As the city works to accommodate a growing demand for housing, a range of creative solutions is being explored and implemented. Sometimes these efforts yield positive results. Other times, not so much. The removal of occupancy limits, short-term rentals, home sharing, ADUs, and the rezoning of single-family properties into multi-unit housing has created a little
John Mellencamp asked “Will you teach your children to tell the truth?”. Earlier this month (January 20), Jefferson County Board of Education President Michele Applegate wrote to the community stating, “Since 2010, our district has lost more than $930 million due to state underfunding.” What she left out of that message, however, is just as
I recently reached out to Chris Elliott, principal at E5X and the developer behind the Lutheran Legacy Campus, to get an update on progress and next steps for the roughly 100-acre site where Lutheran Hospital once stood. According to Elliott, the project is currently deep in the engineering phase, including demolition planning. The first structure
Supporting local businesses, schools, families, and neighborhoods should come naturally. It’s what we do when a new shop opens on the corner, when we enroll our kids in the school down the block, or when a business owner becomes more than a name on a storefront—they become a neighbor. We celebrate their wins, and when
When most people think of the dentist, they imagine bright lights, uncomfortable procedures, and the faint hum of a handpiece. But for Dr. Kevin Schwandt of Reclaim Integrative Dentistry & Implant Center, dentistry is about something much more—it’s about helping people understand and support the connection between their oral health and systemic health. Dr. Kevin
There was a time when you could attend a city council meeting and witness transparency in action. Actual debates on issues that affected this town and every resident. Emotions ran high, logical explanations were offered, and options were weighed by councilors and city staff. You heard your district representative express opinions and voice concerns. Financial
Every once in a while we meet someone who reminds us what quiet, everyday heroism looks like. For us in Wheat Ridge, that person was Louis Olivera. Lou was a longtime neighbor, a devoted husband, and the proud father of a Wheat Ridge High School graduate. He carried himself with a mix of humility, humor,
Some cities get to vote for sheriffs and coroners. This November, Wheat Ridge voters were asked something far more basic: should two long-standing elected positions — the city treasurer and city clerk — remain in the hands of voters, or become appointed, professional staff roles? That was the essence of Ballot Measure 2B. And the
“Tell me something you know today that you didn’t know yesterday.” That was the nightly ritual at our dinner table — our version of a debrief mixed with a pop quiz. You could always tell which teacher had impressed my kids by how animated they got. But the moment I’d ask them to review lunches
I started believing in miracles again the night a Lutheran Hospital ICU nurse from Wheat Ridge pulled over along Route 6 in Clear Creek Canyon. It was dark, and she had spotted what looked like a body lying in the middle of the road. No pulse. No breathing. Half his face gone. The man had
The Neighborhood Gazette has lost not just a contributor, but a friend. Laurie Dunklee, whose words, music, and art touched so many in our community, leaves behind a legacy of creativity and kindness that will not be forgotten. Laurie had a rare gift for storytelling. Through her articles in the Gazette, she captured the heartbeat
The effects of the Green on 38th are already being felt and seen on Wheat Ridge’s Main Street on 38th Ave. With much anticipation and attention to detail, the city’s newest park is officially opened for business. Play business, that is. Besides the day-long festivities on opening day, we had already seen the week prior,
The phone rang… “Hello, Guy, will you join us at city council to speak in defense of roosters?” I mean, it doesn’t get more Wheat Ridge than this. “Yes, of course I will stand up for our roosters!” The council chamber at City Hall was full of residents ready to debate the pros and cons
It has never been more critical to support your favorite neighborhood watering hole. Rising costs are forcing bars and restaurants into tough decisions. Staff wages are climbing, food and beverage costs continue to rise, and property taxes are escalating. Owners are caught between raising menu prices—risking the loss of loyal customers—or cutting corners on quality,
What began as a minor inconvenience soon escalated into a daily challenge. At first, it was just a subtle pinch in my shoulder, appearing every few days and quickly dismissed. But as the discomfort grew more frequent—eventually surfacing with almost every movement—my concern deepened. My immediate thought was, “Oh no, not again.” For anyone who
Each month, Andrea Burch, President of InterMountain Lutheran Hospital, shares insights on healthcare innovation, community wellness initiatives, and behind-the-scenes updates on how the new hospital is taking shape. From medical breakthroughs to heartfelt patient stories, this interview connects our readers with the pulse of local healthcare. How many people are admitted (in patients) to Lutheran
Public transit use across the RTD system remains nearly 40% lower than pre-COVID levels. With so many residents choosing their cars over buses and trains, the question remains: why isn’t public transportation regaining traction? RTD’s average rating—2.9 out of 5 stars across 720 reviews—suggests widespread dissatisfaction among riders. At the same time, it’s worth noting
Before I moved to the US I had always read and watched movies about small towns in America. I listened to John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen sing about life in small towns. Our family vacations were always spent up and down the east coast. Small towns like Wildwood NJ, Ocean City MD, Myrtle Beach SC
The calls and emails that come in to the Gazette range from all sides of the spectrum, bright to dark, and sometimes the dark gets real ugly. Sometimes self serving, misinformed to downright threatening and mean. But the bright messages that we get, filled with hope, passion and uplifting stories are why we do this.
Ten years ago I jumped at the opportunity to get a solar energy system in my house. 6 KW in 36 panels covering my upper roof. 2 inverters that would allow me to log on anytime and see just how much power I was collecting from God’s rays of sunshine. An app would calculate just
Each month, Andrea Burch, President of InterMountain Lutheran Hospital, shares insights on healthcare innovation, community wellness initiatives, and behind-the-scenes updates on how the new hospital is taking shape. From medical breakthroughs to heartfelt patient stories, this interview connects our readers with the pulse of local healthcare. What does it mean to be a nonprofit health
There’s something about a happy hour at a location that celebrates a happy hour like it should. Calling it a “Happy Hour” is definitely not enough. Maybe a dedicated menu, special prices, live music, shareable food and great friendly service with quick turnarounds on orders. An unusual start to my happy hour this week. Stylus
Mestizo (/mɛˈstiːzoʊ, mɪˈ-/ mest-EE-zoh, mist-, Spanish: [mesˈtiθo] or [mesˈtiso]; fem. mestiza, literally ‘mixed person’) is a term primarily used to denote people of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry in the former Spanish Empire – Wikipedia There is something about this small Mexican brewery on 38th and Pierce. Attracting a community of beer connoisseurs and lovers
Each month, Andrea Burch, President of InterMountain Lutheran Hospital, shares insights on healthcare innovation, community wellness initiatives, and behind-the-scenes updates on how the new hospital is taking shape. From medical breakthroughs to heartfelt patient stories, this interview connects our readers with the pulse of local healthcare. Do Lutheran employees that spent so many years at
