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Water Supply Administrator, Amy Willhite shares information about why Arvada declared a Stage 1 drought and implemented water restrictions this year. She explains how snowpack drives Front Range water supply, what the rules entail, and how the city plans to reach a community-wide goal of reducing water use by 20%, including at City-managed parks, athletic fields, and golf courses. Find the latest information, the restrictions, and FAQs at arvadaco.gov/drought.

In the episode:

• Water restrictions including the two-day-per-week lawn irrigation schedule and the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. outdoor watering ban
• How violations are handled and how a drought surcharge may work
• How parks, golf, and athletic fields reduce water use while prioritizing playability, safety, and tree health
• Why the splash pad can run while the Olde Town fountain will be limited due to water recycling differences
• Why nearby communities have different rules based on storage and water rights portfolios
• And more!

News and events:

• The City’s Volunteer Appreciation Event is Saturday, May 16
• Mayor Pro Tem Randy Moorman presented the 2026 State of the City on Friday, April 10
• Neighborhood grant applications are open now through May 8
• The annual pavement program is underway across the city completing repaving, concrete work, and treatments to maintain road quality

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

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Transportation Planning Manager Kellee Van Bruggen explains how Arvada’s first Transportation System Plan (TSP) turns community input and existing city plans into a set of potential priority transportation projects for the next several decades.

• Why Arvada created a Transportation System Plan
• How community engagement and the Transportation Advisory Committee helped shape priorities
• What it means for Arvada to lead, partner, or advocate on a project
• How the plan connects to the comprehensive plan
• Why grants, right-of-way, and coordination can stretch timelines

Visit the Transportation System Plan webpage for the complete list of 71 projects identified, an interactive map, and more details.

News and Events:

• Arvada-Blunn Reservoir is open for the season, 7 days a week, 7 am to 7 pm
• The City's Volunteer Appreciation Event is Saturday, May 16 from 10 am to noon at the Allen House Pavilion
• The first Bulky Item Drop-off Event of the year is Saturday, April 25 from 9 am to 2 pm at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)
• Stage 1 water restrictions due to drought are effective beginning today, Wednesday, April 15

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

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Senior Sustainability Coordinator Steven Russell shares updates on the City's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CASAP) and what it means for city operations and the wider community. We talk goals, timelines, and the steps that turn the plan into action.

In this episode:

• Climate and Sustainability Action Plan webpage
• A draft of the CASAP
• A recording of the recent workshop presentation and discussion with City Council
• Sign up for the Sustainability newsletter to stay up to date on the plans completion and Council adoption
• Differences between sustainability action and climate action, and the City's goals, strategies, and priorities toward making an impact

News and upcoming events:

• The Arvada-Blunn Reservoir opens April 1, passes are available for purchase online
• Kite Festival is Sunday, April 12 at Stenger Sports Complex from 11am to 2pm
• Give your input on the redesign of Robby Ferrufino Park at a community meeting on Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30 to 6:30pm at Warder Elementary School
• The first Bulky Item Drop-Off event of 2026 is Saturday, April 25 from 9am to 2pm at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)
• Water restrictions due to significant drought conditions are likely this year, the latest information will be available on the City's website

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

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Katie Groke and Monica Bowser from Apex Park and Recreation District join us to talk about the various facilities and programs offered by Apex. They explain how Apex and the City of Arvada often work together, and how our two organizations also serve separate roles for the community.

Included in this episode:

• All about Apex Park and Recreation District, including funding, district boundaries and leadership
• What services the City provides (parks, trails and outdoor recreation) vs. what Apex provides (recreation centers and programming)
• The Apex Activated podcast that Katie and Monica host
• A quick rundown of Apex facilities and programming highlights including camps, leagues, classes, and active adult options
• Puzzle Hustle explained and why it has a fan culture
• New and upcoming projects like the outdoor archery range at the Apex Center
• How a 1999 IGA signed between Apex and the City established how the two organization work together

News and upcoming events:

• The Arvada-Blunn Reservoir opens for the season on April 1
• The 21st annual Arvada Kite Festival is Sunday, April 12 at Stenger Sports Complex
• Updates to Ask Arvada, the City's online portal for submitting questions, concerns and feedback
• Water saving programs through Resource Central and why early registration matters
• Stormwater improvement project at Memorial Park that includes trail detours and closures of two holes at Johnny Roberts Disc Golf Course
  
  

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

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Learn how Arvada residents can save on outdoor water use and costs with three programs from Resource Central: Garden In A Box, Lawn Replacement, and free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations. Rachel Staats shares timelines, discounts, DIY tips, and why fall planting is a great option in Colorado.

In this episode:

• How the City's partnership funds resident discounts on Resource Central outdoor water conservation programs
• Garden In A Box kits, plant-by-number designs, and pollinator benefits (pre-order begins March 11 with pick up in May and June)
• Lawn Replacement eligibility, logisitics, and DIY options (applications open March 9)
• Free Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations that fix common inefficiencies
• Winter watering tips and planning for a drier year
• Reuse center in Boulder takes donations and offers low-cost materials
• Sign up for the Resource Central newsletter

News & Events:

• Arvada Historical Society presents Tapping into Arvada's H2O Story on March 7 at Revive Church
• Review the draft ADA Transition Plan and share your feedback by March 8

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

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Deputy City Manager Allison Scheck joins us to talk through why the City has decided not to move forward with the underpass for the W 72nd project, how the decision was made, and what comes next for the corridor.

In this episode:

• Project cost escalation, delays, and bond funding explained
• Options considered for completing the project
• What's next for the project corridor in 2026 and for the long term
• More information, including FAQs and a recording of the Feb. 2 open house information, available on the W 72nd project webpage

News & Events

• Winterfest is coming to Olde Town Saturday, Feb. 28 from 11 am to 4 pm
• Stay up to date on events around town with the Visitor’s Center’s email list
• Water saving programs with Resource Central will open in March, sign up for interest lists now

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

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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.