An Architect’s Journey, A Neighbor’s Commitment
Protecting what we love about Golden requires more than just passion; it requires a real blueprint. My commitment is to bring a new standard of leadership to our city—the “Architect’s Method.” Instead of being told what’s been decided, you deserve to be part of the process: to Consult on the challenges we face, to Co-Design the solutions together, and to Deliver on those plans with accountability.
A Deliberate Journey to Becoming Golden’s Architect
To deliver that new standard requires a leader who is uniquely and deeply prepared—with both the education to design the blueprint and the experience to ensure it gets built right. That is why my entire career has been a deliberate journey to become that leader.
I started by mastering the principles of design. I am a dedicated lifelong learner who has earned four advanced degrees: a Law Degree (J.D.), an MBA, a Master’s in Finance, and a Master’s in Management. This unique academic foundation provides the 360-degree perspective needed to analyze complex issues from every angle—legal, financial, and operational.
But theory isn’t enough. For decades, I have put those principles to work. As a state regulator, I lead the $600 million system that cares for Colorado’s injured workers. For over a decade on the board of On Tap Credit Union, I’ve helped guide one of our major local financial institutions, providing the financial discipline and thoughtful, grounded decision-making praised by community business leaders.
I apply my full ‘Architect’s Method’ as President of the North Jeffco Swim Team. There, I consulted with parents and coaches to understand our challenges, co-designed a new vision for the team’s future, and delivered tangible results. We built new infrastructure and significantly grew our revenue, empowered a new generation of parent volunteers, and created a lasting team culture of respect and collaboration.
It is this unique combination of proven experience and academic preparation that allows me to build the detailed, viable plans Golden deserves. My full professional journey is detailed on LinkedIn.
My commitment to this city is not new. I ran for this office in 2017 because I believed then, as I do now, that Golden deserves forward-looking, responsible leadership. That experience was invaluable and has made me more prepared than ever to serve.
My Guiding Principles
An architect’s blueprint is only as strong as the principles that guide its creation. Throughout my career—as a state regulator and in our community—I’ve learned that how you lead is just as important as what you know. It all comes down to a few core beliefs that shape my approach to leadership.
Lead with Empathy
“True leadership doesn’t start with a plan; it starts with a person.”
To many, leadership and empathy can seem like opposing forces. One is about decisive action; the other is about deep understanding. I believe they are inseparable. True leadership doesn’t start with a plan; it starts with a person. It begins by seeking to understand the human story behind every issue.
Before we can solve a traffic problem, we must understand the daily stress of the parent who is late to pick up their child. Before we can debate a budget, we must understand the concerns of the small business owner trying to make payroll.
The First Rule of Good Ideas
Anyone who has worked with me—whether on a credit union board or helping lead a local swim club—has heard me say some version of my simple rule: “I can’t always come up with a good idea, but I know one when I hear it.”
For me, this isn’t just a saying; it’s a leadership philosophy. The best ideas often come from the most unexpected places, but you only find them if you listen carefully and give everyone a chance to be heard. A leader’s most important work isn’t to have all the answers; it’s to have the wisdom to recognize great ideas and the openness to elevate the great ideas that come from anywhere.
The Campfire Principle
An effective leader doesn’t show up with all the answers. They build the best campfire—creating a space where everyone feels welcome to share their ideas, and then listening carefully to help the group build something great together.
A Neighbor’s Commitment
For me, this is personal. My wife, Stephanie, and I chose to raise our family here in Golden 19 years ago because we love it. I’m running for City Council to protect what makes Golden special for our daughters, and for all of us. I’m asking for your vote not just as a candidate with a plan, but as your neighbor, who is deeply committed to protecting the city we all call home.
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Dan Sung for Golden 