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Inside Arvada
Inside Arvada
Author: City of Arvada
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© 2025 Inside Arvada
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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.
45 Episodes
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Send us a text 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 servicesWhat a typical household can expect in 2026, and how Arvada rates compare to our neighborsUnderstanding funding sources, and the enterprise model, not taxes, that fund the operational and capit...
Send us a text 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 partnerWhy sales tax from holiday spending supports City services (spend local!)The Old Town tree lighting and Small Business Saturday on Nov. 29Th...
Send us a text 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 AuthorityExplaining affordable and workforce housingOverview of Arvada's Housing Needs Assessment and 2024 Housing Str...
Send us a text 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...
Send us a text 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 requirementJefferson County elections website, including drop box and voting center locationsAdams County elections website, including drop box and voting center locationsTrack your ball...
Send us a text 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 id...
Send us a text 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 m...
Send us a text 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 e...
Send us a text 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 tripsLime is currently...
Send us a text 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 (fir...
Send us a text 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 issuesA ballot measure is being considered to remove the residency requirement for judgesThe One Small Step Court program offers specialized support for individuals experiencing ho...
Send us a text 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 employeesThe collaborative relationship and distinctions between Arvada Parks and Apex Park and Recreation DistrictHow Arvada Parks are funded with hal...
Send us a text 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 PlanHow the Ralston Road Bon...
Send us a text 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: Sheridan sewer line replacementTennyson sewer line replacementIndiana Street water line projectSierra Vista water line r...
Send us a text 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,...
Send us a text 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 completeOther work of the stormwater department, including protecting water quality in our lakes and creeksFlood insurance and A...
Send us a text 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 trailsOpen space and...
Send us a text 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 – w...
Send us a text 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 12National Child Abuse Prevention Month (April)Ralston House Pin...
Send us a text 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 ye...























