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Planning Commission
City Council – City Council Meeting
Mon, Oct 26, 2026 at 6:30pm
11 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
• Open for comment
Item No. 1a - MOTION - Contract Lighthouse Transportation
Seven (7) bids were received in response to the city’s Invitation for Bids (ITB) to complete the 44th Avenue and Tabor Street Traffic Signal project. The lowest responsive bidder is Lighthouse Transportation Group, LLC. It is recommended that the city enter into a contract with Lighthouse to perform the work for the 44th Avenue and Tabor Street Traffic Signal project.
Item No. 1b - RESO - Watrous Lateral Ditch Agreement
The City of Wheat Ridge has been working with RTD to restore bus service along W. 32nd Avenue, including service to Wheat Ridge High School. While RTD reinstated service on September 27, several bus stop improvements along the route are still planned. The most complex improvement is located at the southeast corner of W. 32nd Avenue and Kipling Street, adjacent to Crown Hill Park. This stop spans both Wheat Ridge and unincorporated Jefferson County and crosses the Watrous Ditch. This resolution approves an agreement with the ditch company allowing the city to build and maintain an accessible path over the ditch to improve access to the boarding area. It relates to the council action from August 24, 2026, which approved a separate agreement with Jefferson County for the same bus stop improvements.
Item No. 1c - RESO - Jeffco Open Space Application
The Parks and Recreation and Community Development Departments seek to apply for funding from the Jefferson County Parks and Open Space (JCPOS) Land Conservation Partnership Program to purchase the Wilmore-Davis property from Jefferson County Public Schools. The program will fund up to 25%, of the cost of land acquisition, (estimated at $22,500), provided the land becomes a public park or open space area. Should the acquisition receive county funding, a reverter will be added to the property deed which would allow the county to take ownership of the land and preserve it as a public park if the City ever desired to sell it. A resolution of support is required from City Council to apply for this funding program.
Item No. 2 - ORD - Amend Laws Communal Dining
• Open for comment
Wheat Ridge businesses have expressed interest in sharing outdoor dining areas where customers may consume food and alcoholic beverages from participating establishments. The City’s Code of Laws does not currently establish a local application process or operating standards for Communal Outdoor Dining Areas (CODAs). Council Bill No. 18-2026 would establish this framework, including application requirements, operating standards, public safety measures, and enforcement authority, consistent with state law. City Council is asked to consider the ordinance on second reading. Adoption would allow eligible businesses to seek approval for a CODA; each proposed location would require separate state and local approvals.
Item No. 3 - ORD - Amend Laws Occupation Tax
• Open for comment
The City imposes an occupation tax on telecommunications telephone service, which also applies to cell phone service. This ordinance amends the relevant definition to restore it to the pre-2023 version, to be consistent with a decision in 2024 by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Item No. 4 - ORD - Amend Laws Social Clubs
The proposed ordinance makes updates to the city’s existing “social club” regulations in Chapters 11 and 26. The ordinance repeals the existing social clubs regulations in Chapter 11 (Licensing) and amends Chapter 26 (the zoning code) to define types of “event venues” and to establish where event venues are permitted. Conforming amendments are required in Chapters 11, 15, and 26 to ensure appropriate enforcement strategies are available to the city.
Item No. 5 - ORD - Amend Laws Signs
This ordinance amends Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow up to four digital billboards within the city and to make general amendments to the sign code for clarity and content neutrality.
Item No. 6 - MOTION - Contract JR Engineering
• Open for comment
Staff are seeking approval to award a professional services contract to JR Engineering in the amount of $1,860,448 to provide design services for the 35th Avenue Multimodal Improvement Project. The project will extend the existing neighborhood bikeway along 35th Avenue, improve pedestrian and bicycle connectivity, and incorporate traffic-calming measures to enhance safety for all roadway users. The project is supported by federal and state transportation funding, with the City responsible for its applicable local funding match.
Item No. 7 - MOTION - Contract Goodland Construction
• Open for comment
Staff is seeking approval to award a contract to Goodland Construction, Inc in the amount of $10,000,000 to construct various projects as part of the Sidewalk Gap Project. The project will address gaps in the City's sidewalk network, improve pedestrian connectivity, and provide accessible pedestrian facilities that meet applicable accessibility requirements. The improvements are part of the City's broader commitment to investing in transportation infrastructure through the 2J Bond Initiative.
Item No. 8 - MOTION - Contract Muller Engineering
• Open for comment
Staff are seeking approval to award a professional services contract to Muller Engineering Company in the amount of $2,645,613 to provide design services for the Tabor Street Multimodal Improvement Project. The project will improve multimodal connectivity along Tabor Street between Clear Creek Trail and the West Interstate 70 Frontage Road North. The design will incorporate pedestrian and bicycle facilities, traffic calming, drainage improvements, lighting, utility coordination, and evaluation and design of improvements to the existing Tabor Street bridge crossing over I-70. These improvements will support safer travel and improve connections between residential areas, employment centers, the Clear Creek Trail, and the Ward Road G Line Station.
Past Meetings
City Council – Study Session
Mon, Oct 19, 2026 at 6:30pm
3 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Item No. 1 - MEMO - Sight Triangles and Clear Zones
In 2012, the city’s regulations pertaining to sight triangles and clear zones were updated; however, there was no change to the lower limit of the clear zone. City Council has requested a discussion regarding the height limits for objects located within sight distance triangles at intersections and driveways. Specifically, the request is to consider reducing the allowable height of objects within the clear zone to improve visibility and safety. The purpose of this study session is to review the current code standards related to sight distance triangles, discuss how those standards compare with other communities, and identify potential implications of lowering the clear zone height limit. Staff are seeking direction on whether Council would like staff to pursue a potential code amendment.
Item No. 2 - MEMO - Updates to Appendix F of City Plan
The City Plan was adopted in late 2025 and included seven appendices. Appendix F of the City Plan fulfills requirements from the Colorado Revised Statutes related to comprehensive plans, and it needs to be updated in order to comply with state requirements specifically related to the “strategic growth element.” The appendix also includes the city’s annual update of the Three-Mile Plan. The purpose of this agenda item is informational. This update will be brought to the Planning Commission on November 19, 2026, for their recommendation. A resolution will be brought to City Council for consideration on December 14, 2026. The updated Appendix F will be resubmitted to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) before the end of the year.
Item No. 3 - MEMO - Zoning Code Updates
The city is beginning a multi-year effort to update the zoning code (Chapter 26 of the Municipal Code) to implement the recently adopted City Plan. The effort will also address other code changes identified through staff experience, City Council and community feedback, state legislation, and development review. This work will include both policy-driven amendments and technical code cleanup, with the goal of ensuring that the regulations governing development in Wheat Ridge are aligned with the community’s adopted vision. Historically, City staff have completed zoning code amendments in-house. However, the city has currently budgeted to hire outside zoning expertise to assist with a comprehensive audit of the code and development of recommended amendments. The consultant will evaluate both residential and non-residential regulations, identify barriers to development, outdated or unclear provisions, and provide best-practice research and technical assistance to staff as amendments are developed. The purpose of this study session is to preview the zoning code work anticipated over the next several years and provide Council an opportunity to discuss the overall approach and individual topics. No specific Council consensus or direction is requested at this time. Staff expects to bring individual amendments or groups of related amendments to Council for discussion and action as the work progresses.
Planning Commission – Regular Meeting
Thu, Oct 15, 2026 at 6:30pm
2 Agenda Items
Virtual and in-Person. Click here for more information.
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Sign Code Updates
Pending
The item under consideration is to amend Chapter 26 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws to allow up to four digital billboards within the city and make general amendments to the sign code for clarity and content neutrality.
Event Venues
Pending
The proposed ordinance makes updates to the city's existing "social club" regulations in Chapters 11 and 26. The Chapter 26 updates amend the zoning code to define types of "event venues" and clarify where event venues are permitted, or permitted with restrictions. Conforming amendments in other code chapters are required to ensure proper enforcement strategies are available to the city.
City Council – City Council Study Session
Mon, Oct 5, 2026 at 6:30pm
2 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Item No. 1 - MEMO - Event Venue Businesses
The City’s current social club regulations were adopted to address potential impacts associated with private event venues; however, the licensing and operational requirements apply uniformly regardless of a venue’s size, frequency of use, or actual community impact. As a result, the existing framework creates unnecessary barriers for small businesses while providing limited flexibility to address the varying characteristics of modern event venues. This memo contains a summary of the proposed code changes to streamline event venue regulations and ensure proper enforcement mechanisms are available.
Item No. 2 - MEMO - Homeless Navigation Program Update
The purpose of this study session item is for the Navigators to provide a general update to City Council regarding the Homeless Navigation Program
City Council – City Council Meeting
Mon, Sep 28, 2026 at 6:30pm
9 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Public's Right to Speak
1
Item No. 1 - ORD - Communal Dining
Approved
The item under consideration is Council Bill No. 18-2026, which would amend Chapter 11 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws through the adoption of a new Article IV to authorize and regulate Communal Outdoor Dining Areas, or CODAs, consistent with state law.
Item No. 2 - ORD - Telecommunications Tax
Approved
The City imposes an occupation tax on telecommunications telephone service, which also applies to cell phone service. This ordinance amends the relevant definition to restore it to the pre-2023 version, to be consistent with a decision in 2024 by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Item No. 3 - RESO - Council Support of Civil Rights
Approved
Adoption of Resolution No. 47 affirms the City’s commitment to protecting civil rights, human dignity, public safety, and community trust, and establishing policy direction regarding local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement and the use of City property and facilities.
Item No. 4 - RESO - IGA for Prop 123 Unit Sharing
Approved
Wheat Ridge has a shortfall of eligible affordable housing units needed to meet its Proposition 123 commitment for the 2024–2026 cycle. The proposed Intergovernmental Agreement establishes a regional unit-sharing program that will allow the City to receive surplus eligible units from Jefferson County and other participating municipalities, helping the City satisfy its first-cycle commitment and remain eligible for the next Proposition 123 funding cycle.
Item No. 5 - RESO - Support Prop 123
Approved
Proposition 123 provides funding for affordable housing programs statewide. To remain eligible for state funding during the second cycle (2027-2029), the city must file a commitment with the State of Colorado to increase its supply of affordable housing by November 1, 2026. State legislation enacted in 2026 changed the methodology for determining the required commitment. Under the new methodology, the city’s three-year commitment is 112 affordable housing units.
Item No. 6 - RESO - IGA Cold Weather
Approved
The County of Jefferson and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge are proposing a second-year renewal of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to establish a collaborative, regional approach to addressing cold weather response for those experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County for the 2026-2027 cold weather season and potentially beyond. This initiative aims to address the increasing number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County, which is recognized as a regional issue affecting the health, safety, and welfare of each community.
Item No. 7 - RESO - Navigation Center
Approved
The County of Jefferson and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge propose an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to fund operations of the Navigation Center in Lakewood for calendar year 2027. The Center provides shelter, professional case management, and year-round, 24-hour services to people experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County. Approval of Resolution No. 49-2026 would approve the IGA, which establishes Wheat Ridge’s contribution at $143,200, subject to appropriation. The one-year agreement would sustain operations while the participating jurisdictions negotiate a longer-term funding arrangement.
Item No. 8 - MOTION - Concrete Works Settlement
Approved
Approval of a Settlement Agreement with Concrete Works of Colorado, Inc. related to the CenturyLink Delay associated with the Improve Wadsworth Project.
City Council – Study Session
Mon, Sep 21, 2026 at 6:30pm
3 Agenda Items
Virtual and In-Person
Item No. 1 - MEMO - Election Integrity
The purpose of this study session is to provide City Council with an overview of election integrity and election security measures for the 2026 General Election, including: • The legal protections applicable to voters and election workers; • Prohibited conduct and voter-intimidation laws; • Restrictions concerning firearms and election locations; • The respective roles of Jefferson County Elections and local law enforcement; • Wheat Ridge Police Department's training and operational preparations; and • Protocols for responding to potential election-related incidents, including the potential presence of federal law enforcement. The City of Wheat Ridge does not administer elections. Jefferson County Elections is responsible for administering elections within the County, including voting centers, ballot drop boxes, ballot processing, and election administration. The City's role is primarily to provide public safety and law-enforcement support when requested or when circumstances require a law-enforcement response.
Item No. 2 - MEMO - Housing Updates
The purpose of this agenda item is to present an update on the city’s housing-related programs, policies, and partnerships. This includes an overview of accomplishments to date, current initiatives, and planned work over the next two to three years. Council is also being asked to provide direction on Proposition 123, assignment of the city’s right of first refusal/offer, and the future role of the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority.
Item No. 3 - MEMO - 2J Bond Budget
This memorandum provides an update on staff’s work to realign the 2J Bond Budget to accommodate approximately $7.0 million for utility undergrounding as part of the West 38th Avenue project, while maintaining as much of the Council-approved 2J investment program as possible and bringing the overall program within available resources. At Council’s direction, staff reviewed the 2J program on a project-by-project basis, considering commitments already made, grant funding, project readiness, community benefit, and the ability to defer or reduce projects without losing prior investments.
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