Serving the community since 1866
VOLUME 158 | ISSUE 39
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2024
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Golden Civic Foundation receives $290,000 gift for technology-related grants, loans
Officials discuss improving downtown Golden sidewalks’ accessibility
Proceeds from Au Wireless sale among largest in group’s history
On a busy summer afternoon, traversing sidewalks in downtown Golden can be challenging — whether that’s walking; pushing a stroller; or using crutches, a cane or a wheelchair. Along with the large crowds, people must also navigate around raised flower beds, poles, signs, statues, outdoor seating areas and other items. The city maintains a 4-foot-wide path for ADA standards, but city officials wondered if Washington Avenue’s sidewalks could be more accessible by improving the streetscape. At a Sept. 10 City Council work session, Golden’s councilors and staff discussed several downtown right-of-way strategies and projects. As the city has already tackled many short-term items, Principal Planner Matt Wempe said he wanted to get the councilors’ feedback on projects’ medium- and long-term concepts.
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
For Golden-area businesses and nonprofits planning to upgrade their technology in 2025, the Golden Civic Foundation may be able to help. The Golden Civic Foundation has received a $290,000 gift — one of the largest in its 54-year history — from Au Wireless. With it, GCF will establish the Au Tech Fund and award technology-related grants and loans for local nonprofits and businesses, respectively. Golden’s Chad Wachs founded Au Wireless in 2015. The nonprofit focused on providing high-speed internet services across Golden. “Our mission from day one was to make the community better,” Wachs said in a Sept. 9 press release. In 2022, Au Wireless opted to sell its assets so the new owners could continue growing beyond Golden, Wachs described. This allowed the Au Wireless Board of Directors to give back to Golden in a significant way, which Wachs said “was my goal from the very beginning.” With the proceeds of the sale, GCF Executive Director Kim Mangle said Au Wireless’ gift will “continue its legacy of serving the Golden community” and have a lasting impact on Golden’s economic and cultural vitality.
BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
SEE ACCESSIBILITY, P7
SEE DONATIONS, P11
GOLDENTRANSCRIPT.NET • A PUBLICATION OF COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
The Rooney family walks along Washington Avenue storefronts during downtown Golden’s Oct. 31 trick-or-treat street. City officials have discussed how to improve Washington Avenue sidewalks’ accessibility by slimming down the flower beds and other items along FILE PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN the sidewalk to create a wider pedestrian zone.
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