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WEEK OF AUGUST 3, 2023
VOLUME 157 | ISSUE 33
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“The Best of the West” Parade returns for Buffalo Bill Days
Golden bans sale of flavored tobacco products in city limits Ban takes effect Jan. 1, 2024 BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
The parade, which was canceled in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, returned last year. The event is a quintessential part of the four-day festival, drawing thousands of people to the festival and downtown Golden, organizers have said.
Starting in 2024, Golden retailers won’t be able to sell flavored tobacco products. The Golden City Council unanimously passed an ordinance ending the sale of flavored tobacco products in city limits, effective Jan. 1. The goal, as city officials described during the July 25 meeting, is to address the youth nicotine crisis, particularly around vaping. In Jefferson County, about 16.5% of high school students had vaped in the last 30 days, which is higher than both the state and national averages, according to statistics provided by the county health department. Golden City Council considered a similar measure in 2019 but didn’t pursue it, as councilors believed the Colorado legislature was moving forward with a statewide ban. When that didn’t materialize, Mayor Laura Weinberg said, several municipalities decided to proceed on their own. Edgewater, Boulder, Glenwood Springs, Aspen and other municipalities have already enacted
SEE BUFFALO BILLS DAY PARADE PHOTOS, P2
SEE BAN, P6
Barb and RD Melfi from White Fox Productions wave to everyone from their horses while they’re dressed as Annie Oakley and BufPHOTO BY SARA HERTWIG falo Bill during the Buffalo Bill Days parade. BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
During the final weekend of July, Golden’s cowboys and cowgirls ride again. The Buffalo Bill Days festival hosted its annual “The Best of the West” Parade July 29, as thousands of people lined Washington Avenue
to see their favorite reenactors, horseriders, firefighters and more. Dozens of local businesses, nonprofits and equestrian groups like the iconic Buffalo Bill Saddle Club ride or march in the parade every summer. Attendees over the years have shared how much they appreciate the parade’s traditional Western flair.
VOICES: 14 | LIFE: 16 | CALENDAR: 19 | SPORTS: 30
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