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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.

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This September, in honor of National Preparedness Month, we’re doing a two-part series with our partners at Arvada Fire. Part 2 focuses on Arvada's Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) with Arvada Fire's Wildfire Mitigation Specialist, Chris Warren, and the City of Arvada’s Emergency Manager, Brian Wilkerson. In case you missed it, you can go back and listen to Part 1 of the series, Arvada Fire 101, with Fire Marshal Steven Parker.

During Part 2, Arvada's emergency management experts explain how the Marshall Fire changed our understanding of wildfire risks in suburban communities and outline how the CWPP will help prepare residents for emergencies.

In this episode:

• The City's Emergency Manager (Brian Wilkerson) and Arvada Fire's Wildfire Mitigation Specialist (Chris Warren) discuss their roles in preparing Arvada for disaster situations
• Get an overview of the drafted Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) up to this point and what to expect next
• How the CWPP establishes customized strategies for addressing wildfire threats across different neighborhoods
• How grasses and wind — not forests — drive most destructive wildfires in the Front Range, including the Marshall Fire
• How embers in combustible materials near homes cause most structure ignitions during wildfires, not direct flames
• How Arvada's primary wildfire season runs September through April, not during summer months
• How individual responsibility is critical for emergency preparedness — start by signing up for Lookout Alert, having evacuation plans ready, and preparing go-bags with essentials
• Arvada Fire offers free home ignition zone assessments to help homeowners identify and address vulnerabilities

News and Events:

• Arvada Fire Safety Day is Saturday, Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Movies Around Town featuring "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is Friday, Oct. 3 at Michael Northey Park
• Join the City's volunteer-run Snow Buddies Program to help neighbors in need this winter!

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

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This September, in honor of National Preparedness Month, we’re launching a two-part series with our partners at Arvada Fire. The first episode, Arvada Fire 101, features Fire Marshal Steven Parker. The second episode, which will come out Sept. 17, brings together Arvada Fire’s Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Chris Warren and the City of Arvada’s Emergency Manager Brian Wilkerson to discuss the Community Wildfire Protection Plan and what it means for our community

In this episode:

• What exactly does the Fire Marshal's Office do?
• Common fire code violations and the most frequent causes of residential fires
• Overview of the Arvada Fire Protection District and how it operates as a special district covering parts of Arvada and unincorporated Jefferson County
• Programs and services offered by Arvada Fire, including free home safety visits, Dave's Locker for medical equipment loans, and educational community involvement initiatives
• Arvada Fire Safety Day is Saturday, Sept. 27 featuring kid-friendly demonstrations, including residential fire sprinklers and a "Flight for Life" helicopter landing
• Emergency preparedness tips from the City of Arvada’s Emergency Manager Brian Wilkerson
• Other community engagement opportunities with Arvada Fire include Senior Safety Camp, Youth Fire Academy and Citizens Fire Academy

News and Events:

• Movies Around Town featuring "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is Friday, Oct. 3 at Michael Northey Park
• The second annual Swing for Community Charity Softball Tournament benefitting the Arvada Vitality Alliance, featuring Arvada Fire vs. Arvada Police Department

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