Gov Business Review: Specials Magazine

Ben Goldstein has spent over two decades working in nearly every aspect of local government, from financial management in Denver to policy work as Deputy City Manager in Lakewood since 2018. Lakewood itself, the fifth largest city in Colorado and a full 44 square miles, operates as a forward-looking municipality built around responsive public services, sustainable development and a genuine commitment to quality of life. Goldstein sits at the center of that operation, translating the council’s vision into the daily work of running a city. His range of experience and the steadiness he has brought to it have earned him recognition as Deputy City Manager of the Year 2026. Where Public Service Became a Calling Goldstein’s inspiration for public services began with two people who influenced him early in his career. An internship with the City of Boulder under City Manager Ron Secrist introduced him to city management as a career option that resonated with him. A second internship in the Fort Collins city manager’s office under City Manager Darin Atteberry cemented his career path. He credits both leaders directly, one for opening the door and the other for making sure he walked through it. What followed was a purposeful journey in local government. From finance and policy development to legislative affairs and city management itself, each role added a different vantage point on how a community actually gets served. Each one reinforced the same lesson: The best outcomes grow from pulling together different perspectives around a common purpose. Goldstein has come to see effective local government as a team effort at its core and leadership as helping those teams succeed together. Finding True North Through Deliberative Leadership The Deputy City Manager role sits at an intersection few outsiders appreciate. The role operates at the nexus of elected officials, department directors and the community itself, absorbing competing priorities from every direction. Gol