Meet JJ Trout
Prepared. Responsive. Committed to keeping Golden special.
Twelve years ago, my husband and I left Nebraska and headed west on an adventure. During that three-month Jeeping, mountain biking, climbing and hiking trip, we discovered Golden and its engaged neighbors — then decided to make it our home. It felt just like the small towns I grew up in, but had much better views.
Golden is the perfect place to pursue our love for the outdoors and my passion for service. Since relocating, I worked for several nonprofits, including the Children’s Hospital, Professional Ski Instructors of America and Victim Outreach Information. Currently, I make biking better for everyone as Director of Data and Technology at PeopleForBikes.
My motivation to serve Golden started shortly after moving here. After countless doctor visits and interfacing with a series of specialists and their staff, I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. In the months leading up to the diagnosis, neighbors and friends were so supportive that I came to two realizations: 1) Health starts with community and 2) Community is shaped by those who are present.
So, I showed up for my community by:
Advocating for victims throughout Jefferson County - where I would show up to the scene of the crime and make sure their voice was heard and needs were met
Learning about Golden through:
Leadership Golden
Public Works Citizen Academy
Chairing the Parks, Recreation and Museums Advisory Board
Participating in several working groups:
Golden Investment Task Force
Jeffco Trails Council
Transportation Task Force
Housing Task Force through Golden United
Serving on the Citizen’s Budget Advisory Committee
Steering Golden United - a 2019 Mayoral Award winner - who brings neighbors together to have tough conversations and move Golden-specific solutions forward
Through all this, I came to a third realization: Policy is personal. Golden is facing important challenges that I want to contribute to solving while being an effective voice for the southern neighborhoods.
My family has a long history of service. My great grandfather was a State Senator for South Dakota. My grandfather, father, mother and brother have all served in the military. I’ve dedicated my professional and volunteer careers to helping others, and I want to honor this legacy by serving you as Golden City Council District 1 Representative.
If you’d like to reach out, email me at jj@jjtrout.com or call me at (402) 981-9827.
JJ, her husband Cole and their pup Jackson Pollock in front of the Cuthroat Trout statues. Photo by Charlie Shae.
“JJ’s ideas are knowledgable and vigorous. She represents a younger, energetic perspective for City Council.”
“She excels at partnering with residents and existing community groups and coming up with outside of the box solutions to vexing challenges.”
“If you want your District 1 City Councilor to have inclusive, energetic, and knowledgeable ideas, vote for JJ Trout. She will ensure every Golden resident is involved and given opportunities to flourish.”
“We need her energy and community building skills to help Golden to mature into the best community we can be.”
“She is highly qualified, super intelligent, and seems like the right choice for Golden at a time when Golden could use some smart and enthusiastic thinking.”
My commitments to a brighter Golden
Golden deserves a true leader - one who in inclusive and puts neighbors first. I am committed to retaining what's special about Golden (our open spaces and our small town charm). I also want to make Golden even more livable, safe, and healthy for everyone. More importantly, I have years of experience with Golden responding to complex problems with creative solutions and getting results. See below for how.
Healthy and safe neighborhoods through community
A healthy you starts with healthy neighborhoods.
Placemaking — bringing unique community values and ideas together to create neighborhoods that promote health, happiness and well-being — was top of mind while I served on the Parks, Rec and Museums Advisory Board. In fact, while chairing the board that advised on the latest Master Plan, Golden became one of the first to factor health into the assessment.
Livability, sustainability and the environment are all essential to good health. I learned these principles firsthand through my biomedical sciences graduate degree, research work at Children’s Hospital and personal training at Earth Treks.
I will continue to put these in practice for you every day as City Councilor. Let’s take a broader view of community health to look into issues such as safety, housing, transportation, education, employment, social support, culture, support for an aging population and the physical environment. I’ll push for health assessments, including of our air quality and institutionalize health into every decision council makes to create a healthy built environment that will improve the wellbeing of all our residents.
Golden United + Foothills Art Center Forum
Balance growth with character + attainable housing
Population growth, housing density and traffic are regional issues that Golden feels every day.
Last summer, I helped host a forum for Golden United and the Foothills Art Center on Attainable Housing and Preserving Golden’s Character. More than 100 residents told us they value our small-town feel: running into neighbors at the grocery store, living in a community that cares for each other and views of mesas and open spaces from their homes.
This growth is an opportunity to both conserve our “small town with heart” community character and usher in sustainable solutions that care for you and our neighbors with attainable housing, upgraded infrastructure, reduced traffic congestion and increased livability for all. This balance is achievable if we are thoughtful about zoning, planning and how we work with developers to plan for growth. I support our new ordinances that give neighborhoods control over change, and I will continue to pass measures and fund projects that provide balance.
There are many private/public/non-profit partnering options to tackle attainable housing and as City Councilor, I will make sure we are creative and look at the Housing Development Grant Fund to help move programs that GURA outlined forward like deed restrictions, home rehabilitation, land acquisition and partnerships to help tackle one of the region’s most pressing issues.
Sunrise on South Table Mesa.
Outdoors: Sustainability, business, recreation + open space
Golden has an outdoor way of life and our proximity to natural amenities is one of our greatest economic and quality of life assets. We have access to world renowned outdoor recreation and we are home to several outdoor businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofits. Through service on the Parks, Recreation and Museums Advisory Board, the Golden Investment Task Force and JeffCo Trails Council, I know that access, connection, sustainability, conserving the environment and open space are priorities for Golden residents and businesses — just as they are for me.
Let’s not only protect the open space we have today, but let’s also look into innovative partnerships and funding options to increase our open space land acquisition. I am building relationships with Trust For Public Lands, The Nature Conservancy and Jeffco Open Space so I can understand open space best practices. On the Citizen's Budget Advisory Committee, I spoke in favor of funding to create the Open Space Master Plan in 2020. I’m excited to use the purchase of the 311 10th Street building to look into more open space opportunities along Clear Creek. I'm also actively seeking ways to increase our open space portfolio with citizens groups.
Golden is a leader in sustainability goals and local solutions are where change happens. We have so many smart residents on and off our Sustainability Board making energy, waste and water goals that City Council approved in 2019. As City Councilor, I’ll work to instill the use of dashboards to display our priorities publicly, measure progress and keep us on track to success as well as look into Carbon Reduction Incentive Programs to help fund our priorities.
Photo by Jordan Trout
Rooted in responsive government
The role of City Council is to listen to you, engage in tough discussions and make decisions for the betterment of the community. I can do this. As an advocate for victims of crime, I have been trained to listen and work on behalf of others. And with Golden United, we’ve been teaching ourselves and neighbors successful approaches to civil discourse and collaborating to find workable solutions.
Coffee with a Councilor is a great way for neighbors to ask questions, get answers and bring up issues. I will improve the tradition by convening a formalized neighborhood connector group comprised of leaders from each neighborhood ready to provide feedback on the issues that matter to Golden. I will also find a way to bring all residents and city council together to have discussions. And by instilling the use of dashboards to track our goals for the city, you will know how we measure up.
I will work for you and the values of Golden are what will guide my decision-making. In 2010, we adopted Golden Vision 2030, a document outlining our core principles and values. Ten years later, it’s time for a review, but after knocking on doors and talking to neighbors, I know we all still value the feel of a small town with heart. What we need to do is weave our values into every city conversation - let’s put the values at the start of every board and council agenda and have a pointed discussion on one value each month.
Exchanges with other councilors, staff, city board and commission members and other governments is crucial for bringing what works together. I will continue to develop meaningful relationships using the skills I gained through my work as a transportation advocate interacting with local, state and federal government.
Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels
Safe and less congested transportation
I commute by car, bus, bike and feet. I know what it’s like to take your mode of transportation and I want to make everyone’s back and forth better. I do this by participating in Golden transportation task forces and focus groups, working at PeopleForBikes and asking the City of Golden planners to install an ADA compliant bus stop in front of King Soopers. I’ll continue this work for you through City Council to ensure there are safe routes to schools, complete streets, that our communities remain active and connected and we move people in the most safe and efficient ways.
We have innovative connection projects on the ground, but it is time for us to raise the bar. Our brand new Transportation Master Plan gives guidance on how to prioritize projects that will increase safety and reduce congestion. Are we getting from A to B in the most convenient ways and in predictable times? Can our school children get across Jackson or 93 with ease? Do our bike lanes make cyclists and car drivers alike feel safe? These are all questions I will ask when prioritizing funding of projects and collection of data sources to make sure our transportation system provides safe, convenient and connected options for everyone.
We should also track more comprehensive crash data so that we can apply for grants, like the Safety Road Incentives, to put our resources towards making dangerous travel safer for everyone.
Photo by Vlad Bagacian from Pexels
Strong fiscal oversight
A balanced budget, a multi-year forecast of improvement needs, a healthy reserve fund and transparency in how taxpayer money is used are critical to Golden thriving now and in the future.
A strong return on taxpayers’ investments requires thoughtful and strategic leadership deciding how we leverage every taxpayer dollar. I have thought about our budget for years while volunteering for Golden on the Parks, Recreation and Museum Advisory Board, the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee and the Investment Task Force.
While on the Investment Task Force, we learned that Golden had about $200 million in possible projects that could improve the city without funds to match, so we created a matrix for City Council to decide which projects should be prioritized and assessed possible funding sources. While on the Citizens Budget Advisory Committee and through knocking on doors, I learned about other funding options we can pursue, including sharing resources with other governments, grants, donations, reimbursements and billing for services. I am actively looking into nonprofit and foundation opportunities for Golden to leverage some of these resources.
We should spend to make sure our values as a city and the well being of residents are met while also being fiscally responsible.
Supporting local business
Golden’s businesses are critical to a thriving community. It is important to maintain an environment which encourages a variety of quality and locally owned businesses across Golden. Our community values and supports business people who work with our volunteers and city government to drive positive change. I’ll look to our Chamber and business owners to help understand how City Council can help.
Photo by Scott Webb from Pexels
Technology for good
Golden is on its way to becoming a Smart City. Smart cities are about people, not technology. As the Director of Data and Technology for a national organization, I understand and value the benefits connection can bring for efficiency, transportation, sustainability, economic vitality and quality of life. I also stay updated on individual privacy rights and will work to make sure you and all of Golden residents feel safe with new trends.
Endorsements
I’m building relationships in Golden, Jeffco and the state so we can make positive, smart change together.
Golden’s State Rep Monica Duran
JJ Trout will be a great asset on Golden City Council. JJ’s passion, dedication and ability to collaborate with her community is the kind of leadership I support.
Golden Business owner JORDANNA QUINN
As the owner of Kore Regenerative Medicine - a medical practice in Golden - I appreciate that JJ puts community health first, she's committed to Golden's value of supporting local businesses, and she is a leader around equity in the workplace through her efforts with Camber Outdoors. I look forward to JJ representing us on Golden City Council.
Golden leader matt burde
Through working with JJ on various Golden nonprofits, I know she cares to make positive change and understands the perspectives of neighbors of all ages. Additionally, she knows how to build a community to keep our children, the growing senior population, and everyone safe and healthy. If you want your District 1 City Councilor to have inclusive, energetic, and knowledgeable ideas, vote for JJ Trout. She will ensure every Golden resident is involved and given opportunities to flourish.
golden leader Cyndi szymanski
JJ is a strong leader who thoughtfully and throughly engages with issues and the people that bring them to her attention. I worked with JJ for four years on the City of Goldens Parks, Recreation and Museum Advisory Board. I witnessed her firsthand commitment to supporting Golden citizens and her desire to keep Golden the special place we all love. JJ will be a valuable addition to Golden's local government serving as a City Councilor. I endorse her candidacy 100%.
golden united’s ron benioff
I am honored to endorse JJ Trout as a candidate for Golden City Council. JJ will be an outstanding council member that will listen closely to the community, research issues thoroughly, and implement practical and effective solutions tapping the range of city authorities, resources, and partnerships. I have worked with JJ for nearly 2 years on a variety of community initiatives through Golden United and am continually inspired by her vision and leadership, dedication to the interests of Golden residents, and commitment to finding sensible common ground solutions. She also excels at partnering with residents and existing community groups and coming up with outside of the box solutions to vexing challenges. JJ will ensure that city council plays a proactive role in guiding and managing the future of this wonderful city and its residents.
golden high alum hannah fritz
My name is Hannah, I am an alumnus of Golden High School and am active in our beautiful community. I have the pleasure of working with JJ as fellow members of Golden United, as well as on the constituent Investment Forum Task Force for the city. Through our work together, I have known JJ to be a dedicated member of this community, a great problem solver, and fully vested in the people who live here and their many interests. I believe JJ is a brilliant, thoughtful, kind, energetic and inspiring person to be around and get behind-- a perfect candidate to represent the people of Golden.
jeffco Commissioner casey tighe
GOLDEN LEADER KEN JACOBS
JJ has demonstrated the energy and intelligence to help address the broad range of issues that confront Golden in its effort to remain a great small town in an increasingly complex world. Having met her in the context of my own work as a member of the Citizen's Sustainability Advisory Board, and also seen and heard her in her own various capacities, I know she is the type of young leader who will listen effectively and govern well!
Golden leader dendy sloan
JJ's ideas are knowledgeable and vigorous. She represents a younger, energetic perspective for City Council.
Golden LEADER suzy stutzman
JJ Trout will be an excellent Golden City Councilor. I have lived in Golden for more than 30 years and served on a number of boards and commissions. Since JJ moved to Golden, she has jumped right in and participated in building community to address complex problems. We need her energy and community building skills to help Golden continue to mature into the best community we can be.
denver metro association of realtors
DMAR promotes sensible affordable housing policies.
golden leader brian LaFlamme
JJ has shown her support and care for the residents of Golden with her 12 years of service to the City in numerous capacities. JJ cares about the issues facing Golden and reaches out to the Boards, e.g., MTAB, to learn more. I support JJ to represent us on the Golden City Council.
Golden fire fighters
Candidate Trout shows great aptitude for information processing and seeks equality for all. Her support of Local 5080 and support of Firefighters earned Candidate Trout the endorsement of the Golden Professional Fire Fighters.
Golden LEADER TIM SCHNACKE
I know JJ from the Golden Rec Center, but before that I met her years ago doing important policy work at a statewide election forum. So, she's obviously been active a long time. She is highly qualified, super intelligent, and seems like the right choice for Golden at a time when Golden could use some smart and enthusiastic thinking.
state senator kerry tipper
