Inside Arvada

Latest Episodes:

How Arvada Plans for the Next 20 Years May 13, 2026

Show notes

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.

Inside Arvada's Drought & Watering Restrictions Apr 29, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada's Transportation Plan with Kellee Van Bruggen Apr 15, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada's Climate and Sustainability Action Plan Apr 01, 2026

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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.

Inside Apex Park and Recreation District Mar 18, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada's Water Saving Programs Mar 04, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada's Changes to the W. 72nd Avenue Project Feb 18, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada’s Guide to City vs. County Services (Engage Jeffco Crossover) Feb 04, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada’s 2026 Festivals with Layla Diaz Jan 21, 2026

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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.

Inside Arvada's 2026 Water Rates Dec 10, 2025

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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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