Growing with Intention: Small-Town Leadership in a Changing Northern Colorado

About This Episode What does it take to grow a town while preserving the character and connections that make it feel like home? In this episode of NoCo Voices, host Kristin Todd sits down with Matt LeCerf, town manager for the Town of Johnstown, and Patti Garcia, town administrator for the Town of Wellington. Both are experienced municipal leaders guiding communities through a season of significant growth, opportunity, and change. Johnstown and Wellington have deep agricultural roots and strong small-town identities. Today, they are also welcoming new residents, neighborhoods, and businesses. With that growth comes increasing demand for water, wastewater treatment, roads, broadband, emergency response, parks, trails, recreation, and other public services. Matt and Patti offer a candid—and lively—look at the decisions happening behind the scenes. They discuss how town leaders balance immediate needs with long-term planning, navigate competing priorities, communicate difficult tradeoffs, and create space for both longtime and newer residents to shape their community’s future. The conversation also explores the value of regional relationships. Through the NoCo Foundation’s Growing Communities Collaborative, municipal leaders from eight Northern Colorado communities meet regularly to exchange ideas, share lessons, and support one another through the daily realities of managing growth and change. Listeners Will Learn More About - The opportunities and pressures facing Northern Colorado’s growing towns - How communities preserve small-town character while welcoming new residents - Why water, wastewater, broadband, roads, and emergency services must be planned years ahead - How leaders balance essential infrastructure with parks, trails, recreation, and other community amenities - What thoughtful leadership looks like when every choice involves tradeoffs - How trusted regional relationships help communities learn and plan together Our Guests Matt LeCerf is the town manager for the Town of Johnstown. He leads the Town’s daily operations, implements the priorities established by the Town Council, and coordinates municipal programs and services during a period of continued growth and investment in Johnstown’s future. Patti Garcia has served as town administrator for the Town of Wellington since December 2020. She brings more than 20 years of local government experience and expertise in municipal processes, organizational efficiency, and community engagement. In 2026, she earned the Credentialed Manager designation from the International City/County Management Association. Resources - Town of Johnstown: https://johnstownco.gov/ - Town of Wellington: https://www.wellingtoncolorado.gov/ - Johnstown planning and development: https://johnstownco.gov/225/Planning- Development - Wellington town master plans: https://www.wellingtoncolorado.gov/607/Town-Master- Plans NoCo Voices: Conversations with neighbors strengthening Northern Colorado is a podcast from the NoCo Foundation featuring the people, partnerships, and ideas helping our region thrive.