Golden, Colorado
Golden is a city of 20,417 people in Jefferson County, Colorado, founded in 1859.
Why visit Golden
Townapedia lists 34 museums and landmarks, 59 parks and trails, 140 places to eat, 15 places to stay and 14 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Colorado School of Mines, Heritage Square, Astor House and Colorado Amphitheater.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 86°F; December lows average 20°F, and about 58 inches of snow fall in a normal year.
Weather in Golden
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Golden
Golden is a home rule city that is the county seat of Jefferson County, Colorado, United States. The city population was 20,399 at the 2020 United States census. Golden lies along Clear Creek at the base of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Founded during the Pike's Peak gold rush on June 16, 1859, the mining camp was originally named Golden City in honor of Thomas L.
From the Wikipedia article Golden, Colorado (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do14
Colorado School of Mines
School · 0.9 mi
Public university in Golden, Colorado, U.S.
Heritage Square
Monument and historic site · 2.0 mi
Shopping village at Golden, Colorado
Miners Alley Performing Arts Center
Cinema and theater · 1.1 mi
1100 Miners Alley, Golden
2 more on the map.
Museums and landmarks34
Astor House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Hotel in Golden, Colorado
822 12th Street, Golden
Colorado Amphitheater
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Amphitheatre in Colorado, United States of America
Colorado National Guard Armory
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Armory in Golden, United States of America
1301 Arapahoe Street, Golden
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Lookout Mountain Park
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Historic district in Colorado, United States
987 Lookout Mountain Road, Golden
Ammunition Igloo
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic military facility near Golden, Colorado, USA
Barnes–Peery House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Historic house in Colorado, United States
Camp George West Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Historic district in Colorado, United States
Golden High School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
High school in Colorado, United States
Herman Coors House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi
Historic home in Golden, Colorado
Rio Grande Southern Railroad, Motor No. 2
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Preserved “Galloping Goose” railcar
Rio Grande Southern Railroad, Motor No. 6
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Preserved “Galloping Goose” railcar
22 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds59
Katherine Craig Park
Park · National Register of Historic Places · 4.6 mi
Park in Jefferson County, Colorado, United States of America
United States Marine Corps Memorial
Park · 1.6 mi
16899 West Colfax Avenue, Golden
Marv Kay Stadium North
Sports field and stadium · 1.2 mi
1200 11th Street, Golden
Marv Kay Stadium South
Sports field and stadium · 1.1 mi
1250 12th Street, Golden
47 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes140
Abejas
Diner · American · 1.0 mi
Seasonal new American cuisine
807 13th Street, Golden
Tu-Fr 11:00-14:30; Tu-Su 17:00-21:30; Sa-Su 09:30-14:30
Bono's Italian Restaurant
Restaurant · Italian, Pizza, Sandwich, Salad · 2.7 mi
Low-key venue known for its East Coast-style pizza & other Italian standards.
14799 West 6th Avenue Frontage Road, Golden
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Aladdin Mediterranean Grill
Restaurant · Mediterranean · 1.0 mi
17101 South Golden Road, Golden
Mo-Su 11:00-21:00
Atomic Cowboy
Restaurant · Burger, Pizza, Breakfast · 1.1 mi
1100 Washington Avenue, Golden
08:00-24:00; Fr,Sa 08:00-02:00
Birrieria Doña María
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.9 mi
14025 West Colfax Drive
Mo-Sa 10:00-21:00; Su 10:00-20:00
Buffalo Rose
Restaurant · Regional, Burger, Sandwich, Chicken, Mexican, American · 1.1 mi
1119 Washington Avenue, Golden
Mo-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr 11:00-24:00; Sa 09:00-24:00; Su 09:00-22:00
Cold Stone Creamery
Ice cream · Ice Cream · 2.7 mi
14239 West Colfax Avenue, Lakewood
Mo-Th,Su 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Coriander
Restaurant · Indian · 2.7 mi
14799 West 6th Avenue Frontage Road, Golden
11:00-14:30,16:30-21:00; Fr,Sa 11:00-14:30,16:30-22:00
Dumpling Bay
Restaurant · Asian · 0.9 mi
17211 South Golden Road, Golden
Mo-Th,Su 11:00-21:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-22:00
El Dorado Mexican Restaurant
Restaurant · Mexican · 1.4 mi
720 Arapahoe Street
08:30-20:00; Fr,Sa 08:30-21:00
128 more on the map.
History
Established during the Pike's Peak Gold Rush, Golden City quickly became a leading economic and political center of the region. Its geographic location made it a center of trade between the gold fields to the west and settlements to the east. Golden City was established on June 16, 1859, along Clear Creek west of Denver. The city is named after Thomas L. Golden. Other important businessmen and prospectors like William A.H. Loveland and George West were among the first people to settle in Golden.
By the end of 1860, Golden City had been popularly elected the seat of Jefferson County and was capital of the provisional Jefferson Territory. As drafted in the territorial constitution, the capital of the Jefferson Territory was initially proposed to be Golden, then with a population of 700, as a result of its proximity to mountain mining towns, and greater ability to hold a congressional quorum than had Denver. Golden City was temporarily removed from the status of territory capital as a result of an act passed on November 5, 1861, by the territorial government.
Colorado City, a small town to the south of Denver, became the new temporary territorial capital, but saw only one short event at this location. This status was quickly revoked, however, as on August 4, 1862, the territorial government voted formally to move back to Golden.
From the History section of Golden, Colorado on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay15
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Golden - Denver Area
Motel and hotel · 1.7 mi
17140 West Colfax Avenue, Golden
Churches and places of worship17
Calvary Episcopal Church
Church · Episcopal · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Mother Cabrini Shrine
Church · Roman Catholic · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
First Presbyterian Church of Golden and Unger House
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Rockland Community Church and Cemetery
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi
Shopping28
Gas and EV charging16
Schools, colleges and libraries50
Astravo Online Academy Elementary School
School · 4.5 mi
165 South Union Blvd Suite 777, Lakewood
Astravo Online Academy High School
School · 4.5 mi
165 South Union Blvd Suite 777, Lakewood
Astravo Online Academy Middle School
School · 4.5 mi
165 South Union Blvd Suite 777, Lakewood
Colorado Virtual Academy High School
School · 4.5 mi
165 S. Union Blvd #777, Lakewood
Colorado Virtual Academy Middle School
School · 4.5 mi
165 S. Union Blvd, Lakewood
Healthcare6
Map of Golden
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 45°F | 21°F | 0.6 in | 8.0 in |
| Feb | 45°F | 22°F | 0.8 in | 8.6 in |
| Mar | 53°F | 29°F | 1.3 in | 9.2 in |
| Apr | 59°F | 35°F | 2.4 in | 9.1 in |
| May | 68°F | 44°F | 2.6 in | 1.7 in |
| Jun | 80°F | 54°F | 2.1 in | 0.0 in |
| Jul | 86°F | 60°F | 2.0 in | 0.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 58°F | 1.9 in | 0.0 in |
| Sep | 76°F | 49°F | 1.4 in | 0.3 in |
| Oct | 63°F | 37°F | 1.1 in | 5.2 in |
| Nov | 52°F | 28°F | 0.8 in | 9.2 in |
| Dec | 45°F | 20°F | 0.5 in | 6.7 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Lakewood (5 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Jefferson County has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for fires.
- 2024-08-01: Quarry Fire (Fire)
- 2023-08-25: Severe Storms, Flooding, And Tornadoes (Flood)
- 2020-03-28: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2013-09-14: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
- 2013-09-12: Severe Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (BJC) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 12 miles away.
- Lakewood 6 mi southeast, about 9 min by car
- Wheat Ridge 6 mi east, about 10 min by car
- Arvada 7 mi northeast, about 11 min by car
- Dakota Ridge 9 mi southeast, about 15 min by car
- Berkley 11 mi northeast, about 17 min by car
- Westminster 12 mi northeast, about 20 min by car
- Ken Caryl 13 mi southeast, about 20 min by car
- Columbine 13 mi southeast, about 21 min by car
- Englewood 13 mi southeast, about 21 min by car
- Sherrelwood 13 mi northeast, about 21 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- GoldenCO WashingtonStreet 01Oct2017, Yassie, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Golden High School - 20250802123204, Colohisto, CC BY 4.0
- Golden High School - 20250802123204 (cropped), Colohisto, CC BY 4.0
- 1967 GMC C10 pickup, "1low67gmc", Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1972 Buick Skylark GS, orange & black, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1963 Buick Wildcat, 4-door hardtop, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1966 Shelby GT350H, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 2006 Ford Mustang GT, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1920s Ford T-bucket, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1966 Dodge A100 Panel Van, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu 350, black, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1972 Buick Skylark, golden, front left side, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1972 Buick Skylark, golden, front, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1972 Buick Skylark, golden, rear left side, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1968 Chevrolet Nova SS 496 custom, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1970s GMC Vandura, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Golden,Colorado,USA. - panoramio, Roman Eugeniusz, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro SS, orange, front right side, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1971-1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass, yellow, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1940 Ford Tudor, purple, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Nissan GT-R, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Herman Coors House Golden CO, Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- 1938 Chevrolet pickup, blue, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1935 Ford truck, orange, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1965 Chevrolet C10 Stepside, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1955 Ford Crown Victoria, Golden Super Cruise 2026-06-06, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1960–1966 Chevrolet CK, blue, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1951 Chevrolet pickup truck, white, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1941 Chevrolet coupe, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1968 Ford Mustang hardtop and 1930-1931 Ford Model A, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1999–2001 Ford Mustang SVT Cobra, New Edge Modular Cobra, black, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1967 Ford Mustang hardtop, yellow, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Porsche 718 Cayman, white, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1967 Chevrolet Camaro, red with black stripes, front left side, Golden Super Cruise 2026-10-03, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- 1982–1992 Chevrolet Camaro RS, Golden Super Cruise 2026-07-04, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- GMC C-series (1967-1972) pickup, two-tone, Golden Super Cruise 2026-05-02, Xnatedawgx, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Colorado Railroad Museum depot building, Footwarrior, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Astor House Golden CO, Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Colorado Amphitheater, Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 3.0
- Colorado National Guard Armory Building Golden CO Front, Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
_pickup,_two-tone,_Golden_Super_Cruise_2026-05-02.jpg){kind=link}
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