Golden City attorney dies – Jim Windholz

The long-time City Attorney for the cities of Golden, Lafayette and Sheridan, Jim Windholz, 65, president of Boulder-based Windholz & Associates law firm, died of a heart attack Jan. 1. Windholz was in California to attend the funeral of his sister, Mary Beth Lind, who died on Christmas Day.

Windholz had been appointed and served as the City Attorney in Golden since January 1990, in Lafayette since May 2004 and in Sheridan since October 2002. His firm wrote the Charter that made Sheridan a home-rule city. Other public agencies his firm currently represents include the Estes Park Urban Renewal Authority and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).

In his role as City Attorney, Windholz advised the City Councils he served on legal issues pertaining to their duties and functions, attended Council meetings, handled litigation, and drafted ordinances, resolutions and contracts. Windholz advised all three cities’ Councils on many significant legal issues and led them through many legal cases. He was particularly well versed in Colorado’s urban renewal law, and all three of the cities he has served saw notable urban renewal during his tenure.

“Jim had a winning record in court that would make any football coach jealous,” said Golden City Manager Mike Bestor. “He led Golden to victory time and time again in many difficult cases, some of which have set legal precedent in the State of Colorado. He will be remembered for his wisdom, honesty and integrity. To say he’ll be sorely missed is an understatement.”

Sheridan Mayor Mary Carter worked with Windholz in writing the city’s home rule charter beginning in December 2001 and presided over the Council that hired him as City Attorney in October 2002.

“He’s been absolutely invaluable to our city as far as the urban renewal we are doing,” Carter said. “He’s been an integral part of our city for about seven or eight years. His loss is going to be sorely felt by all of us. Several of us on Council are personal friends with him. This has been a very sudden blow to us, to say the least.”

Under Jim’s direction, Windholz & Associates assisted Lafayette through the process of updating sections of the City’s Municipal Charter, organizing a special election in February 2007, and the successful negotiation of several economic development agreements.

“Jim was a dynamic and intelligent advisor to the City whose input, guidance and personal charm will be greatly missed,” said Lafayette City Administrator Gary Klaphake.

He is survived by Martha “Dru” Dunham; his mother Alice Windholz; brothers Frank Windholz and Ken Windholz; sons Eric Windholz and Grant Windholz; daughter Amy Lawrence; and four grandchildren. Memorial arrangements will be announced when they are finalized.

Dave Williamson and William Hayashi are his associates, and will continue to operate the Windholz & Associates law firm in Boulder.

Golden City Council is scheduled to consider a resolution Jan. 10 to appoint Dave Williamson of Windholz & Associates as Acting City Attorney. Lafayette City Administrator Gary Klaphake will also recommend that Williamson be appointed as Acting City Attorney at its Jan. 8 City Council meeting. Sheridan City Council’s agreement is with the Windholz & Associates law firm, and therefore Sheridan will continue to use the firm’s services as City Attorney.