Growing with Golden – Honoring Our Past, Enriching Our Future
The Vision of the Golden Visitors & Information Center is to be a major contributor to the economic vitality, health, and well-being of Golden and the greater Golden region, and Colorado at large; and by providing a community facility that fully supports this vision.
The Mission of the Golden Visitors & Information Center (GVIC) is to serve as a charitable, education, and information center that supports the needs of visitors, residents, students, and local businesses; The GVIC facilitates strong partnerships with the chamber of commerce, civic and cultural organizations, and local government.
For more than 25 years, the GVIC has served as the centerpiece for information on the rich history, resources, and attractions of greater Golden and the surrounding region.
The GVIC focuses on promoting the Golden experience while showcasing an authentic community that feels like a small town for all seasons. It is a joy to welcome so many people through our doors and introduce them to the community and the essence of what makes Golden unique and vibrant.
While this community non-profit is small, it is nothing less than a community leader with a robust history. In May of 1997, the GVIC opened the doors of a newly constructed permanent home in the heart of Golden at 10th and Washington Avenue on the banks of Clear Creek. It was thanks to a generous community that made this vision a reality. Foundation support for the initial capital campaign for the building included grants from the Adolph Coors Foundation, the Boettcher Foundation, El Pomar Foundation, and the Golden Civic Foundation.
Since its inception, the center has been a true community hub in Golden – a safe, comfortable, and centrally located place for residents, nonprofits, and small businesses, where they find programming, information, collaboration, social interaction, and event space. More than 40 volunteers staff the Center, providing hospitality and guidance to visitors.
The GVIC is an essential and compelling asset for the Golden community because of its committed staff, board, and volunteers, always willing to go the extra mile.
Since it was built in 1997, the GVIC building at 10th and Washington Avenue has been a source of civic pride and a lasting asset for the community. In many ways, the new Center was the capstone to a revitalization period of downtown Golden in the ‘90s.
The GVIC is not a membership organization and as such, there are no dues or fees that are required to benefit from its services and support in the community. Sixty percent of GVIC’s revenue is derived from donations and grants, with the remaining 40% coming from rental income (offices and event space).
Within the GVIC building, a small conference/boardroom is available for community use and rented by the hour for business use. Another space, the Creekside Patio, is also rented to visitors, community residents, and organizations for small events and gatherings outside the building. Office space is currently rented to the Golden Chamber of Commerce, City of Golden (Economic Development, Special Events, and Visit Golden). We are proud that a broad variety of non-profit organizations benefit from the use of GVIC meeting/event space with little or no rental cost, including, but not limited to:
Golden Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Cowboy Gathering
Colorado Environmental Film Festival
Golden Civic Foundation
Golden Lions Club
Golden Cultural Alliance
Golden Young Professionals
Chamber Ambassadors
Leadership Golden
Miners Alley Playhouse
Christain Action Guild
The GVIC has reached a point in time where demand for GVIC office and event space rentals exceeds the capacity of the current building. The Center regularly receives inquiries from a variety of non-profit organizations searching for affordable office space. A service provided for seniors provides an excellent example:
Local seniors receive personalized health care attention when the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA) arrives at the GVIC to provide a monthly foot care clinic. This popular partner program offers a support system for seniors for preventive foot care that also promotes overall health. The VNA moved this program to the GVIC after rent at the Golden Community Center became too expensive and outside logistics at a senior living complex became unworkable. Other services from the VNA can be added in the future, such as vaccine clinics.
The board and staff recognize that the natural next chapter in the history of this vibrant and central hub is an expansion of the existing building. Leadership also believes the timing is right, and the momentum exists, to plan and launch a capital campaign to accomplish this major goal.
A feasibility study is being undertaken by the staff and board of the GVIC as a first step to laying the groundwork for the launch of a capital campaign for an expansion that will allow the GVIC to serve the growing needs of the Golden community.
Your donations help the Golden Welcome Center continue our mission to the Golden Community.
