Mentoring is something Karen O’Donnell has done for 15 years. But she never thought she’d win an award for helping others grow and find their way in life. The Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department director for the last six years, O’Donnell will receive the Dirk Richwine Professional Mentoring Award at the 2025 National Recreation
After years of planning, delays, and community input, Wheat Ridge is just months away from unveiling a new public space designed to bring the community together. The Green at 38th, located on 38th Avenue near Upham Street, is on track for August 2025 completion, with a grand opening planned for Saturday, September 6. “The team
Twenty years ago, Wheat Ridge was at a crossroads – it faced declining household sizes, deteriorating homes, and a dwindling sense of community. In response, the city launched Wheat Ridge 2020, a nonprofit meant to transform Wheat Ridge into a lively, sustainable, and connected community. That nonprofit is now called Localworks, and it is celebrating
Wheat Ridge City Council is considering a new custom zoning designation for the former Lutheran Medical Center site that could shape the future of one of the city’s most prolific properties. The proposed mixed-use zone, MU-LLC, was designed to reflect the community’s vision for the campus: more green space, diverse housing options, walkability, and the
This summer Elizabeth Yates won’t be hanging out with friends, working her serving job or deciding where to golf. Yates, who shipped out for Basic Training in mid-March, will be completing her 18-week National Guard training in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. “I always thought about the military, but I didn’t think I would ever do
Wheat Ridge’s Summer Sun Camp program received a $10,000 grant from the Jeffco Open Space Foundation’s Nature’s Next Stewards (NNS) program to support a second weekly field trip for all campers throughout the summer at no additional cost to the participating families. Each week, the second field trip will take campers to outdoor recreation sites
The second semester at Wheat Ridge High School is particularly busy for the PTSA. Aside from providing dinner for teachers and staff during spring conferences and desserts at the Spring musical, we are ramping up for our biggest events of the year including Scholarships, Post Prom, Staff Appreciation Week, and Farewell Cookies. Scholarships The PTSA
My family has extensive experience as small business owners. With my father and grandfather having owned B & F Tire Company, I have seen firsthand the significant impact that local shopping has on our community. For 65 years, my family operated the tire shop on 38th Avenue, serving countless residents. Now, after 15 years of
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
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
