While grabbing coffee at Stylus and Crate recently, a woman flagged me over to her table. She introduced herself, sharing that she recognized me from watching Wheat Ridge City Council Meetings and that she is really impressed with how much the city has accomplished. And she doesn’t even live in Wheat Ridge! This exchange got me thinking about 2024 accomplishments and how they’ve positioned us for a strong 2025. So, in no particular order, here’s my “Wheat Ridge Feel Good” list:
COMMUNITY GATHERING PLACES
The Clear Creek Makerspace opened in March and swiftly exceeded its membership goals, attracting people from Wheat Ridge and across the front range. Next summer, the city will complete the Green at 38th designed for events and everyday gatherings.
LUTHERAN
In August, Lutheran Hospital moved from one Wheat Ridge campus to another. We’re now home to a modern, world-class hospital and to a mostly-vacant 100 acre campus. In November, 67% of voters approved increasing the height limit on a portion of the legacy campus allowing future development to include diverse housing options. In 2025, the city will continue working with the community on an administrative rezoning of the old site to plan a vibrant new neighborhood based on the community informed Lutheran Legacy Master Plan.
SUSTAINABILITY
In October, the city adopted its first Sustainability Action Plan, a five year roadmap with specific and achievable actions across eight focus areas. The Sustainable Wheat Ridge Committee, council, and staff will begin implementation in 2025.
IDEA COMMITTEE
The newly formed IDEA Committee (“Inclusion Diversity Equity Access”) began working with the city to implement the Race and Equity Task Force recommendations. Supporting the IDEA committee’s work is critically important in 2025 and beyond.
SAFETY FOR PEDESTRIANS AND BICYCLISTS
The City used a Safe Routes to Parks grant to collaborate with the community to design and paint a colorful crosswalk and “no parking” zones along Miller St to improve safety and visibility for pedestrians traveling to Fruitdale Park. In 2025, the first round of 2J “Next Chapter” funds will be invested in sidewalks and corridors.
HOUSING
2024 was a big year advancing affordable housing with the opening of the Ives, the completion of Habitat for Humanity’s Miller Street Homes, and a $2M Affordable Housing HUD Grant. Next year, the city will continue its homeless navigation program which has connected more than 140 people with housing since 2020.
ODDS AND ENDS
A few other highlights from 2024 include Narissa Ribera’s indigenous food garden at Happiness Gardens and Wheat Ridge receiving the All-America City Lifetime Achievement Award. And next year… I can’t wait for the completion of the City Plan, our big vision for the next generation of Wheat Ridge. Onward!
