Hosted on October 18, 2024, Jefferson County’s Annual State of the Region event brought together a diverse group of local leaders, business representatives, and community stakeholders to discuss the evolving landscape of the county. This year’s gathering was especially significant due to the unveiling of a collaborative regional housing strategy, a major milestone aimed at addressing one of Jefferson County’s most critical issues: housing affordability and accessibility.
Key Takeaways from Local Leadership
The event featured insights from prominent leaders across the county, including mayors from several key cities:
- Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson highlighted the city’s appeal, describing it as an incredible place with a small-town feel and the amenities of a major city. She emphasizes the charm of Olde Town, the city’s historic district filled with local businesses, restaurants, and art. Arvada hosts frequent festivals and has a strong sense of community, with residents deeply involved and caring. For Simpson, it’s the people who make Arvada dynamic and special.
- Edgewater Mayor Steve Conklin mentioned that Edgewater is one of the area’s oldest and densest municipalities, incorporated in 1901. The city has recently completed a strategic plan to guide it into 2040, focusing on vibrant retail areas.
- Golden Mayor Laura Weinberg highlighted that Golden is a historic city that recently celebrated its 165th anniversary. Four institutions—Jefferson County, Coors Brewing, Golden High School, and the Colorado School of Mines—are older than the state of Colorado. Golden is an economic hub with over 25,000 jobs, despite having a residential population of just over 20,000. In the past decade, it has also become a major tourist destination, attracting over 2 million visitors annually.
- Jefferson County Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper underscored that Jefferson County is the 4th largest county in Colorado and the gateway to the Rockies. The county is noted for its diversity, featuring vibrant cities, beautiful mountain communities, and many amenities. These include the Jeffco Public Library, which supports literacy and technology use for all ages, as well as excellent schools and open spaces with 230 miles of trails and 50,000 acres of parks.
- Lakewood Mayor Wendi Strom shared her pride in the city’s connection to nature, emphasizing its proximity to the Rockies and its abundance of parks and open space, with over 114 parks and 7,400 acres. She highlighted the “Mayor’s Park Challenge,” a summer initiative encouraging residents to explore lesser-known parks in the city. Lakewood is also the birthplace of the “Sustainable Neighborhoods” program, with 10 neighborhoods participating.
- Westminster Mayor Nancy McNally highlighted Westminster’s strong focus on parks, recreation, and open space, noting that one-third of the city is dedicated to these areas. She also discusses the development of Westminster’s downtown, featuring great restaurants, though progress has been slowed by economic challenges.
- Wheat Ridge Mayor Bud Starker highlighted the city’s progress and community engagement. They express pride in the opening of the Lutheran Medical Center, a world-class hospital at Clear Creek Crossing, and mention ongoing construction projects like the improvements on Wadsworth Blvd.
What are the most pressing issues that would benefit from a collaborative approach?
Common themes from the regional leaders include housing attainability, affordability, homelessness, and public safety, all of which transcend city boundaries. Additional concerns include wildfire risk, which is particularly significant in Jefferson County, as well as climate resiliency, flood control, and transportation infrastructure. Several mayors and leaders emphasize the importance of working together across cities and with the state legislature to address these interconnected challenges. There is also a call to consider aging populations and ensure collaborative, regional solutions for long-term sustainability.
What are the biggest housing issues in the region?
Overall, the conversation underscored a collective commitment to addressing housing issues through collaborative efforts, community engagement, and thoughtful planning to ensure affordable options for all residents. Mayor Simpson highlights the challenges faced by both first-time homebuyers and seniors looking to downsize, emphasizing the need for affordable options that allow equity retention. The shrinking size of households was noted, with a call for housing that reflects current family dynamics, including preserving existing affordable options like mobile home parks. And the mayors stressed the importance of preventing homelessness for vulnerable populations, including individuals in transitional housing and those falling into the “missing middle” category—those who earn too much for assistance but not enough to afford market rates. Finally, the leaders emphasized the importance of engaging with community members who express concerns about new housing developments. Listening to and addressing these concerns can help alleviate fears and build trust.
The Unveiling of a Regional Housing Strategy
The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Jeffco Housing Blueprint, a pioneering collaborative regional housing strategy, which promises to tackle Jefferson County’s housing crisis. This strategy is a joint effort by local governments, business leaders, and chambers of commerce, aimed at increasing the availability of affordable housing while maintaining sustainable growth practices.
The Blueprint aims at addressing severe housing challenges, including a demand for 20,000 new housing units and rising rental costs averaging $1,907 for a one-bedroom apartment. Commissioner Dahlkemper highlighted the urgent need for affordable housing, noting that many public service employees are cost-burdened, spending over 30% of their income on housing. The initiative is structured around three pillars: community engagement, policy and program development, and inter-jurisdictional collaboration, emphasizing partnership and respect for local priorities.
Mayor Simpson notes the uniqueness of the Jeffco Housing Steering Committee, which includes diverse stakeholders like nonprofits, community leaders, and businesses, facilitating meaningful dialogue and action. Mayor Weinberg appreciates the targeted approach of the Blueprint, focusing on a specific segment of the housing market to encourage actionable solutions.
Kelly Dunkin, President and CEO of the Colorado Gives Foundation emphasized the importance of collaboration and hope in addressing housing issues. The foundation has seeded the “Bring It Home” program with $15 million to support affordable housing initiatives. She encourages community involvement through the Jeffco Advocacy Network and invites residents to participate in upcoming town hall meetings to discuss the Blueprint and share their housing stories.
Download the Jeffco Housing Blueprint here.
Event Partnerships
The State of the Region was presented by the Arvada Chamber in partnership with the Jeffco EDC, Golden Chamber of Commerce, West Metro Chamber of Commerce, Westminster Chamber of Commerce, and Wheat Ridge Chamber of Commerce.
Watch the Event
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