Good morning, Golden! And a happy National Bird Day to all who celebrate (especially this Goose) and to anyone who appreciates a good bit of birdwatching. Which reminds me of Joe Zimmerman’s stand-up on birding. Today I learned that a gaggle of geese refers to geese on land or water, but once they take flight, they become a skein, team, or wedge. The most generic term is simply a flock, which works anywhere. 🤯 (Birdfact)
While Mines students soak up their final days of break and GHS Demons head back to class on Wednesday, this Goose has been busy lining up your social calendar—so grab a pen and start marking those dates.
In today’s issue:
🌳 East End Amenities Draft Vision
🥏 Ultimate Frisbee Rebrand
📌 Bulletin Board
🍻 Weekly Trivia
📆 Events This Week & Upcoming
🌳 East End Amenities Draft Vision
Curious what might be built east of Washington Ave as part of the Heart of Golden project? Check out the draft East Zone Amenity Vision Plan, which includes recommendations that will be presented to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at their January 15, 2026 meeting and to City Council February 10, 2026.
TL; DR…all 69 slides:
The East Amenity Zone is being reimagined as one continuous civic space, not a bunch of disconnected pieces. Right now, Parfet Park, Vanover Park, and Tucker Gulch feel like separate destinations. The plan’s idea is to stitch them together into a single, walkable, creek-forward civic spine—making it easier to wander, picnic, tube, or head to a festival.
One of the biggest transformations…Tucker Gulch goes from an “inaccessible drainage channel” to a playful, nature creek space.
Cover page
Tucker Gulch gets a glow-up (Page 47)
Fun calendar of Golden’s events (Page 20)
🥏 Ultimate Frisbee Rebrand
The Colorado Summit have officially rebranded as the Colorado Apex, marking a new chapter for Colorado’s professional ultimate frisbee team. The new name reflects both the team’s competitive success in the Ultimate Frisbee Association and Colorado’s mountain identity. Since joining the league in 2022, the team has reached the playoffs three times in four seasons, including a West Division title in its inaugural year. The original “Summit” name was passed to the incoming National Women's Soccer League expansion team, the new Denver Summit FC.
Chosen from more than 700 community submissions, “Apex” symbolizes the “persistent strive for excellence”, Colorado’s natural landscape, and the drive to reach peak potential. The Colorado Apex will continue playing home games at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden and Pinnacle Athletic Complex in Thornton for the 2026 season.
📌 Bulletin Board
Youth Pottery Classes Start Soon - Classes are starting up soon, and if your kiddo is waitlisted or can’t make them, March/April class registration opens Feb 13 @ 4:30pm.
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.
Reminders:
BGOLDN needs your egg cartons 🥚 - The BGOLDN Food Pantry is in need of donated egg cartons to help pack and distribute eggs to families in need. Drop off at BGOLDN pantry located at 17455 W 16th Ave in Golden. Drop-off times:
Tues 12:00 pm-4:00 pm
Wed 11:00 am-3:00 pm
Thurs 9:00 am-1:00 pm & 4:00-7:00pm
Fri 11:00 am-4:00 pm
Help Find a New Home for Xicamiti - Xicamiti closed its doors on December 22, and they’re looking for a new location. In the meantime, a GoFundMe was started to help support them during their search.
Christmas Tree Recycling - Turn your live tree to mulch by recycling it Dec 26-Jan 26 (8am-4pm daily) at The Splash (3151 Illinois St). Trees only — no branches, wreaths, or other wood, etc. The trees will be turned into mulch, which will eventually be available for free at the public pickup site on 11th St, just west of the Clear Creek History Park.
🍻 Weekly Trivia
Dear anonymous reader, your feedback was heard (thank you!). It’s been a minute since this Goose mentioned trivia so I’ll be providing semi-regular updates on Trivia going down around town. To note, The Golden Mill recently changed their trivia to Wednesdays.
Tues - Buffalo Rose Sky Bar @ 6:30pm
Tues - Atomic Cowboy @ 7:00pm
Wed - Holidaily @ 6:30pm
Wed - The Golden Mill @ 6:30pm
📆 Events This Week & Upcoming
Highlighted in green = Kid Friendly
MONDAY (1/5)
🪴 Spring 1 – Pottery All Levels at Foothills Art Center (1/5 @ 5:30pm) - “This class is designed for the beginner student, but is open to all levels of skill. Students must be 18 years of age or older.”
WEDNESDAY (1/7)
🔥 Sunset Campfires w/ Caramelized Beers and S’Mores at New Terrain (1/7 @ 5pm) - Free entry, caramelization, and s’mores — just buy the beer!
🎵 Eric Golden Acoustic at Miners Saloon (1/7 @ 6pm)
⛷ Avy Safety 101 + State of the Snowpack Clinic at Bengate Mountaineering (1/7 @ 6pm) - “Join us for our Avy 101 Clinic, a free, one-hour introduction to avalanche awareness designed for anyone who loves being in the mountains.” In the State of the Snowpack session, “we’ll explore how weather and storms shape the snowpack and what that means for your backcountry adventures.”
THURSDAY (1/8)
🔴 Pokémon Club at Golden Library (1/8 @ 4pm) - “Visit the library each month as Pokémon trainers of all levels come together for an hour of fun!”
🎵 Ghost Town Drifters at New Terrain Brewing (1/8 @ 6pm)
FRIDAY (1/8)
SATURDAY (1/10)
🧘 Yoga with a Ranger (1/10 @ 8:30am) - “Find peace and stillness this season with a gentle indoor yoga session held in the Nature Center's exhibit area.” Free for ages 12 and up.
✨ Make & Manifest, Vision Board Workshop at Foothills Art Center (1/10 @ 10am) - “This workshop is a guided, creative experience where participants use images, words, and symbols to visually map out their goals, dreams, and intentions for the future.”
SUNDAY (1/11)
🏃 Parent Run Club @ Evolution PT (1/11 @ 10:30am) - “We will be running ~4 miles on North Table Mountain trails. All paces are welcome (hikers included) and we will stop at trail junctions to make sure everyone is on the route.”
💃 Sunday Swing at Buffalo Rose (1/11 @ 4pm) - Lessons at 4pm; Flatirons Jazz Orchestra at 5pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
🎨 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!”
☕ 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!”
👢 Country Line Dancing Night at The Rose (1/14 @ 7pm) - “Get ready to boot scoot and boogie at Golden’s hottest country night!”
🎣 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.”
🥸 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!”
🍺 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!”
🕯 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.
🍻 UllrGrass Music & Beer Festival (1/30-2/1)
🍷 The Science of Wine: A Valentine’s Tasting Experience at Mine’s Museum (1/13 @ 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!
As always, thanks for reading. Happy New Year & happy National Bird Day!
