How Do You Spell "Engagement?" B-L-O-C-K P-A-R-T-Y!

A Colorado city changes the community planning game

For Immediate Release

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The parties found the people—
in neighborhoods, parks and along
Golden's popular bike path.

Golden, CO—Still looking for the holy grail of public participation? Tired of reading about “civic engagement“ and other buzzwords of involvement? When you find yourself the target of “outreach“ efforts, do you wonder how you ended up “out there,“ needing to be lassoed in?


You should pay a visit to Golden, Colorado (pop. 18,000), a little city on the western edge of the Denver metro area with go-it-alone chutzpah. When Golden’s city planners and volunteers agreed to learn what Goldenites want for their future, they didn’t reach out—they went out into neighborhoods, hosting block parties all around the City. It’s part of the two-year Golden Vision 2030 effort and the Orton Family Foundation’s $10 Million Heart & Soul Community Planning initiative to build on residents’ values and input and agree on a shared vision for the City’s future. But it’s not just a visionary effort; it’s got the teeth to ensure the vision becomes reality.

This summer, Golden Vision 2030 volunteers and staff closed off city blocks and pitched their white-topped tents in neighborhood parks, at prominent intersections and along the bike path to go to residents where they live. They held block parties in eight different neighborhoods throughout the City, bringing residents together to meet, talk and describe what they most value about their town. There were grilled burgers and hotdogs, free bike tune-ups, a bounce house for kids and “Have Your Pet Meet a Vet” (free advice from a veterinarian). There were booths sporting signs encouraging participation: Map Your Neighborhood, Live Sustainably, Water Conservation and What’s Your Vision?

Golden’s is no window-dressing effort: staff sent out 6,000 invitations to the events in a city with a total of 7,900 households, and nearly one out of ten residents attended a block party. That’s the sort of commitment needed to turn the mantra of greater engagement into meaningful dialogue and broadly supported decisions.

Images from Golden’s Block Parties

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North Neighborhood sit-down

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Pet-friendly neighbors

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A draw for the whole family

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Discussing local issues
“One of Golden’s greatest strengths is its fierce dedication to protecting our small town character and quality of life,” said Golden Mayor Jacob Smith. “The remarkable turnout at the block parties is emblematic of this deep sense of community and the desire to resist becoming just another suburb.”


Golden’s experiment with a new way to engage its residents has paid off handsomely in stories and relationships, as well as numbers. Staff recorded more than 100 residents talking about why they love Golden and what they hope for the City’s future. And when neighbors—who might also be strangers—are brought together, relationships are built, common ground discovered.

The block parties are only one facet of Golden’s commitment: so far, another 120 interviews or stories have been gathered through Golden Vision 2030’s man-on-the-street interview project. More events are planned this fall, including six story circuit events with local civic groups, story gathering at Golden High and chili socials in neighborhoods found to be underserved by the block parties. The aim is to capture more than 350 voices to form the basis for a broadly shared vision for Golden.

Residents of Golden talk about their community

Watch more video clips of block party conversations...

Ultimately, the City will update neighborhood plans and complete strategic investment and action plans. It will also align and update all policy documents to ensure that major decisions support the common values and vision that are emerging from the block parties and other upcoming efforts.


Time will tell whether Golden’s approach can create lasting, meaningful changes in local culture, public participation and community decisions. But if nothing else, it has signaled to citizens that the City is ready to listen, to do things differently and take real action.

For one Golden resident, that’s no small thing: “What I love about Golden is that we are continuing to become a progressive, interesting player in a field of lots of cool cities,” said Karlene Grange, while attending a block party. “I love it, and it’s home. This process feels good to me.”

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The Orton Family Foundation, based in Middlebury, Vermont, and Denver, Colorado, seeks to help small cities and towns discover and describe their heart and soul—the collective attributes that make communities unique—and build on those attributes in planning toward a vibrant, enduring future.

For More Information Contact:
John Barstow, Director of Communications
Orton Family Foundation
PO Box 111 (152 Maple St., Suite 101)
Middlebury, VT 05753
802.388.6336
communications@orton.org
www.orton.org