Inside Arvada

Latest Episodes:

Park and Recreation Month with Steve Gustafson Jul 09, 2025

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In honor of Park and Recreation Month in Arvada, Parks Manager Steve Gustafson joins us to share his lifelong passion for parks maintenance and the complexities of managing the city's vast outdoor spaces.

In this episode:

Overview of the Arvada Parks Department, which maintains over 200 sites across 4,200 acres with 56 full-time employees
The collaborative relationship and distinctions between Arvada Parks and Apex Park and Recreation District
How Arvada Parks are funded with half coming from Jefferson County Open Space sales tax and half from the city's general fund
The Jefferson County Property Search tool shows a property's mill levies for special districts such as Apex
Major challenges facing the Arvada Parks Department include battling emerald ash borer infestations, rising water costs ($800,000 annually), and transitioning to electric maintenance equipment
Arvada Parks' turf conversion program that aims to conserve water, reduce maintenance, and benefit the environment

News and events:

Movies Around Town continues Friday, July 18 with 'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' at Michael Northey Park
Vote in the People's Choice Movie Poll
Motorized vehicles such as dirt bikes and ATVs are not allowed in our parks and trails. Visit our trails rules and etiquette tips page for more info
The City's Resident Tax Rebate Program is now through Aug. 31

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

Inside Arvada's City Management with new City Manager Don Wick Jun 25, 2025

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Don Wick talks about his 30-year journey of serving the Arvada community, from starting out as an entry-level police officer in 1985 to recently becoming the new city manager.

Don explains how all of his previous experience – Police Chief, Public Works Director, and Deputy City Manager – has prepared him to step into his new role leading the city.

In this episode:

How the city manager is responsible for executing City Council's Strategic Plan
How the Ralston Road Bond Project is an example of executing the City Council Strategic Plan
Opportunities and challenges facing the City, including: Homelessness, Affordable Housing, upgrading Utilities Infrastructure, and more
How the City of Arvada operates within a council-manager form of government

News and Events:

Arvada's Fourth of July Fireworks Show is Friday, July 4 at Stenger Sports Complex
The Movies Around Town summer series kicks off Friday, June 27 with a free showing of the film "The Goonies" at Memorial Park
Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a destructive insect that is destroying ash trees throughout the City. Learn how you can protect your trees from EAB
A recording is available of the Arvada Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) community meeting held in May
The Ralston Creek Trail detour near West Woods Golf Course has been extended to July due to weather delays
It's the last chance to take the Water Quality Survey before it closes at the end of June

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

Inside Arvada Utilities Projects with Mary Stahl Jun 11, 2025

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Utilities Engineering Manager, Mary Stahl discusses some of the public improvement projects happening throughout Arvada to replace aging water and sewer systems. Much of Arvada's underground utilities were installed in the 1960s-70s and now, 50-60 years later, they need to be replaced to maintain public health and prevent service disruptions.

In this episode:

Visit arvadaco.gov/publicimprovementprojects for a map of current infrastructure projects throughout the city.

News & events:

4th of July Fireworks Display at Stenger Sports Complex
Annual Kids Fishing Contest is Saturday, June 14 at the Arvada-Blunn Reservoir
Movies Around Town starts Friday, June 27 at Memorial Park with The Goonies
Bike to Work Day is Wednesday, June 25 with several stations around Arvada
Fall Garden in a Box pre-sale with Resource Central begins Wednesday, June 18

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

Inside Arvada Summerfest with Adelle Burton May 28, 2025

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Get ready for the City's new summer kickoff celebration, Arvada Summerfest, with Special Events and Public Arts Manager Adelle Burton.

Summerfest is a brand new event sponsored by the Arvada Festivals Commission on Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Ralston Park Addition (64th Ave. and Quail St. just north of Arvada West High School). The free event is both family- and pet-friendly.

Adelle shares with us what to expect at Summerfest, including a beer garden, free kids activities, a pet swimsuit contest/parade and a lineup of live music that features Mighty Holler, Earl Nelson and the Company, and The Barlow!

Participate in Bike Friendly Arvada's community ride before the event, and/or ride your bike to Summerfest and take advantage of Bike Friendly Arvada's free bike valet!

The lightning round for this episode features some Arvada festivals trivia! Information for the trivia questions was pulled from two sources: "Arvada Comes of Age: A history of Arvada, Colorado During the Period 1942-1976" and "New Frontiers: A History of Arvada, Colorado 1976-2006" both courtesy of the Arvada Historical Society.

News and Events:

The outro song for this episode is courtesy The Barlow, who will be headlining Arvada Summerfest on June 7. The song is titled "Standing Next to Me" and is from their newest album, "High Spirits."

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

Inside Arvada's Ralston Creek Improvements with Sam Rogers May 14, 2025

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Sam Rogers, Civil Engineer with Arvada's stormwater and floodplain team, details how the City manages flood risks through infrastructure projects. Sam provides updates on the Ralston Creek Improvement Project near the West Woods Golf Course that stems from the 2013 floods.

Also mentioned in the episode:

The Lake Arbor Restoration Project that is complete
Other work of the stormwater department, including protecting water quality in our lakes and creeks
Flood insurance and Arvada's Community Rating System progress

News & Events

June 7 Bulky Item Drop-off Event from 9am to 2pm
Various utilities projects underway around town, use the interactive public improvement projects map to find more information on projects you are interested in
If you volunteer with the City, RSVP to the May 31 Volunteer Appreciation Event
The Ralston Central Splash Pad and Olde Town Fountains open on Saturday, May 24
11 parks have pavilions that can be reserved online, Ralston Central Park does not accept reservations
RSVP to the May 29 Lake Arbor Center and Golf Course Master Plan open house about the future of the community center and pool
Celebrate the start of summer on June 7 at the City's first annual Summerfest!

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

Inside Arvada's Trails and Open Space with Bob Bromley Apr 30, 2025

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Arvada's Open Space Supervisor Bob Bromley shares his 35 years of experience managing the city's trails and natural areas. He explains the ecological approaches used to maintain over 150 miles of hard surface trails and 3,400 acres of open space using sustainable practices.

Topics discussed in this episode include:

Arvada's trails network, which includes the Ralston Creek Trail, Little Dry Creek Trail, Van Bibber Creek Trail and several neighborhood trails
Open space and natural area maintenance; including mowing frequency along trails and greenways
Innovative, sustainably focused initiatives that Bob's team is doing, including biocontrol methods using insects to manage invasive weeds
Trail etiquette tips to ensure everyone can safely enjoy our public spaces
Tips for property owners who live next to open space areas

News and Events:

Arvada City Council selects Don Wick as its finalist for the City Manager position
Sign up for Resource Central's Garden in a Box interest list for a new fall program
The Majestic View Nature Center is looking for hosts for its annual Pollinator Garden Tour on July 12
The City is holding its annual Arbor Day tree planting celebration this year with Secrest Elementary School, part of earning Tree City USA designation for the 34th straight year

Visit arvadaco.gov/podcast for more information on upcoming episodes and to share your feedback.

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

Inside Arvada's Sustainable Golf Course Maintenance with Joe Kunze Apr 16, 2025

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Manager of Golf Course Maintenance and Operations Joe Kunze brings 30 years of industry experience to Arvada's two city-owned courses, Lake Arbor and West Woods, implementing sustainable practices that benefit both golfers and the broader community.

Topics discussed in this episode include:
• Tips on how to maintain your own lawn, including when to fertilize and aerate
• How deep, infrequent watering mimics rainfall patterns, saves water and promotes healthier root systems – watering tips webpage
• The environmental benefits that golf courses provide, including wildlife habitats, stormwater management, and carbon sequestration
• The Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf
• How native grass areas on courses require less water and offer better fire resistance than traditional turf – golf course native area maintenance webpage
• How the City's golf courses are funded through an enterprise fund (and not tax dollars)

News & Events:

The first Bulky Item Drop-Off Event of the year is Saturday, April 26 at North Area Athletic Complex
Provide your input on the City's Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Transition Plan
Mayor Lauren Simpson's annual State of the City Address is Friday, April 18 at Social Capitol Events
City Manager Selection update
The Quaker Street and Garrison Street murals are now complete!
The West Woods Restaurant is hiring. Apply now!

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

Inside Arvada's Victim Services with Jennifer & Don Apr 02, 2025

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Arvada partners with two organizations providing support and healing for victims of crime and child abuse in our community. Jennifer Griffin of Victim Outreach Incorporated and Don Mosley of Ralston House discuss their organizations' missions, services, and unique partnerships with the City of Arvada. Mentioned in the episode:

Victims Rights Week (April 8 - 12)
Jefferson County Courage Walk on Saturday, April 12
National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April)
Ralston House Pinwheel Garden

News & Events:

First 2025 Bulky Item Drop-off Event is Saturday, April 26
Mayor Simpson's State of the City is Friday, April 18 (hosted through the Chamber of Commerce)
Kite Festival is Sunday, April 13
Majestic View Nature Center Earth Day Poster Contest is open!
Be a host for the Nature Center's Pollinator Garden Tour
Arvada Reservoir is open for the season

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

Inside Arvada's Pavement Program with Ben Sawaya Mar 19, 2025

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Arvada's Pavement Program Manager Ben Sawaya gives an inside look at how the City maintains and repairs its 1,500+ lane miles of roads.

Ben explains the different types of work the program is responsible for, how they prioritize work, and how they address program challenges, stretching limited resources as much as possible to perform maintenance and rehab work throughout the vast network of roads.

Learn more about the program and see the map of proposed work areas each year at arvadaco.gov/pavementprogram. Contact pavement@arvada.org with questions about work in your area.
News & Events:

Annual water main flushing is underway, learn more and view the map of work areas on the City's website
Arvada water customers can receive discounts on Resource Central water saving programs
Share feedback about the City's bi-monthly Arvada Report publication
The Arvada Reservoir opens April 1, passes can be purchased online

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

Inside Arvada Urban Renewal with Maureen Phair Mar 05, 2025

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Learn about the work of the Arvada Urban Renewal Authority (AURA) with Executive Director, Maureen Phair, focusing on urban revitalization efforts over the last two decades. Hear about AURA's funding structure, relationship to the City, and a variety of projects that showcase a commitment to improving our community and fostering sustainable development. In the episode:

Click into an individual project page to see before / after photos. For example, the Arvada Ridge Marketplace discussed in the episode.

News and events:

Register to volunteer at the Arvada Reservoir, training starts in March
Majestic View Nature Center is hosting a volunteer open house on March 8 from 11am to 1pm
Check out outdoor water saving programs with Resource Central
Take the Arvada Report survey
Join the Neighborhood Walk at Standley Lake Library Trailhead on March 15 from 3 to 5pm

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

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