Published on October 07, 2026
Lakewood Deputy City Manager Ben Goldstein has been named the 2026 Deputy City Manager of the Year by Gov Business Review, recognizing more than two decades of public service and a leadership approach centered on strategy, collaboration and trust. Goldstein has served as Lakewood’s deputy city manager since 2018.
“It’s an incredible honor to receive this recognition, but even more importantly, it’s an honor to serve the residents of Lakewood,” Goldstein said. “I’m fortunate to work alongside talented employees who care deeply about this city and come to work every day focused on providing the best possible service to our community.”
Gov Business Review highlighted Goldstein’s role in translating City Council’s vision into the day-to-day work of running the city and his focus on aligning departments around shared goals. His leadership approach includes establishing a strategic “true north” to help the organization navigate competing priorities while remaining focused on the community.
The publication also recognized Goldstein’s emphasis on communication and transparency as essential to building public trust. His approach focuses on helping residents understand the financial and resource considerations behind city decisions and how those decisions support the organization’s long-term sustainability and ability to provide essential services.
Collaboration is another key part of Goldstein’s leadership philosophy. Rather than viewing Lakewood as a collection of individual departments, he emphasizes working as one organization toward shared outcomes, particularly as cities address increasingly complex issues that cross traditional departmental lines.
Goldstein brings more than two decades of local government experience in the Denver metro area, spanning financial management, policy development, legislative affairs and city management. Gov Business Review cited his breadth of experience and steady leadership in naming him Deputy City Manager of the Year.