The Golden Transcript Colorado's Historic Local Newspaper

The Golden Transcript holds a prestigious place in the history of the American West as the second oldest newspaper in Colorado and the oldest media outlet in the Denver metropolitan area. Published by Mile High Newspapers in Golden, Colorado, the Transcript has served as a vital record of the region's growth and development for over a century and a half.

Founding and Early History

The newspaper was established as the Colorado Transcript on December 19, 1866. It was founded by George West, a pivotal figure in the establishment of Golden. West arrived in the region during the 1859 Colorado Gold Rush as the leader of the Boston Company. A seasoned journalist who had apprenticed in New Hampshire and worked for the Boston Transcript, West brought a professional standard to the frontier press.

Before launching the Transcript, West contributed to the first extra edition of the Rocky Mountain News and founded the Western Mountaineer in 1859. After serving in the Union Army during the American Civil War, West used his savings to launch the Transcript in 1866, naming it after his former employer in Boston. West remained the publisher for 40 years until his death in 1906, using the platform to promote Democratic causes and the progress of the city of Golden.

Resilience and Evolution

The Golden Transcript is renowned for its remarkable consistency, having never missed a single edition throughout its entire publishing history. This streak has survived extreme challenges, including a severe paper shortage in 1869 that forced the paper to be printed on wrapping paper, and a devastating fire in 1978.

Over the decades, the publication's frequency has shifted to meet the needs of the community:

• 1866–1960s: Published as a weekly.
• 1960s–1970s: Transitioned to twice-weekly, three days a week, and eventually a daily weekday publication.
• 1980s: Returned to a twice-weekly schedule.
• 2000s–Present: Returned to a weekly format.

The Transcript outlasted several local competitors, including the Golden Globe, the Jefferson County Republican, and the Golden Outlook. In May 2021, ownership expanded as The Colorado Sun and the nonprofit The National Trust for Local News became joint owners.

Headquarters and Locations

The newspaper has operated out of several locations in Golden over the years:

Notably, after a fire damaged the headquarters on November 4, 1978, the paper operated from the Hesteds Building at 1225 Washington Avenue—the exact same site as its second home from 1867 to 1870.

Companion Publications

Throughout its history, the Transcript has produced several distinct companion editions, including a daily reporting on the Colorado Territorial Legislature (1866–1867), a Denver edition (1875), and the Wheat Ridge (originally Jefferson County) edition, which has been published since 1982.