Good morning, Golden! Did you think I ghosted you yesterday? Never. Call me the holiday trash service: I’m just arriving a day later than usual. 🚛
I also spent the last week largely without service, getting out in nature and hanging out with some amazing women. Which is a fitting segue because I hope you were able to check out Confluence Coffee’s first Women’s Gathering last week. And while we’re on the subject of Confluence, founders Paige and Andrew kindly took some time to answer a few questions for the flock.
If you haven’t stopped by Golden’s newest coffee shop yet, consider this your nudge. The coffee is great, the space is lovely, and apparently Carol has already figured out the ideal visitation schedule. 😆
In today’s issue:
🪿 Meet the Flock: Confluence Coffee
📋 Trivia
📌 Bulletin Board
📆 Events This Week & Upcoming
🪿 Meet the Flock: Confluence Coffee
I’ve been excited about Confluence Coffee since before they opened their doors about five weeks ago (if you haven’t seen their Instagram videos of their “buildout series”, you definitely should — they’re fun), so I’m especially grateful to Paige and Andrew for letting me introduce them to the flock.
Paige & Andrew of Confluence Coffee
1. If your Golden story were a movie, what would the made-up title be? Optional: include a 1–3 sentence description.
Andrew wrote a song called "Golden Intuition" when we decided to move here a few years ago from Maryland. We got engaged at Garden of the Gods in 2018, which made Paige realize that she needed to live near the mountains. Leaving the East Coast wasn't an easy decision, but it felt like our intuition was guiding us to make it happen.
We found Golden and fell in love immediately. Life feels like it is filled with more flow and more fullness being out here.
Side note: If Confluence were a tv show, it would be Gilmore Girls (specifically Luke's Diner).
2. What would your ideal Saturday in Golden include?
Our ideal Saturday in Golden consists of a sunrise hike with our aussie, Ovi, at Apex followed by a creek dip and sauna session at the Golden Community Center. It would involve posting up at a cozy coffee shop, like Windy Saddle, with a good book and a warm drink.
Andrew's would include playing guitar on Washington Avenue with his friend Dylan who usually plays outside of Old Capitol Grill.
Favorite trails: Enchanted Forest at Apex, riding bikes on Peaks to Plains trail by the creek, North Table, South Table.
3. What’s one Golden event, place, or experience you think more people should know about?
Live music at Goosetown Station!
We saw It's A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at Miner's Alley Performing Arts Center over the holidays and it was hilarious.
4. What are you working on / excited about / shamelessly plugging right now?
We're getting monthly events on the schedule for Confluence Coffee's garage space. We just hosted our first Cups and Connections Women's Gathering in the garage this morning (the first Wednesday of every month). We're open to suggestions and collaborations, email us at [email protected].
5. Finish either sentence: “Golden would be even better if…” or “Golden needs more…” (could be funny, civic-minded, business specific, etc)
Golden would be even better if everyone could be like our regular, Carol. She comes into the shop almost every morning and puts a smile on our faces. Today, she dropped off pints of ice cream from Golden Sweets. Thank you, Carol!
Golden's pretty great as it is, which is why it's an honor to be a part of this community.
Thanks Paige & Andrew! 💛
📋 Trivia
In 2026, the United States and Colorado are celebrating what is sometimes called the “250-150.” What delightfully absurd word describes this joint anniversary?
A. Semiquincentennial
B. Sesquicentennial
C. Sesquisemiquincentennial
D. Bicentennial
Answer at the end
📌 Bulletin Board
Thriving Communities and Arts & Culture Grants Available - “The City of Golden is announcing $500,000 in grant funding for 2027 Thriving Communities and Arts and Culture Programs! Applications are due by 10:00 p.m. on Friday, October 2.”
Stories in the Sky Drone Show This Weekend - Grab a picnic blanket or chair and “watch history come to life overhead.” Live music, food trucks, and ice cream.
Next Golden Hour Mashup is September 16 - Don’t forget to mark your calendar for Golden’s second (of three) Mashups. “Businesses across Golden will stay open late with one-night-only experiences…”
Reminders:
Shiny Sphere Search Runs Through September - Every day in September (twice on weekends), a Shiny Sphere is hidden around Golden. Follow the clues on their Instagram to find the sphere first, and it’s yours to keep!
Lions Park Playground Replacement Project Update - Check out the new proposed play equipment and latest park design from the City’s August 18th update.
Secure your trash from bears! - With increased bear activity, the City is encouraging residents to secure their trash by: 1. storing carts in a secure location whenever possible for as long as possible; 2. keeping dumpster lids fully closed, and never leave food beside a dumpster; and 3. waiting until collection day to bring out trash carts, and never leave them out overnight.
📆 Events This Week & Upcoming
Highlighted in green = Kid Friendly
WEDNESDAY (9/9)
☕ Golden Startup Coffee (9/9 @ 9-11am) - “Morning meetup for entrepreneurs, innovators, creatives, professionals, investors, and everyone to help founders and elevate the entrepreneurial community in Golden, Colorado.”
💻 Beck Venture Center Startup Forum: Intellectual Property Force Fields for your Startup (9/9 @ 3:30pm) - “Once you have had ‘the next big idea’, how do you protect that idea once you’re ready to share it with the world? The Beck Venture Center is thrilled to welcome back Bill Barrett to give us an insight into how IP (Intellectual Property) law works…”
🐐 Baby Goat Nights at New Terrain (9/9 @ 5pm) - Last chance to see baby goats at New Terrain this year, and Wandering Book Co - a mobile bookstore - will also be there!
🌽 1st Annual Golden Rotary Corn Hole Tournament at Calvary Church (9/9 @ 5:30pm) - “Grab a partner and enter a team, join us as a sponsor, or simply come hang out, cheer on the competition and enjoy some great food and beers!” All proceeds support community programs, youth initiatives, and service projects.
🖊 Contemplative Memoir Class at Foothills Art Center (9/9 @ 5:30pm) - This 4 week class starts back up! “No life is without miracles and magic, great loss and great love.”
💵 Wine, Women, & Wealth (9/9 @ 6:30pm) - “WWW is a community of women supporting each other in business and in their relationship with money. Amazing things happen when women get together in community.” Takes place at Connects Workspace off Arapahoe.
THURSDAY (9/10)
💵 Denver Giving Group Q2 2026 Meeting (9/10 @ 7pm) - Meet, listen, vote, make an impact. “The non-profit that receives the most votes will be awarded total of all donations—$100 from each member.” Takes place at Connects Workspace off West Colfax.
💎 Mines Museum Collections Benefit Sale (9/10 @ 1-8pm) - “Shop unique minerals, fossils, books, jewelry, artifacts, and other collectible treasures. Every purchase supports the museum’s exhibits, collections, and educational programs.”
🗳 League of Women Voter’s Jeffco Candidate Forum US House Dist 7 (9/10 @ 6pm) - “The League of Women Voters has joined forces with The Colorado Sun to host an in-person, live-streamed forum for the candidates running for CO US House District 7.”
FRIDAY (9/11)
🧘 Rooftop Barre at Golden Mill (9/11 @ 9:30am) - In partnership with Unite Fitness, “full-body barre workout overlooking Clear Creek and the surrounding mountain and mesa views.”
💎 Mines Museum Collections Benefit Sale (9/11 @ 10am-4pm) - “Shop unique minerals, fossils, books, jewelry, artifacts, and other collectible treasures. Every purchase supports the museum’s exhibits, collections, and educational programs.”
🎶 Golden Hour at Foothills Art Center (9/11 @ 6pm) - “Live music and demonstrating artists come together in the heart of Golden! Unwind in our courtyard, surrounded by mountain views, and enjoy delicious food and drink from local businesses.” Kids are free!
🎥 Teen Pride After Hours: Hunger GAYmes at Golden Library (9/11 @ 6pm) - “Bring your friends and relive the cult classic phenomenon at this movie night! Come to this fun and free event for LGBTQIA+ teens and allies in 6 – 12 grade.”
SATURDAY (9/12)
💎 Mines Museum Collections Benefit Sale (9/12 @ 10am-4pm) - “Shop unique minerals, fossils, books, jewelry, artifacts, and other collectible treasures. Every purchase supports the museum’s exhibits, collections, and educational programs.”
🍻 The Golden Mill’s Cheers to 150 Years (9/12 @ 11am-10pm) - “Join us at The Golden Mill for a full day of food, drinks, local history, and community fun as we celebrate Colorado’s 150th anniversary. We’re proud to donate 10% of all food and beverage sales from the day to Golden History Museum & Park.”
🧑🚒 GoldenFest Fundraiser for Golden Fire-Rescue at Golden City Brewery (9/12 @ 11am) - Join for their annual fundraiser for Golden Fire Rescue.
🌶 Pepper-Palooza at Cannonball (9/12 @ 12pm-11pm) - “Join us for a spicy, fun event! Chili Beer Release 12 PM; FREE Roasted Hatch Green Chilies 12 PM; Homemade Salsa Contest 3 PM (Swipe to see how to enter.); Live Music from T&A 4-6 PM; Special Guests Hotchie Motchie Hot Sauce and The Friendly Focaccia.”
🌠 Golden’s Stories in the Sky Drone Show (9/12 @ 7-8:30pm) - “Experience a high-tech tribute to Colorado’s heritage. Live music begins at 7:00 p.m., with the drones taking the sky at approximately 8:00 p.m. Grab a spot on the grass and watch history come to life overhead.” Takes place at Ulysses Park.
SUNDAY (9/13)
💃 Sunday Swing with The Flatirons Jazz Orchestra (9/13 @ 4pm) - Swing dance lessons followed by live music and swing dancing. Band plays at 5pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
💍 Silversmithing Class: Build your own Sterling Silver Ring @ EarthSweet Boutique (9/15 @ 6pm) - “Create a custom sterling silver ring, select & set the stone yourself!”
🍺 Golden Beer Talks: “Morrison, CO: Ancient Landscapes, Ancient Lives” (9/15 @ 6pm) - Check out this month’s speaker, Mary Ann Bonnell, as she discusses why Morrison is known for its exceptional place in paleontological history.
🌆 Golden Hour Mashup in Downtown Golden (9/16 @ 6-9pm) - Golden business stay open late, with live music, pop-ups, family activities, special menus, shopping, and more!
🗑 VOLUNTEER: Community Highway Cleanup at The Eddy (9/18 @ 9am) - “Join us for our quarterly highway cleanups! We will gather at The Eddy Taproom and Hotel lobby at 9am.” To note, you’ll need the watch the videos before participating.
🍂 Paint Night at Cannonball (9/19 @ 5-7pm) - “Feeling Fall? 🍂
Join us for a night of paint & pints!” No experience needed.🦙 Celebrate National Alpaca Day at The Eddy (9/21 @ 5-7pm) - A FREE event at the The Eddy. Please leave your 4 legged family members at home that night.
🍁 Sculpt Air Dry Clay at Golden Library (9/24 @ 5pm) - “Fall is in the air so don't leaf your creativity behind! Create fall themed air dry clay magnets with Holly Nordeck of Foothills Art Center!” For ages 19+.
⛰ VOLUNTEER: National Public Lands Day (9/26) - “Join one of many county-wide cleanups, then celebrate at Bear Creek Lake Park with food trucks, live music, and a raffle.” Registration required for one of the locations.
📚 Golden Silent Book Group (9/26 @ 1-2:30pm) - “Bring your own book to read in peaceful silence for one hour, followed by 30 minutes of optional conversation and mingling.” August through December!
🤸 Handstand Workshop at PranaTonic (9/27 @ 12pm) - “Whether you're kicking up for the very first time or looking to refine your handstand practice, this fun and empowering 90-minute workshop is designed to help you build strength, confidence, and body awareness in a supportive environment.”
🚲 Golden Bike Cruise: Zombie Edition (9/29 @ 5:30pm) - Come dressed as a Zombie for this year’s FINAL cruise!
📚 Books & Benders Book Club at Cannonball (9/29 @ 6pm) - Everyone welcome. This month’s book is “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore. October 27th is “The Dog Stars” by Peter Heller (I’m reading that now!); November 24th “Wild Dark Shore” by Charlotte McConaghy.
🍷 2nd Annual Golden Wine Festival (10/3 @ 11am-5pm) - “The 2nd Annual Golden Wine Festival will feature over 20 Colorado Wineries, Retail and Artisan Vendors, Live Music and food trucks” at Tony Grampas Park.
🕯 Make & Take: Adorned Coconut & Soy Wax Candles at Earth Sweet Boutique (10/8) - “Join us in this warm & cozy class as we transition seasons and make beautiful candles!”
🌶 Golden’s Original Chilifest 2026 (10/10 @ noon) - To enter as a Chili Chef, email [email protected].
👻 Mines Museum Spooktacular (10/17 @ 2-5pm) - “Mines Museum is throwing a Monster Mash! Join us for a super fun, FREE, teal pumpkin trick or treat event.” All ages.
🎤 Stories Worth Telling Festival at The American Mountaineering Center (10/16-10/18) - “Stories Worth Telling Festival is proud to showcase live storytellers, artists who bring personal narratives to life through voice, presence, and direct connection with the audience.”
🤠 2026 Golden Frontier Gala (10/24 @ 5:30pm) - Save the date for the Golden Civic Foundation’s gala in support of BGOLDN. First 50 ticket purchasers will receive a complementary Miner’s Alley ticket.
🏕 American Alpine Club Gala at Buffalo Rose (10/24) - “The American Alpine Club’s Annual Gala brings the climbing community together for an evening of celebration, recognition, and connection.”
THANKS!
C. Sesquisemiquincentennial. If someone knows how the heck to say that word, please send me the audio recording. Asking for a friend. Source
If you know someone who geeks out on drone displays, enjoys paleontology, or simply loves good coffee, I’d love it if you forwarded them this email. Thanks & have a great week! 🪿
