The city of Golden, Colorado is situated along the eastern edge of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The city is considered a suburb of Denver, CO and hosts a population of 17,000 people. Golden has a total area of about 9 square miles. The most noticeable geographic features of Golden include Mount Zion, the North and South Table Mountains, Lookout Mountain, and Clear Creek. The city enjoys more than 250 days of sunshine annually and has a mild climate, with temperatures peaking in the mid 70's in July and reaching a low of 30 degrees in January.

History of Golden, CO

Golden was founded during the Pike's Peak gold rush of 1859 as a mining camp. The town was named in honor of a settler named Tom Golden, one of many who panned for gold in the valley of Clear Creek. The city was the capital of the territory of Colorado from 1862 to 1867. In 1867, the capital was moved east to Denver City, where it remains to this day as Denver, CO. The flowing waters of Clear Creek provided the water needed for smelting, milling, manufacturing, and generating electricity, helping to turn Golden into an industrial town. By the mid 1900's, Golden, Colorado was considered an industry hub and employed the majority of its local residents.

Golden, CO real estate has a wealth of areas with historical significance. The Coors Brewing Company is located there, opening its doors and holding tours for more than 300,000 visitors annually. The final resting place of William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody is on nearby Lookout Mountain. The museum dedicated to his memory receives an estimated 500,000 visitors annually.

Golden, Colorado is also the birthplace of the Jolly Rancher candy company, created in 1949 by Bill and Dorothy Harmsen of Golden, Colorado. There are ten museums in Golden, covering topics such as history, fossils, railroads, geology, quilts, and mountaineering. Overall, more than 2.5 million visitors vacation in the beautiful Golden area each year.

Life in Golden

Golden, Colorado is home to some of the best areas for outdoor activity in the country. Residents and visitors alike enjoy the mountain biking trails available on the sides of Mount Zion and Lookout Mountain. The biking trails range from mellow rides in the woods to steep, world class, technical descents down the sides of the mountains. Natural rock climbing is a popular activity on the North Table Mountain and there are many hiking trails throughout the area. Individuals can also enjoy fly fishing, kayaking, and boating in the waters of Golden.

Golden Real Estate

Golden, CO real estate consists mainly of single family homes. The prices for Golden homes start at about $185,000 and can cost as much as $500,000. Golden real estate that is technically located outside of the city limits includes the communities of Applewood, Genesee, Mesa Meadows, Wild Plum Farm, Mount Vernon, and Meadow Ridge Estates. Although the average price in Golden is in the low 400's, some of the more upscale subdivisions feature luxurious homes priced up into the $5 million ranges.