LOCAL HISTORY

Look close enough, and you’ll find Golden is chock-full of major Colorado history. Functioning as a mining camp in the mid 19th century, Golden had all the components of a quaint, family friendly environment- saloons, gunfights, brothels, and unruly mountain men. This was the Wild West after all. Yet Golden was a leading economic and political center of the region, with its strategic geographic location prime for the trade of gold to the west and settlements to the east. Few know this, but Golden City (as it was known) was once the official capital of the Territory of Colorado, from 1862-1867.

Remains of this time (literally) are still standing. The Loveland Block building (1122 Washington Ave) currently is the home of local favorite Old Capital Grill & Smokehouse- fitting name as you’ll see… Yet, when constructed in the mid 1860s, this building housed the Colorado Territorial legislature and assembly all under one roof, and functioned as the official capital building of Colorado.

Ever since Golden was awarded the capital in 1862, cross town rival Denver constantly made attempts to secure the capital for itself. In 1867, controversy arose, and the council voted by a 1 vote margin to move the capital to Denver. Cue the rumblings about shady business, backroom dealings, and bribery that made this happen. Legend has it the agreed upon bribe-for-vote scheme was never paid in full, and it seems there is no honor among thieves. We shall never know.

What we do know is today the Loveland Block is one of only two remaining buildings where the Colorado Territorial assembly is believed to have met, the other being in Colorado’s first capital, Colorado City.

So next time you’re in Golden, pop into Old Capital Grill & Smokehouse and enjoy an old fashion in the same building that helped birth Colorado as we know it.

FUN FACT

Last week we talked about the creation of Red Rocks Ampthitheatre and how it turned into the best concert venue in the world- 93% of you all agreed with that sentiment. As great as we all think Red Rocks is, there’s one award that Red Rocks can’t win, Pollstar Magazine’s “Best Small Outdoor Concert Venue.”

How is this possible you might ask? Well, after winning the award over and over (11 times total) Pollstar decided in 1999 it was silly to have Red Rocks in the running anymore 😂 .

Pollstar’s Best Small Outdoor Concert Venue is now simply known as the “Red Rocks Award”, giving our famous amphitheater the ultimate honor. I prefer the other name for said award- “best outdoor concert venue that isn’t Red Rocks.”

COMMUNITY

Foothill Crew is about shining a light on the good stuff happening around our area. We’re thinking about occasionally doing a feature on a local artist, giving them the spotlight to introduce their work and story to our Foothill Crew community. Is this something others would find interesting and enjoyable? Vote in the poll below.

Ready to upgrade your trusty off road steed? Come see the good folks at Evergreen Bicycle Outfitters this weekend for the second annual Cinco de Bike-O and get up to 50% off bikes and accessories. If that’s not enough, they have lined up some bonus fun including suspension tune ups, taco catering by Smoking Yards BBQ, and blending up margaritas while you shop. Click below for full details.

Want a Featured Event? Reach out and say hello.

Care to share an event? 👇️ 

TUESDAY

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Car Takeover IV: A Mew Hope (Travel Cat Meetup), 5-8pm. Get your allergy meds ready

Dedisse Park, Evergreen- Jeffco Mountain Bike Club weekly ride, 5:30pm. Lots of climbing

Cannonball Creek Brewing, Golden- Books & Benders Social Club, 6-8pm. For the book lovers

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Open Bluegrass Pick Night, 6-9pm. Jam w/ friends

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Run Club Tuesdays, 6pm. Meet friends

The Golden Mill, Golden- Trivia Night 6:30-8:30pm. Show off your smarts

Gnarly’s Theater, Golden- Trickster Tuesdays, an All Ages Show, 7pm. Mind blowing tricks

WEDNESDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- May Day Flowers w/ The Flower Shack, 3-6pm. Brighten your day

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Live Music w/ Chrispy, 4-8pm.

Bear Creek Lake Park, Morrison- Girls, Gears, & Beers: Beginner’s Night, 5:45pm. Find your tribe

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Open Bluegrass Jam, 6-9pm. Join the fun

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Biking the Blue Marble w/ Ted Eliason: A Journey of 50,000 Miles, 6-8pm. Serious Endurance

Miner’s Saloon, Golden- Live Music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

PranaTonic Yoga, Golden- Prenatal Yoga, 5-6pm.

THURSDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Cheese Night with Cheese Ranch, 4-10pm. Beer & Cheese Pairings

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Exhibition: Radical Optimism All Call, 4pm. Positive Vibes

Ascent Fly Fishing, Littleton- Hunter & Angler Happy Hour w/ Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commissioner, 5-8pm. Connect with fellow outdoorsman

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna, 5-9pm. Sweat it out

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Canvas & Cocktails: Constellations on Wood, 6pm. Drinks & FUN

Earth Sweet Boutique, Golden- How to make sourdough bread class, 6-8pm. Feed the starter

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

FRIDAY

Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden- Friday Tour: Steam & Diesel Locomotives, 1:30-2:30pm. Hop aboard

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue 🫕 Friday. Call by Thursday to reserve your pot. Say Cheese

State 38 Distilling, Golden- Hacedor Tequila special release, 4-7pm. Celebrate

Mines Museum of Earth Science, Golden- First Friday Night at the Museum, 6-9pm. Family fun

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- Oil & Vinegar Bottles Painting Class, 6pm. Neat

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Cash’d Out: A Johnny Cash Show, 6pm doors. Ring of Fire

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Zane Lamprey Comedy Show, 8-9:30pm. Laughs

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- The C- Minuses and Metrpolis Man, 8pm. Rock Show

Morrison Holiday Bar, Morrison- Live music featuring The Wrecklunds, 8pm

SATURDAY

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Start the day

Buffalo Creek, Pine- Roam in the Wild Pop Up Event: Group Ladies Mountain Bike Ride, 8:30am. Get out there

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Art Workshop: Make your own ring, 9am-12:30pm. Have fun

The Eddy Taproom & Hotel, Golden- Expedition Eddy: Outdoor Adventure Eddy, 11am-3pm. Explore

Black Fox Provisions, Evergreen One Year Celebration, 2-6pm. Celebrate

Golden Outpost, Golden- Kentucky Derby Watch party & Stick Horse Charity Race, 2-10pm. Mint Juleps

Evermore Wine Bar, Evergreen- Kentucky Derby Hat Contest & Tea Party, 3pm. Dress up

The Golden Mill, Golden- Cinco De Mayo party with Dos Equis, 3-5pm. Win Swag

TeeLee Shop, Golden- Patio Pot Workshop, 3pm. DIY

Buchanan Park Rec Center, Evergreen- E Sports: Super Smash Bros Tournament, 1-3:30pm. Show off your skillz

Calvary Church, Golden- Golden Concert Choir Spring Concert, 4pm. Sing your heart out

Barrels & Bottles, Golden- 12 Year Anniversary Party, 5:30-8:30pm

South Golden Road, Golden- The Golden Super Cruise, 5-8:30pm. Classic Cars

Center Stage, Evergreen- Showdown at the Evergreen “Chorale”, 6-10pm. Wild West Murder Mystery

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Vince Converse, a true blues man. 8-11pm. Soulful

Sit n Bull Saloon, Indian Hills- Kentucky Derby Day Party, 1-6pm. Come on down

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- Vitner’s Reserve Red Wine Release Dinner, 6pm. Delicious

SUNDAY

Evolution PT, Golden- Golden Parent Run Club, 10:30am-12pm. Babysitting & Workout

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Spring Market, 11am-5pm. Good vibes

Cannonball Creek Brewing, Golden- 3rd Annual Paws & Pints, 12-4pm. Woof Woof

Clear Creek Makers Space, Wheat Ridge- Build a Picture Frame Class, 1-5pm. Handy

St. Laurence Church, Conifer- Chamber Recital Series Finale, 3-5pm. Last call

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

MONDAY

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

Looking north along Washington Ave, Golden, from the vantage of the Loveland Block building. 1865.

🤝 If you think someone else would enjoy these updates, please pass along. The more the crew grows, the better it gets for everyone.

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See you around the next bend!