It is easy to criticize public officials for decisions that you disagree with. What is not commonly known is that most mayors and city council members put in long hours, many nights and weekends, taking time from their families and their careers to make their communities better.For this they receive minimal compensation and endure the challenges of the public spotlight.

Term limits and election results have resulted in several changes in local leadership. While I congratulate the winners in recent elections, I want to acknowledge the service of several leaders who, although I may have disagreed with them on some issues, I believe served their communities with distinction:

Chuck Baroch - Mayor of Golden since 2001
Ken Fellman - Mayor of Arvada since 1999
Steve Burkholder - Mayor of Lakewood since 1999 (term limited)

I hope that each of them, after a well-deserved rest, will continue to share their talents through civic involvement on some level.

Kathy Hartman is commissioner for Jefferson County.