A ‘Golden' career: Longmont chief financial officer Jim Golden retires after 45 years with city
Originally hired in 1979 as an accountant, Golden became the city's finance director in 1987, which is essentially the same position he held until his retirement, although it was retitled about five years ago.
'This is the first job that I have been in since … college,' Golden said. 'I worked my way up.'
The city's adopted budget for 1979, when Golden started, amounted to roughly $31 million. When it was approved last October, Longmont's 2025 budget exceeded $473 million.
Golden grew up on Long Island and later graduated from St. John's University in Queens with a degree in accounting. Shortly after completing college, Golden left the Empire State and headed west for the Centennial State.
'I was born and raised (in New York) but I wasn't looking forward to working there,' Golden said.
Golden officially retired from the city at the end of January.
Teresa Molloy, who previously worked as the city's assistant chief financial officer, is now the city's chief financial officer.
Whether it be the 2013 flood or the COVID-19 pandemic, Golden admired the teamwork city staff members displayed during difficult times.
'We … were able to create a really good culture here in the department,' Golden said.
Over the years, the city has been recognized by the Government Finance Officers Association for its distinguished budget presentations and excellence in financial reporting. Golden, though, made clear that those awards were the result of his colleagues' professionalism, hard work and overall dedication to the city.
'He definitely is a legend in the city of Longmont,' Mayor Joan Peck said of Golden. 'He has guided our city fiscally for years in the right direction.'
Longmont City Manager Harold Dominguez said that Golden was a critical part of the organization throughout his time with the city.
'He was vital every day,' Dominguez said of Golden. 'He was always willing to challenge and push on things where we could do better and … there's nothing more that I value than that kind of brutal honesty.'
Longmont Downtown Development Authority Executive Director Kimberlee McKee noted how Golden had been part of the DDA since its inception in 1982.
'He believes in downtown; he believes in the businesses and the business owners that are … building the environment that we have here,' McKee said.
McKee also recalled Golden's love of live, local music.
'You would always see him every summer at our downtown concert series,' McKee said. 'He would appreciate the music, he would be part of the community and it was always just so great to see him there.'
On Tuesday nights, Golden and his colleagues could often be found at Longmont City Council meetings answering questions from local officials and residents about anything related to the city's financial and budgetary matters.
'The city of Longmont has … made a big impact on me as well as my family,' Golden said. 'Hopefully, I've given as much back in return.'
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