2023 was a jam-packed year for the Golden community, with plenty of smiles and tears, losses and major milestones.
It was a year of reflecting on the decisions of the past and the possibilities of the future.
Goldenites reflected on their predecessors who shaped today’s community and made their own decisions about tomorrow’s community. They prioritized managing Clear Creek’s summertime visitors, investing in free intra-city transportation and financially supporting the fire department.
In these final days of 2023, the Transcript offers a look back at some of the year’s biggest stories.
The Transcript’s “For the Record” examination
In mid-February, the Transcript released a 5,000-word article examining its past coverage of the Black community and how that coverage, or lack thereof, contributed to systemic racism.
“For the Record” looked at the Transcript’s reprinted stories about the Black Panther Party as one example of a larger problem, reflecting on how the Transcript failed to cover the local Black community in a meaningful way.
The article also covered some of Golden’s history with the KKK and discriminatory housing practices, and Goldenites’ work to confront these things, the attitudes behind them and their impacts. Finally, it explored how the community, the City of Golden and the Transcript hope to create a more equitable Golden in 2023 and beyond.
Honoring Marv Kay
Among the many notable Goldenites the community lost this year was Marv Kay, Golden’s former mayor and “the greatest Oredigger ever.”
Kay died April 19 at age 84. He was preceded in death by his wife, Diane, who died March 15. The two were married for 55 years.
Kay served on the Golden City Council in the 1980s and 1990s and was involved in several civic organizations until his death. The Colorado School of Mines alumnus was also the university’s football coach, athletic director and fundraiser for more than 35 years.
On May 15, his family and friends held a public memorial for him at Mines’ Marv Kay Stadium, remembering him as their “North Star.” Then, in the fall, the Mines football players wore helmet stickers honoring Kay.
City, Mines launch free Ore Cart shuttles
This summer, the City of Golden and Colorado School of Mines introduced a new way to get around Golden.
The first Ore Cart shuttle route around downtown Golden launched mid-June, and in mid-August, the two institutions launched three more routes around campus and to RTD’s W and G Lines.
The free shuttles have been a huge asset for both Goldenites and Orediggers, connecting them to the Denver-area public transit network and helping alleviate downtown Golden’s parking woes.
Managing Clear Creek
Golden’s tubing season officially started July 3 — a bit later than usual — and lasted about five weeks. But, the thousands of tubers that packed Clear Creek and downtown Golden this summer seemed to have fun.
Maybe a little too much fun, as city officials later reported major compliance issues from tubers this summer. While the city and its community partners took steps to mitigate impacts along Clear Creek, city staff said it issued just as many citations for alcohol, parking and other problems as in previous years, despite 2023’s shorter season.
City officials are working on new measures and modifications for summer 2024.
Golden High School celebrates 150 years
Throughout the summer and early fall, Golden High School celebrated its sesquicentennial with special events, capped off with a spectacular 2023 Homecoming Parade.
In June, hundreds of Demons returned to their alma mater to see the relatively new campus and have a multi-class reunion; in August, the Golden History Museum opened an exhibit exploring the school’s extensive history; and in September, thousands of GHS students and alumni turned Washington Avenue maroon and white.
Overall, the year’s celebrations honored the generations of Demons who’ve imbued GHS with its “small-town culture” to form “a school with soul.”
2023 ultimately reminded everyone: “Once a Demon, always a Demon.”
Coors Brewery hosts sesquicentennial celebration
Golden High School wasn’t the only local institution celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2023.
The iconic Coors Brewery celebrated throughout the year, by helping local nonprofits and commissioning a mural along its Ford Street-facing exterior in the summer. But, the biggest celebration was yet to come.
On Sept. 30, current and former Coors employees and their families, Goldenites and local beer fans took over Washington Avenue and Parfet Park to wish their favorite brewery a hoppy birthday. The company hosted other events for its VIPs throughout the weekend, but the Sept. 30 block party served as a brew-itful encapsulation of Coors’ 150-year history.
Golden Fire expanding services with voters’ support
This fall, Goldenites focused on expanding fire department services and adding personnel.
On Oct. 11, the city rededicated Station No. 24 — which is along Heritage Road near Colfax Avenue — as it was fully staffed 24/7 for the first time in its 40-year history. This allowed firefighters to respond to more calls more quickly, particularly along the Colfax Avenue, U.S. 6 and Interstate 70 corridors.
The additional staff was initially grant-funded, but in the Nov. 7 election, Golden voters passed Ballot Issue 2K for a 6-mill increase in property taxes to help fund GFD. Along with supporting 14 firefighter positions, these new funds will go toward training, certification upgrades, life-saving equipment and more.
Miners Alley, Foothills Art Center build new campuses
Two of Golden’s premier arts organizations have been expanding operations in 2023.
The Foothills Art Center started renovating and building onto the historic structure in May 2022 with plans to finish in late 2023. As of mid-December, work was still ongoing. Additionally, FAC was also renovating its 15th Street property as its new creative campus with studios and classrooms. Work started in the spring, and the building reopened in the fall.
Across the parking lot from the Astor House, Miners Alley Playhouse was building a performing arts center in the former Meyer Hardware building. After 10 months of construction, the Miners Alley Performing Arts Center opened Dec. 2 with its inaugural show, “The Great American Trailer Park Christmas Musical.”