Bomb squad detonates pipe bomb
Golden Police officers were called to a residence on the 500 block of 15th Street near the intersection with East Street at about 10:10 a.m. April 17, on a report of a suspicious object in the front yard. They determined the object was a pipe bomb, and dispatchers sent a target notification to neighbors within a two-block radius. Residents were asked to stay indoors. Police also set up a perimeter to limit pedestrian and vehicle traffic.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad came to the scene and blew up the pipe bomb under controlled circumstances.
No one was injured, and no property was damaged. Police are investigating why the pipe bomb was made and why it was in the residential yard. Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area of 15th and East Streets between 3 p.m. April 16 and 10 a.m. April 17 are asked to call the Golden Police Department Crime Tip Line at 303-384-8034.
Pothole winner will be grilling
The winner for the third week of the Golden Pothole Hotline program was Mark Hartmeister. He reported a pothole on 8th Street east of Ford Street. A city crew measured the pothole at 26 inches wide by 28 inches long and three inches deep. Hartmeister received a discount card, courtesy of Performance Plus Auto Care, 1820 Jackson St., and a barbecue set, courtesy of Coors Brewing Company.
The Pothole Hotline program will continue through the end of April. The contest is open to residents of Golden. To be registered for the weekly prize drawing, call the Public Works Department at 303-384-8151, or go online to www.cityofgolden.net/yourgov and follow the link for instructions. YourGOV can be used via the Web or your mobile phone. Participants must provide the location of the pothole and the caller’s name, phone number and email address.
The largest pothole reported is declared the winner, and prizes are randomly drawn. City crews will attempt to patch the pothole within 48 hours (weather permitting) from the time it is submitted.
Council appoints new members to boards and commissions
At its April 14 meeting, the City Council appointed several people to fill positions on boards and commissions. Appointed were:
Matt Burde to the Planning Commission to fill a vacancy that will expire in January 2014; Torsten Lyon, Stephanie Sung, Jerry Hogdgen and Peter Gotseff to fill terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board that will expire in March 2015, and Jerry Harcek to fill a vacancy that will begin on July 21; Ray Goodhart to fill a term on the Campaign Election Board that will expire in March 2015.
Annual free trash drop off coming up
Golden Community Pride Days are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, April 30 through May 1. The city offers this popular event to give citizens an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items and debris at no charge. The services are for Golden residents only, and proof of Golden residency (a current driver’s license or your most recent Golden water bill) is required. Remember that many Golden mailing addresses are not within city limits. To check residency, use the Jefferson County Address Wizard at www.co.jefferson.co.us/awiz/.
Residents can drop off the following items from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on either day at the City Shops facility, 1300 Catamount Drive:
Rubbish, construction materials, scrap metal, tires (maximum of four per household) and electronics.
Untreated lumber, tree limbs and brush can be brought in for grinding and on-site paper shredding is also available to help prevent identity theft.
The program does not include appliances, hazardous waste, household chemicals, paint or batteries.
The city has included a coupon in the April issue of The Informer that is good for one free curbside appliance pickup from Complete Recycling. The pickup must take place by May 15.
The annual Pharmaceutical Round Up will take place in conjunction with Pride Days. Golden residents may bring unused or expired drugs to 1300 Catamount Drive from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Remove or scratch out any personal information on the label. The drop-off includes prescription drugs (including controlled substances), non-prescription drugs and over-the-counter drugs in all forms, aerosols and syringes or needles, and broken mercury thermometers.
Earth Week activities in Golden
The 41st annual Earth Day will be Friday, April 22. Many communities, like Golden, have expanded activities to an Earth Week to enhance awareness and involvement in the environmental movement. In Golden, a number of activities are planned.
Environmentally themed artwork by first- through sixth-graders at Mitchell and Shelton elementary schools will be on display throughout April at the Golden Library Children’s Room, 1019 10th St., and the Golden Community Center Front Porch, second floor at 1470 10th St. The annual art show is a celebration of Earth Day, and this year is sponsored by the City of Golden Environmental Services Division and the Jefferson County Public Library.
Tours of one of Denver’s material recovery facilities will be offered at 9 and 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 20. The tour will take about an hour, and give participants a chance to see where household materials are processed and view the sorting process. For more information, go to www.cityofgolden.net/sustainability. To sign up for a tour, contact Sustainability Coordinator Theresa Worsham at 303-384-8117 or by email at tworsham@cityofgolden.net.
On Friday, April 22, Pete Modreski, a geologist at the United States Geological Survey, will lead a late afternoon hike to the top of South Table Mountain and onto Castle Rock. He will talk about the geology of the area and how the landscape was carved and developed, and will present information about the plants seen along the route. The hike is free and open to public. Those who wish to take part do not need to preregister but can contact Modreski for answers to questions or if the weather is bad by email at pmodreski@usgs.gov or by phone at 303-202-4766 or 720-205-2553. Hikers should meet at 4 p.m. at the trailhead at the intersection of 19th and Belvedere streets. The hike, which will last until about 7 p.m., will be about two miles. The trail is fairly steep, with about 500 feet in elevation gain.
The City Council will present this year’s sustainability awards at its regular meeting on Thursday, April 28. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability.