Good morning, Golden—and welcome back, Mines students! Campus is buzzing again, coffee lines are longer, and town has officially shifted back into its winter rhythm.

This week’s Goose is a classic mix of get-out-and-move, plan-ahead-for-your-sanity, and celebrate-something-new energy. There’s a brand-new winter race series for the fast (and casually ambitious), summer camp registration intel for the parents playing the long game, and the grand opening of Golden’s newest spot to post up with a drink and a game of pool. Toss in mustache competitions, bingo nights, candle making, and ice fishing for kids, and you’ve got yourself a well-rounded January. But it’s not just January to look forward to, check “Upcoming Events” for events like UllrGrass and Goldens in Golden!

Let’s get into it. 🪿

In today’s issue:

  • 🏃 New Winter Race Series

  • 🚸 Summer Camp Registration

  • 🍻 Grand Opening of Golden’s Newest Bar

  • 📌 Bulletin Board

  • 📆 Events This Week & Upcoming

🏃 New Winter Race Series

Golden Mountain Runners just served up a hot 🔥 new race series this winter season: the Colorado Outdoor Pace Series (C.O.P.S).

Taking place “from January to March at the Colorado State Patrol car training track on South Table Mountain. The series will consist of a minimum of six and a maximum of eight different foot races of various distances.”

Athletes can choose to participate in one race or participate in the whole series, but be sure to 👉 register here!

Dates:
January 7, 2026, 6pm- 5K
January 21, 2026, 6pm - 45min
February 4, 2026, 6pm - 10K
February 18, 2026, 6pm - 60min
March 4, 2026, 6pm - 15k
March 18, 2026, 6pm - 90min
April 1, 2026, 6pm (Backup Snow Date/Non-Series Bonus Race)
April 15, 2026, 6pm (Backup Snow Date/Non-Series Bonus Race)

Location:
South Table Mountain - South Quaker Street Entrance
Coordinates: 39°44'57.8"N 105°10'50.1"W

🌯 And while they’re at it…Golden Mountain Runners has ALSO created a Burrito League: Golden Colorado edition. “One Strava segment + burritos worth running for.” Starts TODAY and goes through Jan 31st. See more here.

🚸 Summer Camp Registration

Parents…I know. You just got your brain back. And now I’m about to ask you to think about summer camp registration. I’m sorry. Take a strong sip of coffee. I’ll just leave this right here for Future You.

  • Required to be a member to register. Most classes sold out with early registration for Explorer Members & above.

  • See various class offerings and dates at the link above.

  • “CMC Youth Programs offers exciting camps and courses for every age, skill level, and outdoor passion!”

Open Now: Avid4Adventure Camps (grades 5-12)

  • Our 3 to 12 day Expedition Camps transport 5th – 12th graders to some of the most stunning, secluded natural spaces in Colorado and Wyoming for an authentic—and transformative—experience.

  • New in 2026! Experience our Family Trip Expeditions – the best of camping—without the hassle.

  • Camp is offered for eight weeks using a flexible half-day format. Most families create full-day schedules by selecting both a morning and afternoon theme.

  • Full-day schedules operate from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Extended care (early and/or late) options are also available.

  • Fresh for summer 2026 we will have new themes for ages 6-8!

  • Pricing per week: Member: half-day $195, full-day $390 / Non-member: half-day $220, full-day $440

Opens Jan 15: Miner’s Alley Summer Camps (elementary through teen)

  • Miners Alley offers summer camps and programs for elementary, middle, and high school students. Led by professional teaching artists with years of experience in theatre and education, students collaborate and communicate to create original work and to stage sensational performances.

  • Teen Programs open Feb 5

Opens Jan 20: Golden Summer Camp Registration (ages 2.5-12)
(The following comes from the City of Golden Weekly Digest Newsletter)

  • Camps run 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m. each day, with a half-day preschool option available from 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

  • Kids enjoy a wide variety of activities, including swimming, group games, arts and crafts, and hands-on projects.

  • New this year: Camp for ages 8–12 will be based at Tony Grampsas Park and includes two field trips each week.

  • Daily camp rates: Regular days: $60 residents / $65 non-residents (field trips have different prices)

  • Changes to registrations can be made until 7 a.m. on Friday, May 8.

Opens Feb 13: Arvada Center Summer Art Camps (ages 3-18)

  • Ceramics, dance, drama, digital arts, humanities, music and visual art camps

  • Times and prices vary by class.

🍻 Grand Opening of Golden’s Newest Bar

The Down Low’s Grand Opening is this Friday at 5pm - 2am, and all are invited! Come check out Golden’s newest bar — a billiards hall and cocktail lounge with live sports, dart boards, and a jukebox.

Location: 1224 Washington Street, Suite 135B (near Gnarly’s)

📌 Bulletin Board

Have your pup be part of Foothills art show! - “With just a photo of your dog, you’ll receive a hand-drawn 4”x4” black-and-white ink portrait that will be featured in the Gallery from 1/30-3/1. Deadline to purchase is January 15. (From the Foothills newsletter)

Handyman Connections of Golden is looking for volunteer projects - “We’re looking for local projects that could use a helping hand — home repairs for nonprofits, families in need, or anyone who could use a little hope with their hammer. If you know someone deserving of free home repair or improvement work, submit a project idea through Women in Construction — and let’s make a difference together.”

Why don’t you go to rec center exercise classes? - …or maybe you do! Either way, the Rec Center wants your feedback to help shape their programming. The survey asks to share about a particular class, but there’s an “additional comments” section at the bottom. Let them know what it’ll take to get you into class.

Reminders:

Taking care of your trees in Winter - The City of Golden sent out a reminder in their newsletter to take care of your trees, especially during this extended warm period. Check out the watering resource link they shared.

📆 Events This Week & Upcoming

Highlighted in green = Kid Friendly

TUESDAY (1/13)

  • 🎨 Paint and Pints at Holidaily (1/13 @ 6pm) - “$48 includes all of your painting supplies, one 10”x30” tall canvas, instruction with demonstration and endless fun!”

WEDNESDAY (1/14)

  • Golden Startup Coffee (1/14 @ 9am) - “Connect with Golden’s thriving entrepreneurial community. We’ll have the fresh local brew on the stadium seats at Connects Workspace Red Rocks!”

  • 🍷 Wine, Women, & Wealth (1/14 @ 6:30pm) - “Relax, enjoy a glass of wine and light appetizers, meet other amazing women, and learn about money! It's FREE, now that's smart money.”

  • 👢 Country Line Dancing Night at The Rose (1/14 @ 7pm) - “Get ready to boot scoot and boogie at Golden’s hottest country night!”

THURSDAY (1/15)

FRIDAY (1/16)

SATURDAY (1/17)

  • 🎣 Ice Fishing Junior Ragers (1/17 @ 10am) - “Enjoy a wintry day at Pine Valley Ranch Park while exploring the basics of ice fishing!  Learn about techniques, equipment, fish ecology, ice safety, and being a good steward of nature while angling in the winter.” Ideal for ages 6-12 with adult, but all children are welcome.

  • 🥃 State 38 Cocktail Class (1/17 @ 4pm) - “Join us for an evening under the still and barrels to learn how to create two signature State 38 cocktails.”

SUNDAY (1/18)

  •  🥸 Mustache Competition at Golden City Brewery (1/18) - “Think you've got the chops to compete in GCB's first annual mustache competition? Saturday, January 18th, during the break at the Cowboy Gathering.  Impress the bartenders and win a gift card!”

  • 🧘 Elements & The Ayurvedic Mind at PranaTonic (1/18 @ 1pm) - “Explore how the Five Elements shape your thoughts and emotions, and work with the wisdom of Tamas, Rajas, Sattva, and the Chakras to gain insight into your own mental patterns and inner landscape.”

UPCOMING EVENTS:

  • 🎨 Creative Chaos: Where Wild Ideas Become Great Art (1/20 @ 4:15-5:30pm) - “A one-of-a-kind art program where kids dive into the playful world of abstract art.” Recommended for Tweens at the Golden Library.

  • 🍺 Golden Beer Talks (1/20 @ 6pm) - “Ever wonder what your brain and a 3D printer have in common? Answer: They are both difficult to image through using light in the visible spectrum!”

  • 🎿 Ski X Board Tune Night at New Terrain (1/21 @ 5-9pm) - “For just $30, you'll get a Wax-N-Edge…as well as one of our delicious beers (or non-alcoholic libations) while you wait OR you’re welcome to pick up your gear tomorrow during business hours!”

  • 🕯 Make & Take: Adorned Coconut & Soy Wax Candles at Earth Sweet Boutique (1/22) - “Join us for a cozy, hands-on class where you’ll make and dress your very own Coconut & Soy Wax container candles. “

  • 🎸 UllrGrass Band Contest at New Terrain (1/22 @ 6pm) - Enjoy an evening of free live music as finalists (9 bands) each perform a 3-song set in front of a panel of judges. The winner of the UllrGrass Band Contest will be offered a set at the UllrGrass Music Festival 2026 and a Main Stage set at UllrGrass 2027.

  • 🤠 35th Colorado Cowboy Gathering at The Rose (1/30 @ 1-4:30pm) - “Join us for our “Kickin’ It Off” Matinee, 35th Annual Colorado Cowboy Gathering, a festival of Western music, poetry, and storytelling that celebrates the heart of cowboy heritage.”

  • 🍻 UllrGrass Music & Beer Festival (1/30-2/1) - “Named one of the Top Ten Outdoor Music Festivals in Colorado by the Westword, UllrGrass features a diverse lineup of bluegrass, newgrass, funk and jamband artists.”

  • 🐶 Goldens in Golden (2/7 @ 9am-1pm) - “Thousands of Goldens and their humans gather downtown and along Washington Avenue beneath the iconic Golden arch! It’s cheerful, ado

  • 🍷 The Science of Wine: A Valentine’s Tasting Experience at Mine’s Museum (2/13 @ 6pm) - “Sample multiple wines, learn the science behind flavor and aroma, and discover how Earth’s geology plays a surprising role in every glass.”

  • 🚲 E-Bikes in Golden: A Community Conversation (3/10 @ 5:30pm) - Bike Walk Golden Presents: “Thinking about buying an ebike? Already riding one? Just curious? Hear from a panel of Golden PD, Bicycle Colorado, and Community Experts.” Will take place at Mountain Toad Brewing.

THANKS!

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