Many people ask “What are the services you speak of?  What does a City do? And, “How does the City get revenue?”  The City of Wheat Ridge has four main public services.  They are:

1. Police (public safety, crime prevention, code enforcement, etc…)
2. Public Works (road and sidewalk maintenance, snow plowing, traffic lights, etc…)
3. Parks and Recreation (Recreation Center, parks and open space, youth and senior rec programs, etc…)
4. Community Development (rezonings, building codes/safety inspections, comprehensive land use plans, etc…)

Obviously, there is never full agreement on which services are more important or needed. The main source of revenue for Wheat Ridge is sales tax, NOT property tax.  Wheat Ridge has a sales tax rate of 3%, but when state sales tax, RTD and other taxes are added the rate is 7.5%. When a business in Wheat Ridge collects sales tax they must send the tax money collected to different entities.  The entire 7.5% sales tax is not paid to Wheat Ridge.  It is imperative that you shop and spend your hard earned money in Wheat Ridge if you can.  As Councilmember Mike Stites always says “Find it and buy it in Wheat Ridge”.

As with most households, Wheat Ridge has had to tighten its belt as we witness a decrease in revenues while facing a continued increase in costs.  Wheat Ridge prides itself on the services it provides such as our nationally recognized Police Department, state-of-the-art Recreation Center, outstanding recreation programs for youth and seniors, our new dog park, our new Discovery Park, our fantastic Greenbelt with bike paths, the Carnation Festival with the new Zoppe’ Italian Circus, superior snow plowing and road maintenance and other public amenities.  These services help make Wheat Ridge a destination City where consumers will spend time and money, and not a pass-through City to Arvada or Lakewood.  My goal is to keep Wheat Ridge a vibrant City
where people want to live, work and play. I will continue to find and support programs and projects that move the City forward.

The ongoing costs for quality services come during a time when our economy faces challenges we have not witnessed since the great depression.   Your elected officials are dedicated to the continuation of these services and adding new services to meet the needs of the 21^st century and beyond.  But, we are also dedicated to managing our finances the same as most do with their personal bank accounts.  We run on a fairly lean staffing model at City Hall.

We continue to seek new economic development efforts throughout Wheat Ridge.  Those include the addition of new primary  jobs as well as the continued efforts to attract and retain our retail, office and industrial uses.  We have two new quality developments in progress in Wheat Ridge located at 29^th and Wadsworth and 44^th and Wadsworth.  Both projects are funded through public and private partnerships and they will create new opportunities for our residents and businesses.

We’ve drastically improved our customer services throughout City Hall and continue to develop a process wherein we create an atmosphere of a ‘Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)’ for development which meet the goals and criteria of your community.

While we may not ‘hit a homerun’ every time, I think you will find our economic development efforts to be top-notch and our staff to be accommodating to your needs.  I encourage you to look at our economic development opportunities on our website at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us or call our Economic Development Manager Steve Art at 303-235-2806.  If you have any comments, feel free to contact me at jerryditullio@comcat.net.

Mayor Jerry DiTullio

Measuring GDP is complicated (which is why we leave it to the economists), but at its most basic, the calculation can be done in one of two ways: either by adding up what everyone earned in a year (income approach), or by adding up what everyone spent (expenditure method). Logically, both measures should arrive at roughly the same total.

The income approach, which is sometimes referred to as GDP(I), is calculated by adding up total compensation to employees, gross profits for incorporated and non incorporated firms, and taxes less any subsidies. The expenditure method is the more common approach and is calculated by adding total consumption, investment,
government spending and net exports.

As one can imagine, economic production and growth, what GDP represents, has a large impact on nearly everyone within that economy. For example, when the economy is healthy, you will typically see low unemployment and wage increases
as businesses demand labor to meet the growing economy. A significant change in GDP, whether up or down, usually has a significant effect on the stock market. It’s not hard to understand why: a bad economy usually means lower profits for
companies, which in turn means lower stock prices. Investors really worry about negative GDP growth, which is one of the factors economists use to determine whether an economy is in a recession.

Source: http://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/199.asp

TO:      The Mayor

FROM: Tom Cochran CEO and Executive Director, US Mayors Caucus

SUBJECT:     Analysis of Debt Ceiling Agreement, Next Steps on Jobs

On August 2, President Barack Obama signed into law legislation raising the nation’s borrowing authority by an additional $2.4 trillion, which will allow the Federal Government to continue paying its bills through early 2013.  The bill passed by a vote of 269-161 in the House, and 74-26 in the Senate.

This action comes after months of advocacy by the Conference of Mayors, and on the heels of our leadership meeting two weeks ago where Conference President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio R. Villaraigosa, Vice President Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter and Second Vice President Mesa Mayor Scott Smith sent a letter to President Obama and congressional leaders urging immediate action to increase the debt ceiling and avoid an economic crisis.  The Conference of Mayors leadership also unanimously resolved that Washington must move immediately to a national jobs agenda to address persistently high levels of unemployment in cities across the nation.

In that the agreement sets new spending caps, and empowers a 12-member super/joint committee to recommend even deeper cuts or revenue measures, the Conference of Mayors must engage directly with Congress and the Administration immediately to ensure that domestic investment priorities tied to jobs are protected.

IMPACT ON LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Although the legislation does not call for specific cuts in programs like community Development Block  Grants, COPS, job training and transportation, it requires $2.4 trillion in total savings over the next ten years.  Democrats and Republicans are deeply divided over tax increases, with the President and Democratic leaders in Congress insisting that tax increases be included in savings required for next year’s debt ceiling increase, and Republican leaders adamantly opposing any tax increase.  Without tax increases, Congress will have to cut an average of $240 billion each year to achieve the $2.4 trillion target.  Cuts of this magnitude could lead to the elimination or drastic reduction in many local programs.  Even with tax increases, Congress is expected to make drastic cuts to meet the spending caps.

THE PROCESS: DEBT CEILING INCREASED BY $2.4 TRILLION IN TWO STAGES

First, the debt ceiling would be increased by $900 million this year – $400 billion of which would be made available immediately with the remaining $500 billion available later this fall.

Next, the debt ceiling may be increased by an additional $1.5 trillion early next year, provided that  Congress approves offsetting spending cuts recommended by a super/joint committee of 12 members (3 Democrats and 3 Republicans from both the House and the Senate).  If Congress fails to act, the debt limit may be increased by an additional $1.2 trillion, which would be subject to a resolution of disapproval.

SPENDING CUTS: MUST AT LEAST EQUAL DEBT CEILING INCREASE

To achieve the spending cuts necessary to offset the first $900 billion increase in the debt ceiling, statutory caps or limits are imposed on discretionary spending for fiscal years 2012 through 2021.  The cap on discretionary spending for fiscal year 2012 is $1.043 trillion.  This amount is $24 billion more than the amount in the budget approved by the House earlier this year.  According to the Congressional Budget Office, a total of $935 billion would be saved over the next decade by imposing these caps.  And for 2012 and 2013, Congress would be prevented from raiding domestic programs to increase spending on defense programs.

The super/joint committee is required to come up with recommendations for an additional $1.5 trillion in savings (including spending cuts and tax increases) over the next decade.  The super/joint committee must make its recommendations by November 23 and Congress would have until December 23 to approve such recommendations.  If approved, the debt limit may be raised by an additional $1.5 trillion early next year.

If the joint committee makes recommendations and Congress fails to enact the requisite amount in savings, the debt limit may be raised by $1.2 trillion early next year.  This amount would be subject to a resolution of disapproval.

ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM:  AUTOMATIC ACROSS-THE-BOARD SPENDING CUTS

If Congress fails to adhere to the spending caps on appropriations bills, a process for imposing automatic across-the-board spending cuts would take effect after Congress adjourns for the year.  Some spending such as military pay would be exempt.

If the enacted recommendations made by the super/joint committee fail to produce at least $1.2 trillion in savings, a process for automatic across-the-board cuts would be triggered to achieve the desired savings and the spending cuts would be spread equally across nine fiscal years.  The first automatic cuts would take effect on January 2, 2013 and would be equally applied to defense and domestic programs.  It would also apply to discretionary and some entitlement spending, however programs targeting low-income individuals would be exempt.

TAXES: NOT INCLUDED IMMEDIATELY, BUT JOINT COMMITTEE MAY RECOMMEND

The new law does not allow for revenue increases to offset the first $900 billion increase in the debt  limit this year.  However, the super/joint committee may consider and recommend revenue increases to offset the $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion increase in the debt ceiling for next year.

1. Self-absorbed (acts like public policies are all about him or her; pretends to be interested in you)

2. Entitled (makes the rules; breaks the rules)

3. Demeaning (puts citizens and fellow elected officials down publically and privately; knows more than them)

4. Demanding (of whatever he or she wants)

5. Distrustful (suspicious of your motives; impugns motives)

6. Perfectionistic (rigidly high and unrealistic standards—his or her way or no way)

7. Snobbish (believes he or she is superior to citizens and fellow elected officials; gets bored easily)

8. Myopic (if it hasn’t happed to him or her it has not happened)

9. Unempathic (uninterested in understanding your inner experience; or unable to relate)

10. Unremorseful (cannot offer a genuine apology)

11. Compulsive (gets overly consumed with micro management of processes)

12. Addictive (cannot let go of bad habits; uses them to self soothe)

13. Emotionally detached (steers clear of feelings; demeans others’ feelings)

Do you have a favorite business that is doing a great job and providing the best in customer service?  Do you know of a business that is advancing the youth of our community?  How about a business that has done a great job renovating their location?

If you answered Yes to any of these, then here’s your chance to nominate them for an award.

The City of Wheat Ridge is preparing for its 8^th Annual Business Appreciation Awards Program and is seeking nominations in five categories.

Citizens and businesses are encouraged to nominate Wheat Ridge based businesses in one or more of the following categories:

• Business of the Year – This award recognizes a business that exemplifies the ‘Best in Business’ that represents the values of our community.
• Reinvestment Award – This award recognizes a business that has demonstrated one or more of the following: made a significant investment in its property, improved the overall appearance of the site, maintained property at the highest standards, or updated their building in a manner to make it more marketable.
• Cultural Commission Award – This award recognizes a business which has made an impact on our community through one or more of the following: promoting/encouraging culture and the arts, promoting awareness of our cultural activities, diversity, heritage, supporting opportunities in art education for all ages or incorporating art into the architecture and design of their building.
• City Council’s Partnership Award – This award gives the City Council an opportunity to recognize a company for their overall contributions to the City.  It incorporates criteria from all award categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment/involvement.
• Mayor’s Business and Youth Partnership Award – This award gives the Mayor an opportunity to recognize a company for their overall contributions.  It incorporates criteria from all award categories as well as contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment, but must also include involvement with the mentoring, training, and partnering with the youth.

Anyone wishing to nominate a Wheat Ridge business for an award this year should go to the Economic Development page of the City’s website at www.ci.wheatridge.co.us to print a nomination form.  Forms are also available at City Hall, the Public Library and the Recreation Center.  All nominations for the Annual Business Awards Program must be received by Friday, September 2, 2011.

Winners of the 2011 Business Awards will be honored at the 8^th Annual Business Appreciation Breakfast to be held September 29, 2011 at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center.  Each year the City of Wheat Ridge Appreciation Program is held to not only recognize Wheat Ridge’s outstanding Business Award winners, but to also recognize the business community as a whole for their contributions to making Wheat Ridge a great community.  It will be my honor to host the event and have an opportunity to thank such an important component to our City’s success.

For all media inquiries, please contact Steve Art, Economic Development Manager at 303-235-2806 or E-mail at sart@ci.wheatridge.co.us.

Please see the following two links.   You be the judge.  I support mixed use development as long as safeguards are in place for due process of ALL private property owners, as demonstrated Monday night with Councilmember DeMott’s amendment to the mixed use zoning for Wadsworth Blvd.   Thanks to the members of Council who supported the goal and intent of the amendment.  Due process…

 Pro:

http://www.iclei.org/

 Con:

http://www.freedomadvocates.org/articles/sustainable_development/agenda_21_-_what_is_it%3f_how_did_it_get_here%3f_2006072738/

  Enjoy!

As  Mayor and as a WRBD board member, I am very excited about our local efforts to assist businesses through the Revitalization Incentive Program.  This is just one of the many exciting things happening in Wheat Ridge as a result of our efforts to reposition the community and to be open for business.

 WRBD Board Chairman and owner of Larson Ski and Sport, John Marriott added, “We are pleased the City of Wheat Ridge continued their investment in the Wheat Ridge Business District with this latest $55,000 grant.  We look forward to continuing to provide incentive for Wheat Ridge businesses to improve their properties and invest for the future.”

 The Revitalization Incentive Program is administered by Wheat Ridge 2020 with the goal of leveraging private improvements while making revitalization efforts affordable, creative, and community based.  “This is a great program and it provides needed funding to local businesses to make improvements to their locations,” said Councilmember and local business owner Mike Stites.

 Janeece Hoppe, owner of Compass Construction and WRBD Board Member added, “We are pleased to have the support of the City Council.  The WRBD grant program was one of the factors that brought us to the community of Wheat Ridge. With this additional funding we can help our longstanding businesses grow and attract new businesses to Wheat Ridge. The current growth and development in Wheat Ridge is an energizing and positive movement that we are excited to be a part of.”

The Revitalization Incentive Program offers up to $11,000 in matching funds to commercial businesses in the City in order to improve the appearance of individual buildings as well as the overall look of the City.  “This program is an example of how businesses can partner with the City to support the goals of our City-wide economic development,” said Joe DeMott, Councilmember and WRBD Board Member. “By offering these matching grants the Wheat Ridge Business District is encouraging local businesses to reinvest in Wheat Ridge.”

Grant program applications can be found on the WR2020 Website at www.wheatridge2020.org and click on the link to the WRBD or via phone by at 720-259-1030.

About the partnering organizations:

Wheat Ridge Business District (WRBD) is a 501c3 organization that promotes improving and strengthening business in Wheat Ridge. Their largest program is the Revitalization Incentive Program that provides matching grant assistance to businesses throughout Wheat Ridge. www.wheatridge2020.org/business-resources/wheat-ridge-business-district

 Wheat Ridge 2020 is a 501c3 organization advancing Wheat Ridge as a vibrant and sustainable community through economic and community development activities. www.wheatridge2020.org

Healing Waters Family Center

Partnership with LiveWell Wheat Ridge, Metro Mayors Caucus, and Hunger Free Colorado Helps Bring Federal Summer Food Service Program to Wheat Ridge Children

 WHEAT RIDGE – The City of Wheat Ridge is pleased to announce that on Thursday, July 7^th Mayor Jerry DiTullio will visit Healing Waters Family Center to enjoy a healthy summer meal with children. Healing Waters Family Center (6475 W. 29^th Avenue) is part of a nationwide effort to ensure that all children have access to the nutrition they need to be healthy and active all summer long.

 In Jefferson County, 30.6 percent of children qualify for free or reduced-price lunches. When school lets out for the summer, many children lose access to these nutritious meals. “We are proud to have the support of several local non-profits as well as the Federal Summer Food Service Program to provide healthy lunches to children in the City,” said Mayor DiTullio. “Helping local parents provide wholesome lunches to their children helps improve the overall health of our community.”

 Healing Waters Family Center provides free meals through the federally funded Summer Food Service Program to any child age 18 or under. Meals are served at 11:30 a.m., Monday through Friday until July 29^th.  There are no income or registration requirements. “Healing Water Family Center is excited to be partnering with Hunger Free Colorado on such an important program,” said Senior Pastor Joseito Velasquez.  “Being able to satisfy the needs of kids and their families is truly a blessing.”

 This is the first year that Healing Waters Family Center has participated in the Summer Food Service Program.  Based on the success of the program they are already looking to expand next year according to Meghan Moynihan at Hunger Free Colorado. So far this summer, Healing Waters Family Center has served over 2100 meals to more than 170 kids.  Kathy Underhill, Executive Director of Hunger Free Colorado added, “We are thrilled that Healing Waters Family Center is providing nutritious summer meals to children. In Colorado, childhood hunger is on the rise, but through the hard work and dedication that we see in Wheat Ridge, we know we can end hunger in Colorado.”  In addition to the Healing Water’s location there is also a Summer Food Service Program at Wheat Ridge Middle School at 7101 W. 38^th Avenue and almost 20 throughout Jefferson County.                                                    

To find a Summer Food site near you in Jefferson County, or any place in Colorado, go to www.summerfoodcolorado.org. For additional information on getting involved with food access issues in your community please visit Hunger Free Colorado’s website at http://www.hungerfreecolorado.org/main.html or contact LiveWell Wheat Ridge at http://about.livewellcolorado.org/livewell-wheat-ridge

By a 3-5 consensus vote (Stites, Sang and DeMott voting YES) five other members of Council decided not to hear from the Columbus Day Parade organizers at the June 27th City Council meeting.  The parade organizers are Wheat Ridge residents.  The comments below were read under Public Comment at the June 27th Council meeting by Rich SaBell, a Wheat Ridge resident.  It is very disappointing that a majority of City Council did not allow the parade committee to present their plan.

________________________

June 27, 2011

Comments for Wheat Ridge City Council

 My name is Rich SaBell and I am the President of the Columbus Day Parade Planning Committee.

 First, I would like to thank, and introduce my distinguished associates who have graciously donated their allotted 3 minutes of speaking time to me. My good friend and long time Wheat Ridge resident, John Gargano, is a member of Potenza Lodge, the Sons of Italy Lodge in Wheat Ridge, and is currently my First Vice President for the Columbus Day Parade Planning Committee.

 George Vendegnia, also my good friend and Wheat Ridge resident, is responsible for the restoration of the Columbus Day Parade in 2000 and is currently my Immediate Past President. George is a member of our local Sons of Italy Lodge in Wheat Ridge and is also an officer for the Sons of Italy Grand Lodge of Colorado. In addition, George is the Director and President of the Western division of the Commission for Social Justice, the anti-defamation arm for the Sons of Italy. The CSJ actively investigates and responds to things like negative stereotyping and discrimination against Italian Americans.

 I am a lifelong Wheat Ridge resident, actually born in Lutheran hospital, and can trace my ancestry to the Pioneers. I am a member of the Italian American Business Association and the Wheat Ridge Sons of Italy Lodge on 32^nd and Harlan. I am also an officer for the Grand Lodge of Colorado which oversees all seven Sons of Italy Lodges within the state. The Order Sons of Italy in America, established in 1905, is a national organization and the largest Italian American organization in the country with over 700 Lodges. Our local lodge here in Wheat Ridge has almost 350 members, most of whom live in Wheat Ridge.

 This year, following the Columbus Day Parade, we will hold our post parade celebration and awards ceremony at our beautiful lodge on 32^nd Harlan. We are deeply disappointed that this council did not see fit to put our suggestion, of moving the Columbus Day Parade from Downtown Denver to Wheat Ridge, on the agenda for tonight’s meeting. It seems shortsighted and close-minded to miss our presentation, with relevant materials, targeted for tonight’s agenda.

 Ever increasing support for the parade has encouraged us to think about expanding the event from our current one day festival format to a three day, entire weekend event. A Destination location to, not only bring people into Wheat Ridge, but also showcase the businesses and community of Wheat Ridge, similar to the Festival Italiano in Belmar. As the cornerstone celebration of Italian American Heritage month in October, the Columbus Day Parade will be on October 8^th. A three day festival that same weekend, to kick off Italian American Heritage month, could be wonderful, and possibly lucrative. At this time there is no other festival in the month of October that I know of, so the opportunity is untouched. Sure the weather can be more unpredictable than usual in October, but long time residents know that you simply prepare for any weather. The Columbus Day Parade planning committee always takes this into consideration. If the weather is favorable we are thrilled, but if not, hey it’s Colorado. The parade last year was possibly the largest in the modern era.

 Colorado has a proud and unique place in history as the first state to celebrate Columbus Day in 1907. In 1909, Colorado was the first state to hold a Columbus Day parade in Pueblo. From then until now, the Celebration of Columbus Day across the nation has honored generations of Italian American families and their considerable contributions to this country. A holiday, a tradition, passed on to us with pride from our grandparents and great grandparents. To the Italian American community, the significance of celebrating Columbus Day can be compared to that of Saint Patrick’s Day to Irish Americans and Martin Luther King Day to African Americans. Anything less, any diminishing of Columbus Day, diminishes the Italian American community as a whole. Any sacrifice of our tradition, our dignity, and our pride as Italian Americans, is a slap in the face of our families.

 Some have mentioned the idea of a diversity day, instead of Columbus Day, to somehow placate a wider demographic. Rather than pay lip service to diversity why not actually practice it. The key to diversity is to preserve the diverse elements within the community, not diminish them. In addition to a Columbus Day Parade in Wheat Ridge, why not encourage things like a German festival, or a Scots, or Irish festival? Why not expand the festivities, not lump them all into one generic holiday. Changing the name of Columbus Day is as ridiculous as changing all the holidays to diversity days. December 25? Diversity day. Martin Luther King? Diversity day. Saint Patrick’s? Diversity day. Keep in mind that Columbus Day is a National American Holiday, anything less is unacceptable and a violation of our rights as American citizens.

 The Columbus Day Parade Planning Committee meets at 7pm, on the first Wednesday of every month at Vincenza’s, continuing eleven years of Wheat Ridge patronage for the committee, beginning with Valente’s and including Pietra’s Pizzeria . All of you are welcome to attend, as I hope that we will have the opportunity to continue this dialog in the future and seriously consider having a Columbus Day Parade and Festival, in Wheat Ridge, in 2012. Thank you for your time.

Partnership with LiveWell Wheat Ridge Encourages Locally Grown

Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

The Wheat Ridge City Council approved changes to the City Code on Monday, May 23, 2011 that will further support and encourage urban agricultural uses and activities in the City. The code changes updated the City’s regulations and established three main uses for urban agriculture: community gardens (under the category of “urban gardens”), farmers’ markets, and produce stands which are now allowed in any zone district. A summary of the three uses permitted in each zone district may be found on the City Website at this link: Wheat Ridge, CO – Official Website – Urban Agriculture

We’ve seen increased interest in urban agriculture by our residents. Wheat Ridge was founded on an agricultural past and it is exciting to see the renewed interest by so many of our residents in a favorite pastime coupled with their desire to access locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables. I’m pleased that the amended ordinance creates a Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) for a resident or business to grow and sell fresh fruits and vegetables with no review fees or oversight by the City.

An overview on the code changes is as follows:

Urban Gardens

An urban garden is defined as an area of land formally managed, organized, and maintained by an individual or group of individuals to grow and harvest food crops and/or non-food ornamental crops, such as flowers. Common examples of urban gardens include:

• Community gardens, where plots of land are leased for a minimal cost and crops are usually consumed or donated.
• Market gardens, where crops are sold for profit.
• Community supported agriculture (CSA), where locally grown crops are sold or donated for shareholder consumption.
• Urban gardens are allowed in all zone districts, including residential, and do not require a submittal or review by the City.

 Farmers’ Markets

Farmers’ markets are allowed in any zone district, except in residential zone districts on properties where the primary use is a single-or two-family homes. Farmers’ markets require a business license.

Produce Stands

A produce stand is a temporary structure where agricultural products such as raw vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, plants, nuts, honey, and eggs are sold. Value-added agricultural products which are made from raw agricultural products such as jams and jellies may also be sold from produce stands. Produce stands require a business license, which you may apply for through the City’s Sales Tax Division. Produce stands on residential properties must also follow the rules for home occupations.

“LiveWell Wheat Ridge congratulates the City of Wheat Ridge on making these important changes to the zoning code,” states Molly Hansen, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coordinator. “Increasing access to locally grown food is a vital step in promoting healthy food options, creating resilient neighborhoods and supporting our local economy. It is exciting to see support from the community and City Council on creating a policy framework that supports these important principles.”

Tim Tindell and Amy DiPierre Tindell, Wheat Ridge residents and owners of the City Mouse Garden noted, “We believe Wheat Ridge is in a unique position, as a former agricultural community, to be an example for communities locally and nationally. This ensures countless positive effects. Embracing urban farmers, whether it is a person growing cut flowers or cucumbers, will stabilize our immediate local economy, solidify long-term relationships, provide a safe and secure food system. This is truly one of the most important issues any of us can be involved in.”

The City identified the need to update the zoning regulations for urban agriculture activities as part of the Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan that was adopted in the fall of 2009. “Envision Wheat Ridge is a visionary plan that set the foundation for us to create and maintain a healthy and active community,” says Tracy Langworthy, Mayor pro tem and Councilmember for District IV. “It is exciting to see the grassroots involvement from citizens who have helped bring these goals to life.”

Efforts to promote urban agriculture in communities are on the rise. Wheat Ridge is now among the leading municipalities in the State and nation connecting urban dwellers to fresh, healthy food. The City began its efforts a year ago researching cities across the country including Seattle, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Kansas City all that have been recognized for adopting zoning codes that support urban agricultural activities. “Cities are drawn to urban agriculture for a variety of reasons,” said Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director. “Urban agriculture promotes economic and community development, environmental sustainability, and connects urban dwellers to fresh, healthy food.”

A dynamic grassroots effort developed when the City partnered with a group of Wheat Ridge residents, known as the Access to Fresh Fruits and Vegetables (AFFV) Task Force, to review and comment on the draft ordinance as it was developed. Amanda Weaver, who lives and owns a farm in Wheat Ridge commented, “I think it’s great that Wheat Ridge is continuing to support local growing and local food in their zoning code and I really appreciate the efforts of the staff to keep this important piece of Wheat Ridge’s heritage thriving.”

LiveWell Wheat Ridge funded the development of the Residential and Urban Agriculture Guide for Wheat Ridge which was created by the Jefferson Conservation District, staff at the City of Wheat Ridge and Councilmember Karen Berry. The publication provides a summary of the types and intensities of urban agriculture are permitted on residentially zoned property. This publication can be found on the City Website at this link: Wheat Ridge, CO – Official Website – Urban Agriculture

Suzanne Teale, a member of the AFFV Task Force added, “As someone who has been gardening at the Happiness community garden for several years and enjoying all the benefits of growing my own vegetables and sharing with neighbors and friends, I am glad that many other people in the City will have opportunities to participate in community gardens and other urban gardening alternatives because of the adoption of the urban agriculture ordinance.”

In addition to the zoning code amendments, the City is in the process of amending the building code easing the requirements for hoop houses. Hoop houses are temporary greenhouses with a semi-circular shape that typically have a plastic covering. Many people use hoop houses as an affordable way to extend the growing season. These structures range from very small greenhouses set up in private backyards, to very large structures used on commercial farms or in retail settings.

For more information on a community assessment conducted in the fall of 2010 by LiveWell Wheat Ridge and community partners on the importance of accessing and consuming locally-grown produce, community gardening, and much more, go to: http://jeffco.us/jeffco/health_uploads/hplmhandouts/LWWR_Health_Assessment.pdf

For more information about the City’s urban agriculture efforts, please contact Sarah Showalter, Planner II at 303.235.2849 or via email: sshowalter@ci.wheatridge.co.us.

To find out more about how you can participate in the Access to Fresh Fruit and Vegetables Task Force, and for media inquiries about LiveWell Wheat Ridge, please contact Molly Hanson, LiveWell Wheat Ridge Coordinator, at 720.345.8547 or email mhanson@jeffco.us.

Please feel free to use the two attached photos and credit Deb Johnson, City of Wheat Ridge Happiness Gardens.