Inside Arvada

City of 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.

  1. Inside Arvada Fire with Steven Parker

    3 SEPT

    Inside Arvada Fire with Steven Parker

    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 episode: What exactly does the Fire Marshal's Office do?Common fire code violations and the most frequent causes of residential fires Overview of the Arvada Fire Protection District and how it operates as a special district covering parts of Arvada and unincorporated Jefferson CountyPrograms and services offered by Arvada Fire, including free home safety visits, Dave's Locker for medical equipment loans, and educational community involvement initiativesArvada Fire Safety Day is Saturday, Sept. 27 featuring kid-friendly demonstrations, including residential fire sprinklers and a "Flight for Life" helicopter landingEmergency preparedness tips from the City of Arvada’s Emergency Manager Brian WilkersonOther community engagement opportunities with Arvada Fire include Senior Safety Camp, Youth Fire Academy and Citizens Fire AcademyNews and Events:  Movies Around Town featuring "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" is Friday, Oct. 3 at Michael Northey Park The second annual Swing for Community Charity Softball Tournament benefitting the Arvada Vitality Alliance, featuring Arvada Fire vs. Arvada Police Department  Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    34 min
  2. Inside Arvada's Shared Scooters and Bikes with Aislinn Droski

    20 AUG

    Inside Arvada's Shared Scooters and Bikes with Aislinn Droski

    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 Arvada's sole vendor, operating under a permit system with devices placed throughout eastern ArvadaIf you notice improperly parked scooters or have feedback about the micromobility program, please contact the team through Ask Arvada.News & Events Ralston Creek Improvements Project is nearly complete and the trail will reopen very soonLate summer planting opportunities with Resource CentralWatch the People’s Choice Movie Poll winner at Clear Creek Valley Park on Friday, August 29thRalston Central Splash Pad closes after Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 1The Olde Town Fountain will switch to Sundays only after Labor Day through SeptemberVisit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    30 min
  3. Inside Arvada's Fight Against EAB with City Forester Ian MacDonald

    6 AUG

    Inside Arvada's Fight Against EAB with City Forester Ian MacDonald

    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 (first detected in 2020) to locations throughout the cityThe City's forestry team has been proactively treating ash trees on City property since before the arrival of EABThe City cannot treat ash trees that are not on City property; those trees are the responsibility of the property ownerIf you have determined you have ash trees on your property, contact a certified tree care professional. The City and County of Denver has a Licensed Tree Contractor List.The new Habitat Trees initiative preserves dead trees in natural areas for wildlife habitatTree Trivia! Including the history of the infamous hackberry tree on Hackberry Hill in northeast ArvadaNews and events: The final Bulky Item Drop-0ff Event is Saturday, Aug. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC)Resource Central's Fall Garden in a Box discounts are available for Arvada water customersNew road widening project at the intersection of Highway 93 and Highway 72 (Coal Creek Canyon Road). Sign up to receive project updatesCongrats to our Arvada Parks Photo Contest winners! Next Movies Around Town event is Friday, Aug. 8 at Bridgeside Park with a free showing of 'Happy Gilmore'Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    37 min
  4. Inside Arvada's Municipal Courts with Judge Kurtz

    23 JUL

    Inside Arvada's Municipal Courts with Judge Kurtz

    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 homelessnessJudge Kurtz shares her judicial philosophy of "own it, fix it, forget it" – encouraging people to take responsibility, make amends, and then move forward with their livesNew and events:  Movies Around Town continues Friday, August 8 with Happy Gilmore at Bridgeside ParkVote for your pick for the People's Choice Movie that will air August 29 at Clear Creek Valley ParkHigh Tea for Seniors is Saturday, August 9 from 1-3pm for residents 85 and up, RSVP by July 25Request a visit from Arvada's Police or Fire departments during National Night Out on Tuesday, August 5Final Bulky Item Drop-off Event is Saturday, August 16 from 9am-2pm at the North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC) Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    34 min
  5. Park and Recreation Month with Steve Gustafson

    9 JUL

    Park and Recreation Month with Steve Gustafson

    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 half coming from Jefferson County Open Space sales tax and half from the city's general fundThe 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 equipmentArvada Parks' turf conversion program that aims to conserve water, reduce maintenance, and benefit the environmentNews and events:  Movies Around Town continues Friday, July 18 with 'Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice' at Michael Northey Park Vote in the People's Choice Movie PollMotorized 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. 31Visit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    27 min
  6. Inside Arvada's City Management with new City Manager Don Wick

    25 JUN

    Inside Arvada's City Management with new City Manager Don Wick

    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 Bond Project is an example of executing the City Council Strategic PlanOpportunities and challenges facing the City, including: Homelessness, Affordable Housing, upgrading Utilities Infrastructure, and moreHow the City of Arvada operates within a council-manager form of governmentNews and Events: Arvada's Fourth of July Fireworks Show is Friday, July 4 at Stenger Sports ComplexThe Movies Around Town summer series kicks off Friday, June 27 with a free showing of the film "The Goonies" at Memorial ParkEmerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a destructive insect that is destroying ash trees throughout the City. Learn how you can protect your trees from EABA recording is available of the Arvada Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) community meeting held in MayThe 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 JuneVisit us at ArvadaCO.gov/Podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

    34 min
  7. Inside Arvada Utilities Projects with Mary Stahl

    11 JUN

    Inside Arvada Utilities Projects with Mary Stahl

    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 replacementWater treatment plant replacementVisit arvadaco.gov/publicimprovementprojects for a map of current infrastructure projects throughout the city. News & events:  4th of July Fireworks Display at Stenger Sports ComplexAnnual Kids Fishing Contest is Saturday, June 14 at the Arvada-Blunn ReservoirMovies Around Town starts Friday, June 27 at Memorial Park with The GooniesBike to Work Day is Wednesday, June 25 with several stations around ArvadaFall 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.

    20 min
  8. Inside Arvada Summerfest with Adelle Burton

    28 MAY

    Inside Arvada Summerfest with Adelle Burton

    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, 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: Fourth of July FireworksMovies Around Town People's Choice Movie PollBulky Item Drop-off Event on June 7Arvada Kids Fishing Contest on June 14Lake Arbor Center and Golf Course Master Plan Community Meeting on May 29The 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.

    25 min
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    City of Arvada
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Inside Arvada
  • Show Website
    Inside Arvada

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