A new Electric Transportation Plan for Golden
As part of the City’s GoEV commitment, the Community Sustainability Advisory Board is working toward a plan to electrify transportation for the Golden community by 2050. This community plan builds on the City’s previous adoption of the Municipal Electric Vehicle and Equipment Master Plan and aims to increase opportunities for electric vehicle investment and charging. A draft plan is available and the Board welcomes public comments to goldensustainability@cityofgolden.net. City Council is scheduled to review the draft at their February 27, 2024 meeting.
Municipal Fleet Electric Vehicle Master Plan
The City of Golden recently completed a draft of a Municipal Electric Vehicle Master Plan 
, which outlines a phased approach to meet 100% of the City’s fleet for electrification by 2030 and adopt an “EV First” philosophy for new vehicles while electrifying other vehicles as expeditiously as practicable. The City aims to be a local leader in electrifying transportation and the EV Plan outlines how to achieve that goal for the organization. While the draft EV Plan is publicly available, it is an internal planning document, and the strategies are designed to be primarily within the control of, and led by, City departments.
What is the EV Plan?
- A strategic guide to assist the City of Golden in preparing for and implementing actions that support increased use of plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) in municipal operations.
- An employee-led effort that requires supportive planning, partnerships, policies, infrastructure development and education.
- A tool for the City to investigate the actions that it can take to support EV adoption in the organization.
The EV Plan was developed in coordination with internal and external stakeholders, and includes a vision and defined roles for City departments. The EV Plan is only one piece of a larger strategy to create a roadmap for electrifying transportation in the Golden community.
EV Vehicle Purchase Update
For 2023 and 2024, the City has evaluated several upcoming vehicle purchases for hybrid and electric options. View the EV Evaluation Matrix for an overview of the duty and workload of the vehicles, available alternative vehicles and the resulting decision of the vehicle planned for purchase.
At their August meeting, the Community Sustainability Advisory Board reviewed the evaluation matrix and provided feedback.
Spotlight on Sustainable Travel
In an effort to share aspects of sustainability that most impact Golden residents, the Community Sustainability Advisory Board began the Spotlight on Sustainability series in early 2021. Enjoy a 20-minute presentation by former Golden Mayor and current RTD Board of Directors member Marjorie Sloan, about RTD’s recent efforts and how they can impact Golden’s Sustainability goals.
Golden Passes “GoEV” Resolution Committing to 100% Electric Transportation
At the December 10th meeting, Golden City Council adopted Resolution No. 2771 with recommendation from the Community Sustainability Advisory Board, declaring Golden a GoEV City and pledging to electrify the transportation sector. The 100% electrified transportation target was previously adopted by Golden in 2019 as part of the current sustainability goals, and Golden joins Boulder County, Denver, Summit County, and City of Boulder in this commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce air pollution. Resolution No. 2771 seeks to break down the City’s 2030 and 2050 goals into a course of individual action items- including the improvement of EV charging infastructure, formation of partnerships, and creation of a municipal fleet electrification plan.
Reducing VMT
VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) refers to all miles traveled by cars, trucks, and other similar motorized vehicles. The more vehicles on the road, the more pollution created and energy spent. Golden is committed to reducing that number through the encouragement of alternate modes of transportation such as walking, biking, bus, and light rail.
Transit Services
The City of Golden has many public transit options including the West Rail Line light rail, FlexRide bus system and RTD SkyRide. Learn more about each of these services and more by visiting the City of Golden Mobility Options pages.
The Two-Wheeled Solution
Bike To Work Day
Wondering how you can help the environment and fit more exercise into your day? Join the City of Golden for the annual Bike to Work Day, encouraging everyone to try a different way of commuting. If you’ve never commuted by bike before, it’s the perfect time to try.
Restaurants and grocery stores around town offer a free breakfast to bicycle commuters, with music, information booths, free bicycle tune-ups and lots of freebies. Find local breakfast stations along your route at Biketoworkday.us.
RTD Ride Bike Facilities
Golden has added even more bike facilities for your RTD ride.
Do you commute to Boulder or Denver for work? Want to try RTD’s express routes but need to bike to your RTD bus stop?
Golden is making it even easier for bikers by improving the popular RTD stops at 10th Street and Washington Avenue. New bike storage areas now provide a secure location for your bike adjacent to the restrooms at Parfet Park. Bike to the bus stop and catch your express RTD ride to work today!
Want to learn how to take your bike on an RTD bus or light rail? Want to know about RTD bike storage? Learn more at www.rtd-denver.com.
Rideshare & Carpool Opportunities
My Way to Go
The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) has a new and comprehensive tool to help you find alternative commuting options. It’s called My Way to Go. Just enter your starting point and destination, and it will give you maps of the best walking, biking, public transit, and driving routes in your area. It will also help you form carpool and vanpool networks by searching for friendly commuters near you who are going in your direction. Try it out at:
My Way to Go includes the fantastic Guaranteed Ride Home program which offers free taxi rides to commuters using alternative transportation modes in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as family emergency, stolen vehicle, unexpected change in shift schedule, etc. This program is available to those whose employers provide RTD EcoPasses or who pay for a stand-alone membership to the program.
Additional Resources
Bike To Work Day
Commuting Options: Carpool, Vanpool, Schoolpool, Carshare
RTD Light Rail, West Line
RTD FlexRide bus
RTD Trip Planner
