Residents, first responders urge 88th–Zuni connection to improve emergency response

Multiple speakers urged Westminster to pursue a roadway connection tying West 88th Avenue to Zuni Street, saying the link would improve responses by fire, police and emergency medical services.

Jim Fenimore told the council he favors the 88th–Zuni connection for safety and described previous volunteer efforts to protect wetlands during nearby construction. He said the tie-in would provide a safety improvement for fire response. Art Dubuque, a former firefighter who has worked with nearby departments, also encouraged the city to coordinate with Federal Heights and Adams County to pursue the connection, noting Westminster Fire Department’s desire to keep response times under four minutes.

Council members acknowledged the proposal and staff said the idea is active: “Staff is taking a very strong and hard look at that, and what that might look like to move forward,” City Manager Andrew Andrews said. Councilors said they support exploring interjurisdictional cooperation where Federal Heights or Adams County are involved.

Why it matters: Speakers framed the connection as a public-safety improvement that could reduce emergency response times in parts of the city that now sit near but just outside target response windows.

Quotes “This is a safety for the community for fire response and emergency response,” Jim Fenimore said. “...I would like to encourage the city of Westminster working with the city of Federal Heights ... to improve and tie in 80 Eighth Avenue in Zuni for the sake of first responders,” Art Dubuque said.

Ending Staff said they will continue to evaluate the feasibility of the 88th–Zuni connection with neighboring jurisdictions and report back to council when more concrete options are developed.