City of Golden Strategic Action Plan

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A rainbow in the sky over Golden.

2023 Strategic Action Plan

City Leadership staff met to discuss the year-end summary of the 2022 Strategic Action Plan, carry-over projects, next phases of projects, and budgeted 2023 projects. A new draft plan was discussed by Council at their offsite meeting. There is a new format for the 2023 Strategic Action Plan which includes the addition of "quiet" as an important quality to include in the success factor descriptions as well as the creation of two categories of projects: Council Initiatives and Key Projects.

The purpose of the new categories is to have a shorter list of projects, identified as Council Initiatives, that is tracked and reported on most frequently and closely by Council. Key Projects is a longer list of projects that rise to a high level of visibility and are beyond what staff identifies as Ongoing Maintenance. Ongoing Maintenance is work that is completed routinely by City staff. These fit under the umbrella of the City Success Factors, as described below:

City of Golden Success Factors

  • Active, Connected and Sustainable
    • Golden thoughtfully plans to create comprehensive, connected infrastructure, services, amenities and preserve a beautiful community existing in harmony with the natural environment.
  • Affordable and Thriving
    • Golden strives to reduce barriers to affordable living and nurture local business.
  • Safe, Inclusive and Engaged
    • Golden is a safe and quiet community that works to engage and include all people and provide them with an equal opportunity to thrive.
  • Respected and Relational Governance
    • Golden builds trusted relationships through transparency, engagement, and collaboration locally and regionally
  • Quality Services
    • Golden balances fiscal responsibility with creativity and innovation to fund and deliver quality public services today and in the future.

These factors were identified as the qualities that embody City Council's vision for Golden. These factors guide the work and planning that staff does daily to realize that vision. The Success Factors, Council Initiatives, and Key Projects help the Community, City Council, and staff track, manage, and communicate about important city efforts and if needed, adjust priorities in a clear and open way. As this strategic plan evolves, we hope to improve its visibility and functionality for Council, staff, and the public.

The 2023 Strategic Action Plan was adopted by City Council on February 28, 2023.

2023 Council Inititatives

Strategic Priority AreaProject NameProject GoalTimelineOn Track
Active, Connected & SustainableHeart of GoldenDesign and Evaluate Phase 1Q4 2023Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableNet-Zero Energy CodesAdopt stretch codesQ3 2023Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableParks & Recreation PlansMaster PlanQ1 2024Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableParks & Recreation PlansOpen Space PlanQ1 2024Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableBicycle & Pedestrian Master PlanAdopt and begin implementation of Year 1 of PlanQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingAdopt Zoning CodePhase 2 and 3Q2 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingHousing Needs and StrategiesImplement recommendations from Affordable Housing CommitteeQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingHousing Needs and StrategiesPartner and Assist on Affordable Housing Projects in GoldenQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingCreek StrategiesImplement new measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both visitors and residents.Q3 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityParking studyQ2 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityCreate TDM ProgramQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityBegin Downtown Shuttle programQ3 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveYear 1 of REDI PlanEstablish a REDI Implementation TeamQ2 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveYear 1 of REDI PlanEstablish Training PlanQ4 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveCultural Master PlanAdopt and Begin Implementation of PlanQ4 2023Yes
Respected & Relational GovernmentRegional Housing and Homelessness Projects and CollaborationPlan Jefferson County Navigation Center SitesQ4 2023Yes
Respected & Relational GovernmentEmergency Management Training and CoordinationEvacuation plan, EM documentation, and tabletop trainings to identify and fill gapsQ2 2023Yes
Quality ServiceEstablish Broadband and Fiber PlanDetermine 5 year plan for broadband/fiberQ2 2023Yes
Quality ServicePlan Long-term Sustainability for Golden Fire ServicesCooperative service and funding model analysisQ4 2023Yes
Quality ServiceBe an Employer of ChoiceBi-annual equity comp work and annual study, evaluating our paid time-off programs, evaluating implementation of a paid medical leave, flexible schedule trials.Q4 2023Yes

2022 Strategic Action Plan

Last year City Council adopted their first Strategic Plan which introduced Council’s Five Success Factors. The Five Success Factors established in 2020 remain the same, and throughout 2021, staff and Council considered ways to refine the plan further and more accurately capture priority Council projects and track progress on those projects. At the 2022 retreat, Council discussed what the Strategic Plan for 2022 should look like and what changes should be made to help the document be easier to read, track, and communicate to the community about.

Staff incorporated notes from the retreat and changed the document in the following ways based on that feedback:

  • Top-line actions/goals to keep make it make readable.
  • A focus on council priority items not all projects happening in the city.
  • Goals listed from Council point of view instead of staff (i.e., not “recommend changes” but “adopt plan”)
  • Remove all staff task steps and focus on the goal of the project.
  • Thinking of the audience of the document as the public and wider community instead of from staff to Council
  • Adding a section about each item’s “connection to prior plans and goals” to address the “why” is this important to Council and what plans lead to this project.
  • Linking to said documents so that the community can learn more if desired.
  • Incorporate new proposed items that Council introduced at the retreat:
    • Arts & Culture Assessment with commission review
    • Housing Opportunity Fund
    • GFD Staffing
    • Study/outreach sounds from non-muffled trucks

Council's Five Success factors and the associated capital and operating strategic projects will form the basis for strategic budget priorities for the upcoming years. While new project level initiatives will certainly be added in coming years, projects will be organized and aligned to meet Council's strategic priorities.


2020 Strategic Action Plan

In August 2020, the Golden City Council met to determine their five strategic success factors for the community. City Council directed the City Manager's Office to develop a Strategic Action Plan that advances the five defined success factors as established by City Council. The five success factors defined by City Council are:

  • Active, Connected, and Sustainable: Golden thoughtfully plans to create comprehensive, connected infrastructure, services, and amenities and preserve a beautiful community existing in harmony with the natural environment.
  • Affordable and Thriving: Golden strives to reduce barriers to affordable living and nurture local business.
  • Safe, Inclusive, and Engaged: Golden is a safe community that works to engage and include all people and provide them with an equal opportunity to thrive.
  • Respected and Relational Governance: Golden builds trusted relationships through transparency, engagement, and collaboration locally and regionally.
  • Quality Services: Golden balances fiscal responsibility with creativity and innovation to fund and deliver quality public services today and in the future.

The Strategic Action Plan identifies organization-wide initiatives, actions, projects, and programs, which will ultimately move the City of Golden closer to reaching strategic success. It is important to note that this plan does not speak to every single action the City will take related to these success factors. Rather, City department directors are committed to providing the necessary training, professional development, work plans, and assignments, so that City staff at all levels can contribute to our overall success through their daily work.

The Strategic Action Plan is fluid. There may be some items included in the Strategic Action Plan is fluid. There may be some items included in the Strategic Action Plan that, over time and through due consideration and research, are determined to not be in the best interest of the City advancing out success factors. Additionally, there may be other unforeseen opportunities in the future that might take priority over these items. Budget considerations, especially for items that require substantial and currently unidentified funding, may impact the ultimate timing of implementing those items. In any case, City Council and City management is committed to regularly reviewing and adjusting this Strategic Action Plan.

2023 Strategic Action Plan

City Leadership staff met to discuss the year-end summary of the 2022 Strategic Action Plan, carry-over projects, next phases of projects, and budgeted 2023 projects. A new draft plan was discussed by Council at their offsite meeting. There is a new format for the 2023 Strategic Action Plan which includes the addition of "quiet" as an important quality to include in the success factor descriptions as well as the creation of two categories of projects: Council Initiatives and Key Projects.

The purpose of the new categories is to have a shorter list of projects, identified as Council Initiatives, that is tracked and reported on most frequently and closely by Council. Key Projects is a longer list of projects that rise to a high level of visibility and are beyond what staff identifies as Ongoing Maintenance. Ongoing Maintenance is work that is completed routinely by City staff. These fit under the umbrella of the City Success Factors, as described below:

City of Golden Success Factors

  • Active, Connected and Sustainable
    • Golden thoughtfully plans to create comprehensive, connected infrastructure, services, amenities and preserve a beautiful community existing in harmony with the natural environment.
  • Affordable and Thriving
    • Golden strives to reduce barriers to affordable living and nurture local business.
  • Safe, Inclusive and Engaged
    • Golden is a safe and quiet community that works to engage and include all people and provide them with an equal opportunity to thrive.
  • Respected and Relational Governance
    • Golden builds trusted relationships through transparency, engagement, and collaboration locally and regionally
  • Quality Services
    • Golden balances fiscal responsibility with creativity and innovation to fund and deliver quality public services today and in the future.

These factors were identified as the qualities that embody City Council's vision for Golden. These factors guide the work and planning that staff does daily to realize that vision. The Success Factors, Council Initiatives, and Key Projects help the Community, City Council, and staff track, manage, and communicate about important city efforts and if needed, adjust priorities in a clear and open way. As this strategic plan evolves, we hope to improve its visibility and functionality for Council, staff, and the public.

The 2023 Strategic Action Plan was adopted by City Council on February 28, 2023.

2023 Council Inititatives

Strategic Priority AreaProject NameProject GoalTimelineOn Track
Active, Connected & SustainableHeart of GoldenDesign and Evaluate Phase 1Q4 2023Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableNet-Zero Energy CodesAdopt stretch codesQ3 2023Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableParks & Recreation PlansMaster PlanQ1 2024Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableParks & Recreation PlansOpen Space PlanQ1 2024Yes
Active, Connected & SustainableBicycle & Pedestrian Master PlanAdopt and begin implementation of Year 1 of PlanQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingAdopt Zoning CodePhase 2 and 3Q2 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingHousing Needs and StrategiesImplement recommendations from Affordable Housing CommitteeQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingHousing Needs and StrategiesPartner and Assist on Affordable Housing Projects in GoldenQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingCreek StrategiesImplement new measures to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for both visitors and residents.Q3 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityParking studyQ2 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityCreate TDM ProgramQ4 2023Yes
Affordable & ThrivingDowntown MobilityBegin Downtown Shuttle programQ3 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveYear 1 of REDI PlanEstablish a REDI Implementation TeamQ2 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveYear 1 of REDI PlanEstablish Training PlanQ4 2023Yes
Safe & InclusiveCultural Master PlanAdopt and Begin Implementation of PlanQ4 2023Yes
Respected & Relational GovernmentRegional Housing and Homelessness Projects and CollaborationPlan Jefferson County Navigation Center SitesQ4 2023Yes
Respected & Relational GovernmentEmergency Management Training and CoordinationEvacuation plan, EM documentation, and tabletop trainings to identify and fill gapsQ2 2023Yes
Quality ServiceEstablish Broadband and Fiber PlanDetermine 5 year plan for broadband/fiberQ2 2023Yes
Quality ServicePlan Long-term Sustainability for Golden Fire ServicesCooperative service and funding model analysisQ4 2023Yes
Quality ServiceBe an Employer of ChoiceBi-annual equity comp work and annual study, evaluating our paid time-off programs, evaluating implementation of a paid medical leave, flexible schedule trials.Q4 2023Yes

2022 Strategic Action Plan

Last year City Council adopted their first Strategic Plan which introduced Council’s Five Success Factors. The Five Success Factors established in 2020 remain the same, and throughout 2021, staff and Council considered ways to refine the plan further and more accurately capture priority Council projects and track progress on those projects. At the 2022 retreat, Council discussed what the Strategic Plan for 2022 should look like and what changes should be made to help the document be easier to read, track, and communicate to the community about.

Staff incorporated notes from the retreat and changed the document in the following ways based on that feedback:

  • Top-line actions/goals to keep make it make readable.
  • A focus on council priority items not all projects happening in the city.
  • Goals listed from Council point of view instead of staff (i.e., not “recommend changes” but “adopt plan”)
  • Remove all staff task steps and focus on the goal of the project.
  • Thinking of the audience of the document as the public and wider community instead of from staff to Council
  • Adding a section about each item’s “connection to prior plans and goals” to address the “why” is this important to Council and what plans lead to this project.
  • Linking to said documents so that the community can learn more if desired.
  • Incorporate new proposed items that Council introduced at the retreat:
    • Arts & Culture Assessment with commission review
    • Housing Opportunity Fund
    • GFD Staffing
    • Study/outreach sounds from non-muffled trucks

Council's Five Success factors and the associated capital and operating strategic projects will form the basis for strategic budget priorities for the upcoming years. While new project level initiatives will certainly be added in coming years, projects will be organized and aligned to meet Council's strategic priorities.


2020 Strategic Action Plan

In August 2020, the Golden City Council met to determine their five strategic success factors for the community. City Council directed the City Manager's Office to develop a Strategic Action Plan that advances the five defined success factors as established by City Council. The five success factors defined by City Council are:

  • Active, Connected, and Sustainable: Golden thoughtfully plans to create comprehensive, connected infrastructure, services, and amenities and preserve a beautiful community existing in harmony with the natural environment.
  • Affordable and Thriving: Golden strives to reduce barriers to affordable living and nurture local business.
  • Safe, Inclusive, and Engaged: Golden is a safe community that works to engage and include all people and provide them with an equal opportunity to thrive.
  • Respected and Relational Governance: Golden builds trusted relationships through transparency, engagement, and collaboration locally and regionally.
  • Quality Services: Golden balances fiscal responsibility with creativity and innovation to fund and deliver quality public services today and in the future.

The Strategic Action Plan identifies organization-wide initiatives, actions, projects, and programs, which will ultimately move the City of Golden closer to reaching strategic success. It is important to note that this plan does not speak to every single action the City will take related to these success factors. Rather, City department directors are committed to providing the necessary training, professional development, work plans, and assignments, so that City staff at all levels can contribute to our overall success through their daily work.

The Strategic Action Plan is fluid. There may be some items included in the Strategic Action Plan is fluid. There may be some items included in the Strategic Action Plan that, over time and through due consideration and research, are determined to not be in the best interest of the City advancing out success factors. Additionally, there may be other unforeseen opportunities in the future that might take priority over these items. Budget considerations, especially for items that require substantial and currently unidentified funding, may impact the ultimate timing of implementing those items. In any case, City Council and City management is committed to regularly reviewing and adjusting this Strategic Action Plan.

Ask A Question

If you have a question about the Strategic Action Plan or one of the projects included within the plan, please ask here. 

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Page last updated: 11 May 2023, 04:49 PM