Golden honored among “250 Champions” by National Academy of Public Administration and LocalGov250

 

Jim Golden was recognized in March 2026 by the National Academy of Public Administration and LocalGov250 as an honoree for their 250 Champions Initiative. Golden, who worked for the City of Longmont for more than 45 years, retired as Chief Financial Officer in January 2025.

 

The 250 Champions Initiative honors 250 outstanding public servants across the U.S. in anticipation of the nation’s 250th anniversary in 2026. It celebrates local, state, and federal government employees who demonstrate excellence and community impact.

 

“250 Champions is an outstanding opportunity to recognize the important role of local government in implementing democracy every day,” said Wally Bobkiewicz, city administrator of Issaquah, WA and selection committee member of Local Gov 250. “A key element of the initiative has been to recognize all the professions that make local government work, from librarians to police officers, engineers to recreation leaders. Local Gov 250 has brought together all these professions to celebrate the impacts of our collective work.”

 

Established in 1967 and chartered by Congress, the National Academy of Public Administration is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that helps government leaders solve the nation’s most critical management challenges. The Academy advances excellence in public administration through research, advisory services, and thought leadership.

 

Local Gov 250 is a national effort to honor and elevate the role of local government as the United States approaches its 250th anniversary.

 

“We’re very pleased to learn that Jim was recognized as a champion of local government,” said Longmont Mayor Susie Hidalgo-Fahring. “Jim’s long and extremely valuable service to our city certainly exemplifies the highest standards.”

 

To be eligible for the award, honorees must be currently working as a government employee or recently retired within the last ten years and exemplify the highest standards of service to the public.

 

The 250 Champions will be honored at an event preceding the International City/County Management Association National Conference in Philadelphia May 12, 2026. Additional details are available on the National Academy of Public Administration website at napawash.org/press-releases/250-public-service-champions and at localgov250.org.

 

Media contact: Rogelio Mares
City of Longmont Public Information Officer
PIO@longmontcolorado.gov or 720-899-0758