What are you going to do about I-70 and Kipling?”
That was a key question Wheat Ridge Police Chief Christopher Murtha faced when interviewing for the job back in December of 2019. After researching the history and community concern of this part of town, Chief Murtha knew this wasn’t an issue that could be fixed overnight.
After making it a priority to work across city departments, an idea turned into an actionable plan that has led to serious results and improvement.
The Wheat Ridge City Council passed an ordinance to establish a hotel licensing program in October of 2021. Around that time, about 1 in 10 total calls for service for the Wheat Ridge Police Department were dedicated to the nine hotels in the city. Those hotels represent less than 0.05% of the total number of households and businesses in Wheat Ridge.
The ordinance created several guardrails, including capping the number of days a guest could stay to 29, unless they have an extended stay addendum and required participation to the City’s certified crime free hotel/motel program. The ordinance also created an equation that set an acceptable number of calls for service per month based on the number of rooms.
This is about getting businesses in Wheat Ridge to align with our City’s values. If hotels or motels are found to be in violation of this ordinance, the City can push for specific safety changes or even revoke the business license in certain circumstances.
Since the licensing program went into effect, there has been a significant reduction in crime in the I-70 and Kipling area.
Looking at statistics from the beginning of 2022 to the end of 2024, Wheat Ridge PD has seen a 28.5% reduction in criminal complaints and criminal activity within a quarter mile of the I-70 and Kipling interchange. Calls for service at Wheat Ridge hotels and motels are down 53% during that same time frame. Hotel and motel calls for service went from occupying 10% of all police calls before this ordinance to just 4% last year.
The Wheat Ridge Police Department has been committed to proactive police work over the past two years and continues to patrol this area to promote public safety and send a clear message to the community. Change does not happen overnight, but creative solutions and persistent work can have an impact.
Deadline for Unclaimed Bicycles Approaches
Notice is hereby given that on June 20, 2025 final release will be made by the City of Wheat Ridge, CO for unclaimed bicycles held by the Wheat Ridge Police Department. Claims for custody of goods must be made on or before 4:00 pm MST on the final release date. Call 303-235-2928 with an accurate description, including model and serial number if applicable. Failure on the part of any claimant to contact WRPD will release the City of Wheat Ridge and its employees of and from any and all liability for such claim. The City holds all rights to dispose of all unclaimed goods which may be donated, or may be sold at public auction.
Black & Red Genesis V2100 bike
Blue & Silver Trek 3500 bike
Blue & Yellow Magna Electroshock bike
Yellow & Red Gary Fisher Joshua model bike
Orange Mongoose Hoop D bike
Black Mongoose Excursion bike
Silver TREK 6 bike
Blue State Bicycle Company AZ bike
Silver Mongoose bike
White Northwoods Springdale bike
Grey Mongoose MX-One bicycle
Multicolored Bike
Black & White Trek Fuel Ex 5 bike
Silver Trek Shift 2 bike
Green TREK Mountain Track 820 Bike
Black & Yellow Gary Fisher Bike Joshua model
Grey Hyper Havoc FS bike
Silver Vertical PK7 bike
Silver, Black & Blue Kent Ambush FS20 bike
Green Diamond Back Viper bike
Red Rover 3.7 STX bike
