Following last year’s voter-approved tax increase and bond issue ballot question, the Wheat Ridge City Council recently approved a $75 million increase in the city’s debt to pay for several improvement projects. Memos to the council noted the debt will have a repayment cost of $125 million and a $7.7 million maximum annual repayment cost.
The City of Wheat Ridge was presented with $2M Community Project Fund (CPF) grant from the Department of Housing & Urban Development, that was made possible through the advocacy of Congresswoman Brittany Pettersen and Senator John Hickenlooper. The announcement event, held last Thursday, saw a gathering of community stakeholders and featured remarks from Mayor Bud
Last year Jefferson Board of Education voted to shut down 16 elementary schools. This was a way to save 12 million dollars. Among them, Kullwerstrand and Wilmore Davis in Wheat Ridge, Vivian (also known as Classic Academy) in Lakewood, were ones that Wheat Ridge families had attended. The plan was to consider 2 buildings every
Wheat Ridge’s city charter would be subject to more than a dozen potential amendments if voters approve a Nov. 5 general election ballot question. The city council gave consent to the amendments in a June 17 study session and to proposed ballot language in a July 15 study session. A draft ordinance with the ballot
A proposed rezoning for the current Lutheran Medical Center site in Wheat Ridge is welcomed by its owners as they get ready to move into a state-of-the-art facility at Clear Creek Crossing. The city is preparing a zone district to apply to the downtown property while Intermountain Health has begun talking to interested buyers about
Wheat Ridge bids farewell to Sister Faustina, the esteemed principal of Saints Peter and Paul School. She is a visionary dedicated to the children and families under her care. Let’s cut to the chase: Sister Faustina orchestrated a remarkable transformation at Saints Peter and Paul. Walking through the halls of Wheat Ridge’s Catholic STEM school
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 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
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
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
Edgewater’s 55 and older crowd took over Edgewater Beer Garden on a sunny afternoon on April 11th, filling the restaurant with laughter, lively conversation and hearty welcomes to each newcomer. Nearly 15 attendees showed up for the very first 55+ Social Club, proving it to be a popular idea. The club is a casual gathering
If you have a hobby, a creative or business idea and need a place to make it happen in Wheat Ridge, the Clear Creek Makerspace is now open. Localworks, a nonprofit organization focused on the city’s economic development, launched what might be its most visible project yet with a March 30 grand opening of 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
Colorado Workforce Housing Solutions, an affordable housing development company based in Colorado Springs, and Aquasan, a water and energy consulting firm In Wheat Ridge, are collectively refuting the $400,000 impact fee being charged by the Valley Water District and Denver Water for construction of the Tabor Lake Apartments on 44th Avenue and Tabor Street. Impact
While national numbers show violent crimes decreased in 2022, public perception is that crime is on the upswing, primarily due to social media and the news media, said Wheat Ridge Police Chief Chris Murtha. The city’s own crime numbers for 2023 are a mixed bag of declines and upswings in various categories typically found in
JeffCo sets its criminal offenders up for success with new programs, resources In Jefferson County, several community partners have teamed up in efforts to give its residents second chances. By seeking to curb recidivism — the tendency of criminal offenders to relapse into illicit behavior — this coalition aims to cut costs to taxpayers and
When Wheat Ridge resident Mark Bassignani went to the doctor for his back pain, he left the appointment with an unexpected prescription. “You don’t seem to hurt when you play pickleball,” Bassignani recalls the doctor saying. “So keep playing and come see me when you can’t play anymore.” He’s been playing seven days a week
Concerns include the presence of low-income and homeless residents and lack of notice from the city A low-income and homeless apartment building in Wheat Ridge has stirred up nearby residents who said they were left out of the loop before construction began. On April 25, city and Jefferson County officials broke ground on The Ives
The Jefferson Center for Mental Health will receive $400,000 from the city for mental health services This winter, expanded mental health resources are coming to town. Wheat Ridge has elected to dedicate $400,000 of its federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the Jefferson Center for Mental Health, a local non-profit providing mental health
Wheat Ridge motorists are right: In recent months, there have been more road projects on more streets than usual. A combination of factors is behind the nine city projects that are producing congestion and delays and involve more than 50 streets. Added to those are three area highway projects. Altogether, the projects had an estimated
One of those little-known or discussed fees Wheat Ridge residents see on their phone bills will be smaller next year. By a 6-1 vote at its Sept. 25 meeting, the city council approved a city code revision that replaces a late-1990s ordinance. Councilmember Leah Dozeman voted against the measure and Councilmember Valerie Nosler Beck was
The carnations may be gone, but the festival is as lively as ever. Wheat Ridge residents and visitors gathered at Anderson Park from Aug. 11 through 13 to celebrate the City of Wheat Ridge in the annual Carnation Festival. The crowd enjoyed a parade on 38th Avenue, carnival rides, live music and a fireworks show.
In Wheat Ridge, one busy corridor might be getting a much needed makeover. Last October, Wheat Ridge City Council began talks to spruce up Colorado Department of Transportation’s (CDOT’s) right of way zones on the west side of Youngfield Street between 32nd and 40th avenues. This strip of land today can be described as underutilized
Few parties require a police presence on hand to help direct traffic. One such Denver area gathering is the annual can’t-miss St. Patrick’s day event at Clancy’s Irish Pub. Held for four days split between two weekends, this celebration draws hordes of green-beer-drinking Coloradoans to Wheat Ridge every year. Patrons are treated to cheap drinks,
