City of Wheat Ridge Awards

2022

• Columbine Award for Programming for Regenerate Wheat Ridge Programming: Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation & Jefferson Conservation District were awarded the Columbine Award for programming for Regenerate Wheat Ridge Programming at the CPRA (Colorado Parks and Recreation) 2022 conference.
• 2022 Colorado Community Best of Wheat Ridge Awards:

Discovery Park was designated "Best of the Best" in: Park

'Discovering the Stars' Sculpture in Discovery Park was designated "Best of the Best" in: Public Art Display

Wheat Ridge Recreation Center was designated "Best of the Best" in: Swimming Pool/Water Park 

2021

• All American City Award - In 2021 Wheat Ridge was named an All-America City by the National Civic League. Wheat Ridge was recognized for its great work to improve civic capital, develop a grassroots leadership program, and prioritize environmental resident-led initiatives. Wheat Ridge also kept the community informed and connected while facing the pandemic and social justice related challenges of 2020. Wheat Ridge is honored to be an All American City and will continue to work to create an inclusive and community driven city.
• 2021 Colorado Community Best of Wheat Ridge Awards: 

2017

• National Gold Metal Award - Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation was a national finalist for the National Recreation and Park Association’s (NRPA’s) National Gold Medal Award.
  

2016

• Colorado Community Media designates Wheat Ridge Recreation Center Best of the Best 2016

Wheat Ridge Recreation Center was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in the following categories:
Family Entertainment Center
Swimming Pool/Waterpark
Swimming Lessons

Active Adult Center was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in:
Senior Services

Anderson Park was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in:
Park

Performances in the Park was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in:
Live Music Venue

Wheat Ridge Greenbelt was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in”
Hiking/Biking Trail

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival was designated “Best of the Best 2016” in”
Annual Event

• GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) presented the award to the City for a commitment to the highest principles of government budgeting and  meeting all of the nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation. 

2015

• GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - The Government Finance Officers Association presented the award to the City for satisfying nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.Budget documents must be rated proficient in all four categories, and meet 14 additional requirements within those categories, to receive the award.
• Outstanding Management of a Loss Control Program -CIRSA presented Safety Committee representatives from the City with the award.

2014

• City Manager of the Year- City Manager, Patrick Goff, was presented the award by the Colorado City and County Management Association for his leadership skills, inspirational hands-on management style and his commitment to the development and well-being of the employees and community he serves.
• GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award - The Government Finance Officers Association presented the award to the City for satisfying nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
• Public Safety Appreciation Award - The Wheat Ridge Optimist Club presented Corporal Bowman the award for his Aware and Alive program.
• Fifth Place in American Public Works Association, Snow Roadeo -The City's Public Works Operations Team competed against snow plow operators from all over the country to test their equipment maneuvering skills and knowledge.
• 3CMA Savvy Award for City Values Video- The video City of Lost Values is the second installment of the City's employee recognition videos that are meant to educate stall and reinforce the importance of the City's core values.
• 3CMA Savvy Award for Floodplain Top of the Hour -The video was made to educate residents about floodplain regulations, risks associated with living in floodplains and resources available to minimize risks to homeowners. Additionally, the video is now an essential communication piece to support our Community Rating System compliance and provide residents with discounted flood insurance premiums.
• Colorado Association of Senior Centers Outstanding Program Award - Presented to Justin Lampe, Recreation Supervisor for the Active Adult Center and Susan Anderson, Facility and Fitness Supervisor or the Healthy Wheat Ridge program.
• Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Fitness Professional of the Year Award- Awardedto Susan Anderson, Facility and Fitness Supervisor, for her contributions to the Health movement.
• Safety Champion Award - Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency presented the award to Barb Kloberdanz, Recreation Supervisor.
• Tree City USA Designation -The City celebrated its 35th year as a Tree City, the program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation and the National Association of State Foresters.

2013

• 3CMA Savvy Award for City Values Video -The video Sherlock and Watson: Searching for ACTION!was made to help reinforce the City's ACTION values. The video is fun, engaging, and educational.
• Safety Manager of the Year Award - Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency presented the award to Commander Wade Hammond.

2012

• ICMA Award for Strategic Planning - The City received the Program Excellence Award for the Mission Rollout Meetings in the category of Strategic Leadership and Governance.
• Colorado Lottery's Starburst Award - Discovery Park won the award which recognizes excellence in the use of Lottery funds for community and conservation projects.
• 3CMA Savvy Award for Connections Newspaper - The Connections Newsletter received a first place Savvy award in the category of Internal Printed Publications for the cost saving and innovative format of the restructured City publication.
• 3CMA Savvy Award for the Mission Rollout Program - City employees rolled out an A.C.T.I.O.N! Program to reflect the core values of the City, as developed by the Executive Management Team. A 12-minute video was developed by a videographer capturing images of employees at work throughout the City and bringing the core values to life.
• 38th Avenue Corridor Plan - Selected as Small Project of the Year by the Colorado Chapter of WomenTS.
• Public Health Champion Award - Nominated by LiveWell Wheat Ridge - The City was recognized for energy, vision and commitment to public health. Jefferson County Public Health commended the Mayor and Council, the City Manager, Public Works, Community Development, and Parks and Recreation for their diligence, hard work and vision in leveraging a significant amount of funds to enhance physical environments in Wheat Ridge. In 2010 and 2011, the City leveraged more than 12 million dollars to make enhancements to the transit system to support safe and active transportation and to increase the number of park facilities to support healthy lifestyles for all populations in the community.
• Good News Coalition Recognition - Police Chief Dan Brennan was recognized for his assistance with the Feed the Future Backpack Program.
• "Let's Move!" Communities on the Move Video Challenge - The City of Wheat Ridge and LiveWell Wheat Ridge video submission was recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" organization with an honorable mention award. The video highlighted many of the collaborative efforts in the City to promote access to healthy food and activities for residents. Wheat Ridge was one of eleven communities in the United States to be honored.

2011

• Carnation Festival Grand Marshall's Parade Award - Awarded to the Recreation staff for the Zumba class entry.
• Mayor's Business & Community Partnership Award - This award is given by the Mayor to the Parks and Recreation Department in recognition of their overall contributions in volunteerism, leadership, and community investment, and involvement with the mentoring, training, and partnering with the youth in the community.
• Tree City USA Designation for 2011 - The program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters. Tree Cities create a framework for action, education, a positive public image and citizen pride.
• Award of Appreciation - Municipal Court received an appreciation award from Jefferson County Schools for participating in the Executive High School Internship Program.
• Colorado Association of Senior Center Outstanding Award - Presented to volunteer Chef Mike DeGiovanni for his outstanding cooking class.

2010

• The DRCOG Local Government Award for Planning with Vision for Envision Wheat Ridge - The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) awarded second place to the Envision Wheat Ridge Comprehensive Plan in the category Planning with Vision. This category recognizes local government efforts to integrate land use and transportation planning.
• Smart Growth Award from EPA - The City of Wheat Ridge was one of eight communities across the country chosen to receive technical assistance on sustainable growth and development issues from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The assistance will help local governments address infrastructure constraints, protect water quality, set development standards, and create options for housing and transportation.
• Two LiveWell Wheat Ridge Grants - Furthering its successful partnership with the City, LWWR granted the Community Development Department $12,250 in April 2010 to fund community input sessions for the 38th Avenue Corridor Plan Project. Additionally, LWWR granted the Public Works Department $13,200 in September 2010 for Phase 3 of the Wheat Ridge Bike/Pedestrian Master Plan. These projects promote sustainability, convenient access to transportation options, and a high quality of life in Wheat Ridge.
• Colorado Association of Chief's of Police (CACP) Pioneer Policing Award - The WRPD received this award for the development of the HOLD UP (Hardening Opportunity, Limiting Danger, Uniting & Prevention) Robbery Prevention Program providing businesses with implementation strategies to promote robbery prevention.
• The City-County and Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Award - The WRPD received the award for the top community outreach TV Video "Top of the Hour" presentation, featuring the HOLD UP Program.
• The City-County and Communications & Marketing Association (3CMA) Savvy Award - The Economic Development Department received the award for the Business Education Series Training (BEST) program in the category of Marketing and Tools- Economic Development. The BEST program was described by the judges as "A creative and cost-effective program! BEST was every panel member's top pick. It leverages existing resources, eliminates duplicate services, saves dollars and clearly has a measurable impact."
• Second Place CPRA Lifeguard Games - The mission of the CPRA Lifeguard Games is to promote professionalism, enhance skills, improve physical fitness and build teamwork in Lifeguard Staffs through a fun and competitive atmosphere.

2009

• Horizon Interactive Gold Award - The City of Wheat Ridge government website received recognition for excellence in Interactive Media Production.
• CASC Outstanding Professional, Marianne Logan Award - Colorado Association of Senior Centers recognized City of Wheat Ridge employee Karen Ruiz as a leader in serving older adults.
• Tenth Place CPRA Lifeguard Games - The mission of the CPRA Lifeguard Games is to promote professionalism, enhance skills, improve physical fitness and build teamwork in Lifeguard Staffs through a fun and competitive atmosphere.
• The City-County and Communications & Marketing Association - 3CMA presented the Crime Prevention Team with their Silver Circle Award for the outstanding TV Video Promotional presentation, featuring the Coffee With a Cop Program in a "Top of the Hour" video presentation.
• The City-County and Communications & Marketing Association - The City of Wheat Ridge received the 3CMA savvy award for the WRTV Top of the Hour: Comprehensive Plan Program in the category of regularly scheduled programming for cities with a population of 28,000-133,000.
• El Jebel Medal of Honor - Wheat Ridge Officer Steve Berkowitz was presented with the award for his efforts to eradicate homelessness and address the intoxicated transient population in Wheat Ridge.
• The Colorado Association of Chief's of Police (CACP) Citizen Volunteer of the Year Award - Tim Zimmerman was presented this award for his unselfish commitment to the Wheat Ridge Police Department's SWAT Team, where he served as a medic for the past 18 years with no compensation, and for creating the first viable Tactical Emergency Medical System (TEMS) Program in the State of Colorado.
• The Colorado Association of Chief's of Police (CACP) Executive Certification Award -  Chief Daniel Brennan received this award based on his academic achievement, law enforcement achievements, law enforcement experience, experience as a police chief, continuing education, and service as a board member of a law enforcement association.
• The Colorado Association of Chief's of Police (CACP) Professional Standards Compliance Award - This award recognized WRPD as an outstanding police department in the state based on meeting or exceeding compliance with 193 established professional standards.
• The 911 Banquet Award - Emergency Services Specialist Jessica Godres was rewarded for her outstanding performance, skills, and qualities as a public safety dispatcher.

2008

• Colorado Parks and Recreation Association Professional Services Award - Rachel Wysuph was recognized as "Outstanding New Professional".
• Tenth Place CPRA Lifeguard Games - The mission of the CPRA Lifeguard Games is to promote professionalism, enhance skills, improve physical fitness and build teamwork in Lifeguard Staffs through a fun and competitive atmosphere.
• The American Legion Officer of the Year Award - Officer Daniel Snyder was presented with this awarded for his exemplary number of arrests, his service on a number of committees, his participation as an Arrest Control Instructor, Field Training Officer, and SWAT Team member.
• The Colorado Department of Public and National Highway Safety Administration's State Law Enforcement Challenge's Colorado Traffic Safety Hero's Award - The award was presented to the WR Traffic Team for their Drive 65 Program, as having the Top Municipal Law Enforcement Traffic Enforcement Program in Colorado
• Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) - Top Law Enforcement Certificate - Wheat Ridge Police Department raised more money than any other law enforcement agency in the State during the Walk Like MADD fundraiser.
• El Jebel Medals of Honor - WRPD officers received metals for dedication to duty, and selfless and meritorious service. Officer Kyle Eversole was recognized for his dedication and lead on several different crime prevention programs. Detective Slavsky was honored for his tireless, detail-oriented efforts in the investigation of complex felony crimes against persons and his strong avocation for victims' rights.
• Colorado Association of Chief's of Police (CACP) Pioneer Policing Award - The WRPD was awarded this honor for creating the innovative Communication and Response Strategies for Peer Counselors Training Program, designed to familiarize high school peer counselors and school staff with crisis intervention theories and techniques, as well as behaviors and symptoms associated with selected mental illnesses.
• Executive Board of Directors of the International Crime Free Association - Officer Kyle Eversole was unanimously appointed to the board for his extraordinary commitment to the prevention of crime.