It’s easy to overlook Golden, Colorado—most visitors to the State pass right by as they hightail it to ski country or take in downtown Denver—but to miss Golden would be a mistake. Golden promotes itself as “Where the West Lives,” and its identity is forged in part from a quirky history: legend has it there was once a saloon on every corner, and “Buffalo Bill” Cody watches over the valley from his gravesite on the City’s Lookout Mountain.

But Golden is by no means stuck in the past. The City offers a host of creative events, thriving businesses and progressive governmental initiatives, ranging from cutting-edge research on renewable energy to an innovative e-government system and a downtown whitewater canoe and kayak park.

Golden’s success is tied to a history of progressive leadership and civic engagement. In addition to serving up a generous portion of local color, Golden’s early settlers helped the City grow into a vital center for business, industry, education, culture and recreation. In recent years, residents have created task forces to tackle issues like walkability, master planning for bike routes and housing affordability. Golden focused on identifying community priorities through a 2006 survey and a subsequent citizen-based Sustainability Initiative, which boosted citizen engagement and participation.

The City’s newest initiative—Golden Vision 2030—will engage a broad spectrum of the community to more deeply explore the City’s character, strengths and opportunities for change. That process will help residents develop a vision for the City’s future, which will inform a Vision 2030 Plan and citizen-driven action steps.

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