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FROM THE PUBLISHER

From the publisher: The aim to reconcile decades of mistrust begins with the will to make it happen

In 2020, the Colorado Media Project, a philanthropic organization dedicated to local news sustainability, launched the Voices Initiative as an opportunity for community members from under-represented groups to explore why trust in the media was at an all-time low and what could be done to restore it. 

For the record: Examining how the Transcript contributed to systemic racism

Systemic racism stubbornly remains in Golden. But it has morphed from Ku Klux Klan demonstrations in the 1920s and racist housing policies in the 1940s to something less overt but still widespread and endlessly frustrating.
Top news from Golden
Mines softball defeats CSU-Pueblo in windswept series
The Colorado School of Mines softball team won a doubleheader at home against CSU-Pueblo March 24, but rough weather canceled the next day's games.
BizBeat: Golden Liquors reopening as agave spirits hotspot
Golden Liquors is bringing South-of-the-Border flavors to the heart of Golden. On April 1, the liquor store at 601 13th St. will reopen as Destilados de Agave at Golden Liquors.
South Golden will have a new park … eventually
The Heritage Road area is getting a new park, but exactly when and what it’ll look like is still in the works.
Court hearing rescheduled for man accused of shooting Jeffco Sheriff's K-9
The 29-year-old man who reportedly killed a Jefferson County Sheriff K-9 and pointed a gun at a Golden police officer has had his preliminary hearing rescheduled to April 11.
Having A Ball: Mines football team kicks off spring practices
The rest of the country might’ve caught March madness, but Colorado School of Mines has a case of football fever. On March 14, the Orediggers made their first appearance on the turf since their NCAA Division II title game appearance in December.
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Community Engagement Group holding GPD accountable, rebuilding public trust

For the last year, a dozen Goldenites have been sitting on Golden Police Department’s Incident Review Board meetings, helping GPD review or draft policies, and helping the department develop its new mission, vision and values.

Contestants enjoy wintertime rodeo at Jeffco Fairgrounds

Lakewood’s Mikayla Wilson practically grew up at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, roping and riding in the county’s rodeo team with friend Joey Quintana. So, because Jeffco hadn’t hosted a rodeo at the fairgrounds in more than five years, Wilson and Quintana decided to host one of their own.

Marquez to enter plea March 31 in fatal hit-and-run case

The case against Ruben Marquez, the alleged driver in the fatal hit-and-run outside a Golden bar, is moving forward after a three-day preliminary hearing.

Goldenite Corner: High school senior receives scholarship for caddying

After hundreds of hours on the golf course and in the classroom, Keileigh Gorman’s hard work has paid off. The Golden resident and Lakewood High School senior has received the Chick Evans Scholarship for golf caddies, paying for her tuition and housing for four years.

Jefferson County Briefs

For more than 20 years, the Westernaires have been using county land on the southeast side of the Jeffco Fairgrounds to practice riding horses and conducting drills. Now, the land officially belongs to the Westernaires, thanks to a recent Jeffco land transfer.

Conifer robotics team comes to the aid of the Denver East team

Conifer High School's robotics team decided to come to the aid of the Denver East High School team on March 22 in the wake of the two administrators who were shot there and the chaos afterward.

From the Jefferson County Treasurer

Every tax year I receive a few calls from taxpayers asking the County Treasurer to lower or waive their property taxes for various reasons. The County Treasurer’s Office does not have the legal authority to lower property taxes or waive property taxes per state law.

Arvada Center announces five theater productions for 2023-2024 season

The Arvada Center recently announced its upcoming slate of theater productions, unveiling five shows that will be put on by the theater company during the 2023-2024 season.
OUR FEATURED CULTURE STORY

Area massage therapists laud the benefits of the practice on their clients’ ailments, stress

Caring, compassionate hands — and sometimes feet — are used by massage therapists to help improve the lives of their clients. Massage is an ancient practice, and there are more than two dozen types throughout the world, therapists say.

Metro-area arcade bars build local gaming communities

After more than 20 years of collecting pinball machines, Dan Nikolich’s basement had run out of space to store them all. So Nikolich opened the Colorado Pinball Pub in Littleton to share his collection.

Bringing Music to Life returns for 13th year

Anyone who has seen a child fall in love with music knows the lasting impact the art can have on a life. But if children never have access to those instruments, all the love of music in the world …

Denver Jewish Film Festival adds new voices

There’s nothing wrong with taking a new approach to a beloved event — that’s how new perspectives and stories get added to familiar ones. In his second year as general manager of the JCC Mizel …
THINGS TO DO AND SEE
Life
Column: Classics with a twist
If you study any of the arts, whether it be fine art or the performing arts, somewhere along the line you will probably encounter The Classics.
In Sierra Leone, local journalism is a lifeboat for women in rural communities
In the rural communities of Sierra Leone, women who are experiencing sexual abuse, gender-based violence and restricted bodily autonomy often have just one hope when seeking justice; the intrepid journalists at Media Matters for Women Sierra Leone.
City of Golden accepting applications for REDI Task Force
The City of Golden is accepting applications to serve on its Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) Task Force. Applications are open through March 29. City officials will select up to 10 members, including community members and city employees, to serve on the task force.
Column: Nothing compares to Clancy’s when it comes to St. Patrick’s Day
Yes, it’s coming. I can feel it already. The day we commemorate a Saint in Ireland who drove all the snakes off the island and sent them to… I don’t know… India? Australia? Florida? South Table Mountain?
Heist or hijinx? 1800s statue goes missing from Georgetown museum
The tracks along the snow-covered roof told officers the crime couldn’t have happened much more than 48 hours prior to inspection, but who could have carried the 40-pound statue off without being noticed? 
SpongeBob musical sure to be a GHS theater pearl
Who lives in a pineapple under the sea and plans to be center stage March 9 at Golden High School?  
Arts, Culture Music

Northglenn celebrates Betty grace Gibson

For the late Betty grace Gibson, being a self-taught artist didn’t mean never taking an art class or workshop. As her daughter, Linda Drumm, recalls, being self-taught meant was taking things she …

A musical reflection of 2022

I don’t know about y’all, but I’m extremely glad this year is over. 2022 may well go down as the most challenging of my life, and since we’re still living through the aftershocks of a global …

Denver doughs: 2 young pastry chefs create out-of-this-world culinary experience

Space dinosaurs. Project 626. Murder by the Campfire.   This is not a list of the internet’s latest conspiracy theories, but rather the creations of Black Box Bakery, a space-themed …
SPORTS

Ralston Valley hockey wins triple-overtime thriller to advance to 5A title game

The usual suspects — Valor Christian, Denver East, Ralston Valley and Regis Jesuit — battled on the ice at the Broadmoor World Arena in Colorado Springs on March 4 in the Class 5A hockey state semifinals. 

Shongolo, former ACHS athlete, giving back to area

Former Adams City High School athlete Liban Shongolo had a pretty good prep career. In 2017, he played quarterback for the Eagles, threw for more than 1,500 yards and 12 touchdowns. In 2018, Shongolo …

Mines basketball teams fall in RMAC tournament championship games

While they were hoping to strike gold, the Colorado School of Mines basketball teams only found silver in last week’s conference tournament.

Former CHSAA assistant commissioner Borgmann remembered for Rice Krispy treats, service to others

AURORA -- Callie Kryder said the people who attended a celebration of life service for her late father, former Colorado High School Activities assistant commissioner Bert Borgmann, knew him for …

Sister, Sister: Arvada’s Van Sickles reunite at Mines for final year of basketball

After five years apart, sisters Ashley and Sammy Van Sickle have reunited on the basketball court. The Ralston Valley High School alumni are closing out their collegiate basketball careers together at Colorado School of Mines.

Pomona captures 5th straight team title in record-setting form

DENVER — Pomona’s wrestling machine steamrolled to its fifth straight Class 5A boys state team championship Feb. 19 at Ball Arena. 
VOICES

Letter: A dubious future awaits

“The next few decades will be the end of the kind of civilization we’re used to. Humanity is consuming 175% of what the earth can regenerate. Our current way of life is unsustainable.”— Paul Ehrlich, population expert

Letter - Enough infighting

Enough infighting I’m tired of reading about the endless infighting between Douglas County Commissioners. And I agree a county this size may benefit from representation by more than three when two …

Letter: Another letter in response to Frosty Wooldridge’s Feb. 23 letter

After reading Frosty Wooldridge’s letter about the “green, wood, cement monstrosity ... growing up on South Golden Road,” I am wondering why the Golden Mayor and City Council are referenced. Golden city limits end almost immediately after Ulysses St. We see the population growth everywhere, not just in Golden. Drive, look, and listen to Arvada and Lakewood residents, as well as throughout the country.

Letter: Thank you for “For the Record” report

I cannot tell you how happy your article, “For the Record,” made me. Bravo for your accountability.

Letter: In response to Frosty Woodbridge’s Feb. 23 letter

Once again Frosty Woodbridge, who does not actually live in the city boundaries of Golden, throws the city council and the mayor under the bus of development and blames its members on the destruction of the world.
Columnists

Column: Climate scientists issue their latest, stern warning while farmers in Colorado’s Republican River Basin grapple with how to be sustainable

The International Panel on Climate Change has issued its latest report, warning of a dangerous temperature threshold that we’ll breach during the next decade if we fail to dramatically reduce emissions.

Column: When giants fall, we need to listen

“God has cared for these trees …but he cannot save them from fools.” — John Muir

Column: Skin care for spring and summer

Students and families in the Pikes Peak region are gearing up for spring break later this month. Whether it’s a sandy beach or the snowy slopes, there are several skin care tips to keep in mind. …

Column: Adding value through relatable life experiences

Robin was one of the newest and youngest members of the team attending the training session. As the facilitator shared ideas, strategies and tactics for dealing with the various situations that the …

Column: Let’s tell the truth about those big, bad wolves

The return of wolves to the West has always been contentious, and the deaths last fall of more than 40 cattle really in western Colorado alarmed ranchers. But here’s the true story: Wolves did not kill those cattle found dead near Meeker.
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