In 2003, Alladi, Andrews and Berkovich proved an identity for partitions where parts occur in eleven colors: four primary colors, six secondary colors, and one quaternary color. Their work answered a longstanding question of how to go beyond a classical theorem of Göllnitz, which uses three primary and three secondary colors. Their main tool was a deep and difficult four parameter $q$-series identity. In this paper we take a different approach. Instead of adding an eleventh quaternary color, we introduce forbidden patterns and give a bijective proof of a ten-colored partition identity lying beyond Göllnitz' theorem. Using a second bijection, we show that our identity is equivalent to the identity of Alladi, Andrews, and Berkovich. From a combinatorial viewpoint, the use of forbidden patterns is more natural and leads to a simpler formulation. In fact, in Part II of this series we will show how our method can be used to go beyond Göllnitz' theorem to any number of primary colors.