I was born in the 70’s in Denver, and anyone who grew up here then remembers the seasons as part of our identity. As kids, we always saw the first snow arrive right after the first days of school. It was dependable, almost ritualistic. And without fail, it would snow the week of Halloween. We
October usually brings a familiar change to Edgewater. The days grow shorter, the leaves begin to turn, and residents start thinking about raking, winterizing and getting ready for the first snow. This year, however, fall arrives with an important reminder: Colorado is experiencing an exceptionally dry year, and water conservation remains a community priority. The
Neighborhoods in Wheat Ridge often see trash trucks rolling by almost every day of the week. That’s because the city operates an open waste collection system, which means that residents choose from a handful of licensed private haulers. Although the freedom to choose who hauls your trash is nice, it also means that many Wheat
Construction and demolition materials are a significant source of waste in the United States. When buildings are torn down, the process typically generates about 90% of the overall generation of waste in the construction cycle, meaning that old buildings usually end up in the landfill. Some Wheat Ridge residents may have noticed that there is
As Colorado endures this dry summer, most Front Range communities have once again limited the days residents can water their lawns. The goal is simple: conserve water and protect our reservoirs. But here’s a question worth asking: Can some watering restrictions actually encourage people to use more water? I have been asking my friends; “when
The name “5 Fridges Farm,” although nicely alliterative, seems a mighty unusual name for a farm. On the other hand, when one stops to consider all that goes on at a working farm, it starts to make sense. A farm that regularly produces lots of eggs and milk certainly needs a reliable method of refrigeration,
The City of Wheat Ridge has been awarded a $2.64 million grant through the Colorado Energy Office’s Local Implementation, Mitigation, and Policy Action (Local IMPACT) Accelerator program, bringing significant state investment to the community without increasing costs for local taxpayers. The grant funding will help reduce costs, improve public facilities, and support a more sustainable
It feels great to get out on two wheels in the summer, but June is an especially good time to try riding a bike to run errands or get to work! Colorado celebrates Bike to Work Day this year on Wednesday, June 24, and many communities across the Front Range offer breakfast stations where you
Water and the lack of it is on everyone’s minds lately. As another article in this newspaper recently asked, “are local efforts a drop in the bucket” when it comes to statewide water scarcity? Sustainable Wheat Ridge, the volunteer committee that helps shape and implement the Sustainable Action Plan “SAP”, believes that all local efforts
Before sunrise, while most of Jefferson County is still asleep, local farmers are already deep into their workday. Headlamps move through fields as tomatoes are harvested by hand, crates of greens are stacked into trucks and coolers are checked before the drive into town. Hours later, customers arrive at a farmers market to tables lined
Typically, when you spend more, you expect to get more in return. That’s not the case when it comes to the water in Wheat Ridge. Beginning February 1, 2026, Wheat Ridge Water District water bills increased by $5.51 per month on the service charge for single-family residential customers from $11.02 to $16.53 and by $11.02
Margie Seyfer started a new hobby during retirement. Now her garden is a beloved fixture in the community. Seyfer opens her garden for local tours and parties for organizations like the Wheat Ridge Business Association, the Lakewood Kiwanis garden tour and the Wheat Ridge Garden Tour. Welcoming as many as 100 attendees, proceeds from the
The emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive beetle responsible for the destruction of millions of ash trees across North America, continues to pose a growing risk to Colorado’s urban and community forests. EAB primarily attacks ash trees (genus Fraxinus), laying eggs under the bark. When larvae hatch, they feed on the tree’s inner tissues, disrupting
Working at the neighborhood level helps build connections, strengthen community pride, and encourages residents to engage productively in city government. The Sustainable Neighborhoods Network creates opportunities for direct, hands-on environmental improvement, and collaborative idea-building and skill-sharing, all while getting to know your neighbors. It’s a unique approach to build community-level environmental action, strengthen neighborhood resilience
We’re taught to turn off the tap while brushing our teeth, a small act that saves a few gallons a day and reassures us we’re doing our part. It’s the kind of advice that drought checklists and utility bill inserts are made of. While water is being saved at the sink, the urgency is growing.
Wheat Ridge is a beautiful place with a tradition of stewardship for our natural resources. Our nickname, the “Carnation City” is more than just a reference to our agricultural heritage; it represents a way of life embedded in our community. From our expansive trail network to the historic ditches winding through our neighborhoods, we are
We should celebrate the fact that there haven’t been any pedestrian or bicyclist deaths in Wheat Ridge since 2023. After all, our neighbor to the east, Denver, recorded 37 in 2025 alone. But this is partially down to luck, and to Wheat Ridge’s relatively small size. Perhaps even more importantly, should we be concerned with
Extract. Manufacture. Use. Throw away. The “throw away” part is never as simple as it seems. Much of the waste tossed in the rubbish heap comes back to haunt us in various ways. Soil pollution. Toxic off-gassing. Ecosystem destruction. It is an aesthetic blight on our communities. It is also a wholly unsustainable way of
Did you know Edgewater has a community garden tucked behind the historic Orum House located at 2444 Depew Street? This beloved green space is entering a new season as the City resumes full management of the garden. Edgewater residents have top priority when reserving vacant garden plots ensuring that local community members can enjoy the
As Colorado continues to confront longterm drought, warming summers, and the rising costs of outdoor water use, more homeowners are looking for practical ways to conserve water without compromising curb appeal. One of the most successful and accessible solutions come from Boulder-based nonprofit Resource Central, whose Garden In A Box program has helped tens of
Wheat Ridge High School put together one of the seven feature gardens at the Colorado Garden & Home Show. There are currently around 100 students in the agriculture program, 8 of which are second year students in the landscape construction and urban farming class. They anticipate having around 40 in the second year class next
A partnership between the City of Wheat Ridge and an Indigenous food project has dissolved after two growing seasons, with both parties sharing conflicting accounts of what went wrong at Happiness Community Gardens. Narissa Ribera, founder of Ch’il Indigenous Foods and a member of the Navajo Nation, says the City of Wheat Ridge failed to
Autumn has arrived and soon there will be children jumping into leaf piles. (At least I hope, if they are not glued to electronic devices indoors.) Yet there are other purposes for fallen leaves that are too profound not to share here in our October article, as gardeners prepare a crucial rest period for their
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
