Golden, city in north central Colorado, located at the mouth of Clear Creek Canyon and next to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. The seat of Jefferson County, Golden is located about 18 km (about 11 mi) west of Denver and has become part of the Denver metropolitan area. The city is the home of Coors Brewery, which is the largest industry in the city. The city's cultural and educational institutions include the Golden D. A. R. Pioneer Museum, a museum of local history; the Colorado School of Mines (founded in 1869); and the Colorado Railroad Museum. Points of interest nearby are Golden Gate Canyon State Park and Lookout Mountain, the site of the grave of American showman, guide, and scout Buffalo Bill.
Golden was founded in 1859 as Golden City and named after an early settler, Thomas Golden. It originally served as a gateway to the mining districts located west of the city, as well as a site for farming. Golden City was the capital of the Colorado Territory between 1862 and 1867. It was incorporated in 1871, and its name was changed to Golden in 1872 by an act of the territorial legislature. Population 12,237 (1980); 13,116 (1990); 17,159 (2000).
