A Golden Gathering in Colorado

Every year, the charming town of Golden, Colorado hosts a truly unique event that brings smiles to faces and wags to tails. It’s called “Goldens in Golden,” and it’s a celebration of one of the world’s most beloved dog breeds – the golden retriever.

On a special Saturday in February, the streets of downtown Golden transform into a sea of golden fur as hundreds of these friendly canines and their owners converge under the town’s iconic welcome arch. The joyful gathering was started in 2019 to honor National Golden Retriever Day and boost tourism during the slower winter months.

A Pawsitively Perfect Event

Robin Fleischmann, the economic development manager for Golden, explains the brilliance behind Goldens in Golden. “It’s a wonderful convergence of people and dogs, and we love celebrating National Golden Retriever Day here. This event not only brings joy to the community but also introduces people to Golden, a town that may be a little quieter at this time of year.”

And it seems to be working! Photos from the event show a heartwarming scene of golden retrievers of all ages posing together with their humans under the bright yellow “Howdy folks!” arch. The streets are lined with people snapping pictures and greeting the well-behaved pups.

A Golden Opportunity for Small Businesses

Beyond being an incredibly cute photo op, Goldens in Golden provides a much-needed boost to local small businesses during the winter lull. Fleischmann notes that the influx of visitors exploring the downtown area helps drive profits for shops and restaurants.

The city’s tourism website lays out the full golden retriever-themed festivities, including a pre-party at the historic Golden Mill complete with a campfire cocktail bar and breakfast burritos. There’s even official Goldens in Golden merchandise available for purchase as the perfect sunny souvenir.

Fetching Visitors From Near and Far

Part of the magic of Goldens in Golden is seeing golden retriever lovers arrive from near and far just to be part of the fun. Denver news outlets interviewed attendees like Eric and Pam Schorsch, who traveled all the way from Tennessee.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate than by bringing our new puppy out here to Golden,” Eric shared. “It’s amazing to see a community come together like this. We’ve never seen anything like it.”

The Schorsch family wasn’t alone in making a long trek for the event. J.J. Rounds made the drive from nearby Summit County with her two golden retrievers for their third year attending Goldens in Golden.

“We just love it. It’s so fun,” J.J. told the Denver Gazette. “We like seeing all of the vendors and the different people from everywhere that come out. There’re people from all towns and states.”

Every Dog Has Its Golden Day

While the event’s name implies it’s just for golden retrievers, the City of Golden specifies that all friendly, leashed dogs are welcome to join the fun – no verification of breed required!

The scheduled group photo opportunities at 11:30am, noon, and 12:30pm allow for all the golden guests to get the perfect shot under the arch. But with the overall event running from 11am to 1pm, there’s plenty of time for wandering the streets, getting puppy pats and treats, and truly soaking in the golden atmosphere.

As visitor Pam Schorsch beautifully summed it up, “It’s a golden day. Just a golden day in Golden, Colorado!”

More Than Just One Golden Day

For those who can’t make the February festivities, don’t heel disappointed! The town’s tourism board has already announced plans for the next Goldens in Golden on February 22, 2025. They’re hoping to break the world record for most golden retrievers gathered in one place that day.

But Golden’s love for its namesake breed extends far beyond just one annual event. The city’s official visitor website is filled with golden retriever photos and has even dedicated an entire page to “Golden on a Leash” – highlighting all the dog-friendly spots around town.

It’s clear that in Golden, Colorado, every day is made a little bit brighter by the warmth and wags of these cherished golden companions.