Serving the community since 1866
WEEK OF JANUARY 2, 2025
VOLUME 159 | ISSUE 1
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Golden planning to reroute Peaks to Plains Trail along Church Ditch BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Pedestrians and cyclists should expect big changes along some iconic Golden trails in the coming years. Throughout 2024, Goldenites have considered rerouting the city’s section of the Peaks to Plains Trail. When complete, the path for pedestrians and cyclists will run from the Continental Divide to the Platte River. Stakeholders have rebranded it as the Clear Creek Trail, and signage would be changed accordingly. (Editor’s note: For clarity, this article will continue to call it the Peaks to Plains Trail to differentiate it from the City of Golden’s trail along both sides of Clear Creek between Parfet Park and U.S. Highway 6, which is also called the Clear Creek trail and is also discussed in this article.) While segments farther west are still under construction, Golden officials want to improve the city’s section of the Peaks to Plains Trail. City officials have explained how Golden’s Clear Creek corridor sees an immense amount of foot and bicycle traffic, particularly in the summer. Thus, they want to alleviate congestion, reduce user conflicts and maintain a high-quality experience for all users. The city is pursuing two options simultaneously: a short-term option of improving the south creek trail, and a long-term option of building a new trail along the Church Ditch, south of Highway 58. “We have to do something to alleviate the traffic along the creek,” said resident Peter Horneck, who frequently walks and bikes along Clear Creek. “ … I think (the Church Ditch route) will be beneficial for those doing longer trips. Get your distance in without having to go through town.” The short-term option
According to Principal Planner Matt Wempe, improving the south creek trail would cost about $1.5 million. The city plans to pursue grant funding for the project, and as such, there’s no firm timeline to start or complete the project, he confirmed.
MINSTER SEE IMPROVEMENTS, P4
Colorado School of Mines center Audrey Beaty drives the ball during the Nov. 29 home game against Minnesota State. The Orediggers won 92-88, PHOTO BY CORINNE WESTEMAN with Beaty scoring 11 points.
In the break midwinter
Mines winter teams look to maintain momentum into the new year BY CORINNE WESTEMAN CWESTEMAN@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
what they’ve accomplished so far and what’s to come in 2025:
Despite the end of 2024 and the beginning of 2025, more than 100 Orediggers are in the middle of their season. Some that were on a hot streak in late December will no doubt want to keep it going into the new year, while others may want to turn the proverbial page and start their season afresh. The Colorado School of Mines winter sports teams started their winter breaks Dec. 21, or earlier, and will resume competition in early January. In the interim, let’s recap
Men’s basketball
The Mines men’s basketball team has had a strong start to their 2024-25 season. After their Dec. 20 win over Angelo State, the Orediggers were 9-2 overall, 4-0 in conference, and ranked No. 10 among NCAA Division II teams. The Orediggers faced down the Rams Dec. 20 at the Holiday Hoops Classic in Las Vegas. Redshirt senior forward Riley Schroeder led Mines in scoring with 20 points on 6-of7 three-point shooting in 23
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VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 12 | CALENDAR: 15 | SPORTS: 18
minutes. The Orediggers ultimately won 71-54. Mines resumes play Jan. 4 at home against Northern New Mexico — their final non-conference game of the regular season. Afterward, the Orediggers start their conference schedule in earnest Jan. 9 at Chadron State. Senior Night is slated for Feb. 20 against Regis.
ing its record to 3-9 overall and 1-3 in conference play. Guards Jenna Siebert and Emma Sixta led the team with 17 and 14 points, respectively. Siebert also notched nine rebounds, and Sixta had six assists. The Orediggers have faced steep competition in this winter. In November, they took on four Top 15 teams in consecutive games, including No. 1 Texas Woman’s. Mines lost four of the three, but squeaked out a 92-88 win at home against No. 9 Minnesota State.
WINDOW Women’s basketball
The Orediggers had a rocky start in 2024 but are hoping to find their footing in 2025. On Dec. 20, the Mines women’s basketball team lost 69-59 at home to Angelo State, bring-
SEE WINTER TEAMS, P2
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