Meet Our Staff

Golden River Sports is the true definition of a small, locally owned business. Meet some of the faces you're almost guaranteed to see in the shop!

bart & Patty pinkham - owners

Bart Pinkham grew up in Wilton, CT and attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA. He took over sole ownership of Golden River Sports in 2007 along with his assistant store manager - Magic the Black Lab Legend. Patty was raised in Tupper Lake, NY, attended college at St. Bonaventure University, and made her way to Colorado in 2004 for more access to the whitewater rivers she loves. Bart and Patty met while kayaking at the Clear Creek Whitewater Park in Golden in July of 2008. They were engaged in August of 2009 at Lower Little D Campsite in Westwater Canyon and were married in July 2010 on Evergreen Lake. The Pinkhams have boated in 5 countries and about a dozen states, so far, in the United States.  Bart's crafts of choice:  the Hala Atcha SUP, the Pyranha Fusion, the Cronin Ugly Duckie and the Kokopelli Rogue packraft . Patty prefers her 15' raft custom made (named the PINK HAM - yes, it’s pink) by Jack's Plastic Welding along with Sawyer MXS Oars and FrontierPlay Dryboxes.

Jet, Koda and Quincy - Top shop dogs

Pinkham Pups:  Our 3rd Generation Shop Dogs are now available for your pets, treats and snuggles! Jet, our Black Labrador was lovingly adopted from Mile High Labrador Retriever Mission. He is two years old, a daddy’s dog, and can be found greeting customers and bribing the mailman for treats at the store on any given day. Koda and Quincy are twin brothers adopted from Colorado Beagle Rescue. They are also 2 years old. They are mommy-dogs who like to snuggle on their shop dog bed and keep a keen eye-out for Joey the neighbor's cat. All three pups are eager to help you pick out your purchases, give you dog hair samples to take home free of charge and will turn themselves inside-out for your attention or a stroll around the block. We. Are. Blessed. 

Dennis AND aldawg KOSTIC - AMBASSADORS

Dennis is from Wilton, CT and attended St. Lawrence University in northern New York State. He is a former GRS Paddlesports Manager and remains an active ambassador for the store. Dennis loves to flatwater explore, kayak in all forms, whitewater canoe and fish. He is also know to MC events such as the annual GRS Holidaze Party and make guest appearances at random paddling events. Aldawg got his Rainbow Bridge Wings in early 2025, but remains in our memories as Dennis’s loyal First Mate in all forms of float, scouting trout and hiking adventures. Aldawg joins Magic, Baxter, Asher and Newman chasing bunnies in the beyond. ‘Til we meet again….

Please also visit our Fly Fishing page to “meet” our guides!