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 craft of choice:  the Hala Atcha SUP, the Pyranha Jed and/or the Pyranha Fusion. Patty prefers her 15' raft custom made (PINK!) by Jack's Plastic Welding.

kayaking, rental and fly fishing Managers - To be decided in 2023

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

asher and newman - shop dogs

Pinkham Pups:  Although Magic the Black Lab Legend passed away in Nov. of 2011 after 12 fabulous years, Newman the Wonder-Beagle and Asher the Black Lab Lover can now be found greeting customers and chasing away the mailman at the store on any given day. Asher, a daddy-dog, likes to snuggle on his shop dog bed, prefers dog treats and keeping a keen eye-out for Joey - the neighbor's cat. Newman, mommy's pup, likes to sleep in any Golden River Sports chair he can find unoccupied and will turn himself inside-out for dog treats or a stroll around the block. 

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 remains his loyal First Mate in all forms of float, scouting trout and is a big fan of tennis balls.

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