Perspective and Thoughts From the City Manager After 6-months on the Job

Scott Vargo, Golden City Manager

Iam honored to serve the community of Golden as its City Manager. I began on September 12, 2022 and am excited for my first summer in town and to experience all the outdoor recreation, events, and actvities first-hand. Rather than run through a list of accomplishments over the past 6-months, I thought I would share my perspective on the community as a long-time Colorado resident, but a newcomer to Golden and the Front Range.

The City of Golden is unique, and despite its proximity to Denver, it acts and feels much more like a small mountain town than a non-descript suburban city. I attribute this to Golden’s history, the vibrant downtown core, strong non-profit and cultural organizations, and its incredible outdoor amenities and recreational opportunities that create a unique feeling of separation from the hustle and bustle of the Front Range. At the same time, it is home to a growing, highly regarded engineering university, flourishing corporate, high tech, industrial and small-business enterprises, and an ever-expanding restaurant, brewery, and bar presence.

Our uniqueness generates excitement, community pride, and economic vitality, along with competing priorities and pressures on our residents, city services, and infrastructure. We value Golden’s history and the role it plays in maintaining the City’s economic vibrance and sense of community, and are working to make Golden more accessible, affordable, diverse, sustainable, and welcoming.

Over the past 6-months my excitement has continued to grow, and I am thrilled to serve in a leadership role within a wonderful community working with a dedicated and capable Mayor and City Council, an incredibly talented and professional staff. Ultimately, the people in Golden are what make it special, and I am proud to serve along with the civic, business, and nonprofit leaders who make Golden a wonderful place to be.

Community events happen because of the hard work and dedication of our volunteers. Each year the Golden Chamber of Commerce needs hundreds of helping hands to make our events safe, successful and fun. Volunteering is a way to be a part of a local event and give back at the same time. We want our local residents and businesses to feel connected to the events we provide and the best way to do so, is to be a part of them! Please consider giving some of your time to a local community event. To get involved in any of the Golden Chamber’s community events as a volunteer, please email or call our Programs & Events Manager, Lora Knowlton, Lora@goldenchamber.org or 303-279-3113, option 2. You can also visit our website, GoldenChamber.org, and sign up under our volunteer link on the website.