Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why did Golden agree to a $155,000 payout for its manager?
Make time for Kittredge Canyonfest on the Golden Patch calendar
Hey there, Golden! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why did Golden agree to a $155,000 payout for its manager?
- How alleged ditch sabotage could affect Golden's drinking water security
- How strong is Mines looking before kickoff in Golden this Saturday?
Also on today's calendar: Kittredge Canyonfest and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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Find a T-Mobile store near Golden. 
- Saturday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 89 and low of 66 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 86, low: 63.
- Monday: A stray afternoon t-storm, with a high of 79 and low of 59 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. News About Golden - August 28, 2026 (goldentoday.com) — Golden's city council has approved a roughly $155,000 severance payment for recently fired city manager Scott Vargo, a decision that affects how local tax dollars are spent. The roundup also highlights this week's Golden Bike Cruise festivities and a Colorado School of Mines professor's new federal award to improve pipeline safety technology. 
2. Colorado man arrested on charges of tampering with Front Range water supply systems, diverting ditch (denverpost.com) — Golden's drinking water supply is implicated in a new criminal case, as a 65-year-old man is charged with repeatedly tampering with the Berthoud Pass Watershed Ditch that funnels water to Northglenn and Golden. Prosecutors say he forced open headgates, damaged infrastructure, and diverted valuable drinking water, prompting a multi-year, multiagency investigation now moving into the courts.
3. No. 22 Wolves open 2026 at Colorado School of Mines on Saturday (wouwolves.com) — Colorado School of Mines will host 22nd-ranked Western Oregon in a season-opening football matchup this Saturday at Marv Kay Stadium in Golden. The preview breaks down returning players, preseason rankings, and recent history between the programs for fans heading to the game.
4. Westracks shuttle wraps up first summer serving Jefferson County communities (krystal93.com) — A free Westracks shuttle is wrapping up its first summer linking RTD's Golden Station with downtown Morrison, Red Rocks, and nearby attractions on weekends and holidays. With about 1,600 riders so far, organizers are considering longer hours, more stops, and better concert access during the remaining two years of the pilot.
5. Machine learning improves irradiance prediction in bifacial PV systems (pv-magazine.com) — A new study used data from NREL's Golden-based bifacial solar testbed to compare machine learning methods for predicting solar panel irradiance. Researchers found nonlinear models, especially random forests, significantly improved accuracy, potentially informing better solar design and performance analysis worldwide.
📸 Around Golden
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Golden
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Kittredge Canyonfest →
Kittredge Community Park, 26440 CO-74, Kittredge
10:00 am
Saturday September 5
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Rocky Mountain Regional Camera Show →
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Exhibit Halls - 15200 W 6th Avenue Golden CO 80401
9:00 am - Vago's Lucha Libre →
Jefferson County Fairgrounds Livestock Arena - 15200 W 6th Avenue Golden CO 80401
6:00 pm - Round Two Choice Enrollment Closes
Bell Middle School Golden, CO 80401
8:20 am - Vision and Hearing
Bell Middle School Golden, CO 80401
8:20 am - Let's Dance
Golden Library 1019 Tenth Street, Golden, CO 80401
10:15 am - Interviewing for Success
Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center via Zoom -
1:00 pm - Pomona Boys Soccer - Game day v Pinnacle
Pomona High School Lakewood Memorial Field Lakewood, CO 80214
5:00 pm - HS VB @ Addenbrooke
Two Roads Charter School Addenbrooke Classical Academy High School, 3605 S Teller St, Den
5:30 pm - Mystery Night @ New Terrain Brewing Co →
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
6:00 pm - Baby Goat Nights 2026 - 9/9 →
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
5:00 pm - WanderFest '26 (10th Anniversary Party) →
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
12:00 pm
Sunday August 30
Monday August 31
Thursday September 3
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 17
📣 Golden Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Golden PatchAM possible:
- Arbor View Senior Living — (303) 732-5909
- Junk Wranglers — (970) 500-8518
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Large black bear sighting!
Golden Colorado at Washington and 1st. For the second time in a week I've seen a very large black bear crossing washington. I believe the black bear… (Nextdoor Golden) - Green little guy.
So very tiny as these are ponderosa pine needles. But beautiful color. They call him "smooth". (Nextdoor Golden Gate Canyon)
- Travel America / Petro - TA Operating, LLC posted a job opening for Porter in Wheat Ridge. Apply here.
- King Soopers, Inc. posted a job opening for Grocery Night Clerk in Arvada. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Golden here.
Ok Golden! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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