City of Golden Phone: (303) 384-8000
City of Golden Website

City Management

Golden is run by a professional City Manager, Mike Bestor.  All City employees report to him.  He, in turn, reports to the City Council.  Our Mayor and City Council are elected.

City Council

The City Council includes seven elected officials responsible for governing the city.  The seven members are elected by the four wards and two districts within the city, and the mayor is elected at-large.  City Council meets most Thursday evenings throughout the year, with study sessions alternating with regular meetings.  City Council meetings are broadcast on Cable Channel 8 or can be watched online through the City's web site.  (They are surprisingly interesting!)  A quicker way to check into council's activities is to review their meeting minutes on the City's web site.  See their web page on the City web site to learn more....

Council Advisory Groups

City Council seeks input from several citizen advisory boards.  Board members are generally chosen from the public by the Council.  Serving on one of these boards is an excellent way to be more involved in the City government.  Learn more about any of them by visiting their page on the City's web site:

• Campaign Election Board

• Citizens Budget Advisory Commitee (CBAC)

• Community Sustainability Advisory Board

• Historic Preservation Board

• Local Liquor Licensing Authority

• Parks and Recreation Advisory Board

• Planning Commission 

Economic Development Commission (EdComm)

EdComm is charged with attracting and retaining business in Golden, with a particular emphasis on primary employers.  They are largely responsible for the marketing campaigns that produce television commercials and billboards encouraging people to visit Golden.  Their marketing firm also maintains a web site, designed to attract tourists to Golden:  www.2hourvacation.com.  EdComm commissioners are appointed by City Council.  The group meets once a month.  You can review their activities by visiting the EdComm web page on the City's web site and clicking on "Agenda and Minutes."

Golden Urban Renewal Authority (GURA)

GURA is concerned with keeping the historic downtown economically viable.  They fund enhancement projects, such as the planter boxes and the seasonal decorations.  They also initiate, manage, and help fund redevelopment projects, such as the Hested's building, which stood empty for twenty years before being acquired for redevelopment as a retail and residential building.  They provide some grant money to property owners in the downtown district to help them improve their property.  A map showing the boundaries of the GURA district is available on their web site.  GURA is run by a board of commissioners, appointed by City Council, and by a full-time executive director (Mark Heller).  Their meeting minutes provide a great overview of their activities.  See their web site to learn more....

Learn more about the City

The City has a great website with just about anything you'll ever need to know about city codes, building permits, fees, drinking water, storm water, recycling, xeriscaping, licenses, city taxes, water bills, the fire department, the police department, classes at the rec center, golf at Fossil Trace, the city campground, the Golden cemetery, the skateboard park, indoor or outdoor swimming....  There really is a lot of interesting information online.  Check it out!