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
After a nationwide search for qualified candidates, the Wheat Ridge Police Department has found a proven leader that will not just fit into the department’s culture but add to it. Division Chief Shawn Wray started with the Wheat Ridge Police Department on January 20. He brings decades of law enforcement experience and will lead the
More than a dozen projects are on Wheat Ridge Public Works Director Maria D’Andrea’s to-do list this year, including the seemingly never-ending Wadsworth Boulevard improvement and expansion project. The list also includes potential roundabouts, a bus terminal and a 10- to 20-foot-tall city welcome sign. Here is most of D’Andrea’s list, edited for clarity and
When Wheat Ridge City Manager Patrick Goff started in politics he pictured a fast-paced career in D.C. or holding a Senate seat. He didn’t think he’d be bragging about his city’s plowed streets or making a community development a reality after 20 years of planning. Although his long career in local politics wasn’t what he
The penning of poetic Valentines has been documented since the 15th century, and it rose to immense and lasting prominence during the Victorian period of the late 1800s. Consider the following four-line plea: Thou say my heart, my too fond heart / is cold, my dear, to you. / Ah! Canst thou such a thought
On January 13, 2025, the Wheat Ridge City Council took a significant step forward by adopting the new Wheat Ridge Prosperity Plan, a comprehensive economic development strategy designed to guide the city toward long-term economic vitality. Developed in partnership with Progressive Urban Management Associates (P.U.M.A.), the Prosperity Plan outlines a clear vision with short, medium,
I’ve spent my entire life involved in Wheat Ridge, and this remarkable city never ceases to amaze me in the best possible ways. As a child, I cherished the moments I got to attend city functions and events with my grandfather, (former Mayor, Hank Stites) where I learned about the rich traditions and wonderful people
During the core pandemic years of 2020 and 2021, Wheat Ridge experienced a surge in crime, similar to other Colorado communities and cities across the country. Thanks to persistent police work, we can now say crime levels have dropped in 2024, for the third consecutive year. The Wheat Ridge Police Department is now seeing Calls
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
