Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How NREL’s Golden lab was built to adapt for decades
Also, don't miss Miniatures & Dollhouse Show on the Golden Patch calendar

What's up Golden! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How NREL's Golden lab was built to adapt for decades
- Colorado School of Mines joins $25 million "Mine of the Future" project
- Will any Golden restaurants earn a coveted Michelin nod Monday?
Also on today's calendar: Miniatures & Dollhouse Show and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tractor say to the plow? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
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- Saturday: Intervals of clouds and sun, with a high of 82 and low of 62 degrees.
- Sunday: Hot; a stray morning shower, temps: high: 91, low: 63. 🌶 Hot!
- Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 54 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Federal Design-Build Projects Put Mission First (dbia.org) — A major federal case study highlights how NREL's Research and Innovation Laboratory in Golden was designed for long-term flexibility, mission focus, and future expansion. The piece explains how early collaboration, design-build methods, and smart preplanning at RAIL helped NREL handle COVID-era delays, plan for more lab space, and keep cutting-edge research in Golden running smoothly for decades to come.
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2. IWT project among four selected for funding by DOE (northamericanmining.com) — Colorado School of Mines, just up the road from Golden, will partner on a four-year, $25 million "Mine of the Future" testbed led by Innovative Wireless Technologies. Backed largely by U.S. Department of Energy funding, the project will trial advanced wireless, automation, and safety technologies in mining while also creating hands-on training and certification opportunities for the next generation of mining professionals.
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3. Michelin: 3 things to watch for as the Colorado 2026 guide is revealed (denverpost.com) — Golden diners could soon see their favorite local spots recognized as Michelin expands its Colorado restaurant guide beyond the original six cities. Inspectors will reveal new stars and recommendations Monday, and the article questions whether smaller, mom-and-pop places in suburbs like Golden will finally get attention instead of just high-end chef's counter restaurants.
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4. Noria Energy launches single-axis tracker for floating solar applications (pv-magazine-usa.com) — Golden's Fairmount Reservoir played a key role in testing Noria Energy's new floating solar tracker, which aims to boost electricity generation on water-based solar projects. That 50 kW pilot helped prove the system's durability in real-world utility conditions, informing a commercial rollout that could influence future clean-energy projects in and around Golden.
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📸 Around Golden
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Golden
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Miniatures & Dollhouse Show →
Sheraton Denver West Hotel, 360 Union Blvd, Lakewood
10:00 am - Zoom-delivered Japanese Classes →
Zoom @ Art Play Learn,
9:00 am
Saturday September 12
Monday September 21
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Self-Reliance Facilitator Traning →
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 610 Coors Street, Golden - Getting Into The Sweet Spot In Nature With Dru Yoga →
Maple Grove Park, 14600 West 32nd Avenue, Golden - AfterShock Rocks Dirty Dogs Roadhouse →
Dirty Dogs Roadhouse, 17999 W. Colfax Ave, Golden
1:00 pm - Sunday Swing →
Buffalo Rose, 1119 Washington Ave, Golden
4:00 pm - Health & Wellness Pop-up w/ Strong Mamas Fitness →
Golden CO
4:15 pm - Yoga on Tap @ NTBC →
Golden CO
6:00 pm - Tuesday Bottle & Board Special →
1375 Catamount Drive, Golden
2:00 pm - WanderFest '26 (10th Anniversary Party) →
New Terrain Brewing Company, 16401 Table Mountain Pkwy, Golden
12:00 pm - Cataracts & Eye Care - Educational Talk →
Arbor View Senior Living, 8001 W 71st Ave, Arvada
3:00 pm - Free Family Fall Festival →
Glory of God Lutheran Church, 12200 W 38th Ave, Wheat Ridge, CO, 80033
11:00 am
Sunday September 13
Monday September 14
Tuesday September 15
Thursday September 17
Wednesday September 23
Sunday September 27
📣 Golden Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to these businesses for making Golden PatchAM possible:
- Arbor View Senior Living — (303) 732-5909
- Junk Wranglers — (970) 500-8518
Click here to show your appreciation! 💚
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Is the small dog that was fighting with the bear last night okay?
There was a small dog barking last night at what appears to have been a LARGE bear. I live above the village and this was around 4:15am last night… (Nextdoor Genesee)
- Waters Corporation posted a job opening for Material Handler II in Golden. Apply here.
- Sprouts Farmers Market posted a job opening for Assistant Bakery Manager in Wheat Ridge. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Golden here.
Ok Golden! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: Hold me close John Deere. (Thank you Jenny H. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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