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We share a progress update on our goal to repave 75 lane miles of road, more than double what is completed in a typical year. We explain how the pavement management program decides what roads to repave and clear up common misconceptions about surface treatments, warranties, and safety concerns.

• See where work is happening or proposed in 2026
• Learn about the program funding and decision making process
• Check out the dashboard of progress on our 2026 goals

News & Events

• Movies Around Town on Friday, Aug. with Little Shop Horrors
• People's Choice Movie Poll: vote for the movie you want to see by Aug. 31!
• Bulky Item Drop off Event on Saturday, Aug. 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)
• Participate in 150 Tables Across Colorado

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

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We sit down with Commander Jason Ammon to explain ARTIC, Arvada’s Real Time Information Center, that connects cameras, drones, and dispatch tools to support emergency response. We walk through how drone first response works, why it can make scenes safer, and how privacy limits, data retention, and a public transparency dashboard keep the program accountable.

News & Events:

• Movies Around Town: Little Shop of Horrors at West Woods Park, Friday, August 21
• Arts and Culture Commission is selecting artists to replace the Olde Town street murals later this year
• Final Bulky Item Drop-off Event is Saturday, August 15 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)
• Be sure to register your neighborhood event for National Night Out on Tuesday, August 4 to request a visit from Arvada Police and Fire

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

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We talk with Arvada’s homelessness manager, Lynette Badasarian, about how the City is addressing homelessness, including outreach, help with IDs, reunification, and transitional housing. We also break down common myths, share local data on homelessness, and explain how community members can support the network of partners doing this work every day.
In this episode:

• Lynette’s role supporting her team of navigators, outreach, grants, budgets, and cross-department leadership
• Listen back to Inside Arvada episode 22 with homelessness case managers Hudson Janz and Alex Williams
• Progress update on the city's goal to help 65 people exit homelessness in 2026, with 47 exits so far
• How the City's homelessness team coordinates efforts with Arvada PD and the Parks Department to connect people to safer options and resources
• The City's transitional housing program at Suburban Studios and why readiness affects success rates
• How people can get support with homelessness, including basic needs and benefits, a day shelter, food assistance, health and medical, housing and navigation, and legal/judicial
• How you can help address homelessness, including donating through the Colorado Gives Foundation or providing supplies through our Amazon Wish List
• Answering some frequently asked questions about homelessness, such as what percentage of people 'choose to be homeless'
• Data from the 2026 Point In Time Count

You can stay in touch by texting us using the link at the top of the episode or by emailing us at podcast@arvada.org.

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

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Chief Building Official Kylie Flynn breaks down Arvada’s building code updates and explains why these standards can protect your safety, your finances, and your home’s long-term value. We walk through what’s changing around wildfire resiliency, energy readiness, and residential sprinklers, plus how to avoid costly surprises by asking the right permit questions early.

In this episode:

• 2026 building code updates
• Preparing your property for wildfire
• Wildfire resiliency code FAQs
• Search your wildfire risk zone using the online map

News & Events:

• 4th of July Fireworks Display at Stenger Sports Complex
• June 25 open house for Robbery Ferrufino Park playground renovation
• Late summer Garden In A Box with Resource Central pre-sale is available now

As a reminder we love hearing from our listeners you can stay in touch by texting us using the link at the top of the show notes or you can email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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

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We walk through what Jeffco Public Schools does after a school closes, from the board’s surplus vote to the different paths a property can take before it ever reaches the open market. Jeffco COO Jeff Gatlin explains how community benefit, municipal partnerships, and long-term enrollment projections shape outcomes in Arvada.

Included in this episode:

• How the board decides to surplus a closed school property
• What “municipal interest” means, why cities get first conversations and the Municipal Interest Flow Chart
• Where Arvada properties stand, including Allendale, Arvada K-8, Campbell, Fitzmorris, Parr, Peck and Thomson
• Why reuse proposals can reduce disruption and move faster than redevelopment
• Opportunities to engage in the property disposition process, including meetings, newsletters and ways to submit input
• How the Property Disposition Advisory Committee uses community ad hoc members
• Why school sales do not solve the district’s budget challenges and where proceeds go
• How Jeffco weighs community fit alongside dollars when selecting an offer
• What enrollment projections say about whether schools might be needed again
• Plus, trivia!

As a reminder we love hearing from our listeners you can stay in touch by texting us using the link at the top of the show notes or you can email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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

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We talk with Brett Medina from the Arvada Festivals Commission about how Arvada Summerfest comes together and what makes it a genuinely free, family-friendly music festival. We also share what else is coming up around town, plus a trivia round that tests our Summerfest knowledge and highlights how community feedback shapes next year.

Included in this episode:

• What to expect at Arvada Summerfest at Ralston Addition Park on Saturday, June 6
• Headliner D.J. Williams Band and the rest of the main stage lineup
• Local Arvada musicians featured on the second stage including Ryan Aden Keller from A Side of Jam, James Hurtado and Richard Clymo
• All Beer sales at Summerfest will be donated to the Arvada Vitality Alliance, Arvada Sunrise Rotary Club, and Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Club
• Take advantage of the Bike Friendly Arvada's free bike valet at Summerfest and other tips for getting to the park
• Movies Around Town lineup plus High Tea For Seniors
• Sign up for the Arvada Festival Commission's volunteer email list to get notified about volunteer opportunities

News and events:

• Summer operating hours for the Ralston Central Splash Pad and Olde Town Fountain during drought restrictions
• The annual Arvada Kids Fishing Contest is Saturday, June 13 at the Arvada-Blunn Reservoir
• The next bulky item drop-off event is Saturday, June 6 at the North Area Athletic Complex

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

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Long-range planner Paul Donegan joins us to discuss how Arvada’s comprehensive plan update will shape the next 20 years, from housing and transportation to parks, water, and neighborhood quality of life. Paul explains how the city turns a shared vision into real projects, why this update takes 18 to 20 months, and how community members can weigh in early and often.

Included in this episode:

• What a comprehensive plan is and why it matters
• Why Arvada updates the plan on a regular cycle and what has changed since 2014
• The difference between the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code and zoning
• Real examples of comprehensive planning outcomes like G Line access and park walkability goals
• Ways to join the process through the advisory group, events, surveys, meetings, and email updates
• The four-phase timeline, scenario analysis, and how the final plan gets adopted
• Misconceptions we hear most, including zoning confusion and requests for specific retailers
• Quick trivia on Arvada planning history and build-out projections
  
  

You can stay in touch with us a number of different ways using the link in the top of the show notes to text us. You can also email us at podcast at Arvada.org.

News and events:

• The City’s Volunteer Appreciation Event is Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. to noon at Allen House Pavilion. To learn more, visit arvadaco.gov/volunteer and sign up for our volunteer email list.
• The Ralston Central Splash Pad is set to open Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 23. The Splash Pad uses recycled water, like a swimming pool, so the operating hours will not be impacted by the City’s drought restrictions. However, the Olde Town Fountain does not use recycled water – it uses treated water – therefore it will only be on during special events this summer, such as the Farmer’s Market and Second Saturdays, while Stage 1 restrictions are in place.
• The second annual Arvada Summerfest is coming up on Saturday, June 6 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ralston Park Addition, just north of Arvada West High School. This is a community-driven event featuring live music, fundraising, kids activities and more. Like all the City festivals, it’s free to attend. Learn more at arvadaco.gov/summerfest.
• The annual Arvada Kids Fishing Contest is coming up on Saturday, June 13 from 7 to 11 a.m. at Arvada-Blunn Reservoir. The event is free and open to kids age 14 and younger, along with their families. The fishing contest includes prizes for each age division, along with a free lunch and raffle. Learn more at arvadaco.gov/fishing-contest.
• Next bulky item drop off event is Saturday, June 6 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC). Be sure to bring proof of residency and check the list of acceptable items on our website arvadaco.gov/bulkyitems

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

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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.