Idaho Springs Deputy City Manager Jon Cain announced he will begin a job as city manager in Nederland, Boulder County, in July.
Cain has been deputy city manager since February 2018.
According to city officials, during his tenure, Cain applied for and provided millions of dollars in state and federal grants for projects in Idaho Springs.
According to Mayor Chuck Harmon, to say Cain’s departure is a loss for Idaho Springs would be an understatement.
“He insisted on giving you 16 hours of work in an eight-hour day,” Harmon said. “That was always his work ethic.”
Cain’s departure was officially announced at the regular City Council meeting on June 24.
The City of Nederland received at least 30 “highly qualified” applications for the city manager position, but according to Nederland’s acting city manager Nicki Dunn, Cain was the first choice.
“He has a really diverse background. He has knowledge of everything from parks to utilities to grant applications to planning to construction, and that will be important to us here,” Dunn told the Courant.
In addition, according to Dunn, he was “highly recommended” by several colleagues.
The final decision to accept the job as city manager in Nederland was not an easy one, but Cain said it was the best move for him and his family.
“I had really great mentors in Andy (Marsh) and Chuck Harmon and they both gave me a lot of good advice,” Cain said. “Everyone has welcomed me like family and I really appreciate that and have learned so much.”
Even Harmon agreed that Cain was ready to become captain of his own ship.
“He’s ready for his professional advancement and, frankly, he’s been ready to be city manager for quite some time,” Harmon said.
Cain’s last day at Idaho Springs will be July 4. He said it was a good day for his retirement because he was instrumental in organizing the entertainment and fireworks, city leaders said.
There is an old saying that rings very true based on several conversations with Cain: “He may leave Idaho Springs, but Idaho Springs will never leave him.”
“This place (Idaho Springs) is my heart and my place. At the end of the day, I just want to see it shine,” Cain said.
Harmon said the deputy city manager position will be advertised soon in the Courant and on Govjobs.com.
It is clear that there are big shoes to fill, Harmon concluded.
