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We team up with the Engage Jeffco podcast to explain the similarities, differences and partnerships between the City of Arvada and Jefferson County. Johnny Hart and Carly Moore from Jefferson County Public Affairs help explain who runs what, who pays for it, and how the City and the County collaborate on roads, human services, and more.

In this episode:

• Jefferson County leadership (Board of County Commissioners and other elected officials)
• Arvada City Council structure and appointed leadership (City Manager, City Attorney and the Judge)
• Jefferson County property taxes and where that money goes to
• County services vs city services
• Ask Arvada portal and key phone lines for issues such as water or sewer line breaks, streetlight outages and animal management issues
• Jefferson County engagement opportunities: public meetings, town halls, boards and commissions, Engage Jeffco newsletter, Engage Jeffco podcast

News and events:

• Sheridan sewer line replacement is nearly complete with most side streets open and the trail reopening soon
• Arvada Winterfest is Saturday, Feb. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4p.m. in Olde Town Arvada
• Sign up for Visit Arvada's newsletter for the best way to stay up to date on everything happening in Arvada, including A Chocolate Affair, a fundraiser for Ralston House that takes place Saturday, Feb. 7

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Events Assistant Layla Diaz joins the show to break down the Arvada Festivals Commission's event lineup for 2026!

Included in this episode:

• Arvada Winterfest on Saturday, Feb. 28 in Olde Town
• Volunteer with the Arvada Festivals Commission
• Arvada Kite Festival on Sunday, April 12 at Stenger Sports Complex
• History of the Arvada Kite Festival video
• Arvada Summerfest on Saturday, June 6 at Ralston Park Addition
• Movies Around Town on Friday evenings July through October
• High Tea for Seniors on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the Apex Community Center

News and events:

• Ralston Creek Trail closure at the Indiana St. underpass
• New sewer line project at 86th Parkway from Moore to Alkire
• Tennyson sewer line work is complete; Sheridan sewer line project expected to be complete in February
• The Arvada Reservoir is in need of new volunteer Rangers for the 2026 season
• Volunteers are needed for Jefferson County's annual Point-In-Time Count on Jan. 26-27
• Sign up for Visit Arvada's newsletter for all the best ways to explore Arvada

Email us at podcast@arvada.org or text us using the link at the top of the show notes

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Arvada’s Utility Business Manager, Chris Gray, talks through 2026 annual water, wastewater, and stormwater rate changes and how the City prioritizes projects that keep these services reliable 24/7, 365.

In this episode:

• 2026 rates and fees for water, sewer, stormwater services
• What a typical household can expect in 2026, and how Arvada rates compare to our neighbors
• Understanding funding sources, and the enterprise model, not taxes, that fund the operational and capital costs for services
• Billing upgrades coming in 2026: online bills and autopay

See past presentations to City Council and more information about planning for and funding water, wastewater, and stormwater services on the Utilities Transparency webpage.

News & Events:

• W. 72nd Avenue widening project from Kipling to Oak beginning in early 2026, see the project website for more information
• Cold weather shelter network information and resources
• Christmas tree recycling at Stenger Sports Complex, 6:30am to 5:30pm, 7 days a week, Dec. 26 to Jan. 19

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Jean Gordon from Visit Arvada shares everything you need to know about celebrating the holidays in Arvada. From the Old Town tree lighting to Santa Saturdays and markets across the city, we map the best ways to celebrate and support local.

In this episode:

• Understanding the role of Visit Arvada as a tourism arm and city-funded partner
• Why sales tax from holiday spending supports City services (spend local!)
• The Old Town tree lighting and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29
• The 2025 Arvada Holiday Guide and Gift Guide
• Sip, Stroll and Enjoy: The Olde Town Arvada Designated Drinking Zone
• Holiday-edition of trivia!

News and events:

• West 72nd Avenue project open house is Thursday, Dec. 4, anytime between 5 to 7 pm. at Oberon Middle School
• Trees Across Arvada is going on now. Submit your order by Dec. 5 for pick-up in April.

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Arvada's Housing Manager and Housing Authority Director Carrie Espinosa explains how their work provides a variety of affordable housing support services including the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to support local non-profits and critical home repairs for low-income residents.

Other topics include:

• Understanding the Arvada Housing Authority
• Explaining affordable and workforce housing
• Overview of Arvada's Housing Needs Assessment and 2024 Housing Strategic Plan

Support programs available for those in need:

• Energy Outreach Colorado
• Community Table
• Essential Home Repairs (Brothers Redevelopment): 303-685-4225
• 2-1-1 (Mile High United Way)
• Colorado Housing Connects: 1-844-926-6632

Contact Arvada's Housing Division at 720-898-7494 or housing@arvada.org.

News & Events

• Leaf recycling drop-off through Saturday, Nov. 22 at Stenger Sports Complex (Mon. - Sat., 9 am - 2 pm)
• 2026 water, wastewater, and stormwater rates & fees
• 2025 Arvada election results
• Trees Across Arvada on sale now through Dec. 5

Text us with the link at the top of the show notes, or email podcast@arvada.org. We’d love your feedback on the episode

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Friend of the show Chase Amos from the Arvada Police Department joins us to unpack the rise of illegal toy vehicles in Arvada. Chase helps clarify what can ride on streets, trails, and parks, and what cannot. We break down e‑bike classes, scooters, Low Speed Electric Vehicles, and why many mini motorcycles and pocket bikes aren’t street legal.

Please visit Arvada PD's E-Bikes and Unique Vehicles webpage for more information on which types of vehicles and devices are allowed and not allowed in Arvada. Please note: This is not official legal advice.

In this episode:

• Why illegal toy vehicles are public safety issue
• Defining Class 1, 2, and 3 e‑bikes
• What is not allowed on streets, and on trails and parks
• How Arvada PD is enforcing the use of illegal toy vehicles
• Trivia! Featuring Siren Says, the Colorado "Safety Stop" Law, and some history of the e-bike

News and events:

• The City's fall leaf recycling drop-off runs Nov. 8 to 22, Monday through Saturday, at Stenger Sports Complex
• Work is scheduled to begin this week on the Alkire Street Trail project, requiring one-way lane closures
• Marge Roberts Park is now open after a full park overhaul
• Surveys are open now to provide feedback for the City's next three playground renovations: Pioneer Park, Ralston Cove Park and Terrace Park. Surveyes close Oct. 31.

You can text us with the link at the top of the show notes or send us an email at podcast@arvada.org

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Learn about Arvada’s 2025 election with Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez, including who and what is on the ballot and how Colorado’s voting system works.

2025 election info

• 3 City Council seats up for election (view the Council Districts map)
• Ballot measure 3G to remove the judge residency requirement
• Jefferson County elections website, including drop box and voting center locations
• Adams County elections website, including drop box and voting center locations
• Track your ballot online
• Check your registration or register to vote

Key voting dates

• Mail your ballot at least a week before election day
• Drop your ballot at any Colorado drop box by 7pm on Tues., 11/4
• Vote in person at your local vote center from Mon., 10/27 -Tue., 11/4 (check for date and time details by location)
  • Visit the Standley Lake Library vote center to pick up an Arvada "I Voted" sticker!

Candidate forums

• 7/12 - Arvadans For Progressive Action (YouTube)
• 9/29 - Ralston Valley Coalition (YouTube)
• 10/1 - Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce (Facebook, starts at 31:00 mins)
• 10/13 - League of Women Voters (YouTube)

Other ways to get involved

• Become an election judge
• Tour the JeffCo Election Center
• Participate at a STEAM Advisory Committee meeting

News & Events

• Take the annual Arvada Community Survey
• Leaf recycling drop-off runs Nov. 8-22, 9am-2pm, Mon.-Sat. (closed Sun.)
• Replacement water treatment plant site selection (press release | project web page)
• Volunteer to be a Snow Buddy
• Arvada Reservoir final day of the season will be Fri., 10/31
• Marge Roberts Park is open!
• Provide input on 3 playground renovations – Ralston Cove Park,

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Jim Greer, Arvada's Construction & Inspection Supervisor, talks about the municipal inspection process and how his team works to protect critical city infrastructure. The team of 10 inspectors partners with contractors and developers, ensuring projects are completed safely and efficiently.

Episode highlights:

• The team focuses on everything underground up to the surface (e.g., water and sewer lines, electrical cable, streets, sidewalks)
• Inspectors work proactively to identify potential conflicts before construction begins
• The two-year warranty process ensures infrastructure is properly tested before becoming a city asset

News & Events

• Final Movies Around Town featuring Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is Friday, Oct. 3rd at Michael Northey Park
• The Marge Roberts Park renovations ribbon-cutting celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 4pm
• Complete the annual community survey
• Consider volunteering for the Snow Buddies program
• Read about new Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.