Getting To and Around Golden

Traveling to Golden?

Welcome to Golden: your basecamp between the mountains and the city! Getting here is easy, with major highways, light rail connections, and shuttles linking Golden to Denver and beyond. Once you’ve arrived, explore the town by bike, foot, or public transit that connects you to key spots around the city.

Getting Into Golden, Colorado

If you’re driving to Golden, whether from Denver or other parts of Colorado, five major highways connect directly to the city:

• I-70
• Highway 6
• Highway 58
• Highway 93
• C-470 

Visitors coming from Denver can take the RTD W Line, which runs from Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center in Golden. If you’re flying, the light rail also has a convenient stop at Denver Airport (DEN).

The RTD’s official website offers a comprehensive map of all routes, along with tips for planning your trip, fare details, and real-time service updates to help you navigate the Denver metro area and Golden with ease.

Getting Around Golden Without a Car

If you’re looking to skip the car, Golden makes it easy to get around sustainably! Public transportation, biking, and walking are all great ways to explore the city while keeping your carbon footprint low.

Regional Transportation District (RTD)

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) operates two city buses in Golden throughout the year:

• RTD Route 17: Goes through downtown Golden and connects visitors to the Oak Station W Line stop and Federal Center Station hub in Lakewood. 
• RTD Route GS: Connects Golden with Boulder and Lakewood, passing through the University of Colorado, the Colorado School of Mines, and Federal Center Station.

Ore Cart Shuttle 

The Ore Cart is a free shuttle that services the Colorado School of Mines and the greater Golden community. As of 2025, Ore Cart operates three routes:

• Silver Route: Connects the Colorado School of Mines campus with nearby neighborhoods and athletic facilities.
• Tungsten Route: Links the Jefferson County Government Center RTD Station with downtown Golden and the School of Mines.
• Gold Route: Serves northern Golden, connecting residential areas and commercial spots near 8th Street and Highway 58.

Up-to-date information on schedules and routes can be found on the Ore Cart website. 

FlexRide Shuttle Bus

FlexRide is a shuttle bus service operated by RTD. Riders can book a ride up to 30 days in advance, and FlexRide will pick you up at your chosen location and take you to your destination in the Golden area! Visit the FlexRide website for more information on scheduling a ride. 

Walking and Cycling: Downtown Golden

Once you’re in downtown Golden, the area is highly walkable. Shops, restaurants, attractions, and bars are all located within a short distance from each other.

If you’d like to explore Golden by bike, the city offers plenty of options with dedicated bike lanes and well-maintained trails. You’ll find routes that wind through downtown as well as paths that lead straight into the foothills. 

For more information on cycling in Golden, check out our bicycle resources here. Likewise, check out the City of Golden Trail & Bike Facility Map to start planning your next ride!

Parking and Road Info

If you’re visiting Golden by car, you’ll find plenty of parking options throughout downtown. The area offers a mix of free two-hour street parking, paid street spaces, and city-operated lots. In city lots, the first two hours are free, with a small hourly fee after that and a daily maximum of $10 (as of 2025).

Be sure to check nearby signs for specific time limits or restrictions before parking. For detailed maps and current rates, visit the City of Golden’s parking information page.

The West Line (W Light Rail Service) 

Visitors can easily travel from Denver and Denver International Airport (DIA) to Golden via the West Rail Line, also known as the “W” Line. This light rail route runs from Denver Union Station to the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station.

For fare details, including available discounts, please visit RTD’s Fares & Passes page.

After arriving at the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station, you have several options to reach downtown Golden depending on the time and day of the week. You can walk, bike, take a taxi, rideshare, ride Golden FlexRide, or hop on the local free Ore Cart Shuttle Service.

For those walking or biking, you can use the 6th Avenue Trail or follow Johnson Road to Ford Street. The total distance to downtown is approximately 2.5 miles, which typically takes about an hour on foot.

Ore Cart Shuttle Service

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. Ore Cart service is reviewed every six months and is refined based on community feedback and operational considerations. 

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. 
• Hours of Operation (subject to change)
  Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. 
  Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 
• 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.
• Bikes:  Bike racks are available on all Ore Cart Shuttle buses.
• 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

FlexRide in Golden

FlexRide is RTD’s on-demand, curb-to-curb bus service that connects riders to RTD stations, Park-n-Rides, business centers, and more. Operating like a shared ride, FlexRide is open to the public and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Golden FlexRide Highlights

• Service Area: Covers most of Golden, excluding Golden Heights, Golden Hills, and the Coors Technology Center. See Service Map.
• Hours:
  • Monday–Friday: 5:30 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • No service on Sundays or holidays
  • Scheduled Times: Scheduled rides not requiring a reservation are available from the Jefferson County Government Center–Golden Station. Check RTD’s site for current days and times.

Booking a Ride

• Online: Book FlexRide Online
• Phone: Call 303-299-6000 (language assistance available—press 2 for Spanish, 8 for other languages)
• Fares: Visit RTD’s FlexRide page for up-to-date pricing and discount options.

Other Transportation Options

• Bike Rentals:​ Local bike shops offer rentals for those who prefer to explore on two wheels.
• Taxi & Ride-Sharing: For 24/7 convenient transportation, visitors can call Metro Taxi at 303-777-7777, or use popular ride-sharing apps like Uber and Lyft.