Winter 2024 Westy Magazine

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Volunteering is for everybody Winter 2024

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Happening Now in Historic Westminster

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Anatomy of Westy Wishlist a Snowplow WWW.WESTMINSTERCO.GOV

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CONTENTS

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4

6

Happening Now in Historic Westminster

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Building for Tomorrow Milestone Projects in 2025

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Neighborly Advice

8

Winter Events Guide

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How it's 'blade'

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Anatomy of a snowplow

10 12

Volunteering is for everybody

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Westy Wishlist

Holiday Gift Guide

Connect with Us VISIT www.westminsterco.gov CALL 303-658-2400

CONTACT INFORMATION Emergency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 911

FOLLOW US

Non-Emergency Dispatch . . . . 303-658-4360

@CityofWestminsterColorado @WestminsterParksandRecreation @WestminsterFireDepartmentCO @WestminsterPolice @StandleyLakeRegionalPark westminster.colorado @westminsterco @WestminsterPD @WestyFire

City Hall (General Inquiries). . . 303-658-2400 City Manager’s Office . . . . . . . . . 303-658-2006 Community Services . . . . . . . . . . 303-658-2114 Golf (Legacy Ridge). . . . . . . . . . . . 303-438-8997 Golf (Walnut Creek). . . . . . . . . . . . 303-469-2974 Libraries (College Hill). . . . . . . . . 303-658-2601

Visit The Westy Online Your hub for City happenings, stories, and neighborly advice at westminsterco.gov /TheWesty

Libraries (Irving Street). . . . . . . . 303-658-2301 Municipal Court. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-658-2250 Parks/Recreation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-658-2192 Standley Lake . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 303-425-1097 Water/Sewer Breaks (24/7). . . . 303-658-2500

City Council Members

Nancy McNally Mayor

nmcnally@ westminsterco.gov

Sarah Nurmela Mayor Pro tem

snurmela@ westminsterco.gov

Claire Carmelia

David DeMott

Obi Ezeadi

Amber Hott

Kristine Ireland

ccarmeli@ westminsterco.gov

ddemott@ westminsterco.gov

oezeadi@ westminsterco.gov

ahott@ westminsterco.gov

kireland@ westminsterco.gov

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HAPPENING NOW IN

Historic

Westminster

B

link too slowly and you might miss it.

There’s a lot happening south of 76th Avenue between Federal and Sheridan boulevards that Westminster residents can look forward to.

Historic Westminster is a crucial area of focus for improvements to resident safety, utilities, recreation, and overall quality of life. With more than a dozen projects taking place over the next four years, Historic Westminster will look a lot different in the near future.

This summer, the City recently completed a $6 million modernization of Swim & Fitness Center (3290 W. 76th Ave.), which staff endearingly refer to as the heart of Historic Westminster. With new fitness areas and equipment, community rooms, and recreation programming, these new amenities and an emphasis on ADA upgrades have increased the facility’s accessibility for residents.

Young people in Westminster can soon enjoy a brand new modern, ADA-accessible playground at Irving Street Park (7392 Irving St.). With inclusive play structures, an art and exploration theme, and an adjacent outdoor classroom, the project is expected to be completed in 2025.

The MAC (3295 W. 72nd Ave) is also home to a new playground for the growing preschool program held there, while adults can look forward to new indoor pickleball courts expected to open in 2025.

“As Historic Westminster continues to be a focus for the City of Westminster, we in recreation wanted to be part of that success and ensure

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we continue to focus on providing wellness opportunities for the residents in the area,” said Recreation Services Manager Tim Lachermeier.

Not all projects are so easily visible. To provide more reliable drinking water service, Westminster’s Public Works and Utilities Department has replaced aging water mains along Newton Street, south of 72nd Avenue. Lowell Boulevard and West 72nd Avenue will also receive similar water main replacements.

Meanwhile, City staff will be engaging the community about designing a safer 72nd Avenue Corridor for drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. Roadways will soon include bike lanes and traffic calming measures to reduce speeding as well as improved sidewalks for pedestrian travel.

The most significant investment will be the construction of a new, modern Municipal Courthouse that is safe, secure, and ADA-accessible.

"In the new courthouse, residents will immediately notice improved accessibility, including ADA-compliant entrances and features that ensure easy navigation of the building," said Facilities and Projects Coordinator Dana Kester.

"Security will be enhanced with better separation between public areas and secure zones for court personnel, creating a safe environment for all."

Construction on the new facility, which will be located on the same campus as the current courthouse (3030 Turnpike Dr.), is slated to begin in 2025.

City Manager Jody Andrews has been a champion for investments in Historic Westminster during his decade of service with the city.

"Listening to the community and making investments that matter to the residents and

businesses in Historic Westminster is a shared goal of mine, City staff, and City Council," said Andrews. "Investing in Historic Westminster aligns with our mission of providing high-quality service and amenities to all residents. Now is the time for action, and we are committed to working with the residents and businesses of Historic Westminster to do the things that matter to them.”

Westminster’s Economic Development team shares Knudson’s goal of transforming the 73rd Avenue corridor. Back in 2022, the City surveyed residents to determine what they wanted to see in the future of the Rodeo Market. Residents overwhelmingly chose a restaurant as their top choice, and staff engaged more than 80 restauranters searching for a good fit before landing on Barquentine.

One of Westminster’s most historic buildings will also see new life. Ed and Kyle Knudson, father and son co-owners of Barquentine Brewing Company in Edgewater, will soon open a second location in Historic Westminster’s Rodeo Market building. The Knudsons have leased the building located on 73rd Avenue between the Vicki Bunsen Sculpture Garden and Westminster Grange Hall. Their future site named “The Barque” is a place they hope will bring the community together.

“We want to be a good neighbor, and I think that’s why we are so willing to invest in this site,” said Economic Development Manager Stephanie Troller. “We want this to be a catalyst to support the local economy on 73rd Avenue.” But before that can happen, the Rodeo Market requires several crucial improvements.

“We don’t want people to think of this as a restaurant or a bar,” said Ed. “It's a community gathering place.”

The Barque will serve as Barquentine’s second taproom and first kitchen, where a unique family recipe known as bierock will be made on site and served at both locations.

Establishing a taproom in Historic Westminster holds special meaning for Ed, who grew up blocks away from Westminster City Hall and attended Westminster High School. “I'm a Westminster native and it felt right when we walked in the door here.”

“As part of the lease, the City is responsible for all landlord improvements to the building,” said Troller. The renowned property was listed as a Historical Landmark in 2006 so basic working systems like electric, as well as heating and cooling will need substantial upgrades to be brought up to modern City building codes.

The Barque is projected to open for business in 2026, and it won't be long before residents can add a craft beer taproom to the growing list of attractions in Historic Westminster.

For a c

lose

r look Barqu at entine Brewin Compa g ny, and h

ow the y ns of d eliciou ks, sca s n t he Q R code .

cook u Bieroc

p doze

Beyond aesthetic details including façade design, roll-open bay doors, a patio, and open floor plans, Ed’s vision for The Barque is growing. “Our goal is to revitalize this block. We want this block to be like the cool place to come, not only for the neighborhood, but, you know, expanding out to other areas.”

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Three monumental City projects

improvements are completed.

will take shape in Westminster next

Construction on the project is

year, improving how we live, play,

expected to begin in late spring

The City is also investing in one of

and work. Read more about each

2025 with an anticipated opening

Westminster’s major waterways

project below and scan the QR

date in 2026. The full campus is

and the environment around

code to sign up for email updates

expected to be completed by 2027.

it in the heart of City Park. This

about construction

large-scale project includes

progress, outreach

planting more than 400 native

opportunities, and

species trees, restoring Big Dry

traffic and trail detours.

Westminster is building a new

Creek’s flood resilience, installing

drinking water facility to support

a pollinator flyway corridor in

safe, clean, and reliable drinking

coordination with the Butterfly

water in our community for

Pavilion, as well as an outdoor

After decades of resourcefulness

generations to come. The new

classroom, and a wetland

operating the current courthouse

facility will be located near

boardwalk.

which was originally used as

98th Avenue and Westminster

City Hall and a police station, it is

Boulevard and will require two

Construction started on this

time to replace the facility with

partner projects for its success.

project in 2024 with the addition

a new purpose-built courthouse.

One is a water supply line project

of two new water quality ponds

The new facility, located on the

to bring water in from Standley

along the northern side of City

same campus as the current

Lake to the new facility for

Park, and the transformation

Westminster Municipal Courthouse

treatment. The second project is a

of City Park Pond into a

at 3030 Turnpike Drive, will be

finished water line which will add

reclaimed water pond to help

safe, secure, and accessible for

new, clean water from the facility

improve irrigation water supply

all. It was designed with the

into our distribution system. The

sustainability.

help of a community advisory

new facility will also support

team comprised of neighbors,

the future phase-out of the

With the partnership of Mile High

community organizations, and

current Semper Water Treatment

Flood District and a grant from

Historic Westminster businesses.

Facility as it nears the end of its

the Colorado Water Conservation

The project also includes enhancing

operational life.

board, work has already started

the courthouse campus with a new playground, park space, and public

You can meet the project team

streambanks, which will continue

seating areas.

at an open house in spring 2025

through winter. Please be mindful

and learn what to expect during

of pedestrian detours on Big Dry

The current courthouse will

construction. All three partner

Creek Trail during construction.

continue to be used until the new

projects are expected to kick off

Trail detours will continue through

facility is built, and then the old

in 2025, with the entire project

summer 2025, and the project

courthouse will be deconstructed

expected to be operational in 2028

is expected to be completed in

before the new parking lot and site

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to stabilize erosion along the

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summer 2026.

NEIGHBORLY ADVICE ’

We re here to help!

For general inquiries and assistance, contact a Community Assistant.

Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

303-658-2400

(then press “0” from the menu options)

Turkey Fryer Safety A reminder from the Westminster Fire Department that Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires. Fire departments receive up to three times the amount of these calls during the holidays, so please do your part to prepare food safely. If you’re thinking of frying your turkey, here are some helpful tips to make sure you don't turn your Butterball into a fireball!

Thaw your turkey Distance the fryer from your house Do not overfill the oil. Use only enough to cover your turkey Turn the burner off before lowering the turkey Lower the turkey slowly to avoid splashes Turn flame on once the turkey is safely settled in the pot

Watch our safety video by scanning the QR code.

Give Back to our Community Colorado Gives Day is Tuesday, December 10. As part of the statewide fundraising effort to support nonprofit organizations, please consider donating to the Westminster Community Foundation (WCF), formerly the Westminster Legacy Foundation.

By fostering collaboration, transparency, and inclusivity, WCF aspires to make a meaningful difference and inspire others to join in the journey toward a better, more equitable future for all. By giving to WCF you are supporting efforts, good works, projects, and programs that bolster and enhance youth development and student To donate visit: success, food and housing security, and westyfoundation.org Westminster’s parks and environment. or scan the QR code.

Christmas Tree Recycling When it's time to take down your Christmas tree, consider recycling it so the City can turn it into mulch for use in public spaces and parks! Westminster residents can drop off trees at the lower parking lot of City Park Fitness Center (10475 Sheridan Blvd.) from For more info visit: December 25 through January 25, 2024.

There is no fee to drop off trees, but please remove all decorations, ornaments, plastic bags, and tree stands before using the self-service site.

westminsterco.gov/ christmastreerecycling or scan the QR code.

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W i nter E VE NTS

Partner E

n Home Tow C h r is t emstamsinster

www.westminsterco.gov/events

S t o c k in g le Stuffers Sa November

ber 24

29 – Decem

passes for Discounted d golf centers an recreation sale courses on v/ insterco.go www.westm rs e ff StockingStu

In H is t o r ic

C it y C o u n c il Telephone Town Hal l

ark Russell P ghters e ir g F fi lvd.

Honorin dburn B 7290 Bra

Thursda y, Dec 6:30 – 7:3 ember 5 0 p.m.

nche H o l id a y L u

on

ber 12

Saturday, Decem ber 7 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.

W

r6 e ce m b e Friday, D :30 p.m.

6:30 – 9

, Decem Thursday oon N

Ho li da y Li gh ti n g Ce re m on y

vent:

The MAC .

72nd Ave 3295 W. ov. 21) ister by N $25 (Reg

Toy Exc han ge Saturday, December 14 2 – 4 p.m.

College Hill Library 3705 W. 112th Ave. All ages

a d by Cign

Sponsore

City Hall 4800 W. 92nd Av e.

Presented by Intermountain He

alth

Associate Sponso

r: Amazon

Free Fitness Week January 1 – 7 n Free access to recreatio s sse cla ess fitn centers & Presented by Intermountain Health

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One Book W e s t m in s t er

Commun ity reading p -wide rogram January – April Multiple lo cations

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police and fire stations, schools, RTD bus routes, and busy intersections, as well as hills and curves on residential streets. Residential streets only receive service if snow accumulations are greater than eight inches and after the above priorities are addressed.

Regardless of accumulation totals, Street Operations Superintendent Brock Hufford says his staff is always ready to keep our Westminster's Public Works and Utilities Department is tasked with plowing more than

“We’re there until the job is done and the roads

1,100 lane miles of road to keep residents safe

are clear,” Hufford said. “Once we start, we’re in it

during winter storms. It takes a team of trained

for the long haul.”

and dedicated operators starting as early as 2 a.m. to get a jump on each storm.

After primary and secondary streets are cleared, priority is given to streets adjacent to hospitals,

Learn more about Westminster’s snow and ice removal policy by scanning the QR code or visiting westminsterco.gov/SnowRemoval.

OUR DRIVERS

J-SHAPED PLOW

Street operations and utility staff make

Designed to throw snow off to the side of the

up most of the snow removal team.

road, each plow is 10 feet wide.

The average driving lane in the city is 11-12 feet wide, so it takes multiple passes to completely plow a road. A road that’s three lanes wide takes about five passes to completely clear.

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community safe.

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The City uses de-icing salt

YOU COULD NAME THE NEXT SNOWPLOW!

compounds including sodium

Scan the QR code to submit your

chloride (NaCl) like your basic table salt,

punniest name for a snowplow and

but with much larger crystals. Sand is not used

follow us on social media to vote

on the roads due to the high cost and substantial

for your favorites! The two winning

environmental impact.

names will be added to our fleet

A CLOSER L

K

The City uses four different suppliers for its road salt mix, to ensure there’s always a supply of material even if there are logistical challenges with suppliers.

this winter, joining last year's winners, Clearopathra and CTRL+SALT+DELETE.

The City stocks more than 6,000 tons of salt mix for the winter storm season.

V-BOX Equipped to our standard dump trucks and holds up to eight tons of coarse road salt

SADDLE TANK Holds up to 800 gallons of liquid deicer. This eco-friendly compound is sprayed on as salt is applied to the road and expedites the melting process for snow and ice.

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A s temperatures drop and snow begins to

fall in Westminster, Jack Nichols and Brandy Friesen head outdoors to shovel snow off sidewalks and driveways for their neighbors.

When summer returns, they’ll be out picking up litter with friends and family as a fun outdoor activity.

“The people that we're helping, they're so appreciative,” Friesen said. “They come out during the wintertime just to say thank you and how much it means to them that we're there to give them a hand. For our [summer] cleanup, we get our neighbors involved. We get a group out there and pick up the open space behind our house, and then we have a barbecue or grab a drink. It's fun to just be able to hang out with a few of our neighbors and do something good for our neighborhood together.”

Friesen and Nichols are just two of the nearly 2,300 City volunteers that contribute thousands of hours to our community each year. Westminster proudly maintains one of the more robust volunteer programs along the Front Range, with more than 40 different programs and opportunities for volunteers of all ages and abilities.

Martha Heinz, Westminster’s volunteer

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“People stay with us for 20-plus years because of the connections they make with staff, other residents, or even the people that they help,” Heinz said.

“

There's no better way to meet other people, like-minded individuals with similar interests, than by volunteering.

Regardless of age or ability level, the City offers a wide range of opportunities from working with our staff in the greenhouse, and helping out with Westminster’s fun seasonal events, to contributing to archiving projects at our libraries, and serving as a victim’s advocate in the police department.

“There's really something for everybody, including our youth,” Heinz said. “So if they're looking to obtain hours for their honor society, they can do that here. Many of our opportunities have reduced minimum age requirements to 16 years old.”

“

With 15 years of combined experience in Westminster’s volunteer program, both residents appreciate the City’s support and multitude of opportunities to help our community.

coordinator, said people are getting much more than just service hours out of the program.

Citizens Academy and recognizing a way to help out while also receiving some valuable training alongside public safety professionals.

“For me, it's a win-win-win,” she said. “I'm providing a service."

High school student Emmanuel Bakom has made the most of his time on Westminster’s Youth Advisory Panel, where he volunteers throughout the city and participates in local government.

“Last year at City Hall we did the holiday lighting event, and I was working with the kids visiting Santa,” Bakom reflected. “I got to see their faces light up every time, and it made me want to volunteer more because I saw the joy on their faces and how I can actually have a positive impact on my community.”

Each year, City staff honors volunteers with an annual dinner to thank them for all their time and effort. At this year’s event, Jeannie Jones was named the City’s 2024 Volunteer of the Year for her frequent participation and incredible work in moulage, crafting realistic — and sometimes gruesome — special effects makeup to help improve training for our fire and police departments.

Jones said she found her creative volunteering niche after participating in Westminster’s

“

“

fun, I'm having so much crazy, I am learning like ple. and I'm helping peo

To find your niche and start volunteering with the City of Westminster, fill out the application online using the QR code, or swing by City Hall to fill out a paper application and meet our staff. Volunteers can select their own shifts and try out a variety of opportunities.

“The fact that we're a smaller city makes it feel a little more personalized. We get to know volunteers a little bit more, like on a first name basis,” Heinz said. “We also reinvest in our volunteers. We provide training opportunities for them throughout the year. The reason we are where we are and the success of the program is because of all of those individuals that are part of the program and genuinely care about our community.”

2023 Stats: 29,289

active volunteers

2,263

service hours

$931,416.17

in taxpayer money saved

Jeannie Jones

2024 Volunteer of the year

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S E W

You don’t h ave to look far for unique, fun , and festiv e gift ideas this holida y season. O ur Westy Wishlist is back! Shop local and browse our holiday gift guide featuring it ems from v arious small busin esses in We stminster.

1 Banana Goat Apothecary 3975 W. 73rd Ave.

Winter Soap Gift Box – $24

Show The Westy Magazine to get a 10% discount

1

Gift box includes six half-size bars of Winter Line f ragrances including: Candy Cane (Peppermint), Santa's Cookies (Snickerdoodle), Christmas Cheer (Christmas Tree), Happy Feet (Cracklin Birch), Winter Wonderland (Frosted Flowers, Woods & Citrus), and Gingerbread.

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2 Bella Macaron 12910 Zuni St., # 700 10% off assorted 12 pack macarons

(normally $30-$33) or 6 pack macarons (normally $15-$16.50)

3 Olde Town Exchange 5670 W. 88th Ave.

Jewelry Sale – Get $10 off

your purchase of $50 or more Olde Town Exchange is an upscale women’s consignment store offering designer brands for less, including all varieties of jewelry f rom sterling silver and gold, to Native American and designer brands.

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ST Y

st e r W e stm in

bu s in e ss

es

ating in in particip d te s re te In Submit ortunities? future opp here: formation in t c ta n o c

4 Cherry Blossoms Florist 9975 Wadsworth Pkwy., Suite F

10% off – Receive 10% off any purchase up to $100 in December.

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*Holiday arrangement pictured costs $100

5 Missing Piece Puzzle

Exchange

7188 Lowell Blvd., # 1

10% off – Show The Westy

magazine for 10% off any holiday puzzle.

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Missing Piece sells and rents a wide variety of jigsaw puzzles for all ages f rom 300-5,000 pieces. Most prices range f rom $14.95 – $29.95

6 Butterfly Pavilion 6252 W. 104th Ave.

Give a charitable gift and help support science and education at the Butterfly Pavilion. Your donation directly contributes to research, conservation, and education efforts of invertebrates here in Colorado and globally! Donate at: www. butterflies.org or scan the QR code.

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PRSRT STD

City of Westminster 4800 West 92nd Ave. Westminster, CO 80031

U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 32 Westminster, CO 80031