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Inside Arvada — Government
Inside Arvada

Inside Arvada is the City of Arvada’s official podcast where we bring you conversations with the people who make Arvada a thriving community. Hear stories about the past, present and future of Arvada through the lens of the City team members who help make it all happen. Explore the complex topics impacting our community and dig in to conversations about parks and sustainability, development, transportation, water resources and more.

Copyright: © 2026 Inside Arvada

Latest Episodes:

Why Arvada Parks Will Keep Watering After Oct. 1 Sep 30, 2026

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Parks Manager Steve Gustafson joins the show to discuss how the Parks Department has limited its use of water to follow drought restrictions throughout the summer. Steve also explains why some City parks, athletic fields and golf courses will continue watering into October despite Denver Water's ban on residential lawn watering that goes into effect on Oct. 1.

Included in this episode:

How the Parks Department has reduced its water use by 20% with smart irrigation, weather stations, and prioritization
Why trees and shrubs count as high-value green infrastructure
How the City's two golf courses, West Woods and Lake Arbor, are limiting and prioritizing its water use during drought restrictions
What drought damage looks like in parks, from brown patches to more weeds
How soil history changes turf performance across different parks
How native grasses and fescues can reduce long-term water demand
Winter watering tips for young trees, including 10 gallons per inch of diameter
How computerized irrigation detects leaks, alarms, and mainline breaks
Practical weed control options beyond chemicals, from pulling to mechanical removal

News and events:

Our Movies Around Town series wraps up Friday, Oct. 9 at Clear Creek Valley Park with a free showing of our People’s Choice Movie Poll winner, "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Event page with more details.
Lawn watering will no longer be allowed beginning October 1. All other Stage 1 water restrictions remain in effect. No fall watering variances will be permitted.
New water use and supply page that shows what our month-to-month trends are looking like for water use and savings.

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

How Arvada Times Traffic Signals Sep 16, 2026

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We talk with Traffic Engineer, Elijah Vignet-Kotze about how signal retiming works, how it reduces stops and emissions, and what it takes to balance needs of multiple directions of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at busy intersections. We also answer listener questions on flashing signals, roundabouts, and speed bumps, then share what corridors and projects are coming next.

More from the episode:

Which major roads CDOT manages (contact CDOT webpage)
Read more about the traffic signal retiming effort on page 8 of the August / September 2026 Arvada Report
How Arvada manages about 120 traffic signals
Signal outages can be reported by calling the non-emergency police line at 303-980-7300
Signal retiming outcomes along 64th Avenue and 80th Avenue for fewer stops, faster times, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
How we respond to speeding concerns and requests for new traffic signals, stop signs, and crosswalks
Updates on signals being installed at 64th and Easley and 63rd and McIntyre

News and Events

Movies Around Town: watch GOAT at Volunteer Firefighter Park on Friday, September 18
People's Choice Movie will be The Nightmare Before Christmas at Clear Creek Valley Park on Friday, October 9
Lawn watering will no longer be allowed beginning October 1, all other Stage 1 drought restrictions remain in place
W. 72nd Ave. restoration work is underway with an extended weekend full closure Friday, Sept. 18 to Tuesday, Sept. 22
CDOT I-70 birdge replacement at Kipling will require a full weekend closure of north and southbound Kipling for two consecutive weekends

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

How to Give Public Comment at City Council Sep 02, 2026

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City Attorney Rachel Morris joins us to break down how public comment works at City Council meetings. Rachel explains what changes when council shifts into a quasi-judicial role for land use hearings and how to make your testimony more effective.

Included in this episode:

How to sign up and speak during general public comment at City Council meetings
The City's development review decision-making matrix that determines which development cases reach City Council
What “quasi-judicial” means and why council members cannot discuss case merits outside the hearing
General public comment versus sworn public testimony during a public hearing
How to use the Council meeting packet and staff report to focus on applicable criteria
Why the Council's quasi-judicial decisions are based on criteria and evidence, not vote-by-crowd energy
How to submit written public comment
Why the city is seeking community input on improving the public comment process and how you can participate

News and events:

Movies Around Town continues Friday, Sept. 18 with a free showing of the film "GOAT" at Arvada Volunteer Firefighters Park
ADA improvement project at West Arvada Dog Park
W 72nd Ave restoration work is starting from Oak to Kipling

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

New Public Art Is Taking Shape Across Arvada Aug 19, 2026

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Sarah Kolb from the Arvada Arts and Culture Commission joins us to discuss some exciting public art projects coming soon across Arvada. We also break down how the Arts and Culture Commission selects artists, how residents can weigh in, and where to find a map of city-owned murals and sculptures.
Included in this episode:

The Olde Town street murals are returning this fall after they had to be removed for street maintenance in the spring
As part of one of the street mural installations, there's a community paint day planned for Sept. 12 during the Olde Town Shindig
A new underpass mural coming to the Ralston Creek Trail near Long Lake Regional Park and 66th Ave. just south of the Arvada-Blunn Reservoir
Arvada West High School traffic box art pilot project along Ralston Road
A call for entry is open now through Oct. 4 for a new sculpture along Carr Drive near the Arvada Aquatics Center
The Arts and Culture Commission's goal of bringing public art within 10 minutes of every Arvada resident
A new interactive public art map available online and plans for a printed map
Ways to participate by attending an Arts and Culture Commission monthly meeting or applying through CaFÉ
The 150-250 short stories initiative using the city’s short story dispenser and local history prompt

News and events:

Movies Around Town continues Friday, Aug. 21 with a free showing of "Little Shop of Horrors" at West Woods Park
Vote in the People's Choice Movie Poll now to decide which film will be shown Oct. 9 at Clear Creek Valley Park
New traffic signals are being installed at 64th and Easley, followed by 63rd and McIntyre. Both projects will require single lane closures, and possibly temporary full road closures near the work zones to ensure safe installation.
W 72nd Ave restoration work is starting soon, with 4 to 5 months of construction to restore the section of corridor from Kipling to Oak that was not completed with a widening when the underpass portion of the project was canceled earlier this year.
CDOT's bridge repairs at Kipling and Garrison are underway with overnight work, single lane and shoulder closures.

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

How Arvada Decides What Roads to Repave Aug 05, 2026

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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.

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.

How Arvada Police Are Using Drones Jul 22, 2026

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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.

How Arvada is Addressing Homelessness Jul 08, 2026

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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.

What You Need to Know About the New Wildfire Building Codes Jun 24, 2026

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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:

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.

What Happens to Closed Schools in Arvada? Jun 10, 2026

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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.

Arvada Summerfest Brings Live Music And Family Fun To West Arvada May 27, 2026

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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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