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 a testament to our community’s resilience and dedication. Our proactive engagement has revitalized neighborhoods and strengthened our community,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker.
In response to early 2000s economic challenges, Wheat Ridge launched its first Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy (NRS), fostering robust housing and commercial growth. By 2018, the city updated its NRS to balance its historic charm with modernization, central to which was the Let’s Talk program. This program, structured around ten neighborhoods, conducted intensive engagement activities, gathering feedback from over 1,800 residents and informing budget and work plans.
“The ‘Let’s Talk’ program has revolutionized our community engagement, addressing concerns proactively and ensuring initiatives reflect residents’ needs,” said Starker.
Key accomplishments include budget increases for popular programs, regulatory adjustments, and infrastructure enhancements. The program’s success led to over 70% voter support for extending a .5 cent sales tax to fund critical infrastructure projects.
“This success shows the power of collective action and the positive impact of listening to our community,” said Councilmember Rachel Hultin.
