Businesses budding among highlights

Another remarkable year in Golden has gone by and while there were many wonderful people, events and changes that took place, the Transcript teased out the ones that stood out the most.

Crime during the year

Gerald Hurley, a registered sexually violent predator, was acquitted on two felony charges for failing to register as an SVP with the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office. Hurley’s release from prison in 2013 prompted a community meeting notification after his decision to live in Golden. After his 7-month stint in county jail on suspicion of parole violation for the failing to register with the proper authorities, Hurley was found not guilty by a jury. He later registered with the Jeffco Sheriff’s Office and provided a fixed address in a trailer on Mount Vernon Road in unincorporated Jeffco. Jeffco District Attorney Pete Weir stated he supports the jury’s decision but is disappointed in the verdict. He added that Hurley is “very dangerous.”

Thomas Laperch, 22, pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder in the death of Golden resident and local musician, William Burchett, 54. According to the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Laperch’s defense raised mental conditions as part of the not guilty plea, but did not enter a not guilty plea based on reason of insanity or competency. Laperch will be ordered to the Colorado Mental Health Institute in Pueblo for evaluation where results will be shared in court on Jan. 22 during a review hearing.

Kenneth Hosch, 83 of Golden was sentenced to six years in community corrections for the death of Jeffco sheriff’s sergeant David Baldwin after a devastating impact on Highway 93 in early 2013. Attorney’s at the Jeffco District Attorney’s Office requested for a six-year sentence to be carried out in the department of corrections but district court judge Margie Enquist placed Hosch in community corrections in order for him to continue sharing his story while discussing safe senior driving. According to Hosch’s attorney Greg Garland, this is what Hosch has been doing since the tragic accident which killed Baldwin on January 26.

New businesses this year in Golden

With new businesses joining the Golden Chamber of Commerce monthly, it can be difficult to keep track of all the new companies Golden welcomed this year. The ones that stood out the most to the Transcript included State 38 Distillery, Elote’s, 5 Star Baking and iGrow. All four businesses brought innovative and unique services to Golden such as agave based spirits from State 38 Distillery that released a quality line of whiskeys, vodkas, and gins as well as a community brandy that is currently under production.

Owners Luis and Carolina Asprino opened Elote’s on 2500 East St. in the spring. The small café serves authentic Venezuelan dishes once lost to Venezeula’s culture. Corn-based flat bread dishes and signature Arepas and Cachapas are some of the highlights of Elote’s unique menu. 5 Star Bakery modestly opened its doors over the summer and released a new twist on baking goods by serving up gluten-free pastries as well as, muffins, breads and essential baking ingredients such as flour, various mixes and frozen crusts. “Sunlight in a bulb” is just some of the cutting edge lighting techniques offered at iGrow, who also specializes in hydroponics, a method used to grow plants, flowers and vegetation by using mineral treated water instead of soil. Induction lighting, originally patented in 1891 by Nikola Tesla, has been modified for agriculture and is now offered at iGrow. “Your plants just grow healthier, they’re actually photosynthesizing,” said Kyle Fanfoni, manager and sales rep at iGrow.

Dawn Smith heads Golden Chamber of Commerce

It’s been another busy year for the Golden Chamber of Commerce and Dawn Smith has seemingly made a smooth transition into her new role as CEO/president.

“Dawn Smith is smart, energetic, and dedicated,” said Kelley Jackson Condon, 2015 chairperson for the chamber of commerce board of directors. “She has worked incredibly hard to learn the position, and all the people and pieces that go along with it.”

Smith hit the ground running in February and discussed ideas with board members to review and analyze improvements to annual events. The annual chamber’s backyard barbecue was cut from the list of events and replaced with the “Taste of Golden” held in May. Former Golden Chamber president Gary Wink, whom Smith replaced, said the chamber needs a bold leader that is capable of trying new things.

So far, Smith is an example of Wink’s advice.

“She has brought a lot of new innovative ideas to the table and we are looking forward to 2015 and the 95th anniversary of the Golden Chamber of Commerce,” Jackson Condon said.

Proud to Be Beautiful Me Fashion Show

Autumn Shea, owner of Bumps & Bundles, a consignment shop for baby and toddler items, organized a state-wide fashion show for children with various physical and mental disabilities. Drawing on inspiration from her two grandchildren who require extra attention for their own personal handicaps, Shea organized and promoted the show herself with help from generous Golden merchants. All ticket sales went to a charity of the ticket purchaser’s choosing. Over a dozen children, from all over the Denver area including Colorado Springs, participated in the event.

“This is one of their moments,” Shea said. “This is for them and their families.” Golden High School hosted the event and 18 students acted as volunteers. Today, Shea has partnered with the Special People Special Needs Foundation and her fashion show, now called Proud to Be Me will be held at a larger venue at Wings Over The Rockies, the largest party held for individuals who are abled-differently.

For more information, visit . To donate, sponsor or volunteer, contact Trish Morris, CEO/president of the Special People Special Needs Foundation at 303-717-6869.

City says no to retail marijuana

City Council unamiously decided to prohibit all recreational marijuana shops in Golden in early June. Surrounding cities like Lakewood and Arvada opted out of retail pot with the exception of Wheat Ridge. Council members commented that losing Golden’s family-friendly identity to pot shops just wasn’t worth the city’s reputation. They also stated the law’s ambiguity and constant modifications made them hesitant to allow retail marijuana.

“If in 10 years or 5 years that it becomes somehow obvious that we have made a mistake then that would be the time to address that but there are shifting sands right now, the regulations are constantly changing,” said Councilwoman Pamela Gould.

The Jeffco Board of County Commissioners may be leaning toward banning retail pot shops in unincorporated Jeffco but are heavily researching manufacturing and testing options for marijuana.

Local WWII veteran added to history archives

A handful of members from the Golden Leadership program, which enhances opportunities for Golden residents to make a difference, created a Veteran’s History Project in which preserving World War II veteran’s stories were recorded and delivered to the Library of Congress. Golden resident, Sgt. Frank Habersberger, who served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a flight engineer, was part of that project.

Like many veteran’s, Habersberger has memories from the war that left permanent impressions on his life. Around 16 million American’s served during the war, with an estimated 1,200,000 that are still living today. More than 1,400 World War II veterans pass away each day, according to the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight, an organization dedicated to flying World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to visit “their” memorial. Not only has Habersberger’s story been added to the Library of Congress, he is also one of Golden’s oldest residents after turning 100 years old in October.

Golden Bowl Closes, Natural Grocers Opens

Longtime bowlers at the Golden Bowl bid farewell to their home away from home as Equity Ventures stepped in to tear down the 62-year-old bowling alley and constructed a Natural Grocers which opened in October. The iconic Golden Bowl sign hangs in the entryway of the store, and is lit up at night which can be seen from S. Golden Rd. Pedal Pushers, the bicycle store, moved to a retail center at 6th and Heritage Road while Golden Music remains. Golden Bowl’s faithful patrons were unhappy with the decision to sell a city landmark in exchange for a corporate business.

“I hate for this to go away but I think it’s time for a change,” Tom Yang, property owner for the building said. “I think the grocery store will be beautiful for this corner.”

Golden Cemetery Headstones

Selfless deeds punctuate the behind the scenes work of grounds keeper at the Golden Cemetery, Walt Rodriquez, who has been quietly restoring over 130-year-old headstones for the last seven years. Having taught himself how to repair sandstone, Rodriquez has saved more than two dozen markers which have broken over have been recovered from deep within the ground as decades of overgrown sod and turf eventually absorbed the tombstone.

“It just didn’t seem right to have them lying around in different places,” Rodriquez said. “I just kind of thought it was the right thing to get them up and restore them as much as possible.”

Restoring historical headstones preserves the city’s history while celebrating the lives that have shaped a community, goals held tightly by Golden Cemetery and the city. Rodriquez’s work and initiative to preserve the cemetery’s monuments to life and in turn, respecting and caring for the memories of those who have passed on, are reasons why this story makes the Top 10 list.

Armory changes owners

Calvary Episcopal Church purchased the historical Armory building in early July for $ 2.1 million from former owner Yoshie Feaster, who runs a separate realty business in Honolulu.

“Although Calvary owns the real estate, it’s not a Calvary project,” said Khristine Rogers, board member of the Golden Community Commons, a Colorado nonprofit. “It will truly become a gathering place for everyone in Golden and there are many ways that will manifest.”

Several community meetings were held to discuss ideas on how the building should be used but no decisions have been made. Soon after the purchase, Calvary moved forward with a plan to close off Arapahoe St. and add a parking structure for the church’s campus. City Council tabled Calvary’s plan, requesting the church present a more comprehensive design plan that would address concerns for parking, connectivity and walkability of the area.

Soles4Souls

Exactly 266 students at Pleasant View Elementary received a new pair of shoes at the close of the summer through Soles4Souls.CO shoe distribution. This story concludes the city of Golden’s win for best reception for charity runner Rae Heim, who ran barefoot from Boston to Manhattan Beach, California to raise awareness about for Soles4Souls, a nonprofit organization that distributes shoes to 127 countries. Pleasant View was selected as the site in Golden for the shoe distribution, but the sharing didn’t stop there. The school has donated shoes to Soles4Souls to help keep shoe distributions going.

“We’re just so thankful for them” said Janace Fischer, principal at Pleasant View Elementary. “It is definitely a need that our community has to get new shoes.”

Smoking ordinance in place

Golden City Council voted to prohibit smoking on Washington Avenue as well as city open spaces in September. The ordinance goes into effect on Jan. 1. The proposal was led by Councilor Saoirse Charis-Graves. The city now defines smoking to mean a burning of lighted cigarette, cigar, pipe or any other substance that contains tobacco or marijuana, and also prohibits the use of electronic smoking devices or e-cigarettes.

Smoking on all public sidewalks and right of way along Washington Avenue including between 10th and 14th streets, the area along both sides of 12th street between Arapahoe and Ford streets as well as the area along both sides of 13th Street between Arapahoe and Ford streets is prohibited, according to the ordinance. City owned parks, open space, indoor or outdoor athletic fields including spectator areas are just some of the new additions to the ordinance which adds 25 feet of a smoke-free area around city controlled portions of the Kinney Run trail, Cressman Gulch trail, Tucker Gulch trail, Clear Creek trail and US6/SH93 trail.

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