It As we step into 2026, I want to welcome a largely new city council and take a moment to reflect on how far Wheat Ridge has come, and where we’re headed next. Together with council, city staff and, most importantly, our residents, we continue working to build a strong, resilient community that honors our history while planning thoughtfully for the future.
This year marks the completion of the largest infrastructure project in the history of the City of Wheat Ridge. The Wadsworth Boulevard Improvement Project has transformed one of our busiest corridors, reducing traffic lanes to improve safety, adding two continuous-flow intersections, raised medians, bike lanes, trail connections and sidewalks, and replacing aging infrastructure beneath the roadway. Made possible through voter-approved funding and state and federal grants, this project reflects years of planning and strong community support. It will serve Wheat Ridge for decades to come.
In 2025, City Council adopted the Wheat Ridge City Plan, a community-driven blueprint that guides growth and development through 2040. Shaped by hundreds of resident voices, the plan establishes priorities for mobility, thoughtful redevelopment, thriving commercial areas and strong neighborhoods. In 2026, we begin implementing this plan in earnest, using it to guide decisions on housing, transportation, public spaces and major development opportunities—including the future of the city’s largest vacant property.
With new zoning in place and a developer selected, the 100-acre Lutheran Legacy Campus is poised for a thoughtful, mixed-use transformation. Plans include housing, parks, trails and the preservation of historic assets such as the Blue House and chapel. Council has also authorized metropolitan districts to help finance public infrastructure, ensuring development moves forward responsibly while protecting surrounding neighborhoods.
This redevelopment also opens the door to an exciting long-term possibility identified in the City Plan: a future central civic campus. This could include a new City Hall, consolidated municipal services and community gathering spaces located at the heart of Wheat Ridge, improving access and efficiency for residents.
Parks, recreation and quality of life remain top priorities. In 2025, the city adopted the Parks and Recreation Pathway, which outlines funding strategies for future amenities. That work directly supports planning for the restoration of Anderson Outdoor Pool, a beloved community resource that has served generations. Based on public input, 2026 will focus on identifying funding and beginning design work for a modern replacement pool that continues to be a welcoming summer destination for residents of all ages.
We are also exploring partnerships to retain and preserve the outdoor fields at two vacant elementary school sites, helping ensure that parks, recreation programming and open space remain available to the community.
The newly adopted 2026 city budget provides the financial foundation for this work, dedicating millions of dollars to capital improvements, trail connections, corridor enhancements and early design for recreation projects—all while maintaining strong fiscal stewardship.
Together, we will carry forward the momentum of thoughtful growth, responsive service and community-centered leadership in the year ahead. Thank you for being an engaged and valued partner in shaping Wheat Ridge’s future.
city staff highlight
Highlighting the Amazing Members of the City of Wheat Ridge Staff
Name: Raymond Childs
Explain your job: Perform preventative maintenance on various mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems throughout the city.
How long have you worked for the city? Two and a half years
Favorite pastime: Playing music, watching live music, motorcycles… do I have to pick one?
Favorite sandwich: Grilled Pork Banh Mi from Vinh Xuong Bakery.
Favorite superhero: My Grandma.
If you had your own talk show, who would be your first guest?: Claudia Sheinbaum
If you were stranded on a deserted island, what 3 albums would you want to have with you?: Miles Davis In a Silent Way, Birthday Party Live 1981-82, Funkadelic Standing on the Verge of Getting it On
