Inside Arvada

Latest Episodes:

Inside Arvada's Holiday Season with Jean Gordon Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

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.

Inside Arvada's Housing with Carrie Espinosa Nov 12, 2025

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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.

Inside Arvada's E-Bikes and Illegal Toy Vehicles Oct 29, 2025

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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.

Inside Arvada's Elections with Clerk Gonzalez Oct 15, 2025

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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, Terrace Park and Pioneer Park

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

Inside Arvada's Municipal Inspections with Jim Greer Oct 01, 2025

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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.

Inside Arvada's Community Wildfire Protection Plan Sep 17, 2025

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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.

Inside Arvada Fire with Steven Parker Sep 03, 2025

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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.

Inside Arvada's Shared Scooters and Bikes with Aislinn Droski Aug 20, 2025

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Aislinn Droski, Arvada's bicycle and pedestrian coordinator, shares insights on the City's micromobility program that has facilitated over 130,000 rides since launching in 2021. The program has evolved from a pilot to becoming a permanent transportation option connecting residents to transit, commercial centers, and other services.

Micromobility includes devices like e-scooters, e-bikes, and seated "gliders" that provide transportation options for shorter trips
Lime is currently Arvada's sole vendor, operating under a permit system with devices placed throughout eastern Arvada
If you notice improperly parked scooters or have feedback about the micromobility program, please contact the team through Ask Arvada.

News & Events

Ralston Creek Improvements Project is nearly complete and the trail will reopen very soon
Late summer planting opportunities with Resource Central
Watch the People’s Choice Movie Poll winner at Clear Creek Valley Park on Friday, August 29th
Ralston Central Splash Pad closes after Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1
The Olde Town Fountain will switch to Sundays only after Labor Day through September

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

Inside Arvada's Fight Against EAB with City Forester Ian MacDonald Aug 06, 2025

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Arvada City Forester Ian MacDonald discusses the alarming spread of Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) throughout the city and what residents need to know to protect their ash trees. This invasive pest has accelerated from small isolated areas to citywide presence, with MacDonald warning that we're now entering the steep part of the mortality curve where tree loss happens rapidly.

In this episode:

Emerald Ash Borer has spread from the Homestead Park neighborhood in southeast Arvada (first detected in 2020) to locations throughout the city
The City's forestry team has been proactively treating ash trees on City property since before the arrival of EAB
The City cannot treat ash trees that are not on City property; those trees are the responsibility of the property owner
If you have determined you have ash trees on your property, contact a certified tree care professional. The City and County of Denver has a Licensed Tree Contractor List.
The new Habitat Trees initiative preserves dead trees in natural areas for wildlife habitat
Tree Trivia! Including the history of the infamous hackberry tree on Hackberry Hill in northeast Arvada

News and events:

The final Bulky Item Drop-0ff Event is Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)
Resource Central's Fall Garden in a Box discounts are available for Arvada water customers
New road widening project at the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 72 (Coal Creek Canyon Road). Sign up to receive project updates
Congrats to our Arvada Parks Photo Contest winners!
Next Movies Around Town event is Friday, Aug. 8 at Bridgeside Park with a free showing of 'Happy Gilmore'

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

Inside Arvada's Municipal Courts with Judge Kurtz Jul 23, 2025

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Judge Kathryn Kurtz discusses Arvada's Municipal Court and the value of balancing community safety with support for the individual.

In this episode:

Arvada's Municipal Court handles 7,500-8,000 cases yearly including traffic violations, ordinance violations, code enforcement, and animal control issues
A ballot measure is being considered to remove the residency requirement for judges
The One Small Step Court program offers specialized support for individuals experiencing homelessness
Judge Kurtz shares her judicial philosophy of "own it, fix it, forget it" – encouraging people to take responsibility, make amends, and then move forward with their lives

New and events:

Movies Around Town continues Friday, August 8 with Happy Gilmore at Bridgeside Park
Vote for your pick for the People's Choice Movie that will air August 29 at Clear Creek Valley Park
High Tea for Seniors is Saturday, August 9 from 1-3pm for residents 85 and up, RSVP by July 25
Request a visit from Arvada's Police or Fire departments during National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5
Final Bulky Item Drop-off Event is Saturday, August 16 from 9am-2pm at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)

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

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