On November 5, 2024, Jefferson County (JeffCo) voters passed ballot measure 1A, allowing JeffCo government to retain all revenue (fees and taxes) collected above the Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) limit beginning in 2024. Per the ballot question these retained funds will be spent on public safety and transportation, and will have a tremendously positive
This summer, two recent business additions to the West 29th Marketplace are excited to continue welcoming local residents. Anne’s a la Mode Since 2019, Amanda and Mark Crisman have established themselves as part of the Denver-area pie scene’s upper crust. Each summer, they haul around “Sweetie Pie,” a 1969 Yellowstone Canned Ham trailer turned mobile
The Wheat Ridge Police Department is constantly working to improve service to the residents of the community. A core part of service is communication. Police officers regularly encounter people on their worst days. The department recognizes that coming into contact with an officer can be stressful, especially for people who may be dealing with an
Twenty years ago, Wheat Ridge was at a crossroads – it faced declining household sizes, deteriorating homes, and a dwindling sense of community. In response, the city launched Wheat Ridge 2020, a nonprofit meant to transform Wheat Ridge into a lively, sustainable, and connected community. That nonprofit is now called Localworks, and it is celebrating
Anderson Pool is more than just a place to swim in the City of Wheat Ridge. Since 1979, it’s been a community hub where families gather, kids learn to swim, and friends meet up to enjoy the outdoors during the summer weather. The community pool welcomes an average of 25,000 visitors each year. In 2008,
Wheat Ridge businesses have been plagued for years by construction-related traffic on and near Wadsworth. For one business owner, however, Wheat Ridge community members have proven to be willing and ready to help keep local business afloat. Cassie Grutz, owner of The Sugar Cube on Wadsworth just south of 44th, has no regrets about leaving
Construction is officially underway for Primrose School of Wheat Ridge at Applewood, the first of its kind in the city. Slated to open in Winter 2025/2026, the school will offer high-quality early education and child care to local families. Franchise owners Emily and Bryce Durke, inspired by their own search for quality care for their
The Wheat Ridge High School choir program needs a new piano. Choir teacher Ryan Plakorus and the parent-led booster program welcome choir program alumni to sing alongside current choir students for a May 10 concert to raise funds for a new piano to replace the current piano, which has been in the choir room since
Localworks is bringing back its Business Block Party series to 38th Avenue on Saturday, June 14, from 2 to 6 p.m., with an afternoon packed full of live music, hands-on activities, local vendors and plenty of reasons to stick around through the evening. The event will take place outside Wheat Ridge Lanes at 6595 W.
In the late 1980s as part of a redesign of 38th Avenue, city officials decided to demolish certain buildings along the south side of 38th Avenue just east of Teller to create additional off-street parking. However, behind the facade of one abandoned building lay one of the area’s most important historical structures: Wheat Ridge’s original
Wheat Ridge City Council is considering a new custom zoning designation for the former Lutheran Medical Center site that could shape the future of one of the city’s most prolific properties. The proposed mixed-use zone, MU-LLC, was designed to reflect the community’s vision for the campus: more green space, diverse housing options, walkability, and the
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
