JOSÉ MADRIGAL
What I Can Bring to
the People of Lakewood
I promise to listen carefully and work constructively with the city council and community, protecting the qualities residents value while building the financial and organizational capacity needed to deliver dependable results.
Experience in Collaborative Council-Manager Leadership
Extensive experience collaborating with elected officials, staff, community partners, businesses, and residents to turn community priorities into results.
Responsible Financial Stewardship
SIgnificantly improves cities' bond rating, including one that went from "withdrawn status" to "AA+"
Proven Track Record Spurring Major Community Investements
Recently oversaw more than $940 million in city capital investment, spanning transportation, utilities, parks, public safety, municipal facilities, and airports.
Open and Responsible City Management
The “Engage Durango” website drew more than 24,000 visitors in its first year and created neighborhood-based engagement opportunities beyond traditional public meetings.
City Experience, Lakewood Goals
Community Priorities
Over two decades of municipal leadership in Colorado and Texas have given me the background and experience achieving the same goals prioritized by the community of Lakewood.
Housing
Homelessness
and Well Being
Parks, Trails and Sustainability
Economic and Community Vitality
Lakewood’s priorities closely match the work I have led throughout my career.
I offer a collaborative approach to council–manager governance, and a commitment to protecting what residents value while building the financial, organizational, and community partnerships needed to move Lakewood forward.
Durango, Colorado
Relevant City Manager Experience
Milestones
$940 million +
capital programs
AA+
bond rating
67%
voter approval
24,000+
city website visits
McKinney, Texas
CITY MANAGER EXPERIENCE
Collaboration.
Financial Responsibility.
Open Government.
Under my management, cities enjoy collaborative leadership, responsible financial management, community-centered service, and delivery on complex public priorities.
CITY MANAGER EXPERIENCE
Public Trust, Real Results.
Through clear communication and meaningful public engagement, I build trust between a city and its residents. This kind of trust contributed to Durango's recognition as the 2025 International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) Organization of the Year.
My outreach advocating renewal of a city half-cent sales tax (without increasing the tax rate) resulted in approval by almost 70% of voters. That tax funding included support for parks, trails, and open spaces, along with the transformation of an abandoned yet historic high school into the future home of a modernized City Hall and Police Department.
