In Wheat Ridge, one busy corridor might be getting a much needed makeover. Last October, Wheat Ridge City Council began talks to spruce up Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) right of way zones on the west side of Youngfield Street between 32nd and 40th avenues. This strip of land today can be described as underutilized
The City of Wheat Ridge is pleased to announce that the Wheat Ridge Greenbelt has been chosen as a 2023 Leave No Trace Spotlight! Leave No Trace launched their Spotlight program this year, to strengthen stewardship efforts and partnerships by empowering stakeholders, land managers, volunteers and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country. Wheat Ridge is
One of the Wheat Ridge Historical Society’s lifetime members passed away earlier this month at the age of 87. We don’t usually publicly commemorate these passages, but this woman was more than a lifetime member. She was born in the Red Brick House long before it became part of the Historical Park. She was the
Wheat Ridge Poultry and Meats is a locally family-owned and operated butcher and indoor market located off 29th and Depew. The history of the shop as well as the Bobitsky family is deeply rooted in the community. The Bobitskys are the third family to own the business since it opened 80 years ago. Many items
The Wheat Ridge Race and Equity Task Force recently presented to the city council recommendations on how the city can become a more equitable community. In February 2021, the Race and Equity Task Force was appointed by the city council to carry out a thorough review of city policies, services, and ordinances to identify opportunities
You’d think a country that gave new meaning to an ageless rite of spring celebration would take the time to actually celebrate it. The closest we get is letting kids deliver baskets of flowers and candy to friends. May 1 has been observed worldwide for millennia. Celts thought it the most important day of the
Wheat Ridge residents are seeing their investment paying off. In recent years, a number of public development projects have come to fruition all across the city. Completed projects include new business access ramps at Clear Creek Crossing off of I-70, and a modernized and beautified Anderson Park. Efforts to improve the area surrounding the Ward
The Neighborhood Gazette, in an attempt to do a meaningful story about the bond project at Wheat Ridge High School, has stumbled upon some questions that remain yet to be answered. A Feb. 13 tour of “The Farm” revealed some troubling issues within the walls of a building that should be considered one of the
The City of Wheat Ridge is excited to join the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation for the first time, and I encourage all Wheat Ridge residents to join me in this pledge. Water conservation is a key component of creating a sustainable, healthy future for our residents, and conservation is a goal we can
Goals. Gotta love ‘em. Volunteers in the Johnson Cabin and the Old Sod House have been working steadily toward the goal of bringing both museums in line to illustrate the Century-long Story theme the Historical Society adopted in 2021. The Cabin is around 95 percent done, reports Priscilla Marshall, Director of Collections. The remaining five
Every tax year I receive a few calls from taxpayers asking the County Treasurer to lower or waive their property taxes for various reasons. County treasurers does not have the legal authority to lower property taxes or waive property taxes per state law. The Treasurer’s Office and the state of Colorado do have programs available
The long-overdue facelift of Wheat Ridge High School is finally about to happen. The heart of the community since it was built in 1957, its face is largely unchanged since that time. The bond money voted in years ago is being put to use at last, with the final project expected to be completed by
Let’s talk about motor vehicle theft: both the ugly truth, and the biggest win we’ve seen in a long time. The Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Task Force (C-MATT) just released its 2022 annual report, and there’s an encouraging statistic in there that we’re quite proud of: the Wheat Ridge Police Department is among just a
Sifting through the archive collections in the Old Post Office at the Historical Park, I find myself again wishing donors who had good hearts and insight into local history had taken a few extra moments to record some details that would add provenance before donating. Scrapbooks by the dozens contain a plethora of interesting information.
For West Metro Fire Rescue, 2022 was an extremely busy year with a record number of calls. And a year where the district added new resources to continue to provide a high level of service. From New Year’s Day in January to New Year’s Eve in December, our firefighters responded to 41,234 emergencies, a five
Every summer over a thousand Wheat Ridge residents, and those from the surrounding areas, gather on The Green for a day full of local food, refreshing beverages, yard games, live music and, of course, a brilliant showcase of local creativity and entrepreneurial endeavors. Ridgefest is one of the best ways for us to connect as
Honestly, a recent dive into the origins of Valentine’s Day soon became a slog through a mass of conflicting historical theories, originating with pagan ritual and Roman law versus the Catholic Church, then further amalgamated by legend and popularized by marketing. Western civilization came to observe Saint Valentine’s feast day on Feb. 14, which coincides
Since running for city council, the single most consistent complaint I hear is: what is the city doing to make my street safer? People are afraid of drivers speeding down the same streets where kids are riding bikes. Families are forced to walk in the road due to lack of sidewalks. There aren’t safe places
The Wheat Ridge City Council is kicking off 2023 focused on affordable housing within the city. Last month, council adopted the Affordable Housing Strategy and Action Plan. This is the first time the City of Wheat Ridge will specifically study housing affordability in the community and craft a policy approach toward identified challenges. Key components
One of the most innovative dentists in the country has chosen Wheat Ridge as the place to set up shop. Dr. Kevin Schwandt first came to Wheat Ridge in 2017. He had the opportunity to relocate here through the corporate dental entity he was with at the time and he jumped at the chance. “I
With the arrival of each new year, the Historical Society hosts one of my favorite events: the Historical Fashion Show and Tea Party. It’s just ahead on Saturday, Jan. 14, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Baugh House. Past gatherings have featured an array of fashions from mid-1800s prairie chic, to slick bowler-topped
A few weeks ago, I was honored to have my peers on city council elect me as the new Mayor Pro Tem for 2023. After hearing about this new position, many people congratulated me, and then pulled me aside to ask, What the heck is a Mayor Pro Tem and what do they do? On
The Wheat Ridge City Council unanimously approved our budget for 2023 and I’m proud to say the economic state of our city is strong, despite some unforeseen challenges since 2020. Revenues have performed significantly better than estimated and commercial and residential development activity continues to thrive. Federal financial assistance of over $10 million in CARES
The City of Wheat Ridge recently invested $400,000 of its American Rescue Plan dollars into Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a local community partner, to provide resources in response to the growing demand for mental health services. Like CPR, lives can be saved if more Americans know the warning signs of mental health problems, the
