City Manager

Mission

The Mission of the City Manager’s Office is to provide leadership, policy, guidance and communication services to City Council, the community and the organization so they can successfully create a vibrant, safe, secure, and sound community.

How the City Operates

The City of Arvada operates within a council-manager form of government. This system of local government combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council, with the managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The plan establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council as a whole and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

What Does the City Manager's Office Do?

The City Manager's office supervises implementation of policy and procedure as directed by the City Council through coordination and supervision of operations in all city departments.  Staff also works with the City Council members on legislative matters and intergovernmental relations; works with citizens and neighborhoods; prepares City Council agendas; oversees franchises including telecommunications, energy, and more; submits a recommended budget to the City Council; is responsible for public information including media relations, marketing and communications, and cable and on-line video programming; and much more.

About the City Manager

Arvada's City Manager is Lorie Gillis, who began serving in the role on Oct. 7, 2022. Prior to her role as City Manager, Ms. Gillis had served as the Deputy City Manager since 2014. She has also held roles with Jefferson County Schools as Chief Financial Officer (2004-2014) and Executive Director Budget Management and Development (2002-2004); and the City of Golden as the Director of Finance and Administration (1996-2002). Ms. Gillis has a Bachelor’s Degree from Colorado State University in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership - Applied Business Management from Colorado State University Global Campus, and most recently attended John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education, where she was awarded a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government.