The Wheat Ridge City Council has officially adopted the City Plan as the city’s new comprehensive plan, replacing the 2009 Envision Wheat Ridge. The plan is the result of a two-year process, shaped by hundreds of community voices and will serve as the city’s guiding vision through 2040.
The City Plan articulates the community’s shared values, planning principles, and priorities for the future. It establishes a long-range framework for decision-making around land use, infrastructure, economic development, and quality of life.
“This plan is Wheat Ridge’s story of today and tomorrow, written by the people who live here,” said Mayor Bud Starker. “We’re grateful for the overwhelming participation we’ve seen. Every idea, every comment, every piece of feedback made this plan stronger, and together we’ve built a vision that will guide Wheat Ridge into the future.”
Over the past two years, the city took its already high standard commitment to community engagement and participation to new heights. A steering committee was formed, neighborhood champions were recruited, in-person open houses were held, along with pop-up events, and online activities.
“The participation we received was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker. “Residents kept showing up, not just once, but again and again, because they care about the future of Wheat Ridge. This plan reflects their hopes, values, and ideas.”
The City Plan captures the character of Wheat Ridge while laying out a path for the future. Built on the community’s shared values of being independent-minded, inclusive, and forward-looking, it outlines key priorities such as:
• Supporting 38th Avenue as the heart of the city
• Expanding a safe and connected network for pedestrians and cyclists
• Building a stronger retail and business environment
• Proactively managing infrastructure for long-term sustainability
It also highlights strategies to strengthen neighborhoods, invest in modern infrastructure, and foster vibrant gathering places that bring the community together.
With adoption of the City Plan, Wheat Ridge now has a unifying vision that will guide decision-making for the next 15 years.
The plan is available at whatsupwheatridge.com/city-plan
