Wheat Ridge boards, commissions say volunteers sustained dozens of city programs in 2024

Wheat Ridge City Council heard consolidated annual reports Monday from nine city boards and commissions that together rely on about 85 volunteers and staff liaisons to run planning, cultural, environmental and community grant programs.

Council received summaries of 2024 achievements and 2025 workplans in a single study-session presentation intended to increase communication between council and the city’s public bodies.

City Manager Cole Goff, who introduced the presentation, said the report was created in response to a 2023 request from council for more regular updates from public bodies. “This 2024 boards and commissions annual report . . . is focused on the 2024 achievements of each of our public bodies and then gives you a preview of upcoming items they plan to address in 2025,” Goff said.

Presenters described the activity and staffing of each public body. The Election Commission reported minimal activity in 2024 after a February special election produced no contested issues that required the commission to meet; Election Commission presenter Margie Greer said she plans to meet with commission members ahead of the 02/2025 coordinated election and reminded potential candidates that candidate packets are available through the city clerk’s office.

Planning staff updated council on work by the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment. Jana Easley, planning manager and liaison, said the Board of Adjustment met twice in 2024 on two setback variance requests and participated in city attorney training. Easley said the Planning Commission reviewed multiple land-use matters in 2024, including three specific development plans, two outline development plans, six zone changes, two resolutions to create urban renewal areas, several code amendments (including electric-vehicle and bicycle parking rules), and study sessions on the Lutheran Legacy Campus zoning framework. The Planning Commission recommended the Lutheran Legacy Campus rezoning in February 2025 and council will hear that item on April 14, 2025, Easley said.

Other highlights included: - Idea Committee (race and equity follow-up): First members appointed August 2024; committee developing an equity lens and focusing on economic opportunity, affordable housing and human resources in 2025. - Community Partnership Grant Program (CPGP): Reviewed 43 applications requesting $382,000 in 2024; committee recommended $200,000 in awards that was later reduced by 10% because of city budget constraints. Staff told council the 2025 cycle will use a two-part review process and move the application window to early June–late July to align with the city budget. - Sustainable Wheat Ridge: Implementing the adopted Sustainability Action Plan; continuing neighborhood native-plant demonstration gardens, yard-waste and e-waste events, and a local green-business program the city now administers. - Parks & Recreation Commission: Continued work on a citywide pathway update and grant support to fund parks projects; annual parks tour and community engagement. - Cultural Commission: Reported 11 meetings in 2024, dozens of community events, artist grants and a revived public-art call with 63 submissions; commission leaders estimated about 1,250 volunteer hours among nine commissioners in 2024.

Councilors thanked volunteers and staff and discussed procedural improvements to board and commission recruitment and training. No formal council action was taken during the presentation; staff said they will return to council with future updates as necessary.

Councilors said the consolidated presentation made the work of multiple volunteer bodies easier for the public and for council to review, and they thanked members for their time.

The presentation closed with an offer for council members to follow up with individual commission members or staff liaisons for more detail.