City of Golden

Colorado School of Mines is located in the heart of Golden, located at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon, just 13 miles west of Denver.

A gem tucked away in Colorado’s foothills, the picturesque City of Golden is a unique place with a rich history and opportunities to explore all Colorado has to offer.

A former gold rush town, Golden first attracted settlers in 1859 with the hope of finding fortune in the nearby mountains. The city flourished, and it was no surprise that Mines—a university with origins in mining education—made Golden its home a few short years later. Golden is one of Colorado’s oldest communities and served as the Capital of the Colorado Territory from 1862 to 1867.

Today, Golden continues to thrive with its wealth of recreational, cultural and culinary options and is an ideal place for Mines students to call home. A radiant city with a small-town feel, the community is welcoming, and there are no limits for those who choose to explore all that Golden has to offer. Separated from the suburbs of metropolitan Denver, Golden retains its small town character and remains the seat of Jefferson County. Historic buildings and homes have been preserved and blend with new construction throughout the downtown area, which is rich with shops and restaurants.

For students with an active lifestyle or who simply like being outdoors, Golden has endless opportunities to enjoy a bit of sunshine, whether it be tubing down Clear Creek, hiking the nearby trails, kayaking and even—for the more adventurous—tandem paragliding jumps from Lookout Mountain.

Yet when the famous Colorado sunshine isn’t as accommodating, Golden still offers many activities to enjoy. Students can try out a variety of restaurants in downtown Golden or visit the many libraries and museums to indulge their cultural interests and learn more about the place Mines students call home. The nearby Colorado Railroad Museum and Dinosaur Ridge also prove to be popular spots to spend an afternoon.

And for those times when students need to get away for the weekend, Golden’s central location is perfect for heading out in any direction, whether it’s into the mountains for a weekend of snowboarding or skiing or to downtown Denver to explore Colorado’s vibrant capital city. Wherever students want to go, adventure is never far from Golden.

For more information, visit the City of Golden website or VisitGolden.com