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
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
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
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
Amidst all the frustrations of a constant need to organize and preserve, workers in the Old Post Office at the Historical Park occasionally delight in a real find. Last week researchers came upon two bound volumes (1912-14) of The Wheat Ridge News, a newspaper published by local luminary Samuel Johnson. Paging through the volumes, I
In the year since the Wadsworth Improvement Project began in Wheat Ridge, surrounding neighborhood streets have not been crowded by vehicles avoiding construction delays, and the project is on schedule and budget. In an interview and emails, city spokeswoman Amanda Harrison said the $62 million project between 35th Avenue and Interstate 70 and the Clear
Curiously, celery has a proud heritage in the Wheat Ridge area. Long ago, after I bought my first house, I could hardly wait to plant a garden. I tilled a 30-by-20-foot plot and planted all the standard vegetables. While seed shopping I had encountered a six-pack of celery, a novelty to me. I put forth
Wheat Ridge is laying the groundwork for a sustainable economic future by focusing on development opportunities that attract companies who hire top talent, while investing in physical infrastructure in creative ways – ultimately making our community more attractive for residents and businesses. I believe there are five key elements Wheat Ridge focuses on that sets
