Michael A. Goldman

We celebrate the life of Michael A. Goldman of Durango, Colorado, born May 12, 1962, in East Norwich, New York. Michael passed suddenly, of natural causes, on Sunday, December 15, 2025, while skiing the backcountry of his beloved San Juan Mountains.

Michael graduated from Evergreen High School in Evergreen, Colorado, and Columbia University in New York City, New York. While attending Columbia, he was the starting running back for the Division 1 Columbia Lions football team, receiving the award for most rushing yards his senior season. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 1987.

Michael began his wide-ranging and highly respected law career in southwest Colorado with the Sixth Judicial District Attorney’s Office in 1988. He was a partner in the law firm of Goldman, Nicholson, and Mack, P.C. at the time of his passing.

In 1994, he married DeeDee Carlson. Their son Toby was born in 1996.

Michael saw the best in absolutely every person he met. He had immense, contagious positivity, and tremendous passion and love for his family, friends, and community.

He lived for the outdoors, whether swimming, hiking, biking, or skiing. When Michael finished his training swims at Durango Recreation Center, he took two or three laps down the indoor slide with a huge smile on his face. He would then say, “That was awesome,” and continue his day, brightening the world as he went.

Michael exemplified community leadership, directing and serving on numerous nonprofit organizations, legal commissions, and professional associations.

He is survived by his wife, Deanne (DeeDee) Carlson of Durango, and son Tobias (Toby) Goldman of Bellingham, Washington, mother Linda Gelzer, brother David Goldman (Karen Dodds), sister Janlori Goldman (Katherine Franke), mother-in-law Gay Carlson, sisters-in-law Lisa Carlson and Kinsey Carlson-Britting (Kevin Britting) and niece Maya Rose Goldman. Michael’s father, Bernie Goldman, preceded him in death.

A celebration of Michael’s extraordinary life will be held in the spring of 2026.

In lieu of flowers, contributions honoring Michael's life of service may be sent to Manna Soup Kitchen or the Adaptive Sports Association of Durango.