Getting to Golden

Golden is one of the easiest Colorado mountain-town experiences to reach from Denver. The drive is short, the roads are good, and once you arrive, downtown is walkable. No mountain passes, no winter driving concerns, just a quick trip from city to foothills.

From Downtown Denver

Primary route - 6th Avenue (US-6):

Take 6th Avenue west from downtown Denver. Stay on US-6 as it passes through Lakewood. The road delivers you directly into Golden. Total distance: about 15 miles. Normal drive time: 20-30 minutes.

Alternative - I-70:

Take I-70 west from Denver to exit 259 (Morrison/Golden). Head north on CO-93 into Golden. Slightly longer but may be faster during rush hour on 6th Avenue. This route also works if you're continuing to the mountains.

Rush hour:

6th Avenue gets congested during morning and evening rush hours, especially westbound in the afternoon (4-6pm). I-70 can be worse. Plan around rush hour if possible, or expect an extra 15-20 minutes.

From Denver International Airport (DIA)

DIA is northeast of Denver, while Golden is west - you'll pass through or around the city.

Best route:

Take Pena Boulevard to I-70 west. Stay on I-70 through Denver and continue west past downtown. Exit at US-6 (exit 260) and follow signs to Golden. Or stay on I-70 to exit 259 and take CO-93 north. Total distance: about 35 miles. Drive time: 45-60 minutes depending on traffic.

Avoid downtown:

I-70 bypasses downtown Denver to the north. There's no need to drive through city streets unless you're stopping there first.

Rental cars:

All major rental companies operate at DIA. Having a car makes exploring Golden and the surrounding area much easier.

Public Transit

RTD Bus:

Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates buses between Denver and Golden. Route 16 runs from Denver's Union Station. The ride takes 30-45 minutes depending on stops. Buses run regularly throughout the day.

From DIA:

There's no direct transit from DIA to Golden. Take the A-Line train from DIA to Union Station, then transfer to Route 16 bus. Total time: 1.5-2 hours. A car is much more practical if you're coming straight from the airport.

Once in Golden:

Downtown is very walkable. You won't need a car for Washington Avenue, Coors Brewery, or the creek trail. A car is helpful for reaching Lookout Mountain, Golden Gate Canyon, and trailheads.

By Bike

The Clear Creek Trail runs from Denver's Confluence Park to Golden - about 15 miles of mostly flat, paved path. It's a popular bike commute route and a great way to arrive if you're up for the ride.

The trail is well-maintained and separated from traffic. Allow 1-1.5 hours at a comfortable pace. You can rent bikes in Denver or Golden.

Parking in Golden

Street parking:

Free street parking throughout downtown, mostly with 2-hour limits. Spots along Washington Avenue fill quickly on nice weekends. Side streets have more availability.

Public lots:

Free and paid lots behind Washington Avenue (east side). These are your best bet when street spots are scarce. Some have time limits, others allow all-day parking.

Coors Brewery:

Free parking at the brewery. Can fill up during peak tour times on weekends.

Trailheads:

North Table Mountain has a large free lot that fills on nice weekends. Arrive early. Lookout Mountain destinations have smaller lots.

Tips:

• Arrive early on summer weekends for best parking
• Don't park in resident-only spots near Mines campus
• Check signs for time limits and restrictions
• The lots behind Washington Ave are usually your best option