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
Closing a public school starts what is usually a lengthy process to determine how those buildings and sites are put to other uses. For example, Kullerstrand, New Classical Academy at Vivian and Wilmore Davis served Wheat Ridge families and were among 16 Jefferson County School District elementaries closed by the school board at the end
The Wheat Ridge City Council announced the adoption of the City of Wheat Ridge’s 2025 budget with a unanimous 8-0 vote during their meeting on November 25, 2024. The approved budget outlines a strategic vision for delivering essential services while advancing key community priorities and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The $95.6 million budget reflects the city
Dust off your “ugly” sweaters and brush up on your trivia knowledge to get ready for a cheer-filled holiday celebration with a healthy dose of friendly competition. Join Localworks and Clear Creek Makerspace for a festive trivia night on Tuesday, Dec. 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. As the holiday season approaches, gather your friends
Having grown up in Wheat Ridge in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, I have many wonderful memories embedded in my heart. If I could go back and do it again, I would. We were right in the middle of the baby boom generation, post WWII and the Korean War. There was a serious increase in
Our city is embarking on an exciting next chapter, guided by thoughtful planning efforts to ensure a sustainable, prosperous, and vibrant future. I’m thrilled to share updates on two key initiatives— the 2024 Sustainability Action Plan Update and the Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan, compliments to our ongoing City Plan process. Together, these efforts reflect our
From outdoor classes and graduation to concerts and festivals to a place to gather, a new Wheat Ridge park promises many fun times. Once completed next summer, the nearly two-acre Green at 38th Park will include a stage/outdoor classroom, civic greenspace, festival promenade for vendors, playground, two fire pits, a game grove, seating areas, significantly
After two and a half years of waiting, a Wheat Ridge police officer finally received the closure he deserves. On October 10, a judge sentenced Andre Jones, the man convicted of the attempted murder of Wheat Ridge Police Officer Allan Fischer, to the maximum sentence of 32 years in prison. Jones will serve three additional
Just like finding a specific grave on the-180 acre campus of Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery, trying to pinpoint focus for a column on Crown Hill is a challenge! The oldest graves lie in the northeast area, close to Wadsworth and 32nd Ave. Look quick to the south while heading east on 32nd toward Wadsworth, and
The City of Wheat Ridge’s Planning Division is moving forward with a proposal to create a unique zoning district for the Lutheran Legacy Campus, located at the former Lutheran Medical Center site. This custom zoning framework, named the “Mixed Use – Lutheran Legacy Campus (MU-LLC),” will align with the recommendations outlined in the Lutheran Legacy
The end may be approaching for Wheat Ridge motorists who have had to slowly navigate through seemingly never-ending lane closures and slowdowns on Wadsworth Boulevard for the last three years. The city recently announced the multi-year improvement project had reached 75% completion in terms of money paid: $40.5 million of the $55.265 million contract. Barring
Wheat Ridge is working on a City Plan, and we want to hear from you. The City Plan, which is often called a comprehensive plan, will articulate our community’s vision for the next 20 years, establish shared values, and identify priorities for the future. It also provides direction on issues such as what land uses
The Historical Society’s Cider Day Festival celebrating “all things apple” is approaching. I meant to discuss (and will, later) the wonderful offerings planned at the Historical Park for Saturday, Oct. 12 from 10:00 to 2:00, but that discussion was derailed by a last-minute visit to the Old Post Office where I found workers busily sifting
Localworks is thrilled to continue the excitement surrounding the launch of Explore44, the new corridor identity for 44th Avenue. To celebrate and engage Wheat Ridge residents and visitors, Localworks is launching the first-ever Explore44 fun run and block party. The “Rad Retro Run: Journey Back to the 80s” will take place at 9:00 a.m. on
As the Mayor of Wheat Ridge, I am thrilled to see the new Lutheran Hospital settled in at its new location at Clear Creek Crossing (12911 W 40th Avenue). This move creates a unique opportunity for us to reimagine the 100-acre campus in the heart of Wheat Ridge, allowing us to shape it to better
For a mid-sized city, the Wheat Ridge events calendar can keep the civically curious busy. Here’s a sampling from September: family-friendly bike ride to visit goats hosted by Sustainable Panorama Park; City Plan community open house to inform the blueprint for our future; farm animal emergency preparedness event at 5 Fridges Farm; Explore 44 launch
Following last year’s voter-approved tax increase and bond issue ballot question, the Wheat Ridge City Council recently approved a $75 million increase in the city’s debt to pay for several improvement projects. Memos to the council noted the debt will have a repayment cost of $125 million and a $7.7 million maximum annual repayment cost.
The City of Wheat Ridge was presented with $2M Community Project Fund (CPF) grant from the Department of Housing & Urban Development, that was made possible through the advocacy of Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen and Senator John Hickenlooper. The announcement event, held last Thursday, saw a gathering of community stakeholders and featured remarks from Mayor Bud
Growing up in Wheat Ridge, I spent my formative years living near 38th and Allison Court, with my grandparents just a stone’s throw away at 32nd and Zephyr Court. Many fond memories revolve around wandering the grounds of Lutheran Hospital, exploring the adjacent undeveloped land that felt like a hidden park. We would feed the
New buildings in the center of the former Lutheran Hospital campus would be at least two stories shorter than the hospital building, if Wheat Ridge voters approve a city charter amendment in the Nov. 5 general election. The city council initially approved the amendment’s ballot language on Aug. 12 . The measure’s approval is sought
It’s the things you don’t see that make the Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival so special. Behind the scenes is a world of meticulous planning and coordination that most visitors will never notice – and that’s by design. “I’m talking to the police at two o’clock in the morning before each day of the festival, saying,
