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 with connections to Route 17 and the W Line. The light rail W Line travels to/from Jefferson County Government Center-Golden Station to Denver Union Station. You can also get around downtown Golden using the Ore Cart Free Shuttle Service or FlexRide. See routes and details below.

Shared-use paved trails, such as the Regional Clear Creek Trail and the C-470 Bikeway, also provide convenient access to Golden. There are designated bike routes on 32nd Avenue and 44th Avenue for cyclists and north-south bike lanes on Ford Street. City of Golden Trail & Bike Facility Map. Remember rules of the road apply to cyclists.

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. 
• Saturday and Sunday Hours: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (buses arrive approximately every 30 minutes)
• 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.