A few weeks ago, I was fortunate to be part of a small delegation from the city of Wheat Ridge that traveled to Washington, D.C., for the National League of Cities (NLC) conference. This annual gathering is a pivotal event for municipal leaders across the country, offering a platform to share best practices and explore
The Wheat Ridge Police Department is constantly working to find better ways to make officers more efficient in the field. The department values your time and the time of our officers. In March, the Wheat Ridge Police Department rolled out a new E-Ticketing system. Through a smartphone app, officers can now scan a driver’s license
Ridgefest is back for another sunny summer day of local live music, food trucks, yard games, and neighborhood fun! Before the festivities begin, Localworks is calling on our community of creative minds to help shape this year’s celebration. Now in its third year, the Ridgefest Button Contest, sponsored by Sweet Ridge Studios, has quickly become
April’s Second Saturday Social April 13 at the Baugh House (44th and Robb, 10:00-2:00) will celebrate Earth Day and make available information on Wheat Ridge’s Sustainability program. The concept of Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling is gaining in importance. Awareness about recycling by composting is common knowledge these days, but it’s time to take a deeper
I’m excited to share an update on how we’re putting your tax dollars to work to improve our city’s infrastructure. Thanks to your overwhelming support for the Next Chapter .5 cent sales tax extension voters approved in November 2023, we’ve secured critical funding to invest in safer streets, better sidewalks, and improved stormwater drainage. As
My family has extensive experience as small business owners. With my father and grandfather having owned B & F Tire Company, I have seen firsthand the significant impact that local shopping has on our community. For 65 years, my family operated the tire shop on 38th Avenue, serving countless residents. Now, after 15 years of
It was a busy year on Wheat Ridge roads in 2024 and the Wheat Ridge Police Department stepped up staffing and enforcement to meet that need. In 2024, WRPD saw a nearly 13% increase in total traffic accidents, handling a total of 1,330 calls for accidents in the city. On average over the past five
Ten Students in Wheat Ridge High School’s Landscape Construction class recently designed and installed a spectacular Student Garden at the Colorado Convention Center during the Colorado Garden & Home Show. The students took part in Wheat Ridge High School’s Agriculture Program, which was established in 2020 as a hands-on, two-year plant pathway program. They take
I was talking to a sign painter friend of mine the other day. An aficionado of painted sign history, he was regaling me with tales of ads painted on barns and commercial buildings, and I, a dedicated member of the Wheat Ridge Historical Society, was inviting him to the Society’s Second Saturday Social on March
Nearly every two years, the Wheat Ridge City Council, Mayor, and staff gather for a strategic planning retreat. I’ve had the privilege of participating in several, consisting of a Friday evening discussion over dinner followed by an all-day Saturday work session. This year’s was especially cherished; it will be my last on Wheat Ridge City
The health of our roads is essential for community development, safety, and mobility. In Wheat Ridge, we take a systematic, data-driven approach to maintaining our streets, ensuring investments are targeted and cost-effective. Have you ever wondered how we decide which roads to repair in Wheat Ridge? The process starts with a comprehensive pavement analysis, guided
One of the most frequent comments Wheat Ridge Recreation Center staff hears is that their facility doesn’t look or feel 25 years old. Designed by Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, known for designing other recreation centers in Colorado, the Wheat Ridge Rec Center is modeled after a barn, a nod to the City’s agricultural roots. The
Residents living near the former home of Lutheran Medical Center in downtown Wheat Ridge were concerned earlier this year after receiving a letter that gave the mistaken impression they could be paying a property tax to help the site redevelop. The center moved to Clear Creek Crossing on Aug. 3, 2024, and was renamed Lutheran
After a nationwide search for qualified candidates, the Wheat Ridge Police Department has found a proven leader that will not just fit into the department’s culture but add to it. Division Chief Shawn Wray started with the Wheat Ridge Police Department on January 20. He brings decades of law enforcement experience and will lead the
More than a dozen projects are on Wheat Ridge Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea’s to-do list this year, including the seemingly never-ending Wadsworth Boulevard improvement and expansion project. The list also includes potential roundabouts, a bus terminal and a 10- to 20-foot-tall city welcome sign. Here is most of D’Andrea’s list, edited for clarity and
When Wheat Ridge City Manager Patrick Goff started in politics he pictured a fast-paced career in D.C. or holding a Senate seat. He didn’t think he’d be bragging about his city’s plowed streets or making a community development a reality after 20 years of planning. Although his long career in local politics wasn’t what he
The penning of poetic Valentines has been documented since the 15th century, and it rose to immense and lasting prominence during the Victorian period of the late 1800s. Consider the following four-line plea: Thou say my heart, my too fond heart / is cold, my dear, to you. / Ah! Canst thou such a thought
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,
I’ve spent my entire life involved in Wheat Ridge, and this remarkable city never ceases to amaze me in the best possible ways. As a child, I cherished the moments I got to attend city functions and events with my grandfather, (former Mayor, Hank Stites) where I learned about the rich traditions and wonderful people
During the core pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, Wheat Ridge experienced a surge in crime, similar to other Colorado communities and cities across the country. Thanks to persistent police work, we can now say crime levels have dropped in 2024, for the third consecutive year. The Wheat Ridge Police Department is now seeing Calls
Wheat Ridge, you’ve outdone yourselves. Thanks to your remarkable generosity, this year’s Colorado Gives Day campaign not only met but far surpassed our $10,000 goal, raising an incredible $13,939. This marks the most successful campaign in Localworks’ history—and it’s all thanks to you. As Localworks Executive Director Paige shared, “Three years ago, we had this
January at the Historical Society welcomes the new year with a favorite Second Saturday Social at the Baugh House from 10:00-2:00. It’s Tea Party time, based on the British long-observed tradition of High Tea. WRHS board member Bonnie Botham loves hosting this special day and promises several kinds of tea and a plethora of culinary
As we welcome 2025, I want to share my excitement for the year ahead and highlight the projects and initiatives that will shape our community in meaningful ways. Our vision for Wheat Ridge is one of prosperity, connection, and sustainability, and this year promises to be pivotal in realizing that vision. This year the city
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
