By Cali Ferndelli
Photo by Krista Ferndelli
Krista Ferndelli ended up in Golden Colorado accidentally on purpose. Ferndelli had no
idea that a community like this even existed or that it was what she was looking for. She is the embodiment of golden ideals and it shows through her love for the small community feel, outdoor recreation, independent business owners, the pets, kids, and families that make up our town.
Ferndelli grew up in Brainerd Minnesota always wanting to live in a place that felt full of life. “I can do all the things I want just by stepping out of my door” she continues by explaining how easy it is to find wonderful hiking trails and other outdoor activities. Ferndelli describes growing up without access to a lot of recreational activities or a place with a tight knit community. She recognizes a lot of the “hidden treasures” in Golden including Indulge Bistro & Wine Bar, Goldmine cupcakes, and Taspen’s Organics.
In the 22 years Ferndelli has been here, Golden has changed a lot. There’s more traffic and wider streets, more houses and retail in places that used to be open fields but the one thing that stays consistent is the small homey feel where “everyone knows everyone.” She states, “It’s kind of like a big city with a really small village feel.” and “I feel like I live in a city that embraces people who are different.” In Golden it’s easy to find others who enjoy hiking and spending time outside and are spending time with family and dogs.
Ferndelli recalls her first impression of Golden as overwhelming and so beautiful she couldn’t believe it was real. She remembers driving past Golden High School for the very first time after deciding she wanted children and realized they were going to grow up and become Golden Demons and getting a rush of excitement for her kids being raised here. When Ferndelli was asked how she thinks her life would be different if she had never moved here and her response was that everything would be different. “I feel like every road you take splits your life off into such a different endpoint.” She describes not even being able to imagine her life outside of Golden. She states, “I would have never said, ‘It’s my goal to live in Golden,’ but now it’s my goal to not have to leave.”
When asked how she would describe Golden if it were a person, Ferndelli said, “Laid back, but also a little edgy,” “independent and unapologetic,” “beautiful and wild.” She says Golden is “probably the most beautiful place in the world.” Not just because of geography, but because she’s “built a home and a community and the best family I could ever ask for right here. So this is the best city in the world to me.”
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