What is GURA? 

In 1989, the Golden City Council created the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) to support the economic vitality of downtown Golden. The Urban Renewal Law (CRS Secs. 31-25-105 et seq) grants municipalities the power to create an urban renewal authority following a series of studies, public hearings, and findings as required by the state statute. Because urban renewal authorities are created according to a state statute and not under the delegatory powers of a city, urban renewal authorities are a breed apart from the other boards and commissions of a city.

When the Golden City Council created GURA, it also adopted an Urban Renewal Plan to provide guidance to GURA. This plan set out a broad range of goals and strategies for the improvement of downtown and acts as GURA’s keystone as new programs and priorities are evolved. This plan was recently comprehensively re-evaluated as part of the work of the Downtown Character Committee. This effort confirmed that the plan remains a valuable and relevant guide.

GURA’s focus is primarily on urban renewal projects that address physical improvements, public infrastructure, and public rights of way within the GURA district, a 133-acre area located generally between 6th and 19th streets and Cheyenne and East streets. 

Mission

The mission of the Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA) is to undertake projects that: 

• improve the community’s physical presence within the GURA district, 

• preserve the area’s unique character, and 

• contribute to the economic, social, and cultural vitality of downtown Golden. 

What types of projects does GURA support?

GURA’s past urban renewal projects are numerous and diverse. GURA took the lead or provided support for such projects as:

• Commercial and Mixed-Use Redevelopment

• Residential Condominiums

• Senior Housing

• Parking Structures

• Environmental Remediation

• Business Support:
     Energy Efficiency 
     Web Site Development
     Façade Improvement

• Downtown Services:
     Trees and Flowers 
     Holiday Lights
     Marketing and Event Funding
     Newspaper Kiosks
     Banners 
     Parking Enforcement
     Regular Maintenance

As a result of the aforementioned efforts, downtown Golden has a larger and better mix of businesses and amenities for residents, employees, and visitors. Please review the timeline below and click to the Projects page to review GURA’s contributions in more detail.

How Does GURA Fund Its Projects?

In basic terms, GURA receives the portion of property and sales tax revenue that exceed the 1989 level and uses those funds for a variety of redevelopment and community projects. The increase in property and sales taxes that come from redevelopment or reassessment over the 1989 level is called the “increment.” Instead of the increment going into the general funds of Golden or Jefferson County, it stays where it is needed most—right downtown. GURA can use these revenues to encourage redevelopment through a system called tax increment financing (TIF). GURA can commit a portion of the future increment from redevelopment to reimburse a property or business owner over time for certain expenses of the redevelopment. TIF is a cyclical system, where redevelopment creates more tax revenue that can be used to encourage more redevelopment, which generates more tax revenue, etc.—all without any new taxes and without using taxes generated outside of the GURA district. Application of TIF in a way that respects downtown Golden’s spirit and heritage is the best way to remain competitive with the other Metro Denver communities. 

Major Projects

These projects represent more than $13,000,000 of direct GURA investment leveraging many times that in private investment. 

• American Mountaineering Museum

• Bent Gate 

• Clear Creek Commons 

• Clear Creek Square 

• Gateway Station 

• Golden Hotel Parking

• Golden Gem Building

• Foothills Art Center

• Miners Alley Theater

• Jackson Court

• Washington Avenue Bridge

Who is GURA?

GURA’s Board of Commissioners is composed of 7 volunteers who generally reside or have property or business interests in Golden. The GURA Board meets publicly on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Council chambers. 

GURA’s efforts are always the result of partnerships with other organizations and departments. To take care of our downtown, GURA relies heavily on the various departments of the City, especially the Streets division and the Parks and Recreation department. GURA also works with the approval, advice, and consent of City Council. As we continually assess where the City is going and the community’s changing needs, we seek the talents and perspectives of all groups.

A Brief History of Downtown Improvements and GURA’s Support:

1989

• City Council authorizes the creation of the Golden Urban Renewal Authority.

• Vanover Park project completed with Coors.

1990

• Streetscape project deliberated and initiated.

1991

• City Council establishes separate citizen board for GURA. 

• Streetscape and drainage design and planning begins in earnest.

• GURA board initiates façade program to renovate commercial exteriors. 

1992

• Streetscape project begins in May—completed by Christmas season. 

• Vacancy rate in retail spaces documented reached 35%. 

1993

• Business vacancy rate drops below 20%. 

• First Golden Market Study completed. 

• GURA funds promotional efforts, merchant education, and business building.

1994

• Business vacancy drops below and stays below 5%. 

• GURA develops over 100 free parking spaces in downtown. 

• GURA’s memorial program funds materials for new public restroom near Astor. House. Golden Lion’s Club supplies labor. Andrews and Anderson donates design. City helps with site and site preparation.

• City and GURA cooperate in Central Area Plan. Plan is drafted to define concepts for uses of Golden’s historic core and central business district.

1995

• GURA purchases the Mitchell School site from Golden Civic Foundation to address flood, blight, environmental, and economic impairment issues. 

• Promotional tools are developed for downtown businesses to help increase levels of business success and tax revenues. GURA works with Civic Foundation and developer on the Golden Hotel project.

• Golden Market Study update.

• First Golden Visitor survey completed by GURA and Chamber of Commerce.

• GURA supports new Downtown Merchants Association as it develops.

1996 

• Public process begins to define potential uses at the old Mitchell site.

• A plan for the Golden Hotel is proposed. GURA commits to helping with extra parking and streetscaping. 

• GURA works with Cultural Alliance to build a working group, similar to the Downtown Merchants Association. 

• GURA conveys Guy Hill School formally to the Clear Creek History Park.

1997

• GURA made lead agency to determine need and potential for senior housing in Golden. GURA works with Council to get relief from growth cap for urban renewal area infill and senior housing. 

• Third Golden Market Study published. 

• GURA works with Historic Preservation Board to determine historic value of Mitchell building.

• Plans and proposals processed to determine best uses for Mitchell School site. Request for Proposals (RFP) issued for redevelopment and developer selected. 

1998 

• Loans for streetscape and parking finalized with Golden Hotel. 

• Rent survey completed to help direct Mitchell project size and scope. 

• Mitchell school demolished in summer.

• City commits to bridge work on Ford and lends redevelopment money to GURA.

• Development agreement signed with Summit and approved by Council in October. 

• “Friends of Historic Golden” sues GURA over Mitchell demolition.

• GURA starts exploring potential to find money to build parking at Mitchell. 

1999

• Golden Hotel opens and Table Mountain Inn build out begins. GURA starts paying for public parking for both structures. 

• Design work initiated on the Clear Creek Square public parking structure.

• GURA actively helps Chamber design and build new web page.

• Calvary Church begins build out and GURA helps with soil disposal. 

• Construction of Ford Street Bridge begins, which will allow Clear Creek Square to build out. 

• Demolition of old lumberyard negotiated to allow flood and street work. 

• GURA repays all of its start up loan from City.

2000

• Ground-breaking at Clear Creek Square on September 9, 2000. 

• GURA dialogs with Clear Creek Commons and supplies free office space for marketing office startup. 

• Ford Street Bridge completed. 

2001

• Housing permit pulled at Clear Creek Square, then poor economy stalls project. 

• Golden Gem and Clear Creek Commons contact GURA regarding TIF consideration for their projects. 

• Work with Chamber on possible farmers market for 2002. 

2002

• Clear Creek Commons breaks ground. 

• Golden Gem building is redeveloped. 

• Clear Creek Square parking structure proves great asset for events and downtown activities. 

• Marion Olson’s lawsuit against GURA reaches Colorado Supreme Court, which upholds GURA’s position that GURA and all Colorado urban renewal authorities are exempt from TABOR. 

• Streetscape bricks turn corner at 14th and Washington Ave. toward Hwy 58.

2003

• Washington Avenue Bridge over Clear Creek is rebuilt with award-winning design and pedestrian enhancements. GURA contributes $300,000 toward the enhancements. 

• Clear Creek Commons opens. Seniors can now live in the heart of Golden. 

• Clear Creek Square occupied by Pentax, NGT, Testmark and other businesses. 

• GURA assists existing businesses with strategic planning during difficult economic times. 

2004

• Bent Gate Mountaineering expands and remodels their space at 1313 Washington Ave. with tax increment financing through GURA. The new space is ten times as large as the old store, and increased sales and employment contribute positively to the economic vitality of downtown.

• GURA authorizes several major grants: a $30,000 grant to the Foothills Art Center; a six-year, $60,000 grant to Miners Alley Playhouse; and an $18,000 grant for the “Indian Mural” building at 10th and Washington Ave.

2005

• GURA, the City of Golden, NexCore Group LLC, and the Golden Civic Foundation announce a plan to redevelop the Hested’s site at 13th and Washington Ave. The new project, which will be known as Gateway Station, resolves a 25-year-old redevelopment priority.

• The Jackson Court development at 12th and Jackson St. is re-bid. This project will bridge the gap between the Clear Creek Square office building and Washington Ave.

• Refinancing allows GURA to retire debt and start new projects such as Jackson Court and Gateway Station.

• Golden is chosen as one of 30 “All-American Cities” finalists. The National Civic League bestows this honor on 10 cities each year. GURA supported one-third of the Golden delegation to represent our community in Atlanta.

• GURA moves to 922 Washington Ave. This move allows the Rocky Mountain Quilt Museum to expand in its current location at 1111 Washington Ave.

• GURA installs directory signs throughout downtown to help visitors locate businesses.

• GURA installs bike racks throughout downtown to promote bicycling.

2006

• Gateway Station project moves forward with purchase agreements, a remediation plan, final design details, and reconfiguration of the parcels involved. Demolition of the old buildings, remediation, and utility work occur in the second half of the year.

• Jackson Court construction begins in April and is completed by September, 2006. 

• The first Millstone Condominium building is completed on the south side of Clear Creek. The builders begin construction of the second building and excavation of the third building.

• GURA begins transition to using LED lights for the downtown holiday lights. These lights are 10 times as energy efficient and more durable than conventional holiday lights. GURA also greatly increases the number of lights used and creates a centerpiece for downtown with the large evergreen at the Chamber of Commerce building. 

• The Downtown Character Committee, with members from GURA, as well as the Parks & Recreation, Planning & Development, and Historic Preservation boards, prepare for an extensive 2007 community planning process. This plan will help guide future decisions in the downtown area.

2007

• GURA develops an energy audit program to help businesses identify and implement energy-saving opportunities.

• GURA funds a web site development pilot project to assist businesses in e-commerce.

• GURA coordinates a city and community effort to develop sustainability goals and recommendations for City Council related to buildings, economic health, education, energy, solid waste, recycling, transportation, and water.

• With the help of Table Mountain Garden Club, Century 21, the City, the Civic Foundation, Rotary Club, Lion’s Club, Golden Landscaping, and NREL, the Loveland Garden is built on a vacant lot between Century 21 and the Quilt Museum building on Washington Ave.

• GURA is a lead agency in a ten city collaborative effort to create a regional wireless network. An RFP is published and contract negotiation begins with the selected vendor.

• Excavation is completed and construction begins at Gateway Station.

• After receiving extensive community input from open houses and surveys throughout the year, the Downtown Character Plan is drafted and presented to City Council.