Originally founded during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859, Golden—the gateway to the Rocky Mountains—was one of the first towns established in Colorado. The birthplace of Jolly Rancher candies and Coors Brewing Company, Golden preserves much of the small-town charm of the original mining camp that put it on the map.

Nearly a dozen museums and cultural venues, many of them lining the streets of Historic Downtown Golden, offer residents and visitors a taste of the Old West, reminiscent of the days of cowboy boots and swinging door saloons. Golden is, however, a vibrant cultural, academic, and research hub, as it is home to the highly regarded Colorado School of Mines, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the Foothills Art Center, and the Colorado Railroad Museum.

For those who seek adventure, Golden is home to world-class hiking and biking trails, the most popular rock-climbing sites in the country, and some of the best scenery in the Denver area including the famous Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater.