Methods of making supported monolithic gold (Au) catalysts that can be used for generating a hydrogen-rich gas from gas mixtures containing carbon monoxide, hydrogen and water via a water gas shift reaction, and for the removal of carbon monoxide from air at a low reaction temperature via its oxidation reaction are described. Methods of making highly dispersed gold catalysts on washcoated monoliths and the stabilization of monolithic catalyst supports by the addition of a third metal oxide, such as zirconia (ZrO2), lanthanum oxide (La2O3), or manganese oxide (MnxOy). The catalyst supports and/or washcoats may include a variety of transition metal oxides such as alpha iron oxide (α-Fe2O3), cerium oxide (CeO2), ZrO2, gamma alumina (γ-Al2O3), or their combinations.