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WEEK OF FEBRUARY 27, 2025
VOLUME 159 | ISSUE 9
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Golden’s architects refining municipal center design ahead of summer groundbreaking NEW DIGS FOR JEFFCOM 911
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
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• Windy Saddle Café at 1110 Washington Ave. GCF said others could still sign up to participate. Then, on March 4, the nonprofit and its partners will cap off Mountain Mardi Gras with a benefit concert at the Buffalo Rose. Krewe de Groove, Colorado’s premier Southern funk band, will perform from 7-10 p.m. All proceeds will benefit GCF’s Community Grants Program, organization leaders have confirmed. In 2024, GCF awarded more than $110,000 in grants to 36 recipients, including local food banks, museums, schools and festivals.
The City of Golden is still on track to break ground on its municipal center and police headquarters this summer. In fact, City Manager Scott Vargo said crews could start doing preliminary work at the 311 10th St. property as early as April and break ground a few weeks later. While the dates haven’t been finalized, Vargo emphasized the project is on schedule. If construction is completed on time, Golden could move operations into the new municipal center in late 2026 or early 2027. Vargo confirmed the city recently issued $52.5 million in Certificates of Participation necessary to finance the municipal center, closing at a 4.03% interest rate over a 15-year term. Under the 4.03% interest rate, Golden will pay about $4.6 million annually and $69.7 million total over the 15-year term. Between the COPs and the $7.5 million down payment, Golden will pay about $77 million total for its new municipal center and police headquarters. Vargo has confirmed these funds will come from existing revenue streams. There will not be any tax increases associated with the municipal center project. The interest rate was locked in Jan. 16, and the city closed on the COPs Jan. 28, Vargo confirmed. City officials were hoping to get an interest rate closer to the estimated 3.852%, but Vargo said the market was fluctuating leading up to Jan. 16. City Council authorized staff to go up to 5%, but Vargo said Golden’s financial experts were hoping to keep it under 4.25%. “Market volatility increased as the federal administration transition approached,” Vargo said of why the interest rate was higher than Golden’s estimate. “ … We are pleased with our timing and excited to have the funding in place and for the project to proceed.”
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A Wild West Oktoberfest volunteer examines the steinholding competitors’ posture to ensure everyone’s following the rules during the Sept. 23, 2023 event. The Golden Civic Foundation, which hosted the event, used the FILE PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN funds raised to support to 36 local organizations and causes with its 2024 grants.
Laissez les bons temps rouler! New Mardi Gras-themed fundraiser to benefit Golden Civic Foundation grant program
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BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
From Feb. 28 to March 4, several Golden restaurants will offer special Mardi Gras-inspired food and drinks, with 20% of all proceeds benefiting GCF. As of Feb. 18, participating restaurants included: • Alchemy at 1111 Miners Alley; • Babe’s Tea Room at 1027 Washington Ave.; • Brick Room at 1112 Washington Ave.; • The Buffalo Rose at 1119 Washington Ave.; • The Golden Hotel at 800 11th St.; • The Golden Mill at 1012 Ford St.; • Miners Saloon at 1109 Miners Alley; • Trailhead Taphouse at 811 12th St.; and
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MINSTER VOTING STARTS MARCH 1!
Goldenites can let the good times roll, as the Golden Civic Foundation and its partners are infusing downtown with New Orleans flavor leading up to Fat Tuesday. GCF recently announced the details for its inaugural Mountain Mardi Gras fundraiser, a multi-day celebration that will support Golden businesses and raise funds for local causes.
VOICES: 8 | LIFE: 10 | CALENDAR: 13 | SPORTS: 14
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