Inside Arvada

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We talk with Tim Jones, founder of Longer Tables, about how shared meals build trust, reduce isolation, and help neighbors connect. We also trace Tim’s family connection to Arvada founder Benjamin Wadsworth and how that legacy of community building shows up in Arvada’s Longer Tables efforts. 
What is Longer Tables and how they focus on food, story, and belonging
Follow two simple rules to show up as yourself and not talk about work
Participate in 150 Tables Across Arvada by next August to build community in your neighborhood
Insights into how to host a neighborhood table, including guides, prompts, and support 
News & Events
Compost your leaves at the Leaf Drop-off Event (Nov. 7 - 21 at Stenger Sports Complex)
The City has achieved two big goals for the year: house 65 people out of homelessness and repave 75 lane miles of road!
Council passed 2027 water, wastewater, and stormwater rates
We are posting Council meeting recaps after each business meeting
Join us for Food Trucks and Fireworks at Stenger Sports Complex on Friday, Nov. 6 (fireworks start at 6:30 p.m.)
Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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We talk with senior landscape architect Chad Hollingsworth about how Arvada renovates playgrounds each year, from construction timing to the behind-the-scenes safety and planning that decides what gets replaced first. We also dig into inclusive play design, bigger upgrades like Robbie Ferrufino Park, and what your community survey feedback actually changes.

Included in this episode:
Construction timing for Ralston Cove, Terrace, and Pioneer playground renovations 
How we prioritize renovations using equipment age, safety inspections, and equity across the city 
Parks that are getting new playgrounds in 2027: Allendale, The Meadows at West Woods and Russell
How designers balance physical, social, sensory, and cognitive play 
The new all abilities playground coming to Robby Ferrufino Park
Why certain features like zip lines require more space and safety clear zones 
Other parks and trail projects our landscape team supports 
News and events: 
Food Trucks and Fireworks is Friday, Nov. 6 at Stenger Sports Complex. This is our make-up event from when fireworks were postponed on July 4th because of the fire ban. 
Arvada's community-wide leaf drop-off starts Nov. 7 and goes through Nov. 21 at Stenger Sports Complex. Visit the webpage for more information. 

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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Parks Manager Steve Gustafson joins the show to discuss how the Parks Department has limited its use of water to follow drought restrictions throughout the summer. Steve also explains why some City parks, athletic fields and golf courses will continue watering into October despite Denver Water's ban on residential lawn watering that goes into effect on Oct. 1. 
Included in this episode: 
How the Parks Department has reduced its water use by 20% with smart irrigation, weather stations, and prioritization 
Why trees and shrubs count as high-value green infrastructure 
How the City's two golf courses, West Woods and Lake Arbor, are limiting and prioritizing its water use during drought restrictions
What drought damage looks like in parks, from brown patches to more weeds 
How soil history changes turf performance across different parks 
How native grasses and fescues can reduce long-term water demand 
Winter watering tips for young trees, including 10 gallons per inch of diameter 
How computerized irrigation detects leaks, alarms, and mainline breaks 
Practical weed control options beyond chemicals, from pulling to mechanical removal 
News and events: 
Our Movies Around Town series wraps up Friday, Oct. 9 at Clear Creek Valley Park with a free showing of our People’s Choice Movie Poll winner, "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Event page with more details.
Lawn watering will no longer be allowed beginning October 1. All other Stage 1 water restrictions remain in effect. No fall watering variances will be permitted. 
New water use and supply page that shows what our month-to-month trends are looking like for water use and savings.
Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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We talk with Traffic Engineer, Elijah Vignet-Kotze about how signal retiming works, how it reduces stops and emissions, and what it takes to balance needs of multiple directions of drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists at busy intersections. We also answer listener questions on flashing signals, roundabouts, and speed bumps, then share what corridors and projects are coming next.
More from the episode:
Which major roads CDOT manages (contact CDOT webpage)
Read more about the traffic signal retiming effort on page 8 of the August / September 2026 Arvada Report
How Arvada manages about 120 traffic signals
Signal outages can be reported by calling the non-emergency police line at 303-980-7300
Signal retiming outcomes along 64th Avenue and 80th Avenue for fewer stops, faster times, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions
How we respond to speeding concerns and requests for new traffic signals, stop signs, and crosswalks
Updates on signals being installed at 64th and Easley and 63rd and McIntyre

News and Events
Movies Around Town: watch GOAT at Volunteer Firefighter Park on Friday, September 18
People's Choice Movie will be The Nightmare Before Christmas at Clear Creek Valley Park on Friday, October 9
Lawn watering will no longer be allowed beginning October 1, all other Stage 1 drought restrictions remain in place
W. 72nd Ave. restoration work is underway with an extended weekend full closure Friday, Sept. 18 to Tuesday, Sept. 22
CDOT I-70 birdge replacement at Kipling will require a full weekend closure of north and southbound Kipling for two consecutive weekends

Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.

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City Attorney Rachel Morris joins us to break down how public comment works at City Council meetings. Rachel explains what changes when council shifts into a quasi-judicial role for land use hearings and how to make your testimony more effective.
Included in this episode: 
How to sign up and speak during general public comment at City Council meetings
The City's development review decision-making matrix that determines which development cases reach City Council 
What “quasi-judicial” means and why council members cannot discuss case merits outside the hearing
General public comment versus sworn public testimony during a public hearing
How to use the Council meeting packet and staff report to focus on applicable criteria
Why the Council's quasi-judicial decisions are based on criteria and evidence, not vote-by-crowd energy
How to submit written public comment 
Why the city is seeking community input on improving the public comment process and how you can participate
News and events:
Movies Around Town continues Friday, Sept. 18 with a free showing of the film "GOAT" at Arvada Volunteer Firefighters Park 
ADA improvement project at West Arvada Dog Park 
W 72nd Ave restoration work is starting from Oak to Kipling
Visit us at arvadaco.gov/podcast or email us at podcast@arvada.org.