Clear Creek Makerspace asks Wheat Ridge for $30,000; council signals budget support

WHEAT RIDGE, Colo. — Clear Creek Makerspace (CCM), a Local Works initiative, requested a $30,000 contribution from the city Monday to advance a planned expansion called the CCM Creative Commons.

Paige Piper, speaking for Local Works and CCM, told council the makerspace has served more than 350 members since opening and currently supports 240 active members. Since opening, the space hosted roughly 33,000 visitors, conducted 790 classes and trained 1,700 people on new equipment, Piper said. She requested a $30,000 city contribution to fund stamped architectural drawings for a $325,000 expansion that will add power, insulated shipping-container workspaces and foundations.

Kathleen Martel, metal shop captain at Clear Creek Makerspace and a District 1 resident, spoke in support and described direct benefits to makers and entrepreneurs.

Mayor Pro Tem Corey Stites asked whether the requested $30,000 could be accommodated in the current budget. Staff replied funds are available, and Stites asked for council consensus to add the request to the 2025 budget. Several councilors expressed support in the subsequent discussion; staff indicated consensus to include the contribution.

The expansion proposal anticipates the remainder of the project cost will come from a public capital campaign and Local Works investment. Piper said the buildout would double CCM's capacity, increase revenues by an estimated 25% and allow training for an additional roughly 1,000 people per year.