About Wheat Ridge

The City of Wheat Ridge is a limited-service city, meaning that water, fire, sanitation, trash, and utilities are not provided by the city. Wheat Ridge is a home-rule city, operating under a council-manager form of government. In this form of government, the council is the governing body of the city elected by the public, and the manager is hired by the council to carry out the policies it establishes. The council consists of eight members, two from each council district, and an at-large, elected mayor. The council provides legislative direction while the manager is responsible for preparing the budget, directing day-to-day operations, and personnel management. The mayor and council, as a collegial body, are responsible for setting policy and approving the budget. The manager serves as the council’s chief advisor and serves at the pleasure of the council.
  
Wheat Ridge embodies the deep roots of a city with a rich history and a strong sense of community. Its central location provides short commutes to major interstate highways, the majestic Rocky Mountains, and the amenities of the large metropolitan City of Denver, Colorado. With easy access from I-70, you can be skiing, hiking or participating in a wide range of internationally acclaimed mountain sports in less than an hour.

Wheat Ridge “roots” were first established during the Gold Rush of 1859, when the City served as a rest stop for miners headed to mountain gold camps. It was later named Wheat Ridge for the golden ridges of wheat noted by travelers passing along the Overland Trail. As unsuccessful miners returned to the area and began farming the rich, fertile soil, the community began its growth. Wheat fields were converted to fruit orchards and vegetable fields, attracting buyers from all across the Denver area. Eventually, fruit and vegetable farming gave way to greenhouses and the largest production of carnations in the world, earning Wheat Ridge the designation of “Carnation City.”