Gold discoveries in local Clear Creak brought the first settlers to Golden in the mid-1850s. The area became a natural place for supplies to be sold as miners headed into nearby mountains in hopes of finding riches. The city quickly evolved as successful agricultural, industrial and coal mining opportunities developed. The Colorado Central Railroad became the first to access the mountains through the city. The Coors Brewery opened in 1873, at the banks of Clear Creek and is now the largest brewing plant in the world.
 

In the 1870s, the Colorado School of Mines opened its doors, appealing to engineering and science students and creating an intellectual hub in an industrial city. Since then, the National Earthquake Information Center and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory have exemplified Golden as an intellectual, progressive and innovative center.

The twentieth century brought population booms as the city developed new subdivisions and modernized infrastructure. Today, Golden continues to thrive as a place for people to live and work with over 18,000 residents and a friendly, small town feel.

Shelton Elementary

Shelton Elementary School in Golden serves a diverse population with students from all over the world. The school enjoys a strong parent volunteer base and employs a highly educated staff. Students are educated in a caring environment, with challenging academics and a full enrichment program.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=3266&

Mitchell Elementary

Golden’s Mitchell Middle School provides a traditional curriculum with a wide range of enrichment activities including instrumental music, choir, performing arts, dance, art, chess club and more.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=2870&

Coal Creek Canyon K-8

A small school that works closely with parents, Coal Creek Canyon K-8 focuses on the whole child. Coal Creek takes pride in its individual attention for students and flexible multi-age classrooms.

https://sites.google.com/a/jeffcoschools.us/coal-creek-canyon-k8/home

Fairmount Elementary

A student-focused school, Fairmount Elementary in Golden offers challenging academics, a robust arts and physical education program and promotes student wellness.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=2420&

Kyffin Elementary

Golden’s Kyffin Elementary School takes pride in its rigorous academics that focus on each student’s individual needs. Kyffin Elementary also offers extensive enrichment programs and encourages parent and community participation.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=42688&&

Maple Grove Elementary

In order to promote academic, physical and emotional wellbeing, Maple Grove Elementary in Golden provides students with a challenging curriculum, a variety of enrichment choices and a strong physical education department.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=218

Pleasant View Elementary

At Pleasant View Elementary, each student’s academic needs are met in a small, friendly school environment. The school provides a full day kindergarten, a pre-school, on site before and after school care and tutoring.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=3068

Ralston Elementary

A high performing school, Ralston Elementary promotes challenging academics and provides students with  after school enrichment programs.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=235

Bell Middle School

Bell Middle School in Golden serves students of all skill levels and abilities with high expectations. Bell Middle School encourages students as role models and responsible citizens.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectiondetailid=3898

The Manning School

The Manning School is a charter school in Golden that is consistently ranked as one of the top middle schools in Colorado. The school is founded on high academic expectations, parent involvement and high school preparation. The Manning School offers performing and fine arts as well as many other enrichment opportunities.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=301

Golden High School

Founded in 1873, Golden High School holds a strong tradition of excellence and pride in its community. The high school recently opened a new facility complete with state of the art classrooms. Golden High School offers a traditional curriculum as well as a complete elective and extra curricular program.

http://sc.jeffco.k12.co.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=293

The Splash Water Park

For summertime family-friendly fun, Golden residents flock to the Splash at Fossil Trace. The park features two water slides, a leisure pool with a water structure and fountains, a sand area and a lap pool with a diving board.

http://www.splashingolden.com

Golden Library

The Golden Library offers a collection of 88,000 items, including books, reference material, magazines, newspapers, movies and music to Golden residents.  The library also provides access to computers as well as free wireless internet.

http://jefferson.lib.co.us/   

Colorado Railroad Museum

Set inside a replica 1880’s style depot, the Colorado Railroad Museum celebrates over 125 years of Colorado railroad history. The museum holds tens of thousands of rare photographs, documents and artifacts as well as a reference library of railroad books. Outside the building, the museum displays more than 100 historic locomotives and cars on its 15 acre property.

http://www.coloradorailroadmuseum.org/

Buffalo Bill’s Gravesite and Museum

Golden pays tribute to buffalo hunter William “Buffalo Bill” Cody at his gravesite on Lookout Mountain. The museum near the gravesite holds artifacts from Buffalo Bills Wild West days, complete with Native American bows and arrows, firearms, items from Bill’s Wild West shows and more.

http://www.buffalobill.org/

Clear Creek History Park

Truly a piece of Golden’s rich history, Clear Creek History Park features a handful of historic buildings from Golden’s earliest days. Originally built in local Golden Gate Canyon, the buildings were moved, piece by piece, from their original location when developers were looking to tear them down. The community rallied and was able to save the structures and rebuild them in the city center. History Park features two 1800s mountain cabins, an 1876 one-room schoolhouse, an outhouse, as well as recently constructed 1800s style blacksmith shop, chicken coop, bee yard and root cellar. Tours, classes, crafts and games are offered.

http://www.goldenhistorymuseums.org/clearcreekpark.php

Dinosaur Ridge

Hundreds of dinosaur tracks can be seen at Golden’s famous Dinosaur Ridge. Geological and Paleontological enthusiasts will enjoy guided or self-guided tours across the ridge as well as a visitor’s center.

http://www.dinoridge.org/

Colorado School of Mines Geology Museum

Visit the Colorado School of Mines’ Geology Museum of Golden to see rare moon rocks from the Apollo 17 mission as well as a vast collection of specimens from local mining sites, a gold and silver display and gemstones. Free to the public.

http://www.mines.edu/Geology_Museum

Golden Community Center

The Golden Community Center is a multifunctional facility with a complete recreational center that includes two pools, a water slide, sauna, hot tub, indoor track, exercise machines, weight equipment, gym, and climbing wall.  The Community Center also offers child care, preschool, arts and crafts classes and meeting rooms.

http://www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/community-center/

Clear Creek White Water Park

Built especially for kayaks and canoes, the Clear Creek Water Park is a quarter-mile course with a series of pools and drops for enthusiasts of all skill levels.

http://www.cityofgolden.net/play/recreation-attractions/clear-creek-white-water-park/

Golden Bike Park

Cyclists love Golden Bike Park, a trail system built exclusively for mountain bikers, features a gravity-fed flow park and obstacle areas for all skill levels.

http://goldenbikepark.com/

Buffalo Bill Days

A Golden original, Buffalo Bill Days is a celebration of William “Buffalo Bill” Cody and the Wild West! Entertainment includes live music, a big parade, a classic car show, and food and retail vendors. Last but not least, a Wild West Show is performed complete with gunfights, Native American dancers, gun spinning, gun marksmanship and whip cracking.

http://www.buffalobilldays.com/

Summer Solstice Music Festival

Golden’s Summer Solstice Music Festival features a day of live music, beer, barbeque and fun. Held at Clear Creak History Park’s natural hillside amphitheater, the concert is a fundraiser to benefit the Golden History Museums.

http://www.goldenhistorymuseums.org/calendar.php

Fine Arts Festival

The Fine Arts Festival, held in downtown Golden, is a celebration of art, with over a hundred artists on site. On display are a variety of mediums including painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, ceramics and jewelry. Free to the public, the Fine Arts Festival also offers free carriage rides, live music, kids activities and free admission to Clear Creak History Park.

http://www.goldenfineartsfestival.org/