From WatchdogWire – Colorado:  A local government’s website often is the front line of communication, giving residents both a first impression and a deeper basis to determine whether elected officials have effectively established confidence and trust.

The City of Arvada has sought to put its best foot forward in some aspects of customer service and transparency. But a number of opportunities exist to improve the Arvada website and its usefulness to concerned taxpayers and other community residents. Analysis and suggestions are based on an informal site audit I performed on March 6-8.

Arvada is the 7th largest city in Colorado, with an estimated population of 109,000 residents. Located along Denver’s western edge in northern Jefferson County, the 144-year-old city experienced dramatic growth during the last half of the previous century.

Arvada is governed by an elected seven-member city council. The website clearly provides their names, email addresses and phone numbers, and other basic information. Site users can access a map of the city divided into the four represented districts. However, individual council members’ terms in office and upcoming election dates are not readily found. Voting records are not compiled in any sort of searchable format.

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