Some of the most important places in our community aren’t necessarily the newest or biggest. They’re the neighborhood parks where kids play, the fields where families gather, and the familiar spaces that help make Wheat Ridge feel like home.
That’s why I’m excited to share some great news about the future of the former Wilmore-Davis Elementary School property. The city is under contract to purchase the property, marking an important step toward preserving a space that has been part of the neighborhood for generations.
Under the proposed arrangement, the city will preserve approximately 2.5 acres for a neighborhood park, ensuring the fields and open spaces residents already know and love remain available to the community. At the same time, the former school building will begin a new chapter as a special education school operated by Spectra Centers, which plans to open in early 2027.
For me, what makes this news especially meaningful is how we got here.
When Wilmore-Davis closed in 2023, residents made it clear that preserving the property for community use was a priority. We heard from neighbors who wanted to protect the open space, maintain recreational opportunities, and ensure the property continued serving the people who call this neighborhood home.
Rather than rush into a decision, we worked with Jefferson County Public Schools to delay the sale while the city completed its City Plan and Parks and Recreation Pathway. Both planning efforts identified Wilmore-Davis as an important opportunity for the future of parks and recreation in Wheat Ridge.
In March 2026, the city took another step by issuing a request for interest to identify a partner who could give the former school building a new purpose while helping preserve the surrounding open space. We received eight responses and ultimately selected Spectra Centers, a Colorado-based special education provider serving public school students throughout the Denver metro area.
Spectra plans to reuse the existing school building and approximately 4.5 acres of the property without requiring a zoning change. It’s a solution that brings a valuable educational resource to our community while minimizing impacts on the surrounding neighborhood.
But what excites me most is what this means for the families who already enjoy Wilmore-Davis.
The fields and outdoor spaces will remain available for recreation, play, and gathering. As we move forward, residents will also have an opportunity to help shape the future neighborhood park through a separate public engagement process.
This is exactly the kind of outcome we hope to achieve when we talk about community-driven planning. Residents shared their priorities, we listened, and through collaboration and persistence, we found a way to protect something that matters to the neighborhood.
And our work to preserve important community spaces doesn’t stop at Wilmore-Davis.
With the recent passage of Ballot Issue 2A, a one-cent sales and use tax increase, Wheat Ridge is also well positioned to move forward with plans to acquire the former Kullerstrand Elementary School property.
Kullerstrand presents a different set of opportunities and challenges. As a larger property, it will require additional funding, planning, and coordination with Jeffco Schools. Our goal is to preserve as much of the existing park and athletic field space as possible, maintain recreational opportunities, improve trail connections, and identify compatible long-term uses that benefit the community.
There is still work ahead, and we’ll continue sharing updates and opportunities for residents to provide input as those plans take shape.
When I think about the future of Wheat Ridge, I think about the responsibility we have to balance growth and change with preserving the things that make our city special. That means investing in our neighborhoods, listening to residents, and making thoughtful decisions that will benefit our community for generations to come.
The Wilmore-Davis property is a great example of what we can accomplish when we work together toward a shared goal. We’re not just preserving open space. We’re protecting a piece of our community’s identity while creating new opportunities for the future.
And that’s something worth celebrating.
To follow the city’s work on the former school properties and learn about future opportunities for community involvement, visit WhatsUpWheatRidge.com/wr-moment.
