Gerchard Pfau for Golden City Council – Ward 2

Universal praise and thanks from Beverly Heights area for the nightly closure of Lookout Mountain Rd, but ongoing worries if the current attendants at the gates are not funded/maintained in the future.

Gerchard – I passed on the compliment to the Golden Chief of Police and Jefferson County. The County is funding the attendants right now. They plan on re-evaluating how they are doing approximately November 1st. It will be important to give our feedback regarding the attendants to the county before then. Email Matt Robbins (Community Connection Director Jeffco) at mrobbins@co.jefferson.co.us with your appreciation for the attendants and how you want to see the attendants remain in place.

Update – On October 3rd the nighttime closure will be shifted to 8pm to 4am. On November 2nd the nighttime closure will be 7pm to 4am for the remainder of daylight savings time. The county has also installed a 24/7 surveillance camera to help with the closure enforcement.

Gerchard – quick answer…it is delayed. The city is moving forward on some utility work that should start by the end of the year. But the intersection construction is delayed due to canceled funding from Federal and State levels. Looking at the positive side, with the utility work completed the project will be ‘shovel ready’ if the funding is ever restored. I used the lid on 19th St. every day. In fact, it is the reason we included Beverly Heights in our house search back in 2016. I will support and work towards progress on this project.

There are a number of intersections in Ward 2 which are plagued with speeding cars and/or bikes who don’t pay attention to the current crosswalks endangering children and adults crossing.

Gerchard – Good news, the intersection at Smith and 19th is scheduled for a manually triggered flashing light crosswalk. Look for it in 2026.

UPDATE 9/1/25 Good News – With the start of the term at CSM and the Jeffco school year I decided the best action was to monitor the Moly crosswalk at 19th street see how it impacted traffic flow – gather data. The quick answer is that the cross walk is working well with minimal impact on traffic flow. I monitored from 7:30am – 9:00am and 3:00pm – 4:30pm. Let me know what you have seen/experienced.

I plan on continuing to monitor the crosswalk after everyone is back from the Labor Day holiday – let me know and we can monitor together. The cross walk’s minimal impact on traffic flow is great news since no additional expenditures will be necessary. Well done CSM and City of Golden! If you want to see the detailed data, please drop me an email.

Of course, the Lid itself remains a complicated traffic pattern to navigate. What can be done to help simplify the Lid?

By the way, CSM has installed a sidewalk along 19th street inside the stone wall (south of the stone wall). You can access it via Tangent Way and Moly Rd.

Good news, the crosswalk across 19th in front of the new Sophomore dorms will be a stop light, so traffic will have its turn and pedestrians will have their turn.

If you are aware of other dangerous intersections in Ward 2 please let me know so it will be on my ‘radar’.

Many residents expressed concern about speeding in neighborhoods. Where is the speed camera car? Can Golden outfit a second one? Even if the speed camera car isn’t available, how about putting up the warning signs in order to ‘encourage’ people to slow down?

Gerchard – One of the best parts of living in Golden is being outside, kids playing in their yards, people walking… To keep everyone safe, I support enhanced use of the speed camera car. The cost for a second car is approximately $90k. I would support outfitting a second one if funds are available.

Update – Had a great conversation with one our residents along Eagle Ridge Dr. Despite the speed reducing road constrictions (islands?) there is still speeding along Eagle Ridge Dr. What do you think can be done to get people to drive the speed limit? How about one of those signs that light up to inform you how fast you are going? Another location for the speed camera car? Thoughts?

What can be done to enforce the current noise regulations for traffic from Cars and Motorcycles driving through neighborhoods with noise amplifying mufflers – example is Lookout Mtn Rd?

Gerchard – I discussed this with the Chief of Police. It is a very difficult issue to enforce because it draws on our limited police officer resource. However, it affects residents quality of life. I will work towards a solution and want your input.

Possible solutions

– focused enforcement over a period of time in order to build a reputation for enforcing the noise regulations.

-Is there something like a speed camera car but for noise that can be used?

Other thoughts?

Ongoing confusion regarding the rules.

Gerchard quick summary – For residents, we need to register out cars and we have free 2 hour parking. Go to www.ParkGoldenCo.com/parking-permits inorder to register.

If you are having trouble finding street parking, the city parking garages are frequently empty on the upper floors.

Don’t forget the free parking lot at 10th and Archer.

Or use the Orecart and not worry about parking in the town center at all.

Remember to read the signs and pay attention to the neighborhood permit zones (your neighbors will appreciate it).

Update – During today’s walk I had an opportunity to talk to Joe. He had a great idea – could residents receive a sticker for their car for their free parking downtown. It would save them the hassle of registering for the free 2 hours. Something we should consider…

Extension of the Orecart route down Heritage Rd. and into Golden Terrace. This would benefit City Residents and CSM students living in that area.

Gerchard – I support this and am looking into it now. Why wait for the election?

I want to see coordinated efforts across Golden, Mines and Jeffco Open Space. I want to see an online map depicting where Fire Mitigation is going on from all three groups with a description of what is being done. Residents can then use that information to approach their homeowners insurance companies and hopefully reduce their rates.

Increase spend on Fire Mitigation – whether that’s the Goat Brigade or manually clearing brush and dead trees. Again, coordinated with Mines and Jeffco.

Fire Evacuation

I want to understand what the evacuation plans are for Mines and all the neighborhoods in Golden. I want our experts to evaluate enhancements particularly for neighborhoods that have choke points.

What improvements will CSM be making to Mines Park in order to ensure safe evacuation of Mines Park and Beverly Heights given the additional approx. thousand students living in the Mines Park area?  Could CSM build an emergency use dirt road from Mines Park to 6^th street in order to ease congestion of the evacuation route along 19^th street? 

Gerchard – I support and will be working on this going forward.   Unfortunately, it isn’t easy and needs work across City Public Works, CSM and CDOT.  It’ll take time.

Update 9/5/2025 Good news – I met up with CSM for coffee and CSM supports the idea of an emergency use dirt road from Mines Park to 6th street. Following that I met up with the city and they also support the idea of the emergency dirt road from Mines Park to 6th street. CDOT remains the next group to get on board.

How many fire trucks does the Golden Fire Department have that can reach the top floor of the new dorms at Mines?

Gerchard – Golden has a 100′ Tower Ladder at Station 1 and a 75′ truck at station 4. Golden can also ‘pull’ on resources from neighboring cities.

Gerchard – the city is aware and working on this. This is an issue that needs to be addressed.

Gerchard – I am researching this one. I’m aware that Jeffco has put out new regulations.

Are there ordinances limiting the number of students that can be housed in a house?

Gerchard – UPDATE – On 7/22 the city passed ordinance 2271 which restricts rental homes to no more than 2 people per bedroom based on safety requirements. So, a typical 3-bedroom rental home can only be rented to a maximum of 6 people. If you suspect a nearby rental property has more renters than it should contact the city at the Code Enforcement Phone Number (303)384-8048.

What can be done to make sure the city sprinklers are not wasting water irrigating cement rather than the grass?

Gerchard – Right now the best solution is to identify the problem and let the city Sustainability Manager know (tworsham@cityofgolden.net). Water is a scarcity, and we all need to be focused on water conservation.

Take action regarding your own water use.   Have you signed up for AquaHawk?  It’s a service available at no additional cost through the city water department.  Go to https://goco.aquahawk.us to sign up.  I have mine setup to send me a daily summary of my water use.   Not only does it save me money, but it helps me conserve water.

I have learned the word growth can mean different things to different people. It includes:

1. Too many Tubers on the creek on the weekends

2. Not enough parking so residents are avoiding downtown

3. CSM dorm expansions

4. AirB&B rentals in residential areas

5. Encouraging the subdividing of lots and ADU’s

6. Golden isn’t the same as it was 20 years ago

Gerchard – Addressing growth has many facets. I want to see the businesses in our community continue to grow their business and profits.   There was a time 40 and more years ago when the city center was boarded up and dying.  My wife was here at Mines during that time.  I don’t want to see that happen again.

I have heard people referring to Growth when talking about the tubers on the creek. I support the work the city currently is doing monitoring the tubing numbers and restricting rental tubes on predicted busy days. It’s important for safety as well as crowding.

Golden is popular and parking can be difficult in the town center area.  I want to encourage us all to take advantage of:

• Free city parking at 10^th and Archer (it’s 2 blocks from Ford St)
• Use the upper floors of the city parking structures, they are frequently empty
• Use the OreCart to park away from the town center and get into town via the shuttle
• For those closer to the town center, bike or walk in

If you have ideas to improve parking let me know.

New home construction within Golden is limited because we are ‘built out’. There is a new small subdivision going in around west 4^th over towards Green Mtn (google ‘The Manors Collection at Golden Overlook’).   I believe it is around 100 homes. Then there is Coors Tech. It will be a multi-use facility with apartments, shops and offices.

I support the city’s relook at AirB&B rental regulations in residential areas. In order for AirB&Bs to coexist with the rest of the city, they need to be regulated and follow the rules.

In Golden currently, property lots can be subdivided and ADU’s can be built. The process involves going to planning, submitting plans and holding a hearing. Yes, it takes time but it provides time/space for community input. I want to keep that process in place as we go forward.

Streamlining the current construction codes will help with new construction and remodeling. In the July council meeting the city adopted the latest code revisions for the 2024 International Building Code, the 2023 National Electric Code, the 2024 International Plumbing Code, the 2024 International Mechanical Code, the 2024 International Energy Conservation Code, the 2024 International Fuel Gas Code, the 2024 Residential Building Code, the 2024 International Existing Building Code, etc. Keeping Golden up to date along with our neighboring cities will lower costs and continue to make Golden a competitive location for our businesses as well as residences.

Nothing is the same as it was 20 years ago. Change can be challenging. It is my goal to help guide Golden. I believe I have the world experience to accomplish that goal. My wife and I came back to Golden to retire because we love the area and the city.  Golden is a great place. I want to keep what is the best of Golden as it continues to evolve.

People have told me that they don’t feel like the city is listening to them.

Gerchard – I commit to walking the ward at least twice a year (spring and fall). I commit to answering all my phone messages, text messages, and email messages. I will be available to attend and talk at resident events like the Beverely Heights Octoberfest. When projects come up at city council, I will always ask our staff how has the community been engaged and what was the feedback. Every issue has multiple sides. I will listen to all sides before making up my mind.

Fortunately, I’m retired. I have the time, inclination, and skills to listen to what you have to say. I want to help.

Many people have asked me how I pronounce my name.

First off, my first name – Gerchard. Treat the C as silent. It’s a lot easier. ‘Ger’ rhymes with Lair and ‘hard’ rhymes with heart, so ger heart.

Second, my last name – Pfau. The P is silent and fau rhymes with plow, so fow.

But don’t worry…people have struggled with my name over the years and I’m used to it. Just remember me on voting day – the guy with the unusual German name.

Back on August 28^th, I had the good luck to attend the Shelton Elementary Café.   School leaders talked to the attendees about ways to help out Shelton.   We also brainstormed ideas that could enhance the school curriculums.

If you are looking for ways to help Shelton, consider:

Theme: Staff Appreciation & Wellness

• Coffee Mugs
• Individualized Packaged Snacks
• Coffee Pods, Tea, Hot Chocolate
• Sparkling Water
• Filtered water tap
• Sweet treats
• Cup of Noodles
• Plastic silverware & paper plates
• Old Silverware and Coffee Mugs

Theme: Love our School

• Helping hands
• Clean common areas
• Trash bags
• Gloves
• Trim trees and bushes
• Signs for Dismissal
• Weeding the Garden