When Fathers’ Day rolled through a few weeks ago, I began to wonder if there were any famous fathers around Wheat Ridge. A little research produced several references to the Honorable Henry Lee, Father of Wheat Ridge, another of the area’s first wave of pioneers. Born in 1839, Henry Lee arrived in America from England
In an effort to bolster local businesses during the ongoing Improve Wadsworth project, Localworks has launched the “Shop Local & Win” campaign, encouraging residents to support the local businesses along the Wadsworth Corridor. The initiative invites community members to make purchases at any business within the city limits along Wadsworth Blvd. and its adjoining intersections.
I am thrilled to invite you to join me, along with our city council members and staff, at this year’s Carnation Festival. I always look forward to marching in the parade and being part of this wonderful free community event. It’s a fantastic opportunity for all of us to come together and celebrate the vibrant
The City of Wheat Ridge has been honored as the 2024 All-America City Hall of Fame Inductee by the National Civic League, celebrating its exceptional commitment to resident engagement through the innovative “Let’s Talk Resident Engagement Program.” The induction took place Friday night at the All-America City Award Event in downtown Denver. “This recognition is
The new Wheat Ridge hospital that opens in August will be very different than Lutheran Medical Center. It will even have a different — but familiar — name. Lutheran President Andrea Burch said the new facility will be called “Intermountain Health Lutheran Hospital” instead of “medical center”. “We thought it made sense to standardize the
Wheat Ridge has seen a significant drop in crime rates, returning to levels last observed before the pandemic. The Wheat Ridge Police Department reports a 26% overall decrease in crime since 2021, marking a substantial improvement from the spike experienced during the pandemic. A major factor in this reduction is the department’s success in recruiting
A zoning change to help the current Lutheran Medical Center site be redeveloped will be pursued this year, while a city charter amendment regarding building height on the property may be put before Wheat Ridge voters in the Nov. 5 general election. On May 13, the city council unanimously approved a rezoning process. They also
The countdown is on to one of the most anticipated weekends in Wheat Ridge: The Carnation Festival, now more than 50 years old, is one of the longest-running festivals in Colorado. Its name comes from the post-World War II period when Wheat Ridge was home to a thriving carnation industry. The last carnation grower in
Join us in bringing the exterior of Clear Creek Makerspace to life! This July, seize the opportunity to make your mark with our community paint-by-numbers mural! Localworks invites you to join us on July 13 and July 27 for two exciting events where you can paint a section of the mural and leave your lasting
The Jefferson County Public Health Department conducted a public survey in Fall 2023. The survey, which was completed on the Jeffco website and through social media channels, received around 670 responses from mostly residents, but also included county staff and subject matter experts, said Public Health Planning Supervisor Myra Shanks. Jefferson County community members listed
Oil your chain and locate your helmet — it’s almost time for the Historical Society’s newest Second Saturday event: Bikes, Bingo & BBQ, scheduled for June 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.at the Baugh House. In keeping with the celebratory nature of the WRHS’s 50th year, the June event has switched from the “Clean
Gold’s Marketplace, located at 26th Avenue and Kipling Street, has evolved into a community hub in Wheat Ridge. Esters anchors the marketplace on the west side and has been integral in this rejuvenation of the shopping center since the bar and restaurant opened in November 2022. This location is the third for the restaurant which
Recently, I had the pleasure of attending the grand opening for the Clear Creek Makerspace, a workplace fully equipped with tools and software for creatives and entrepreneurs alike to exercise their creativity. After seeing the space, equipment, and response from the community, I believe this new makerspace, powered by Localworks, will serve a vital role
When it comes to places to drink and eat, you’d be surprised just how many exciting and not-so-exciting places we have right here in Wheat Ridge. In fact we have more than 80 restaurants and bars inside city limits. Let’s start with Clancy’s Irish Pub on 38th Avenue. Excellent food, expansive beverage selections and low
Though April’s weather seemed manic, keep the faith that the second Saturday in May, when the Historical Society’s May Festival is scheduled on May 11th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., the temperature will be in the high 70s with blue skies, the grass in the Historical Park (4610 Robb St.) will be a luxuriant
Utility services are expected to be reliable. Electricity, natural gas, the internet, even land-line telephone service; we expect it is always there. Flip the switch, the light comes on. When the temperature dips, the furnace warms our home. Open our laptops, and wi-fi connects us to the world. We just take it for granted, and
Wheat Ridge city councilors voted to move forward on a $160,000 on a futuristic robotic art installation for the Ward Road pedestrian bridge during their April 8 meeting. Oregon-based artist Tyler Fuqua’s Mechan and Celestial Vines robotic art piece was selected out of 169 other submissions after a 2023 national call for entries seeking a
A lengthy update process for a key guiding document in Wheat Ridge began with an April open house. At the end of the approximately 12 months, a new comprehensive plan will help city leaders and residents determine its direction through the next two decades. According to the city website, the Envision Wheat Ridge comprehensive plan
Extracurricular activities, whether sports, the arts, faith-based activities or cultural clubs, can have profound effects on children, particularly as they transition from childhood to adolescence. Children who participate in group activities tend to have higher self-esteem and connection to their peers, as well as lower levels of anxiety and depression. Wheat Ridge hosts a plethora
We are launching a community engagement process to help us set the stage for the city’s updated master plan, or City Plan, as we’re calling it. This plan aims to articulate the community’s vision for the next 20 years, establish shared values and identify priorities for the future. It will also provide direction on issues
It’s not an April Fools’ prank that I’m going to devote this column to April Fools’ Day when it’s already past. The day is one of my favorite times of the year, although having been a public school teacher, it always contained certain challenges — think tacks on teacher’s chair or, worse, water. I beg
With my sights set on a college degree and an interest in a new environment, I moved from Wheat Ridge to Starkville, Mississippi in 2022. While the city may be foreign to you, it is mostly known as the city in which Mississippi State University (MSU) resides and is the core reason I moved there.
Wheat Ridge City Council Held two public study sessions in March. The March 4 study session reviewed the amendment to the cooperation agreement between the city and the Wheat Ridge Urban Renewal Authority, and U.S. Retail Partners, the developer of the former Applewood Village Walmart. To incentivize the redevelopment of the property, in 2019 the
This year, it’s not the Lorax who speaks for the trees — it’s the Wheat Ridge Rotary Club. As part of its larger effort to maintain the beauty and charm of Wheat Ridge, the Rotary Club is piloting its Tree Scholarship Program. The program is set to offer 18 locals a free tree during Wheat
