden Project; we heard some amazing ideas and had some inspiring conversations with many of you! If you haven’t had a chance to participate, there is plenty of time and we’d love to hear from you. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has negatively impacted not only this project but our entire world. Our community is in a different place than we were a few months ago. The Heart of Golden project must now adapt to our new situation. In October 2019, the City of Golden purchased 7.27 acres of land east of Ford Street along the Clear Creek Corridor adding to the approximately 50 acres of public land all the way west to where US 6 crosses Clear Creek. In December, the City of Golden kicked off its public engagement process for the Heart of Golden 2020. There were four planned phases of the project: Visioning, Refining, Funding, and Selecting. The Visioning stage was a success with over 4,000 ideas submitted from the community, three largely attended community meetings were

held, as well as high online participation. The second stage, referred to as the “Refining” phase, had just kicked off when the pandemic hit. We were able to have one community meeting and post options and ideas for the corridor on Guiding Golden. We continued with a brainstorming approach to test different ideas with the community; from moving many civic services to the East end of the corridor to spreading out services along the corridor. In the last few months, we received over 200 comments and had about 650 visits to the Guiding Golden page. Our plan was to next have MANY online and in-person meetings, but in these new circumstances we are going to slow down and give the community time to dream about our future and refine our ideas. Instead of talking about Funding and Selecting this year, we are focusing on Visioning and Refining of the corridor where we will continue to listen to what the community wants to see, gather feedback, and present different concepts to refine the conversation. We plan on outlining our new process in July. Stay tuned by subscribing to the Heart of Golden 2020 on www.GuidingGolden.com.

Here is a look at how your active participation is helping to shape the future of Golden. Visit these pages to access documents and learn more about these current projects and more. GOLDEN BUILDING BLOCKS – Help Golden better information and updates as we work to get everyone in understand the elements of our city’s homes, buildings, Golden counted! and streets that best reflect Golden’s small-town character. COVID-19 – As more businesses reopen under the new Take a walk, take pictures and share with the community! state guidelines and we all try to find a new normal, we’ll GOLDEN MOBILITY SURVEY – In June, a Golden continue to update Guiding Golden with the most up-toMobility Survey will open to help us understand how the date information available. City is doing with efforts to provide biking, walking and HEART OF GOLDEN 2020: REFINING – While public transit options for the community. 2020 CENSUS – Do you have questions about the workshops had to be canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, 2020 Census or are just interested to learn more about we are still collecting feedback on the Heart of Golden it? Visit our 2020 Census project on Guiding Golden for 2020 project through Guiding Golden.

8 | June 2020

T

Farmer's Market What You Need to Know

here is some good news in the event world. Beginning June 6, the Golden Chamber of Commerce begins the weekly Golden Farmer’s Market next to the Golden Library on 10th Street. As a part of the food and agriculture supply chain, farmers markets are deemed essential businesses. As you can imagine, running a farmer’s market during a public health crisis and in the era of social distancing is not without its challenges. The Chamber and the City have been working together to make sure that the Market meets all the county, state and city regulations, as well as following all the recommendations set forth by the Colorado Farmer’s Market Association. As a result, you will see some changes to the Market, at least for a while. As a source of food and produce, the market will focus on fresh and prepared foods. Gone will be the arts, crafts and other non-grocery items you may be used to seeing. Due to distancing guidelines, there will be fewer vendors, booths spaced eight feet apart, and indicators for customer spacing as well. Hand washing and hand sanitizing stations will be numerous and placed throughout the market. Face coverings will be required; we encourage all customers to protect themselves and others by adhering to health regulations and recommendations. Traditionally, the Golden Farmer’s Market has been a place for community gathering. Until the health crisis has eased, we are doing what we can to discourage gathering and as a result, there will be no chairs or tables. Food purchased at the market is strictly for off-site consumption. These are among the changes you will see at the Farmer’s Market, at least initially. As the guidelines and the public health requirements evolve, the Market will adapt. We encourage you to stay healthy and shop safely, while supporting our community of local farmers and food makers.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

12 TIPS

FOR SHOPPING AT THE FARMERS MARKET 1. Be healthy and safe – Do not come if you are sick or are a member of a high-risk group. Face coverings are required. 2. Have a game plan – Come prepared with your shopping list in hand. 3. Shop quickly and efficiently – Avoid peak times and try to limit your visit to 30 minutes or less. 4. Shop solo and don’t crowd – Avoid physical contact and keep a distance of six feet from others. 5. Mind the queue – Follow signage and visual cues for waiting in line and shopping. 6. Let vendors serve you – No self-serve or sampling! 7. Wash your hands – Wash up before and after coming to the Market. 8. Minimize money handling – When possible, use exact change, credit card, or contactless payments. 9. Preorder for pickup or delivery – For vendors who offer the option, order from farmers and food businesses online. 10. Thank your farmer – These are especially challenging times for our farmers, food makers, and restaurants as they work hard on the frontlines to feed us. 11. Be patient, flexible, and kind – Farmers markets are places of nourishment and care, and we believe in the power of community resilience to carry us through. 12. Take care of yourself and your community – Eating fresh fruits and veggies is one of the best ways to keep our immune systems strong when we need it most! ( Tips adapted from CUESA, the Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture)

There are many opportunities to volunteer for the Golden Farmer’s Market as they work to make the experience as fun and safe as possible. The Golden Chamber of Commerce needs help with set-up, break-down, and market assistants. The Market is on Saturdays and Sundays and there are a variety of time slots you can choose. Sign up to volunteer at https:// www.signupgenius.com/go/4090949A5AF29A3FB6golden1. You can also visit GoldenFarmersMarket.org for Market details and volunteer opportunities. June 2020 | 9

State of the River: 2020 Clear Creek Edition By Will Stambaugh, Water Resource Specialist for the City of Golden

The City of Golden relies on Clear Creek for the water we use every day. Golden has no wells or ground water sources that can supply our system. That’s why the conditions in our watershed are very important and the biggest factor in our water supply is snow pack (or snow water equivalent). The amount of water stored as snow over the winter is, in effect, a huge reservoir supplying not only Golden, but many other cities and entities throughout the South Platte River Basin. Based on the apparent available snow melt, Golden has managed our water use and storage reservoirs to Figure 1: The snowpack in the South Platte Basin was 121% of normal on April 17, 2020. be “Full and Spilling” in mid-June when peak run-off is expected. We anticipate there will be no restrictions this summer if we continue to use our water wisely. Golden only diverts an average of 2.73% of the total flow in Clear Creek. Other factors, including climate change, Interstate compacts, and increased demand on all of Colorado’s water, could affect whether we will ask for restrictions on water use. Figure 2: Golden is able to store snow melt runoff in three reservoirs: Guanella, Lower Urad and Upper Urad. These are the current reservoir levels as of the end of April 2020.

10 | June 2020

Golden Water Supply & Drought Management Plan Total Reservoir Storage in Acre Feet (AF)

More than 72% > 2100AF

72% 2100 AF

Available Direct Flow Water Rights and Water Use Goals Direct flow water rights allow production of more 7 million gallons per day (MGD)

Direct flow water rights allow production of less than 7 MGD

Water Supply Management Response • No water restrictions • City staff and community members continue to target sustainability goals*

• Voluntary water restrictions are in place • Water is released from storage reservoirs to meet demand

• Voluntary restrictions are in place • 180 AF of water is requested from the Jones Pass water rights agreement

65% 1900 AF

• Optional leases of Golden’s water rights are ended

• Mandatory water restrictions are in place

55% 1600 AF

Target 5 MGD demand

40% 1200 AF

Target 2.2 MGD demand

• Continue to release water from storage reservoirs

• Mandatory water restrictions are in place • No outdoor water use is allowed

*Golden has adopted water sustainability goals that include: 1) reducing per capita total water use in Golden by at least 15% by 2030, and 2) developing a drought resiliency plan to prepare for a time where the climate may be substantially warmer and drier than it is today.

June 2020 | 11

Social, Economic & Environmental Issues

Cycle and Soak

I

n Golden, we have clay soil in most areas. Clay soil absorbs water very slowly, but most sprinkler systems have high precipitation rates that apply water very quickly. As a result, sprinklers often apply more water than the soil can absorb and the excess water runs off the lawn and down the gutter. Residents with clay soils need to use a watering technique called “cycle and soak” to promote infiltration and prevent runoff. It also helps encourage deeper root depth, healthier lawns, and by reducing runoff it helps protect water quality. Cycle and soak irrigation involves watering for several short cycles, separated by enough time for the water to soak in. This practice results in a deep soak and saves a significant amount of water that would otherwise be lost to runoff. For clay soils, ReSource Central recommends watering for three cycles of seven minutes each, with an hour in between each cycle.

G

SLOW THE FLOW AUDITS

olden residents are eligible for a free sprinkler system audit to help reduce waste and runoff from sprinkler systems. Every audit includes a personized watering schedule programmed straight into your sprinkler clock. To find out more, please contact our partner, ReSource Central at resourcecentral.org/slowtheflow or by calling 303-999-3824. Qualified residents can also request a free lawn removal consultation with their Slow the Flow audit. Residents will be connected with a trained ReSource Central technician for a 45-minute, in-person consultation that provides inspiration, landscaping ideas, and estimated expenses for removing and replacing thirsty lawns. Visit resourcecentral.org/landscapeconsultations or call 303-999-3820 Ext 221.

APPLIANCE RECYCLING Scheduling a pick-up of your old, full-sized appliances for recycling is easier than ever! Check out the new online form at www.cityofgolden.net/ ReduceWaste.

12 | June 2020

Compost Customer Give Away

I

n appreciation of those who helped to close the loop on our Victory Vegetable Garden compost giveaway last month, all our Organics Collection Program participants (whose food scraps and yard waste made up a portion of the compost) will be entered to win a green prize! Check the July Informer to see if you’re our lucky winner. With Golden's Organics Collection Program, you can receive bi-weekly pickups for your yard waste and organic kitchen waste for just $9.45/mo. Plus, you can give that waste a new life as rich, nutritious compost. Contact Alpine Waste and Recycling at 303-277-TRASH (8727) or email golden@alpinewaste.com to sign up for the City’s Organics Collection Program. Learn more at www.cityofgolden.net/ReduceWaste.

F

No Fireworks or Festival for the Fourth

or 48 years in a row, the Golden Lions Club has hosted a 4th of July Festival in Golden. It’s a longstanding and highly anticipated tradition that this year will not be possible due to the uncertainty of the pandemic. “Events like the 4th of July take months of planning and with the current and evolving situation, it is difficult to plan for guidelines that will surely change throughout the summer,” said Wendy Renee of the Golden Lions Club. “We know we will gather again as a community and look forward to that day.” The City of Golden fireworks that typically accompany the July 4th celebration are also postponed. As of now, the fireworks are tentatively rescheduled for Labor Day weekend in September. Meantime, it’s important to keep in mind that outside of permitted, professional displays, fireworks are illegal in Golden. The incidents of fireworks-related

property loss and injuries have always been a concern in Golden. The potential for a wild land-urban interface fire is extremely high each summer. The use of fireworks compounds the fire hazard danger. With these recognized dangers, the Golden Fire Department (GFD) works aggressively to reduce the fireworks related property losses and personal injuries. Due to the COVID-19 virus, the City of Golden imposed temporary Stage 1 fire

restrictions on March 31 to help reduce the risk of wildfire and subsequent virus exposure for firefighters. Although the excitement of the professional fireworks display must be delayed, GFD will still be staffing and strictly following our notolerance fireworks code. This means it is prohibited for any person to possess, sell, furnish, give, use or ignite fireworks – even if they are legal in other parts of the county or state. If you hear or see fireworks in your neighborhood, you can call the non-emergency line for Jeffcom Dispatch at 303-980-7300. If it is an emergency such as a fire or injury due to a firework, please call 911 immediately. With all of this in mind, GFD encourages everyone to do their part in keeping Golden safe from the danger and effects of fireworks by waiting to celebrate and enjoy the professional permitted display(s) in and around the City of Golden.

Water Safety for Businesses Re-Opening

S

ince the Governor issued the Stay at Home order March 26, many Golden businesses were vacated and as a result had little or no water usage. Low flows can affect water quality causing change in taste, odor, and bacteria buildup. Golden recommends businesses flush their internal water lines before full operation resumes. This process is not wasteful nor expensive. For most buildings, this will only take a couple of hundred gallons and will ensure that there is fresh water provided to employees.

GOLDEN ADVISES THE FOLLOWING GUIDELINES FOR FLUSHING: sure the temperature is getting colder and becomes a • If the faucet has been turned off for more than 24 hours, consistent temperature. flush it. • Look at drains when water is flushing to make sure poor • Begin with fixtures closest to the water meter and work drainage is not occurring and causing overflows. your way out. • Flush all water fixtures, including drinking fountains. • Turn on water, cold side only. Please contact the City of Golden Environmental Services • Run for 3 to 5 minutes. The water will get much colder. Place a thermometer in the stream if you want to make Division at 303-384-8181 with any questions or concerns. June 2020 | 13

T

Community Center Opportunities

he Golden Community Center remains closed during the "Safer-at-Home" Colorado reopening plan. Whatever comes next - and whenever it comes - the Golden Community Center will be there to keep you and your family active, engaged and fit! The facility has received a full deep-clean of all surfaces and equipment and plans are being made for how we can maintain sanitization standards and social distancing once we reopen. In the meantime, you can be healthy and active at home by staying up to date on all current virtual or in-person classes and programs by visiting us at https://rec.cityofgolden.net/. Our fitness instructors are doing LIVE ONLINE WORKOUTS to keep you moving. Find the complete list of live virtual classes at www.cityofgolden.net/gcc and and click on the link for "group fitness classes". Even if you can't make it to the live classes, you can always find new classes posted on the Golden Community Center Fitness & Wellness YouTube page. Check it out and keep your body moving! A little exercise each day can make a difference in your emotional health as well as making sure your pre-quarantine clothes still fit when we all get back together!

PHONE A FRIEND Are you 60+ and want someone to chat with? Need help accessing resources? Not sure where to turn for accurate information on public health orders? The Golden Community Center Front Porch is here to help. Call us at 303384-8130, leave a message with your name and phone number and one of our caring staff will return your call. We call them "Care Calls" and we look forward to talking with you! So far, we've made over 235 calls to seniors in the community and we want to talk to you too!

Hands-on History Camp In-Person and Online

W

hen the pandemic hit, Golden History Museum & Park’s (GHM&P) education team had no idea what it would mean for their work. Most of their programs rely on in-person interaction with kids, and engaging them in Colorado’s history through games, crafts, and activities. Over the past several weeks, the team has been pivoting to figure out how to safely and creatively make their Hands-on History summer camp a fun and enjoyable experience. GHM&P is still hopeful that inperson summer camps can still happen this year. Staff are making preparations to welcome students in

14 | June 2020

a safe, distanced environment. But, we also understand that many still won’t feel comfortable coming back to our campus during this uncertain time. So, even if your child is unable to participate in person for camp this year, that doesn’t mean that he or she can’t enjoy some of the fun, engaging experiences of camp! Be certain to check out the GHM&P online series, Cabin Fever, created by Education Assistant Grace Brown. Each short video features instructions on how to make an easy DIY craft with materials you already have at home, and includes great information on all sorts of things. From Victorian

hair art to the introduction of trains in Colorado to some of the science behind our fingerprints, Grace takes viewers through many subjects and makes fun crafts along the way. These videos make great educational entertainment and can be viewed on our YouTube channel for FREE! Catch all of the videos on the GHM&P channel, www.YouTube. com/ghm1876. And, for up-to-date information about reopening inperson Hands-on History Camp, visit www.GoldenHistory.org/HOH. Gather your family and some supplies and let’s get to learning!

Historic Leadership During Crisis

L

eadership is challenging under any circumstances, but especially in a crisis. Leaders on all levels of government are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and accompanying financial crisis in a range of ways. People want many things from their dignitaries­— solid information, guidance, relief, even comfort. Much of the guidance for Colorado residents during this pandemic stemmed first from the state level and the office of Colorado Governor Jared Polis. Like governors before him, and his colleagues in every state, he seeks reliable counsel from trusted advisors and aims to respond as effectively as possible in light of shifting circumstances. There was another Colorado Governor (with roots in Golden) who dealt with the challenge of a global crisis. John Charles Vivian was born and raised in Golden, Colorado. He was also Colorado's governor during the tumultuous Second World War (1943-1947). Gov. Vivian maintained a relative calm presence acrossPreferred the state for both able to meet of his two-year terms. While Vivian's tenure brought about no single great event, he would transform Colorado

se Colors

a white or light is to be used in be used.

through the war’s duration. During WWII, Gov. Vivian saw the development of the Rocky Mountain Arsenal and other military installations throughout the state. Rosehill German POW camp at the Arsenal and the Amache Japanese Relocation Camp at Granada in southeastern Colorado were other federal installations established during this time.

John Charles Vivian. Golden History Museum & Park, City of Golden Collection.

from a strongly rural, mining-dependent collection of counties into a progressive industrial-scientific state. In her well-documented story, "County of Vivian," author Martha N. Martin states:

Vivian actively promoted the purchase of war bonds to finance the war effort. His 1942 campaign speeches maintained Vivian’s goal to keep Colorado quiet

During the early 1900s, Jefferson County, Colorado was known as the “County of Vivians.” Sadly, today their reign and fascinating family history is mostly forgotten. Golden History Museum & Park stewards a small, special collection of Vivian-related artifacts. Comprising of about 100 items, the collection includes items like John Charles Vivian's personal shaving mug, a college diary from his junior year at CU, and a Governor of Colorado automobile license plate. Unfortunately, records are currently in a sorry state, but a plan exists to remedy this with the on-going work of the Legacy Collection Inventory Project.

- 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.

he colors: teal,

CENSUS 2020: KEEP COUNTING!

e the white olden is ahead of the pack, with a self-response rate of 71% for the 2020 Census! e color field The state overall has a response rate of 62% and Jefferson County is one of the ctangle.

G

top counties for responses as well. Even though we’re doing great, let’s do even better! When we all respond, we all benefit. For those who are binge-watching shows and videos, check out some fun and inspirational stories as well as educational videos that explain why the Census is important and how the data is used. You’ll find it all on the Census Bureau’s YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/user/uscensusbureau. June 2020 | 15

Drive-Thru Toy Drive

W

hat better way to celebrate the first day of summer‌ than to think about the winter holiday season! Yes, you read that right. Rotary Club of Golden plans to host the Miracle Shop Toy Drive from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 20. The goal is to fill the outline of a snowman with toys on this first day of summer; toys that will be made available during the Christmas season to families that are struggling financially so that they can provide a joyful, toyfilled holiday season for their kids. The toy drive this year is completely contact-less, in drivethru style. Put the toys you are donating into to your car and drive them down to the East side of Parfet Park, where Rotarians will meet you and take the toys to fill the snowman, without you ever getting out of your car. Please refer to the map (right) for the drop-off location and celebrate the first day of summer by thinking of those need. 012in 345ÿ 71897 ÿ ÿ 49 ÿ 924ÿ ÿ

SATURDAY, JUNE 20 • 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Golden.

Pull Up & Drop Off Toys Here Parfet Park

ÿ! ÿ" # $ÿÿ!&'()ÿ*+,ÿ*-.+

/0123ÿ/5267/ÿ89:ÿÿ<=>?@A=BCÿ1?D?E>ÿFGCÿHIFJCÿK@LMÿNÿ=MÿOÿHÿPMÿ=>ÿ>QRÿSRTR@ELUÿ2L?U>B Yÿ V=W@D@L?UAEÿX

T Despite a hard freeze that wiped out the Palisade peach crop this year, the Rotary Club of Golden was still able to get fresh Colorado peaches for you to buy during their annual peach sale. This year, you Z[\]^_`a_]bcĂżeb`Ăż_f]^Ăż[g[c_Ăżhib^[jĂżbcĂżkl\ĂżmnoĂżpqmrĂżqstqqĂżuvwĂżxeĂżyblĂżfag[ĂżacyĂżzl[^_]bc^Ăż{i[a^[Ăżhbc_ah_Ăż_f[ [g[c_Ăżhfa]`^t get juicy, locally have the opportunity u[\\yĂż|aij[`to }acoĂż ~ [ i [ {fbc[ tĂż Orchard pq€prr€ Â‚sp Valley Farms grown peacheskjj`from [^^tĂżsssĂżÂƒwÿ„[i^bcĂżÂƒ_`[[_ Â…a†[‡bbjo ĂżÂˆÂ‰ÿ North qppn Fork Valley. & Market, located Šc]_[in jĂżÂƒ_athe _[^ĂżbeĂżk}[ `]ha faij[`}acÂ?hb}ha^_wc[_ Go online ‹}a to]itĂż{ÂŒreserve your peaches at ÂŽÂ?Â?Â‘Â’Â“Â”Â•Â–ĂżÂ˜ĂżÂ™ÂšÂ™ÂšĂżÂŽÂ›ÂœÂ?žœÂ&#x;Â&#x; Â’ÿ¥ÿ¢Â’“£¤¼Â‘ÿ¢Â?›“¼‘ÿ¥ÿŒ Â’§¨ÿÂ?Šÿª¨ ÿ¥ÿÂ‘¨Â– §ÿž ÂœÂ“Â’ § Â&#x;–¨ www.RotaryClubOfGolden.org/Peaches. Œ•“¨ÿ £ Â&#x;–ÿ’ Â”will “¨Â–Â’¤Â–“Â?Â&#x;ÿŠÂ?Â’§ÿ“¨longer ĂżÂ?Â?­ Â’ ŽÿÂ?‘ÿ̄‘be °£ Â&#x;–žœÂ&#x;Â&#x; Â’¹ÿ¤ÿŽ›œÂ?žœÂ&#x;Â&#x; Â’ĂżÂ?Â’at Â?ÂŽÂœÂĽÂ–² Peaches ¯‘°£ Â&#x;–žœÂ&#x;Â&#x; Â’ÿ“¨ÿ¤no ÿŠÂœÂ›Â›Â‘ÿ¼Âœ¨Â–Â?§Â“³¤Â?› ÿ¤Â&#x;ÂŽĂżĚ Â ÂľÂ“Â?› picked ÿ £ Â&#x;–ÿ’ Â”“¨Â–Â’¤Â–“up Â?Â&#x;ĂżĚˆÂ‘¨Â– §² the ÂśÂ?Â’ÿ§Â?Â’ ÿ“Â&#x;ŠÂ?Â’§¤Â–“Â?Â&#x;¹ÿ£Â“¨Â“–ÿ­­­²§Â‘ £ Â&#x;–’œÂ&#x;Â&#x;Â&#x; Â’²¼Â?§ Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

NEW PICK-UP LOCATION AND DATE: WHEN: Saturday, August 29 • 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. WHERE: G olden High School parking lot, 710 24th St. Watch for more details in the July edition of the Golden Informer.

16 | June 2020

PURGE THE SPURGE

he City of Golden is asking residents to help eradicate Myrtle Spurge (Euphorbia myr-sinites). The Colorado Department of Agriculture classifies Myrtle Spurge as a noxious weed list A species that is designated for eradication in the state. Myrtle Spurge is a lowgrowing perennial with trailing fleshy stems. Leaves are fleshy, blue-green and alternate. The plants are considered poisonous because they contain a toxic, milky latex sap that causes severe skin irritations. It used to be very popular in xeriscapes and rock gardens, but it is an invasive species. You can remove the plant by pulling the plant and roots when the soil is moist. Wear protective gloves any time you touch Myrtle Spurge. Place in the trash, do not compost. You can also spray them with broadleaf herbicides found at garden supply stores that contain 2, 4-d. For questions or to report sightings of the plant, contact the City of Golden Parks Department at 303-384-8142.

The Fossil Trace Experience

T

he recent restrictions and lifealtering measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 affects all of us, there is no doubt. Those who work in the area of recreation and entertainment were left to wonder what will happen, especially after the iconic ski resorts of Colorado shut down early. Winter turned to Spring and videos emerged of people using homemade putting greens, creating makeshift golf holes, and erecting garage nets. They filled our social media feeds and stirred emotion for life-long players, as well as those who are new to the game. We knew we could safely provide the real thing when the health department gave us the green light. By its very nature, golf is a game of people, best enjoyed outdoors. Our dedicated team is thrilled we could bring it to you in this truly unique and unusual time. We thank the Fossil Trace staff for their unwavering dedication to the sport and the safety of our players. Player Assistants are on course ensuring every player is enjoying their day. Your Ambassadors offer a warm, welcoming smile, albeit behind a mask, offering guidance for those who aren’t quite sure what to make of all this. Your Starters do just that - start, organize, arrange, and tell the occasional story to put you at ease, or let you know what you are in for at one of the premier golf destinations the Mountain West has to offer. Just weeks ago, the game took a more traditional route as part of

its re-introduction, walking only. Carts are once again allowed, and your team of cart attendants – clad in gloves and masks - clean, disinfect, and park with seemingly random precision the most modern of golf amenities – new carts adorned with plush seating, GPS screens, Bluetooth speaker connectivity, and USB. We cannot forget the professionals who dedicate the hours of their life to maintain and care for such a place that cannot be replicated anywhere else in this world. There have been a great number of activities at Fossil Trace Golf Club this Spring including stunning renovation projects on Holes #2, #3 and

#15 – all completed for the enhancement of the overall golf experience. Tee times can be made at the all-new www.fossiltrace.com. Discover the new online experience that includes drone flyovers, videos, familiar voices, stories, and images of your favorite holes on the golf course. A golf day in the summer of 2020 will certainly look, and feel a little different, but our resolve to bring you a friendly, laid-back attitude, matched with the latest safety precautions and a world-class golf experience has not waivered. We welcome you back to Fossil Trace Golf Club – Colorado’s Home Course. June 2020 | 17

A Graduation Like No Other

F

rom continuation ceremonies for Kindergarten, 6th and 8th grades, to high school and college graduations – nothing was traditional for the Class of 2020. Since anything normal was out of the question, the City of Golden decided to honor our local grads with a banner underneath the downtown Welcome Arch. There was a designated parking spot closed for grads to get their photos throughout a two-week period while the banner hung. Additionally, the City worked with leaders of Golden High School to coordinate a photo opportunity with the road closed early on a Saturday morning. Many grads and their families came out to pose for their pictures and get a special photo that no other graduating class can claim. It certainly could never replace all the pomp and circumstance the graduates deserved, but it was a way to give them something uniquely their own in this otherwise dispirited moment. The Golden City Council joined in on the fun by writing a proclamation delcaring the week of May 11 - 17 Golden Graduates Week. We salute all our 2020 graduates, big and small. You’ll have great stories to tell!

COUNCIL SUPPORTS BUSINESSES REQUIRING FACE COVERINGS During a special meeting on Wednesday, May 6, City Council passed Resolution 2731, which expresses support for any private business owner who chooses to establish policies intended to help reduce the spread of the coronavirus, such as the requirement to wear non-medical face coverings when entering the business. The City's trespassing ordinances allow for these restrictions by private business owners when notice is posted. In addition to offering support, the City also created some unique signage and is providing it to businesses who choose to require their customers wear face coverings. One of our fun signs is on the opposite page. If you are a local Golden business, feel free to rip out p. 19 and hang it on your door or window. If you would like additional signage for a Golden business, email COVID19@cityofgolden.net.

18 | June 2020

WANTED

You Alive Face covering required to enter participating businesses and public buildings Supported by City of Golden Resolution 2731

PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE PAID GOLDEN, CO PERMIT #26

POSTAL PATRON

Fashion Trend THIS SUMMER’S HOTTEST

COMPLETE YOUR LOOK

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.