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Wheat Ridge 101
About the Program
Wheat Ridge 101 is a free seven-week interactive course taking place on Wednesday evenings every other Fall. Provided in partnership by the City of Wheat Ridge and Localworks, this program is designed to share detailed information about how the City of Wheat Ridge works, and to discuss strategies for community input and engagement.
Course Content
Wheat Ridge 101 covers topics related to:
- City of Wheat Ridge Government and How it Works
- Wheat Ridge in the Community
- How to get Involved and Stay Engaged with the City
- Building an Understanding of Infrastructure, Public Works and Engineering
- How Change Occurs: Planning, Zoning, Economic Development, and Urban Renewal
- Engaging in the Fun with Parks and Recreation Department
- How the Wheat Ridge Police Department Keeps the Community Safe
Schedule
The next Wheat Ridge 101 program will take place in Fall 2024 on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m.
The Fall 2023 program will be a new, project-based program called Wheat Ridge 102. Only Wheat Ridge 101 graduates are eligible to participate in Wheat Ridge 102. Moving forward, Wheat Ridge 101 and 102 will take place on alternate years.
Applicant Requirements
There is no residency or age requirement to apply to this program. Wheat Ridge 101 is open to anyone with a connection to Wheat Ridge who is interested in learning more about the City.
Class size is limited.
Applications are now closed. If you would like to be notified when applications open, please register your name and email using this form: WR101 Interest Form
Questions?
Send an email to WR101@ci.wheatridge.co.us with any questions about this program.
Wheat Ridge 102
Wheat Ridge 102 will officially launch this fall! Localworks and the City of Wheat Ridge are excited to announce a new, free class that will be available to the community. Below you will find program goals, eligibility and a class schedule. Registration has closed for the 2023 session, and will reopen again in 2025.
Program Goals & Class Structure
The goal of WR102 is to build upon the skills that were learned in WR101 and allow participants to actually go through the process of facilitating a needed change in the community. Participants will have 2-3 projects (depending on class size) to pick from and they will create a project proposal that will be presented in front of Wheat Ridge City Council on how they would initiate the project. Projects will be required to involve local businesses, community members and other stakeholders. Upon the presentation to Wheat Ridge City Council, participants in Wheat Ridge 102 will have a full implementation plan that can be managed by the City and/or supporting organization.
The WR102 class will be more self-led than WR101 and all participants will be participating in a cohort that is facilitating one of the selected projects for the year. All WR102 cohorts will also have mentors that assist with their projects. Mentors will be City personnel and involved residents in the community.
This program is anticipated to take place every other fall, alternating each year with the WR101 program.
Eligibility
In order to participate in WR102, you must have successfully completed WR101.
2023 Selected Projects*
- Snow Buddies: Develop a volunteer program to recruit members of the Wheat Ridge of community to shovel sidewalks, driveways, etc. for our community members and business owners who may be in need.
- Road to Involvement: Create a one-stop shop for interested residents to know exactly where and how they can get involved, how they can affect change, and learn how it all works from a non-expert perspective.
- Green Business: Create a plan for how Wheat Ridge businesses can implement green practices and earn rewards as they accomplish their green goals.
*Please note that more detail will be provided in the first WR102 class about each project.
Class Schedule
The WR102 class will meet the following nights. The class will run from September 6 - December 5.Optional office hours for WR102 participants will be held every Friday from 12–1 p.m. over Zoom to assist participants during the months we are meeting as a formal group.
Date | Time | Description |
September 6th, 2023 | 6:00-8:30 p.m. | First class, project information and meet your mentors! |
September 13th, 2023 | 6:00-8:30 p.m. | Project assignments, mentor meetings, begin work! |
October 4th, 2023 | 6:00-8:30 p.m. | Meet with your mentor, group project work |
November 1st, 2023 | 6:00-8:30 p.m. | Meet with your mentor, group project work |
November 17th, 2023 | No class | Projects are due |
November 29th, 2023 | 6:00-8:30 p.m. | Present project proposal to your mentor, receive final feedback |
December 4th, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. | Present your project proposal to Wheat Ridge City Council |
December 11th, 2023 | 6:30 p.m.- 9:00 p.m. | WR102 graduation at Wheat Ridge City Council meeting |