Our Story

It all started when my wife, Laura, took a class at the Colorado School of Mines to fulfill requirements for her bachelor's degree at MSU Denver. We both grew up in the Denver area but had never spent much time in Golden. Thanks to that class, we decided we should spend a weekend exploring the history of this little town nestled between the table mountains and the foothills, so we did.

I planned a weekend around Laura's birthday that spring, but aside from the Coors brewery tour, I couldn't find any guided tours to learn about Golden's history. So I improvised—creating a scavenger hunt where we spent an entire Sunday wandering the town, sampling beers at local breweries, peering through windows at the Golden Historic Park, feeding chickens, and discovering all the stories this place had to tell.

When we travel to new places, we always look for guided tours. To me, there's no better way to get to know a city than having a local teach you about it through stories. You get great recommendations for things to do, when to do them, and the places to avoid. It's become a staple of our travel plans.

Not long after that birthday, we moved to Golden for Laura's Ph.D. program. There was still no daytime tour aside from some occasional haunted history and ghost tours (but they have their niche in the darker side of Golden and generally occur at night). After about a year of living in town and learning about the history, I decided to flip the script and become a tour guide myself.

I created tours that were family-friendly, happened in the daytime, and told the story of Golden's founding and growth—from a small camp of miners looking to strike it rich along Clear Creek all the way through the industrial boom and into its current role as a destination for people to escape the bustle of nearby cities (we're only 15 minutes from Denver, nestled at the base of the foothills).

I've always loved a good story, and Golden has no shortage of them—from brothels to bathtubs, railroads to ranchers. My goal is to bring people into the history and make them part of the story.

Why We Do This

Here's where this gets personal.

In 2023, I lost my dad to Alzheimer's at the age of 67. If you've ever watched a parent's memory fade—watched them slowly stop being the person you grew up with—you know it's devastating. In those final years, knowing just how limited our time was, making memories and cherishing the moments we did have became the most important thing we could do.

That experience fundamentally changed how I approach these tours and events.

This isn't just about reciting historical facts. Sure, understanding our history is unquestionably important and forms the foundation of everything we do. But making it fun, entertaining, and memorable is where it all comes together. Because at the end of the day, memories are what we have. They're what connect us to the people we love and the experiences that shape us.

These tours are about creating experiences that stick with you—moments that become part of your own story, conversations you'll have at dinner that night, memories you'll recall years later, esoteric facts for your next bar trivia. Maybe it's a ghost story that gives you chills, or a Wild West tale that makes you laugh, or just spending an afternoon with your family doing something together that isn't staring at screens.

That's the heart of Golden History Tours: creating fun, memorable experiences.

What We Believe

We believe history comes alive through stories, not lectures. We believe learning should be fun. And we believe that the best experiences are the ones you remember long after they're over.

Every tour we offer—whether it's a family walking tour, a pub crawl with outrageous Wild West stories, or getting spooked on a ghost tour—blends entertainment, education, and genuine connection. We keep our group sizes small (max 15-20 people) because history isn't meant to be shouted at a crowd of 50 people through a megaphone. We want you to hear the stories, ask questions, and feel like you're part of the experience, not just another face in a mob shuffling down the street.

Our goal is always the same:

• Have fun - Life's too short for boring tours. We weave humor into every story because, let's be honest, history is full of ridiculous people doing ridiculous things.

• Make memories - Create experiences that stick with you and become part of your story.

• Learn something - This isn’t just about Golden’s history. You can’t tell these tales without knowing how they fit into Denver’s, Colorado’s, and even the country’s and the world’s history.

What You Can Expect

When you join us for a tour, you're not just getting a history lesson—you're getting:

• Charismatic guides who actually love what they do and know how to tell a story (no monotone date-reciting here)

• Engaging narratives that bring Golden's wild past to life (kidnapped judges! Million-dollar grave robbery plots! Bathtub controversies!)

• Interactive experiences where you're part of the story, not just a spectator

• A golden bandana - our signature souvenir that's become so recognizable around town, locals can spot Golden History Tours guests from a block away

• Memories that last long after the tour ends (and probably some stories you'll tell for years)

Whether you're a local who's lived here for decades and wants to finally learn what actually happened in your town, a visitor exploring Colorado for the first time, or planning a corporate event or special celebration (we do Wild West weddings, just saying), we're here to make it memorable.

Ready to make some memories?

Book directly at goldenhistorytours.com to support our local business and get the best price. (Those third-party sites take at least 22% commission—book direct and save money while supporting small business. Plus, you'll get access to ticket options and extras you won't find anywhere else.)

I hope you'll join us for a tour soon!

— Chris