The item under consideration is Council Bill No. 18-2026, which would amend Chapter 11 of the Wheat Ridge Code of Laws through the adoption of a new Article IV to authorize and regulate Communal Outdoor Dining Areas, or CODAs, consistent with state law.

The City imposes an occupation tax on telecommunications telephone service, which also applies to cell phone service. This ordinance amends the relevant definition to restore it to the pre-2023 version, to be consistent with a decision in 2024 by the Colorado Supreme Court.

Adoption of Resolution No. 47 affirms the City’s commitment to protecting civil rights, human dignity, public safety, and community trust, and establishing policy direction regarding local participation in federal civil immigration enforcement and the use of City property and facilities.

Wheat Ridge has a shortfall of eligible affordable housing units needed to meet its Proposition 123 commitment for the 2024–2026 cycle. The proposed Intergovernmental Agreement establishes a regional unit-sharing program that will allow the City to receive surplus eligible units from Jefferson County and other participating municipalities, helping the City satisfy its first-cycle commitment and remain eligible for the next Proposition 123 funding cycle.

Proposition 123 provides funding for affordable housing programs statewide. To remain eligible for state funding during the second cycle (2027-2029), the city must file a commitment with the State of Colorado to increase its supply of affordable housing by November 1, 2026. State legislation enacted in 2026 changed the methodology for determining the required commitment. Under the new methodology, the city’s three-year commitment is 112 affordable housing units.

The County of Jefferson and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge are proposing a second-year renewal of an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to establish a collaborative, regional approach to addressing cold weather response for those experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County for the 2026-2027 cold weather season and potentially beyond. This initiative aims to address the increasing number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County, which is recognized as a regional issue affecting the health, safety, and welfare of each community.

The County of Jefferson and the cities of Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westminster, and Wheat Ridge propose an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) to fund operations of the Navigation Center in Lakewood for calendar year 2027. The Center provides shelter, professional case management, and year-round, 24-hour services to people experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County. Approval of Resolution No. 49-2026 would approve the IGA, which establishes Wheat Ridge’s contribution at $143,200, subject to appropriation. The one-year agreement would sustain operations while the participating jurisdictions negotiate a longer-term funding arrangement.

The purpose of this study session is to provide City Council with an overview of election integrity and election security measures for the 2026 General Election, including: • The legal protections applicable to voters and election workers; • Prohibited conduct and voter-intimidation laws; • Restrictions concerning firearms and election locations; • The respective roles of Jefferson County Elections and local law enforcement; • Wheat Ridge Police Department's training and operational preparations; and • Protocols for responding to potential election-related incidents, including the potential presence of federal law enforcement. The City of Wheat Ridge does not administer elections. Jefferson County Elections is responsible for administering elections within the County, including voting centers, ballot drop boxes, ballot processing, and election administration. The City's role is primarily to provide public safety and law-enforcement support when requested or when circumstances require a law-enforcement response.

The purpose of this agenda item is to present an update on the city’s housing-related programs, policies, and partnerships. This includes an overview of accomplishments to date, current initiatives, and planned work over the next two to three years. Council is also being asked to provide direction on Proposition 123, assignment of the city’s right of first refusal/offer, and the future role of the Wheat Ridge Housing Authority.

The Community Partners Grant Program (CPGP) Committee is presenting its annual funding recommendations and seeking consensus to consider the requests in the 2027 City Budget.

Staff members from Wheat Ridge High School will be presenting their recommended disbursement of $20,000 in Community Partners Grant Program (CPGP) funding.

The purpose of this action is to request City Council approval of the sale of approximately 4.5 acres of the former Wilmore Davis Elementary School property, including the existing school building, to Spectra Centers. The proposed sale is part of a public-private partnership through which the City intends to acquire the entire school property from Jefferson County Public Schools, retain approximately 2.5 acres for permanent park and recreation use, and convey the building and remaining area to Spectra Centers for reuse as a special education facility school.

Section 10.15 of the Municipal Charter for the City of Wheat Ridge requires that an independent audit be conducted annually of all City accounts. In 2025, the City received more than $1,000,000 in federal funds for Wadsworth Boulevard which also triggered a “single audit” of all federal funds. The CPA firm Haynie & Company (Haynie) performed both the City and federal audits of the City’s financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2025. Once again the City received an unmodified opinion indicating that the City’s financial statements are fairly and appropriately presented. A representative from Haynie will be at the September 14, 2026, City Council meeting to present the 2025 Financial Statements to Council for acceptance.

The purpose of this action is to request City Council approval of the purchase of the former Wilmore Davis Elementary School. The proposed acquisition is part of a public-private partnership through which the City intends to acquire the entire 7-acre site from Jefferson County Public Schools, retain approximately 2.5 acres for permanent park and recreation use, and convey the building and remaining 4.5 acres to Spectra Centers for reuse as a special education facility school.

Staff is seeking City Council’s support to submit a grant application to the Outdoor Recreation and Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program for the Outdoor Pool Replacement project cost. A Resolution of Support from City Council is required as part of the application. The ORLP is a federal program under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and administered in Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). ORLP allows for applications of up to 50% of the project cost for public agencies to acquire new parkland and develop outdoor recreation facilities in urban communities.

A Resolution expressing the Wheat Ridge City Council’s support for the November 3, 2026, ballot question proposing a one percent (1.0%) sales and use tax dedicated to community capital investments.