On January 13, 2025, the Wheat Ridge City Council took a significant step forward by adopting the new Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan, a comprehensive economic development strategy designed to guide the city toward long-term economic vitality. Developed in partnership with Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.), the Prosperity Plan outlines a clear vision with short, medium, and long-term goals to ensure a resilient and thriving community.
This marks the first update to the city’s economic development strategy since 2009, reflecting the tremendous growth and change Wheat Ridge has experienced over the past 15 years. The Prosperity Plan draws on extensive input from more than 300 stakeholders, including residents, business owners, developers, and city staff, to create a roadmap for the next 10-15 years.
The Prosperity Plan identifies four key goal areas:
• Corridors, Nodes, and Redevelopment Opportunities: Focused on revitalizing underutilized areas and fostering redevelopment along key corridors to drive economic growth.
• Jobs, Innovation, and Light Manufacturing: Aims to attract and support industries that align with Wheat Ridge’s character and create quality jobs for the community.
• Attainability and Quality of Life: Prioritizes maintaining the city’s unique charm while enhancing housing affordability, public spaces, and services.
• Business Support Ecosystem: Enhances resources for entrepreneurs and small businesses, promoting a collaborative and sustainable business environment.
Each goal is supported by actionable tactics, timeframes, and assigned responsibilities, ensuring that progress remains measurable and achievable. The plan also includes “quick wins” that can be implemented within the first two years, delivering early successes to build momentum.
The Prosperity Plan builds on existing assets and aligns with other critical city initiatives. It complements the City Plan, an overarching vision for Wheat Ridge’s growth and development, as well as the recently adopted 2024 Sustainability Action Plan Update, which guides the city’s environmental and community resilience efforts. Together, these plans create a unified framework for planning that addresses economic, environmental, and social priorities.
By evaluating market dynamics—such as employment trends, business activity, demographic shifts, and land redevelopment opportunities—the Prosperity Plan provides actionable strategies for navigating challenges and seizing opportunities in a changing economic landscape.
With the adoption of the Prosperity Plan, Wheat Ridge enters an era of strategic and coordinated planning. This new roadmap will ensure that economic development aligns with the city’s values, aspirations, and other ongoing planning efforts.
Residents are encouraged to stay engaged as the city implements the plan and continues to work on related initiatives. The open and collaborative process that shaped this plan will remain a cornerstone of Wheat Ridge’s approach to shaping its future.
The Prosperity Plan is more than just a document—it’s a commitment to creating a prosperous, inclusive, and vibrant Wheat Ridge for generations to come. To learn more about the Prosperity Plan and other city initiatives, visit whatsupwheatridge.com.
