Getting to and Around Golden

TRAVELING TO GOLDEN?

Golden can be accessed by car, bus, or rail. There are five major highways (I-70, Hwy 6, Hwy 58, Hwy 93 and C-470) that lead to Golden. No matter if you are coming from the East, West, North or South, Golden is conveniently located at the foothills of the Rockies just 20 minutes from downtown Denver. Map your route to Golden using Google Maps. Downtown Golden parking information is available here. 

Golden is served by the Regional Transportation District (RTD). The local bus is Route 17, and the light rail is the W Line. The RTD bus Route 17 travels to/from Golden to Federal Center Station. The RTD bus Route 16 to downtown Denver starts and stops at Oak Station in Lakewood. The light rail W Line travels to/from Jefferson County Government Center-Golden Station to Denver Union Station. For RTD's schedule, please click here.

Golden can also be accessed by trail via the Regional Clear Creek trail map or the C-470 Bikeway. Cyclists can also use designated bike routes on 32nd Avenue and 44th Avenue. Golden has a designated north-south light rail bike route on Ford Street. Remember rules of the road apply to cyclists.

You can also get around downtown Golden using the Ore Cart Free Transit Service. See routes and details below.

The West Line (W Light Rail Service) 

Visitors to Golden can travel from Denver and DIA to Golden via the West Rail Line or “W” line from Union Station to Jefferson County Government Center-Golden Station. Please access RTD's fare and passes page by clicking on RTD's Fares & Passes link. Discounts are available.

Transfers are provided when requested. Transfers can be used between the light rail and bus service. If you travel from Denver to Golden on the light rail, a transfer will allow you to continue your journey into Golden via bus for no additional cost. The same applies if you start on a bus and transfer to the light rail. Bikes are also allowed on the light rail.

Once you arrive in Golden on the “W” line, you can either walk, bike, ride, taxi, or take the Ore Cart to downtown Golden depending on the time or day of the week. You can walk or bike the 6th Avenue Trail or travel through town along Johnson Road to Ford Street. The total distance is about 2.5 miles and can take up to 1 hour.

Ore Cart Shuttle Service a Free Community Shuttle

The City of Golden operates the Ore Cart shuttle service in partnership with the Colorado School of Mines (Mines). 

Free for all riders, there are currently three routes, all considered "pilots" and are refined based on community feedback. If you have questions, concerns, a problem, or an idea, please contact the Ore Cart Helpline at (303) 384-CART(2278).

Know Before You Go

• Free and Accessible!: This service is free for all riders, and buses are ADA accessible. 
• No Holiday Service:  The Ore Cart does NOT run on designated Mines holidays.
• Leave your Dog at Home:  As much as we love our furry friends, non-service animals are not permitted on Ore Cart Shuttles.
• No Bike Racks:  Bike racks are currently not on Ore Cart Shuttle buses, but may be added as a future amenity.
• Tubing the Creek?:  Uninflated tubes are welcome on the bus, but inflated tubes won’t fit. Please walk your inflated tube along the Clear Creek Trail on the north side of the creek. 

Shuttle Routes

• Gold Route (Au) North Golden
• Silver Route (Ag) Colorado School of Mines Campus
• Tungsten Route (W) RTD W Line Station to Downtown Golden and CSM Campus
• ROUTE MAP Static map of all three routes with shuttle stops