911 10th Street
Golden, CO 80401
Phone: (303) 384-8000
Email:
Council Members & Commentaries
Mayor Marjorie Sloan
(303) 279-0088
msloan@cityofgolden.net
I’m honored to serve as mayor of Golden, our small-town gem in the Denver metropolitan area. Golden is the home of more than eighteen thousand engaged and involved residents and the destination of hundreds of thousands of visitors. My goal is to maintain and enhance the Golden experience for all these folks.
We have a well-run city in a strong financial position. Our neighborhoods are nurturing and our downtown is vibrant. We have an award-winning parks and recreation department that provides great experiences for people of all ages. The Golden Police, Fire, and Public Works departments protect persons and their property. And volunteerism is a hallmark of Golden. Our residents pitch in to make sure that we have good government, excellent schools, service to those in need, and terrific community events.
We have much to look forward to in the coming years. Light rail will be here soon, linking us more closely with the rest of the region. As a community we will be taking a close look at many important issues: our transportation system, the needs of our aging population, a balance of revenue with services, and a successful sustainability program. The city’s very professional staff, citizen boards and commissions, city council, and I want to hear and and benefit from your good ideas on these issues and more. Please stay in touch through this website, emails to citycouncil@cityofgolden, or telephone calls. There will also be many in-person opportunities to join in our community conversation.
Mayor Pro Tem Joe Behm
Ward 2
(303) 918-1103
jbehm@cityofgolden.net
I think we can all agree that Golden is truly a remarkable community. Not only are we blessed with an abundance of resources and recreation right at our doorsteps, but we have unique and varied neighborhoods and a quintessential small-town downtown. Golden is fortunate to have a healthy economic base and a strong city management team that furthers the collective goals of our community. As residents, we are the beneficiaries of the prudent and well thought out plans and policies of past city councils. As Ward 2 Councilor, I would like to continue the tradition that past leadership demonstrated and deliver to all Goldenites a commitment to excellence.
I have had the pleasure to serve on City Council for the past six years and prior to that, on the Golden Urban Renewal Authority board and the Golden Economic Development Commission. My experience tells me that we have built upon the strong foundations of the past and continue to improve the City of Golden, for all to enjoy. They often say that Wayne Gretzky was The Great One because he “skated to where the puck was going to be.” I believe the decisions we are making today as a City Council will prepare us better for the future, and we too are skating to where the puck is going to be.
As a resident since 1994, I am proud to make my home and raise my family in Golden.
Councilor Saoirse Charis-Graves
District 1
(303) 709-7529
scharisgraves@cityofgolden.net
In my childhood, community and connection mattered. Honesty, hard work, and living daily life according to your values mattered. Giving back, making a difference, caring for your neighbor — this is what I learned in the small town where I was born.
Today, I live, work and play in Golden, a small town I’ve come to love deeply. With your support, I now have the opportunity to protect what I love and to help our city remain the unique, vibrant place in which we all love to live.
As I walked in neighborhoods and knocked on doors, citizens of Golden told me that preserving the small town feel and character of our city is top priority. They also appreciate and enjoy the many amenities that make Golden resource-rich for an active, engaged community. It was clear that the people of Golden care about staying connected to one another in their neighborhoods and appreciate the efforts of city staff to support them and communicate with them.
Communication will be a focus for me, both with citizens and with staff. I’ll be looking for opportunities to talk with the people of Golden as they live, work and play. I want to keep folks informed just as I want to hear about priorities and concerns. I’ll continue to meet with and learn about the work of our city staff.
Taking the oath of office to serve the people and the city of Golden was an emotional moment for me. It is my deep honor to represent our citizens and our city.
Councilor Marcie Miller
District 2
(720) 326-8636
mmiller@cityofgolden.net
My father was an undergrad at CSM when I was born, and I grew up in Golden. I joke that I was a feral child, because I spent so much time hiking and riding my horses on North and South Table Mountains. Heinie Foss once called my mom to tell her that I was running all the weight off his cattle, and would I please stop herding them around? It was passion for those flat tops that led me to be a founding member of Save the Mesas and advocate for Open Space and undeveloped lands surrounding our community, because this wild buffer of open land is part of what makes Golden so special.
Golden has many wonderful things to offer residents and visitors, but there will always be challenges that await us as a community. While transportation is often at the forefront, Golden will be faced with other growth-related issues, such as urban renewal, infrastructure maintenance, workforce housing and infill development. Having owned businesses in downtown Golden since 1983, I’ve enjoyed the booms and survived the busts of being self-employed in a small town. My pledge as your Councilor is to always consider Golden’s future first and to continue to build on the great work done by previous Councilors.
Because one thing is never enough for me, you will also find me volunteering around the City. I encourage you to do the same. There are so many ways to get involved in Golden, and not only will the community be better for it, so will you!
Councilor Marcia Claxton
Ward 1
(303) 526-1214
mclaxton@cityofgolden.net
It is a privilege to serve Ward 1, which comprises the high school, Southridge, Golden Hills/Hts., Golden Terrace Village neighborhoods, the Corporate Center, and retail, restaurants, and other businesses along South Golden Rd., and West Colfax Ave. The largest and most diverse ward, it is challenging to represent, but also, has the most opportunity for change and improvement.
The arrival of light rail in mid-2013 opens up possibilities for transit-oriented development and redevelopment in the vicinity of the new Jefferson County Administrative Center – Golden station. A pedestrian bridge to be built across 6th Avenue will conveniently connect the nearby neighborhoods to light rail. Also, a new circulator bus will transport people to and from the station and around Golden.
Making the streets and neighborhoods more pedestrian and bike friendly is already happening, and streetscape/infrastructure improvements will continue, building upon South Golden’s strengths and enhancing its quality of life in line with GoldenVision 2030 values and neighborhood plans. Aiding this process is the recent acquisition of open space and a future park near the junction of Heritage Rd. and West Colfax Ave., providing another oasis for recreation and relaxation that already includes the premier Fossil Trace Golf Course.
Councilor Bob Vermeulen
Ward 3
(303) 218-0080
bvermeulen@cityofgolden.net
I am proud to represent Ward 3 for the City of Golden. My wife and I chose to raise our family here for the great recreation opportunities and location, but we have found that it is the community that makes Golden so great.
It is that sense of community and the involvement of the citizens that makes Golden such a special place to live. I urge everyone to seek out opportunities to give back to the community in one way or another. The numerous volunteer groups and city sponsored committees and boards truly make a huge difference in how our city is run. We will continue, as a council, to make our local government transparent and responsive to the needs of the community. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or anyone on Council if you have questions or suggestions.
Bob
Councilor Bill Fisher
Ward 4
(303) 588-3389
BFisher@cityofgolden.net
I believe in the welcoming small town spirit of Golden and the stunning natural surroundings of our beautiful town.
Since early 2008 I have served as our Ward 4 City Councilor – covering North Golden, Mitchell Elementary, the School of Mines, historic designated neighborhoods, Clear Creek, Golden Museums, and Downtown. My hope is to continue the tradition of forward-thinking leaders: meeting the needs of today and creating a legacy for our families in the future.
My priorities on sustainability and quality of life are leading to new trail improvements, road repairs, noise mitigation along highways, new protections and improved vitality for the historic character of downtown and our museums, careful budgeting, economic development, greater citizen input and engagement, and thoughtful, sincere, open and engaged governance.
I meet regularly with Golden residents and business owners as well as city management to understand how I, as a Councilor, can help them execute our vision for a better community.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how we can improve Golden together. I can be reached through the city offices, by phone, or directly via my website at WilliamFisher.com.
