Neighborhood & Community Plans

The City of Golden has created a number of visionary planning documents over the past decade that were based on extensive community outreach and citizen input. The most visionary of these documents is Golden Vision 2030, which was completed in 2010 and helped us understand the community’s “Heart and Soul” values. This two-year community input process resulted in a set of value statements that were used as the basis for the City’s 2011 Comprehensive Plan, which is more specific and includes the City’s policies related to land use and future development.

Following the adoption of the Comprehensive Plan, Planning Commission and staff embarked on a number of public engagement opportunities in an effort to develop new neighborhood plans in the community. A neighborhood plan is considered an area of focus within the Comprehensive Plan, beginning with the Central Neighborhoods Plan in 2012. The idea of neighborhood-level planning is to translate our community values into land use goals for specific areas of town.

Golden Neighborhoods Map pdf download

Neighborhood Plan Implementation Report

The Golden Neighborhood Plan Implementation Report is intended to serve as an update to the community regarding the plan recommendations, which have already been achieved, as well as on-going and future implementation efforts of all of the completed neighborhood plans through 2019.

West Downtown Neighborhoods Plan

The West Downtown Neighborhoods Plan pdf download is a subset of the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. The West Downtown plan promotes the goals and vision established through the Golden Vision 2030 outreach effort at a micro-level. Although West Downtown comprises a relatively small geography, it contains one of the community’s oldest neighborhoods and several of its historic structures. After extensive research and public outreach, the Planning Division identified several options for the neighborhood that will enhance the safety of West Downtown residents, preserve the character of the City’s original neighborhood, and increase the community’s pedestrian mobility through universal design.

South Golden Road Neighborhoods Plan

South Golden Road Neighborhood Plan

The South Golden Road Neighborhoods Plan pdf download is a subset of the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the plan is to help implement the Value Themes created by the residents of Golden through the Golden Vision 2030 Plan. The plan will also establish parameters for different types of transportation improvements, public amenities, and help guide any future land use changes in the area. The neighborhood plan went through a first draft version to Planning Commission on February 3, 2016 and was formally presented to City Council as a final draft version at the March 17, 2016 public hearing. City Council voted to table the discussion to a later date to address several items within the Plan.

North Clear Creek Neighborhood Plan

North Clear Creek Neighborhoods PlanIncludes 8th, 9th, and 10th Streets as well as Goosetown.

The North Clear Creek Neighborhoods’ Plan pdf download is a subset of the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the plan is to help implement the Value Themes created by the residents of Golden through the Golden Vision 2030 Plan. The plan establishes a framework for building and site design, addresses the concerns of the neighborhood, and establishes future priorities for the plan area which includes the current 8th and 9th Street Neighborhood, north downtown including the CoorsTek area and Goosetown. The plan is also complementary to the current Clear Creek Corridor Master Plan and Clear Creek Management Plan.

Planning Commission recommended that Council approve the North Clear Creek Neighborhoods’ Plan, which would replace the current 8th and 9th Street Neighborhood Plan, at their January 4, 2017 hearing. City Council then approved the plan through Resolution #2553 on February 9, 2017.

East Downtown Neighborhood Plan

East of the Washington Avenue core of downtown, from about Clear Creek to 14th Street east of Ford Street, and 15th Street from Ford Street to Miners Alley.

The East Downtown Plan pdf download, adopted by City Council in March of 2013, is a supplement to the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan update 2011, intended to assist elected and appointed officials in their decision making. After public input and workshop discussions from residents, as well as business and property owners, staff and Planning Commission created this plan, which addresses the community’s vision for the future of downtown east of Washington Avenue

Golden Heights/Golden Hills Neighborhood Plan

Golden Heights - Hills Neighborhood PlanEast of I-70 and south of US6, specifically the neighborhoods of Foothill Industries, Golden Heights, Golden Hills, Overlook and the commercial portion of Sixth Avenue West

The Golden Heights/Golden Hills Neighborhood Plan pdf download was adopted by City Council in December 2014, and is a subset of the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the plan is to help implement the Value Themes created by the residents of Golden through the Golden Vision 2030 Plan. The plan also establishes parameters for different types of transportation improvements, public amenities, and help guide any future land use changes in the area. The neighborhood plan went through first draft comments with Planning Commission and was formally presented as a final draft version at the October 1, 2014 public hearing.

North Neighborhoods Plan

North Neighborhoods PlanCity Limits North of State Hwy 58

The North Neighborhoods Plan pdf icon, adopted by City Council in April of 2009, is a supplement to the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan, intended to assist elected and appointed officials in their decision making. The plan addresses the residents’ vision of their neighborhood and seeks out neighborhood issues and action plans to address these issues.

8th and 9th St. Neighborhood Plan

8th and 9th St. Neighborhood PlanSouth of State Hwy 58, North of Clear Creek, West of Washington Avenue, East of US Hwy 6

The 8th and 9th St. Neighborhoods Plan pdf icon, adopted by City Council in 2007, is a supplement to the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan, intended to assist elected and appointed officials in their decision making. After much public input from residents of the 8th and 9th St. Neighborhoods, staff created this plan which addresses the residents’ vision of their neighborhood and seeks out neighborhood issues and action plans to address these issues.

Downtown Character Plan

Downtown Character PlanThe Heart of Downtown, from the Clear Creek Corridor to Goosetown and the Length of Washington Avenue and Jackson Street to 24th Street

Beginning in 2006, and with the support of City Council, representatives from four City Boards began working to develop a new set of planning documents for downtown Golden and the Clear Creek Corridor. The group named itself the “Downtown Character Committee.” Each of these four Boards and Commission members brought a distinct mission and perspective, yet they all shared concern for the downtown area. By working cooperatively, these various perspectives were combined to create a comprehensive approach to the issues facing downtown Golden, and developed the Downtown Character Plan pdf icon.

Central Neighborhoods Plan

Central Neighborhoods PlanSouth of Downtown Golden, along Jackson and Ford, and East to West stretching from Fossil Trace Golf Course and Golden High School to Table View Drive and Belvedere Drive which includes the East Street Historic District.

The Central Neighborhoods Plan pdf icon, adopted by City Council in early 2012, is a supplement to the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan update 2011, intended to assist elected and appointed officials in their decision making. After much public input from residents and land owners of the Central Neighborhood, over the course of various neighborhood meetings and the creation and adoption of the Golden Vision 2030, staff created this plan, which addresses residents’ vision of their neighborhood and seeks out neighborhood concerns and action plans to address these issues.

South Neighborhoods Plan

Collage of pictures from areas in south Golden including the lightrail and a panoramic shot.South of 6th Avenue, West Colfax to Heritage Road, including Heritage Hills, Tripp Ranch, Eagle Ridge, Golden Terrace and West Colfax, Heritage Square and Golden Ridge areas of significant change as denoted by the Comprehensive Plan 2011

The South Neighborhoods Plan pdf icon is a subset of the City of Golden Comprehensive Plan. The goal of the plan is to help implement the Value Themes created by the residents of Golden through the Golden Vision 2030 Plan. The plan also recommends a variety of actions related to Heritage Square, West Colfax, Golden Terrace, multimodal transportation, affordable housing and neighborhood livability.

The South Neighborhoods Plan went through a first draft version with Planning Commission in May 2023 and was formally approved by City Council at the June 20, 2023 public meeting.

Comprehensive Plan

City of Golden Comprehensive PlanThe City of Golden Comprehensive Plan pdf icon was adopted by City Council on June 1, 2011. The plan looks at the City in its entirety and derives the goals and strategies to carry out the values of the community by incorporating historic preservation, sustainability, and public health. This plan is intended to be a constant reminder of the values embedded in our community and to direct policy makers with measurable goals and strategies to ensure implementation.

Golden Vision 2030

Golden City Council made a commitment to ensure that City actions and decisions are consistent with the most important values of the community. In order to fulfill this commitment, Council accepted a grant, and authorized a partnership with the Orton Family Foundation to conduct an intensive project in Golden to determine our “Heart and Soul” values, and to create the Golden Vision 2030 plan to guide our future actions and decisions. The project began in March 2009.The Golden Vision 2030 Voices|Values|Visions book celebrating the Heart & Soul of the Community Planning Project outlines the values that the community of Golden hold most dear. By committing ourselves and community to these principles and values, we will together create and maintain this vision for our future.

Community Values

Golden Vision 2030Value Theme A — Accessible and Walkable

We value being a community that is walkable, bikeable, and accessible to all.

Value Theme B — Active Outdoors/Environment

We value being an active, healthy community that appreciates the outdoors and our connection to the natural environment.

Value Theme C — Safe, Clean, Quiet Neighborhoods

We value safe, quiet, clean, well-maintained neighborhoods.

Value Theme D — Local Businesses and Downtown

We value supporting our local businesses, and keeping a vibrant downtown for future generations.

Value Theme E — Convenience / Amenities

We value retaining convenience to services and amenities, and our proximity to Denver and mountains.

Value Theme F — History / Education

We value our appreciation of history and the arts, and support for quality education.

Value Theme G — Family and Kid Friendly

We value being a family-friendly, kid-friendly, and kid-supportive community.

Value Theme H — Friendliness / Neighbors

We value maintaining friendliness and connections with neighbors and other residents.

Value Theme I — Sense of Community

We value keeping and enhancing our sense of community, pride, our diversity and tolerance of others, and our community character and community events. Golden values a community supported by a diversity of people, generations, activities, public spaces and amenities.

You may pick up a copy of the Golden Vision 2030 book at the Planning office located at 1445 10th Street, or download a copy of the Final Report below, among other resources.

Annexation Plan

This Annexation Study Area Report Update is submitted in conformance with the requirements of Colorado Revised Statutes, 31-12-105(1)(e) in anticipation of potential annexation requests to the City of Golden. Based upon these requirements, this document contains information about the proposed location, character, and extent of streets, parkways, major  parks, open space, utility services, and the proposed land uses for the areas included in the plan. Identification of an area as a potential annexation area in this report does not imply that the City of Golden is actively pursuing annexation of such an area. Many areas are listed due to their proximity and prior request for consideration of annexation. Based upon current State statutes, annexation can typically only occur by request of individual property owners or a majority of the property owners of an area.

COG Mesa

 Golden was named after Thomas L. Golden,
a gold prospector who arrived in Jefferson County in 1858.

Additional Resources

City of Golden, Colorado
COG Mesa
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