HomeMy WebLinkAboutStudy Session Agenda Packet 06-04-2018
STUDY SESSION AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
7500 W. 29th Ave.
Wheat Ridge CO June 4, 2018
6:30 p.m.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to participate in all public meetings sponsored by the City of Wheat Ridge. Call Sara Spaulding, Public Information
Officer 303-235-2877 at least one week in advance of a meeting if you are
interested in participating and need inclusion assistance.
Citizen Comment on Agenda Items
1. Citizen Survey Report
2. Wadsworth Value Engineering Report
3. Update on Wheat Ridge Ward Station
4. Staff Report(s)
5. Elected Officials’ Report(s)
ADJOURNMENT
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Heather Geyer, Administrative Services Director FROM: Carly Lorentz, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: May 25, 2018 (for June 4, 2018 Study Session) SUBJECT: Presentation of Draft 2018 Resident Survey Results
Enclosed with your packet is a copy of the draft 2018 Resident Survey. Laurie Urban from National Research Center (NRC) will be presenting the draft survey results to City Council at the June 4, 2018, Study Session. The purpose of this presentation is to highlight data and findings
from the survey. The Wheat Ridge Resident Survey is a bi-annual survey serving as the City’s “consumer report card” and is a good information tool for the City to measure its performance. The survey encompasses best practices and is a scientifically/statistically valid sampling of 4,500 households in the City. The last resident survey was administered in 2015. In reviewing the draft report you will find the executive summary on page 1 and the policy topics on page 28.
Council approved the addition of these policy topics prior to distributing the survey. Following this presentation, the survey results will be finalized and posted on the City Website. Additionally, the City will include the results of the survey in the upcoming edition of the Connections newsletter.
If you have any questions prior to the Study Session, please do not hesitate to contact me at 303-235-2867.
Attachment: 1. Draft 2018 Resident Survey Report
Prepared by:
2955 Valmont Road, Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80531
n-r-c.com | 303-444-7863
2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
May 2018
ATTACHMENT 1
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Contents
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................... 1
Survey Background ....................................................................................................................... 5
Survey Results ............................................................................................................................... 7
Quality of Life and Community ................................................................................................... 7
City Services and Government Performance ............................................................................. 18
Policy and Special Topics .......................................................................................................... 28
Communication with Residents ................................................................................................. 36
Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses ..................................................................... 38
Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses ...................................................... 78
Appendix C: Comparisons of Survey Results over Time ...................................................... 137
Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons .................................................................................. 149
Appendix E: Survey Methodology ........................................................................................... 169
Appendix F: Survey Instrument .............................................................................................. 174
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 1
Executive Summary
Survey Background and Methods
The Wheat Ridge Resident Survey is an important source of context for decision making by the City. It brings the voice of people from across the community to City staff and elected officials. Now in its sixth
iteration, it provides a trend line of data on how quality of City services is perceived and how residents
view their community in general. It also provides a way to assess broad community support or opposition to potential changes in programs or policies.
The 2018 mail survey was administered using scientifically sound, rigorous methods to ensure unbiased, statistically valid, representative results for the City of Wheat Ridge. The best survey research practices
were used for the resources spent to reduce possible sources of error (e.g., sampling error and non-
response error). These practices included selecting households at random to participate, using an unbiased sampling procedure to select a respondent within the household, contacting potential respondents multiple times and weighting the resultant data to reflect the demographics of Wheat Ridge.
The 2018 survey was mailed to a representative sample of 4,500 residential addresses within the City
boundaries in March of 2018. Of the 4,500 surveys mailed, about 3% were returned because the housing
unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the 4,367 households that received a survey, 1,136 completed the mail survey providing a response rate of 26%.
It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a “level of confidence” and accompanying “confidence interval” (or margin of error). A traditional level of confidence, and the one
used here, is 95%. The 95% confidence interval quantifies the sampling error or imprecision of the
survey results because some residents’ opinions are relied on to estimate all residents’ opinions. The margin of error is no greater than plus or minus three percentage points around any given percent for the entire sample (1,136 surveys).
Key Findings
Residents were happy with the quality of life in Wheat Ridge and were optimistic that it would
continue to improve.
About 8 in 10 respondents rated the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge as excellent or good, a rating that was similar previous years and similar to ratings from other communities across the country and in the Front Range.
About 6 in 10 residents believed the quality of life in the city would improve a lot or slightly
over the next five years. The proportion feeling quality of life would improve has increased
greatly since 2004, but stayed steady from 2015 to 2018.
Nine in 10 respondents would be very or somewhat likely to recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asked, and nearly 9 in 10 were very or somewhat likely to remain in the city for
the next five years. Compared to 2015 and 2012, respondents in 2018 were just as likely to
recommend living in and say they would remain in the city. Wheat Ridge residents were more likely than respondents from other communities in the Front Range to recommend living in their community, and equally as likely to remain in their community for the next five years.
Of the 22 community characteristics evaluated by those completing the survey, nine received
ratings similar to ratings from 2015, one had lower ratings (availability of affordable quality
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 2
housing), while ratings for 12 characteristics increased from 2012 (including sense of
community, opportunities to participate in civic matters and employment opportunities).
All 22 of the community characteristics could be compared to the benchmarks. Compared to the national benchmark, two ratings were above the benchmark comparison, 12 were similar and eight were below. Compared to the Front Range benchmarks, three characteristics were above
the benchmark, 14 were similar and five were below.
Survey respondents were pleased with City of Wheat Ridge services, though indicated
opportunities for improvement.
Three-quarters of respondents rated the overall quality of services as excellent or good. This was
similar to what has been observed on previous surveys, and similar to the national and Front Range benchmark comparisons.
Of the 22 City services rated, 14 were given excellent or good ratings by 60% or more of respondents. While most ratings were stable from 2015 to 2018, evaluations of four services
increased over the time period including street cleaning, public information services, street repair and maintenance and crime prevention. However, ratings for three services declined: animal control, services/programs for seniors and police emergency response.
The 22 City services evaluated by respondents were classified as “more important” if they were
rated as essential or very important by 74% or more of respondents (the median importance
rating across all services) and as “less important” if less than 74% of respondents considered them essential or important. Services receiving quality ratings of excellent or good by 64% or more of respondents (the median across all services) were considered of “higher quality” and those rated excellent or good by less than 64% were considered to be of “lower quality.”
The upper left-hand quadrant of the matrix below contains the services of higher importance but lower quality. In addition, services with a bolded red font are those that received ratings lower than the national benchmark comparison. Services/programs for youth and policing services are two services of higher importance, but with ratings below their benchmark comparisons.
City Services by Quality and Importance, 2018
Lower Quality Higher Quality
Hi
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h
e
r
I
m
p
o
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t
a
n
c
e
Street repair and maintenance
Land use, planning and zoning
Services/programs for youth
Snow removal
Maintenance of existing city parks
Maintenance of open space and trails
Recreation programs
Policing services
Police emergency response time
Police non-emergency response time
Crime prevention
Lo
w
e
r
Im
p
o
r
t
a
n
c
e
Code enforcement
Animal control
Building permits
Building inspections
Community/public art
Municipal court
Public information services
Street cleaning
Traffic enforcement
Recreation facilities
Services/programs for seniors
Note: Bolded items with red font are those that were below the national benchmark comparisons.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 3
After experiencing some declines in 2015, many ratings of City of Wheat Ridge government
performance rebounded in 2018.
The overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government received excellent or good ratings from about 6 in 10 respondents. This rating was higher than ratings given in 2015 and
represented a return to levels observed in surveys prior to 2015.
Survey respondents rated six aspects of the City government performance. Seven in 10 respondents felt that the quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees was excellent or good. About 6 in 10 deemed the overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking as
excellent or good. Just over half believed that the extent to which elected officials act in the best
interest of the community was excellent or good, and just over half felt that the City government does an excellent or good job at welcoming citizen involvement. About half believed the City does an excellent or good job at informing residents about major issues and that the value of services for the taxes paid was excellent or good.
A greater proportion of respondents rated these aspects of City government performance positively in 2018 compared to 2015, returning the ratings to the levels observed in survey years prior to 2015.
Residents’ top priorities for police department activities or resources in the next two years were
additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health issues and adding
surveillance cameras in high crime areas.
When asked what priority they would place on eight various activities or strategies for the police department in the next two years, the highest priority was given to additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health issues, rated as a high priority by two-thirds of
respondents. Adding surveillance cameras in high crime areas was deemed a high priority by
about half of respondents.
Residents helped prioritize resources for the Wheat Ridge Police Department over the next 12 month period. Nearly all (96%) indicated that solving violent crimes was essential or very important, with 69% saying it was essential. Crime prevention and reducing illegal drug activity
were considered essential by 4 in 10 respondents.
A slight majority of respondents considered homelessness a major or moderate problem in Wheat
Ridge and a many felt it was important for the City to contribute funding for related services.
Respondents were asked how important they felt it was for the City of Wheat Ridge to contribute funding to community-based organizations providing various services to people who are homeless. Over half of respondents felt it was essential or very important to provide all the types of services queried about on the survey. Support was strongest for mental health programs and substance abuse programs, with about 4 in 10 feeling it was essential for the City to contribute to
these types of services, and over 8 in 10 feeling it was very important or essential to do so.
Residents provided mixed reviews about policies related to short-term rentals in Wheat Ridge.
Three policies regarding short-term rentals in Wheat Ridge garnered greater support than opposition among residents: allowing accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or garages) to be used as short-term rentals, requiring residents to apply for a City license to rent their property and allowing single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as short-term
rentals. Support outweighed opposition for these policies by 17% to 20%.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 4
Collecting a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals was supported by 44% of respondents, but
opposition was nearly as strong at 35%. Support and opposition were nearly equal for limiting the total number of days a property can be rented per year (37% supported and 35% opposed).
Requiring the property owner(s) to live in the house and only rent room(s), not the whole house, was opposed by more respondents (45%) than supported (25%).
A greater proportion of residents supported various height restrictions than opposed them.
About two-thirds supported “bulk plane” regulations in general, while 15% opposed it (and 24%
were neutral). Just over half supported expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of the city, while 19% opposed such expansion.
When asked whether they thought the City should maintain current residential building height
restrictions for new infill development in established neighborhoods or whether further
restrictions in residential building heights should be imposed, about twice as many felt current restrictions should be maintained (54%) than thought further restrictions should be enacted (23%).
Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in Wheat Ridge appeals to residents.
Currently, ADUs are not allowed in the City of Wheat Ridge. However, just over half of
respondents (53%) would support the City allowing them, while about a quarter (24%) would
oppose such a move. Another quarter (23%) were neutral.
If ADUs were allowed, about 7 in 10 respondents felt it would be essential or very important to limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU and to ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home. Six in 10 considered it essential or very important to require
off-street parking. About half believed it would be essential or very important to require the property owner to live on the property, in either the main house or the ADU, and half thought the size of the ADU should be restricted.
About 8 in 10 respondents would be very or somewhat likely to consider adding an ADU for an
elderly family member or a family member with disabilities. Just over half might consider
adding an ADU for their own personal use, for the rental income, for an adult child or for visitors.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 5
Survey Background
What the Survey Was About
The Wheat Ridge Resident Survey serves as a consumer report card for the City by providing residents the opportunity to rate City services, local government, community amenities and the quality of life in the City. The survey also gives residents a chance to provide feedback to government on what is working well and what is not, and to communicate their priorities for community planning and resource allocation.
The focus on the quality of service delivery and the importance of services helps council, staff and the public to set priorities for budget decisions and lays the groundwork for tracking community opinions about the core responsibilities of the Wheat Ridge City government, helping to assure maximum service quality over time.
This type of survey addresses the key services that local governments provide to create a quality community. It is akin to private sector customer surveys that are used regularly by many corporations to monitor where there are weaknesses in product or service delivery before customers defect to competition or before other problems from dissatisfied customers arise. Because a survey such as this generally measures resident perceptions of services and the community, it is a different window into performance than customary tracking of service delivery response times or other observable conditions.
How the Survey Was Conducted
The 2018 Wheat Ridge Resident Survey was mailed to residents in March of 2018. Residents first received a pre-notification postcard that introduced the survey and explained its importance. One week after the postcard mailed, residents were sent a survey packet. This packet included the seven-page 2018 survey, a letter from the mayor explaining the study and a postage-paid pre-addressed envelope in which to return their completed survey. Completed surveys were collected over a six week period. The survey was sent to 4,500 randomly selected addresses within the City boundaries. Of these households, about 3% of the surveys were returned because the housing unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed and 1,136 submitted a completed survey for a response rate of 26% (lower than 2015, which was 31%).
The survey results were weighted by respondent gender, age, tenure (rent versus own) and housing unit type (attached or detached) to ensure that the results are representative of the entire adult population in Wheat Ridge. For more information on the methodology see Appendix E: Survey Methodology and for a copy of the survey, see Appendix F: Survey Instrument.
How the Results are Reported
For the most part, the full set of frequencies or the “percent positive” are presented in the body and narrative of the report. The percent positive is the combination of the top two most positive response options (i.e., “excellent” and “good,” “strongly agree” and “somewhat agree,” “essential” and “very important”).
On many of the questions in the survey, respondents could give an answer of “don’t know.” The proportion of respondents giving this reply is shown in the full set of responses included in Appendix A:
Complete Set of Survey Responses. However, these responses have been removed from the analyses presented in the body of the report, unless otherwise indicated. In other words, the majority of the tables and graphs in the body of the report display the responses from respondents who had an opinion about a specific item.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 6
For some questions, respondents were permitted to select multiple responses. When the total exceeds 100% in a table for a multiple response question, it is because some respondents are counted in multiple categories. When a table for a question that only permitted a single response does not total to exactly 100%, it is due to the customary practice of percentages rounding to the nearest whole number.
Precision of Estimates
It is customary to describe the precision of estimates made from surveys by a “level of confidence” and accompanying “confidence interval” (or margin of error). The 95 percent confidence interval for this survey is generally no greater than plus or minus three percentage points around any given percent reported for all survey respondents (1,136). For comparisons among subgroups, the margin of error rises to approximately plus or minus 5% for subgroups of 400 to plus or minus 10% for subgroups of 100.
Comparing Survey Results by Respondent Subgroups Selected survey results were compared to certain demographic characteristics of survey respondents as well as by Council District. These cross tabulations are presented in tabular form in Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses. Where differences between subgroups are statistically significant, the results in the tables are shaded grey.
Comparing Survey Results over Time This survey was the sixth in a series of resident surveys for the City of Wheat Ridge. Tables comparing the 2018 results with previous years where similar questions were asked can be found in Appendix C: Comparisons of Survey Results over Time. Statistically significant differences between the 2018 and 2015 results are shaded grey. Trend data for the City of Wheat Ridge represent important comparisons and should be examined for improvements or declines. Deviations from stable trends over time especially represent opportunities for understanding how local policies, programs or public information may have affected residents’ opinions.
Comparing Survey Results to Other Communities
NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in resident surveys from approximately 500 jurisdictions whose residents evaluated local government services. Conducted with typically no fewer than 400 residents in each jurisdiction, opinions are intended to represent over 30 million Americans.
National and Front Range benchmark comparisons have been included in the report when available. Benchmark comparisons have been provided when similar questions on the Wheat Ridge survey are included in NRC’s database and there are at least five jurisdictions in which the question was asked, though most questions are compared to more than five other cities across the country or in the Front Range. Additional information on NRC’s benchmarking database, including jurisdictions to which Wheat Ridge was compared nationally and in the Front Range, can be found in Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons.
Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, Wheat Ridge’s results were generally noted as being “higher” the benchmark, “lower” the benchmark or “similar” to the benchmark. In instances where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have been further demarcated by the attribute of “much,” (for example, “much lower” or “much higher”). These labels come from a statistical comparison of Wheat Ridge’s rating to the benchmark where a rating is considered “similar” if it is within the margin of error (five points or less on the 100-point scale); “higher” or “lower” if the difference between Wheat Ridge’s rating and the benchmark is greater than the margin of error (between five and 10 points); and “much higher” or “much lower” if the difference between Wheat Ridge’s rating and the benchmark is more than twice the margin of error (10 points or more).
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 7
Survey Results
Quality of Life and Community
The 2018 Resident Survey measured residents’ perspectives about aspects of the quality of life in the city, reasons for living in Wheat Ridge and perceptions about their future in the city. The quality of
various characteristics that make up the community also were assessed, including safety, transportation
and participation in activities.
Living in Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge residents gave positive reviews to the overall quality of life in the city, with 19% saying it was excellent and 62% saying it was good (see Figure 1). Nineteen percent of respondents felt the
overall quality of life in the city was fair and only 1% said it was poor. These ratings were similar to
those given in 2015 and have remained stable since the question was first asked in 2004 (see Figure 2).
Evaluations of the overall quality of life in the city were compared to ratings given by residents in other communities across the country and in Colorado’s Front Range (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons for more information on the comparisons). The Wheat Ridge rating of overall quality of
life was similar to the national and Front Range average ratings.
Figure 1: Overall Quality of Life, 2018
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge?
Figure 2: Overall Quality of Life, 2004-2018
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge?
Percent excellent or good
Excellent
19%
Good
62%
Fair
19%
Poor
1%
77%75%74%79%78%81%
2004 2006 2008 2012 2015 2018
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 8
Various aspects of quality of life also were assessed on the survey. Nine in 10 respondents rated Wheat
Ridge as an excellent or good place to live, while 8 in 10 rated their neighborhood as an excellent or
good place to live (see Figure 3 below). About three-quarters considered the city an excellent or good place to raise children or to retire. About 6 in 10 felt Wheat Ridge was an excellent or good place to work. Only about half of respondents rated the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a whole as excellent or good. Compared to 2015, ratings given in 2018 generally were similar, although small but
statistically significant increases were seen for Wheat Ridge as a place to work, to retire and to live (see
Table 167 in Appendix C: Comparisons of Survey Results over Time.)
Comparisons could be made to the benchmark database for five of the six aspects of quality of life. Overall, Wheat Ridge residents gave ratings that were similar to those given by residents in other communities across the nation and in the Front Range, except for ratings of Wheat Ridge as a place to
retire, which was higher than the national and Front Range benchmarks (see Appendix D: Benchmark
Comparisons).
Figure 3: Ratings of Aspects of Quality of Life, 2004-2018
Percent excellent or good
Note: Nearly 30% of respondents answered “don’t know’ when asked to rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children or as a
place to retire. Nearly 50% answered don’t know when asked to rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work. For the other items,
nearly no respondents answered don’t know. Responses above are among those who did not respond don’t know.
52%
68%
77%
75%
86%
52%
68%
74%
73%
82%
48%
55%
68%
74%
77%
86%
53%
58%
71%
76%
77%
87%
52%
51%
67%
74%
78%
84%
52%
61%
73%
77%
79%
90%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness
of Wheat Ridge as a whole?
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to
work?
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to
retire?
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to
raise children?
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place
to live?
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live?
2018
2015
2012
2008
2006
2004
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 9
In 2015 and 2018, respondents cited their reasons for living in Wheat Ridge and could select more than
one response. In 2015 and 2018 the top reason, indicated by about three-quarters of respondents, was
liking the location in general (see Figure 4). About half indicated that they liked their neighborhood, and nearly half specified that they feel safe in Wheat Ridge. The small town feel was given as a reason by nearly 3 in 10 respondents. The rank order of the reasons stayed quite similar in 2018 compared to 2015, and most reasons were noted by similar proportions of respondents in both survey years. However,
decreases were noted for choosing Wheat Ridge due to the affordable cost of living or affordability of
housing and rental rates.
Figure 4: Reasons for Living in Wheat Ridge, 2015-2018
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that apply.)
Percent of respondents*
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
8%
14%
15%
14%
15%
28%
34%
26%
36%
46%
54%
72%
4%
8%
12%
13%
14%
16%
26%
26%
27%
29%
29%
44%
49%
76%
None of these
I like the school my children attend
My job is here
I've always lived here
The growing and diverse community
I like that the community is forward-thinking
I have friends and family in the area
Cost of living is affordable
Small town feel
I like the access to dining and entertainment
Housing and rental rates are affordable
I feel safe here
I like my neighborhood
I like the location in general
2018
2015
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 10
Future Outlook for Wheat Ridge
A majority of Wheat Ridge residents (62%) believed that the quality of life in the city would improve a
lot or slightly over the next five years (see Figure 5). The proportion feeling quality of life would improve has increased greatly since 2004, but stayed steady from 2015 to 2018.
Figure 5: Quality of Life in Wheat Ridge over Next Five 2004-2018
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay the same, or decline
over the next 5 years?
Percent of respondents
Most respondents were likely to recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asked (46% very likely and 44% somewhat likely, see Table 16 in Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses). When asked how likely they would be to remain in the city for the next five years, 55% said they would be very likely and 31% said somewhat likely. Only 14% said they were unlikely to remain in Wheat Ridge in the next five years. Compared to 2015 and 2012, respondents in 2018 were just as likely to
recommend living in and say they would remain in the city.
Wheat Ridge residents were equally as likely as respondents from other communities across the nation to recommend living in their community and to remain in their community for the next five years (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons). When compared to other Front Range communities, residents were more likely to recommend living in Wheat Ridge and equally likely to remain in the city.
Figure 6: Likelihood of Remaining in and Recommending Wheat Ridge 2012-2018
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Percent very or somewhat likely
36%
46%
50%
53%
61%
62%
38%
29%
28%
31%
22%
19%
26%
25%
22%
16%
17%
19%
2004
2006
2008
2012
2015
2018
Improve a lot/slightly Stay the same Decline a lot/slightly
88%
90%
87%
90%
86%
90%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five
years
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to
someone who asks 2018
2015
2012
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 11
Quality of Aspects of the Community
The survey included a list of 22 characteristics of the community and respondents evaluated the quality
of each (see Figure 8 on page 12). The characteristics receiving the most positive reviews related to the built and natural environment, including the availability of paths and walking trails (79% excellent or good), the availability of bike trails (79%), recreational opportunities (77%) and the quality of the overall natural environment (70%). Also receiving positive ratings were opportunities to volunteer
(69%) and availability of affordable quality food (69%).
Less than 40% gave excellent or good ratings to employment opportunities, shopping opportunities, availability of affordable quality housing and availability of affordable quality child care.
Ratings for many community characteristics remained stable from 2015 to 2018. However, ratings for one characteristic decreased (availability of affordable quality housing) and has been trending down
since 2012. Meanwhile, 12 characteristics saw significant increases:
Employment opportunities
Recreational opportunities
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities
Sense of community
Opportunities to attend cultural activities
Educational opportunities
Opportunities to volunteer
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge
Availability of affordable quality food
Opportunities to participate in civic matters
Availability of bike trails
Availability of paths and walking trails
All 22 characteristics could be compared to the benchmarks (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons). When compared to the national benchmarks, two characteristics were above the benchmark, 12 were similar and eight were below. Compared to the Front Range benchmarks, three
characteristics were above the benchmark, while 14 were similar and five were below.
Figure 7: Community Characteristics Benchmark Comparisons
National Benchmark Comparisons Front Range Benchmark Comparisons
Above the benchmark
Recreational opportunities
Availability of paths and walking trails
Above the benchmark
Availability of paths and walking trails
Availability of affordable quality housing
Availability of affordable quality food
Below the benchmark
Educational opportunities
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge
Shopping opportunities
Opportunities to attend cultural activities
Availability of affordable quality child care
Air quality
Below the benchmark
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge
Air quality
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat
Ridge
Shopping opportunities
Opportunities to attend cultural activities
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 12
Figure 8: Community Characteristics, 2012-2018
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat Ridge as
a whole: Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012
Availability of paths and walking trails 79% 74% 70%
Recreational opportunities 77% 66% 70%
Availability of bike trails 77% 71%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 70% 68% 71%
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 60% 65%
Availability of affordable quality food 69% 61% 57%
Availability of preventive health services 64% 61% 63%
Air quality 64% 67% 66%
Sense of community 63% 53% 59%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 63% 56% 59%
Availability of affordable quality health care 62% 61% 62%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 61% 60% 61%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 60% 60% 66%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse
backgrounds 59% 56% 63%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 59% 48% 46%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 57% 48% 51%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 54% 52% 49%
Variety of housing options 49% 50% 55%
Educational opportunities 45% 36% 42%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 41% 31% 34%
Employment opportunities 38% 25% 25%
Shopping opportunities 37% 36% 37%
Availability of affordable quality housing 35% 43% 51%
Availability of affordable quality child care 33% 33% 44%
Note: Between 28% and 39% of respondents answered “don’t know” when asked to rate educational opportunities,
opportunities to volunteer, opportunities to participate in civic matters, availability of affordable quality health care and
availability of preventive health services. When asked about employment opportunities, 46% responded don’t know, and
when asked about availability of affordable quality child care, 74% said don’t know. Responses above are among those who
did not respond don’t know.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 13
Those participating in the Wheat Ridge resident survey evaluated various aspects of transportation
within the city. Most aspects were rated as excellent or good by about 6 in 10 respondents. However,
traffic flow was rated positively by only 3 in 10 respondents (see Figure 9 below).
Compared to 2015, ratings in 2018 increased for three items: condition of city streets, ease of car travel and ease of bus. For the condition of city streets and ease of car travel, these represented increases to the levels observed before 2015, while the rating of ease of bus travel represented an increase compared to
all previous years.
Ease of bus travel received ratings that were higher than the national and Front Range benchmark comparisons. However, ease of walking and traffic flow on major streets were rated lower than both benchmarks, while ease of bicycle travel was below the Front Range benchmark (see Figure 10 below and Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons).
Figure 9: Aspects of Transportation, 2004-2018
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within
the City of Wheat Ridge:
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge* 69% 61% 58% 60% 61% 57%
Access to mass transit 67%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 58% 68% 65% 65% 64%
Condition of city streets 64% 54% 64% 61% 68% 70%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge* 61% 58% 50%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 56% 58% 50% 56% 58%
Traffic flow on major streets 31% 33% 46%
*Note: Between 26% and 38% of respondents answered these items “don’t know.” The responses above are among those
who did not answer don’t know.
Figure 10: Transportation Benchmark Comparisons
National Benchmark Comparisons Front Range Benchmark Comparisons
Above the benchmark
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge
Above the benchmark
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge
Below the benchmark
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge
Traffic flow on major streets
Below the benchmark
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge
Traffic flow on major streets
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 14
Community Participation
Survey respondents were asked how often they or another household member had participated in a
number of activities in Wheat Ridge in the 12 months prior to the survey. Respondents were active users of trails and paths; nearly 9 in 10 had used a Wheat Ridge park or trail, 8 in 10 had used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path and 7 in 10 had used the Clear Creek Trail. Close to 40% of Wheat Ridge residents had commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station or had ridden at RTD bus.
More than 90% of residents had dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant at least once in the last year, and two-
thirds had attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event. About one in five reported attended a public meeting of some kind or having watched a public meeting of local city officials.
Among the activities that could be compared to the benchmarks, attendance at festivals or special events was higher in Wheat Ridge than compared to the national and Front Range benchmarks (see Appendix
D: Benchmark Comparisons). Use of parks and trails was similar to national and Front Range
communities, but use of the library was lower. Involvement in public meetings was similar to the national and Front Range communities. Use of recreation centers was similar to the national and Front Range benchmarks, but participation in recreation programs or activities was lower than the national benchmark (and not available for Front Range communities).
Figure 11: Participation in Activities, 2004-2018
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever,
have you or other household members participated in the
following activities in Wheat Ridge?
Percent who have participated at least once 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 93% 89% 89% 92% 90% 90%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 86% 85% 85% 85% 84% 82%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 78% 76% 75% 76% 75% 71%
Used Clear Creek Trail 68%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 68% 61%
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 59% 58% 61% 64% 63% 63%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 48% 52% 52% 54% 49% 50%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 42% 39% 44% 44% 44% 42%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 41%
Ridden an RTD bus 37% 38% 40% 44% 36% 40%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local
public meeting 23% 26% 24% 27% 21% 23%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 21%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable
television 21% 25% 32% 44% 41% 42%
Visited the Active Adult Center 21% 22% 26% 33% 29% 30%
Participated in a senior program 15% 16% 18% 20% 17% 15%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 15
Safety in Wheat Ridge
Survey respondents provided their perceptions about feelings of safety in and around the city, if they or
their household members had been a victim of a crime and if they had reported a crime. Resident priorities for the Police Department also were assessed through the survey.
Generally, residents felt safe in Wheat Ridge, with more than 9 in 10 reporting that they felt very or somewhat safe in recreation centers and in their home (see Figure 12 below). At least 8 in 10 felt safe in
parks and playgrounds, retail and commercial areas and in their neighborhood. About 7 in 10 reported
feeling very or somewhat safe on roadways and on the trail system. Overall, 16% or less reported feeling unsafe in any of these areas in Wheat Ridge (see Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses). From 2015 to 2018, feelings of safety increased in the neighborhood, but decreased on roadways.
Two of the seven safety items could be compared to the national benchmark; safety in parks and
playgrounds and safety in neighborhoods were similar (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons). No
comparisons were available for the Front Range.
Figure 12: Safety in Public Areas, 2004-2018
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat
Ridge:
Percent responding very or somewhat safe 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Recreation centers* 94% 93% 92% 92% 92% 92%
In your home 93% 93% 93% 88%
Parks and playgrounds 87% 85% 88% 82% 86% 82%
In your neighborhood 86% 81% 85% 83% 78% 85%
Retail/commercial areas 82% 84% 83% 83% 83%
On the trail system 73% 72% 75% 70% 67% 67%
On roadways 70% 74%
*Note: In 2018, 24% of respondents answered “don’t know;” all other items were answered as don’t know by 0% to 13% of
respondents. Results above are among those who did not answer don’t know.
Thirteen percent of all respondents reported that they or another household member was a victim of a
crime in Wheat Ridge, and about one-quarter of residents said that they had reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge. These rates were similar to those reported in other communities across the nation and in the Front Range (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons for more information), and similar to what had been observed in 2015.
Figure 13: Crime Victimization and Reporting, 2015-2018
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months.
Percent yes
24%
14%
24%
13%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat
Ridge
Household member was a victim of a crime
in Wheat Ridge 2018
2015
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 16
When asked how important it was for the Wheat Ridge Police Department to prioritize resources to
different areas over the next 12 month period, nearly all (96%) indicated that solving violent crimes was
essential or very important, with 69% saying it was essential. This item was clearly of importance to the greatest proportion of respondents, followed by crime prevention and reducing illegal drug activity, which were considered essential by 4 in 10 respondents. Solving property crimes and reducing illegal activities committed by youth were considered essential by 3 in 10 respondents. The rank order of these
priorities was similar in 2015, although reducing illegal drug activities committed by youth was
considered essential by a somewhat greater proportion of respondents in 2015 than was crime prevention.
Figure 14: Importance of Police Department Resource Prioritization, 2015-2018
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department to prioritize resources in
each of the following areas in the next 12 months?
Percent essential
*These items were significantly different in 2018 compared to 2015.
19%
25%
42%
43%
48%
39%
76%
17%
25%
33%
36%
41%
42%
69%
Code enforcement
Enforcement of traffic laws
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth*
Solving property crimes*
Reducing illegal drug activity*
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers,
neighborhood watch, citizen police academy)
Solving violent crimes*
2018
2015
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 17
Residents indicated what priority they would place on various activities or strategies for the police
department in the next two years. The highest priority was given to additional training for officers to
more effectively deal with mental health issues, rated as a high priority by two-thirds of respondents. Adding surveillance cameras in high crime areas was deemed a high priority by about half of respondents.
Four activities or strategies were considered a high priority by 30% to 40% of respondents, and included
increased visibility of police, increased use of technology such as body cameras, additional officers in
schools, and more community policing officers who problem solve at the community level. Less than 30% considered it a high priority to foster better connections with the community and to provide greater access to police and policing information, although even these lowest priority items were considered at least a medium priority by more than 70% of respondents.
Figure 15: Police Department Priorities, 2018
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police Department
place on each of the following in the next two years?
Percent of respondents
26%
29%
32%
34%
37%
38%
52%
63%
50%
54%
46%
34%
40%
41%
30%
30%
21%
14%
20%
21%
18%
18%
12%
5%
3%
3%
2%
11%
4%
4%
6%
2%
Greater accessibility to police and
police-related information
Better connection with the
community (i e , community forums,
events)
More community policing officers
(problem solving at a community-level
such as neighborhood problems)
Adding officers in public schools
Increasing use of technology, such as
body cameras
Increased visibility of police
Adding surveillance cameras in high
crime area
Additional training for officers to
more effectively deal with mental
health issues
High priority Medium priority Low priority Not a priority
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 18
City Services and Government Performance
Opinions about the quality and importance of City services as well as the performance of local government and city employees was assessed on the survey.
Evaluations of City Services
The overall quality of City services was rated positively by a majority of residents, with 9% giving an
excellent rating and 65% giving a good rating (see Figure 16). Twenty-four percent felt the overall quality of services was fair and only 3% said it was poor. This was similar to ratings given by respondents in previous years (see Figure 17) and similar to the national and Front Range benchmark comparisons (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons).
Figure 16: Overall Quality of City Services, 2018
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge?
Figure 17: Overall Quality of City Services, 2008-2018
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge?
Percent excellent or good
Excellent
9%
Good
65%
Fair
24%
Poor
3%
75%75%72%74%
2008 2012 2015 2018
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 19
In addition to rating the quality of overall city services, respondents were asked to evaluate the quality
and importance of 22 specific city services.
Overall, 60% or more respondents gave excellent or good ratings to 14 of the 22 services, with the highest evaluations going to services related to parks, recreation, open space and trails and police services (see Figure 19 on page 20). Four services were given a positive assessment by fewer than half of respondents, including code enforcement, building inspections, community/public art and land use,
planning and zoning.
Compared to 2015, most service ratings remained stable. However, four services saw significant increases in 2018, most of which represented increases back to levels observed prior to 2015:
street cleaning,
public information services,
street repair and maintenance, and
crime prevention.
Three services saw a significant decline in 2018 from 2015; these were: animal control,
services/programs for seniors and police emergency response.
Of the 19 services that could be compared to national benchmark, 14 were similar and five were below (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons). Of the 15 services that could be compared to Front Range benchmarks, 11 were similar and four were below.
Figure 18: City Services Benchmark Comparisons
National Benchmark Comparisons Front Range Benchmark Comparisons
Below the benchmark
Services/programs for youth
Municipal court
Public information services
Policing services
Building inspections
Below the benchmark
Maintenance of existing city parks
Municipal court
Public information services
Policing services
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 20
Figure 19: Quality of City Services, 2004-2018
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge.
For each service, please first rate the quality of each service
and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Recreation programs* 78% 79% 82% 81% 81% 81%
Maintenance of open space and trails 77% 78% 77% 75% 80% 74%
Recreation facilities 77% 83% 85% 85% 87% 85%
Maintenance of existing city parks* 74% 77% 80% 77% 79% 76%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code
enforcement)* 74% 79% 83% 79% 79% 79%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood
watch, citizen police academy)* 70% 59% 67%
Services/programs for seniors* 68% 76% 77% 72% 74% 75%
Policing services 68% 69% 76% 73% 72% 76%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not
code enforcement)* 68% 72% 77% 69% 64% 71%
Snow removal 64% 67% 67% 58% 69% 64%
Street cleaning 64% 57% 62% 58% 63% 62%
Traffic enforcement* 64% 66% 69% 69% 69% 66%
Services/programs for youth* 61% 64% 64% 65% 54% 64%
Animal control* 60% 68% 71%
Public information services 56% 48%
Municipal court* 54% 60% 67% 66% 68% 66%
Street repair and maintenance 52% 42% 56% 51% 58% 55%
Building permits* 52% 48% 51% 56% 54% 56%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash,
outside storage)* 49% 48% 49% 45% 42% 42%
Building inspections* 49% 52% 59% 57% 52% 54%
Community/public art* 47% 40% 41% 45% 43%
Land use, planning and zoning* 42% 43% 46% 41%
*Note: For these items, more than 20% of respondents answered don’t know; many more in some cases. See Table 9 in
Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses for the results with “don’t know” responses; the table above displays the
percent rating as excellent or good among those who did not respond “don’t know.”
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 21
Residents also assessed the importance of the same 22 services for which they had evaluated quality.
Five services were considered essential or very important by about 9 in 10 respondents; these included
police response time to emergency police calls, crime prevention, street repair and maintenance, police non-emergency response times and policing services.
When compared to 2015, the proportion of respondents rating the importance of four services increased: street cleaning, code enforcement, recreation programs and community/public art. Five other services
saw decreases in the proportion rating them as essential or very important in 2018 compared to 2015:
snow removal, street repair and maintenance, recreation facilities, municipal court and public information services.
Figure 20: Importance of City Services, 2004-2018
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge.
For each service, please first rate the quality of each service
and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent essential or very important 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 93% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood
watch, citizen police academy) 89% 86% 94%
Street repair and maintenance 88% 95% 89% 86% 87% 86%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not
code enforcement) 88% 87% 89% 88% 89% 87%
Policing services 87% 87% 91% 91% 94% 94%
Maintenance of open space and trails 86% 84% 80% 82% 77% 74%
Snow removal 83% 90% 83% 83% 77% 82%
Maintenance of existing city parks 83% 86% 85% 85% 83% 77%
Services/programs for youth 80% 76% 79% 81% 83% 81%
Recreation programs 75% 66% 72% 72% 71% 69%
Land use, planning and zoning 74% 77% 79% 76%
Traffic enforcement 73% 76% 72% 77% 78% 82%
Building inspections 73% 71% 72% 71% 77% 70%
Municipal court* 69% 75% 76% 78% 79% 78%
Street cleaning 68% 61% 53% 55% 53% 55%
Services/programs for seniors* 68% 70% 75% 77% 79% 76%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash,
outside storage)* 66% 59% 66% 69% 72% 67%
Building permits 66% 63% 68% 64% 68% 65%
Recreation facilities 66% 73% 74% 76% 75% 74%
Public information services 63% 68%
Animal control 56% 59% 60%
Community/public art 53% 37% 44% 46% 38%
*Note: For these items, 20% to 24% of respondents answered don’t know. The table above displays the percent rating as
essential or very important among those who did not respond “don’t know.”
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 22
Balancing Quality and Importance Ratings of importance were compared to ratings of quality to help guide City staff and officials with decisions on future resource allocation. Most government services are considered to be important, but when competition for limited resources demands that efficiencies or cutbacks be instituted, it is wise not
only to know what services are deemed most important to residents’ quality of life, but which services
among the most important are perceived to be delivered with the lowest quality. It is these services – more important services delivered with lower quality – to which attention needs to be paid first.
To identify the services perceived by residents to have relatively lower quality at the same time as relatively higher importance, the quality and importance ratings were plotted for each service.
Services were classified as “more important” if they were rated as essential or very important by 74% or
more of respondents (the median importance rating across all services) and as “less important” if less than 74% of respondents considered them essential or important. Services receiving quality ratings of excellent or good by 64% or more of respondents (the median across all services) were considered of “higher quality” and those considered excellent or good by less than 64% were considered to be of “lower quality.”
Figure 22 on the next page displays the plot of these services. They are displayed in a matrix in Figure 21 below. In both figures, the upper left-hand quadrant contains those services of higher importance but lower quality. Figure 21 also shows in bolded red font those services that received ratings lower than the national benchmark comparison. Services/programs for youth and policing services are two services of higher importance, but with ratings below their benchmark comparisons.
Figure 21: City Services by Quality and Importance, 2018
Lower Quality Higher Quality
Hi
g
h
e
r
I
m
p
o
r
t
a
n
c
e
Street repair and maintenance
Land use, planning and zoning
Services/programs for youth
Snow removal
Maintenance of existing city parks
Maintenance of open space and trails
Recreation programs
Policing services
Police emergency response time
Police non-emergency response time
Crime prevention
Lo
w
e
r
I
m
p
o
r
t
a
n
c
e
Code enforcement
Animal control
Building permits
Building inspections
Community/public art
Municipal court
Public information services
Street cleaning
Traffic enforcement
Recreation facilities
Services/programs for seniors
Note: Bolded items with red font are those that were below the national benchmark comparisons.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 23
Figure 22: Comparison of Performance and Importance Ratings, 2018
Snow removal
Street repair and maintenance
Street cleaning
Traffic enforcement
Animal control
Land use, planning
and zoning
Building permits
Building inspections
Maintenance of existing city parks
Maintenance of open space and trails
Recreation programs
Recreation facilities
Community/public art
Services/programs for youth
Services/programs for seniorsMunicipal court
Public information services
Policing services
Police emergency response time
Police non-emergency
response time Crime prevention
Code enforcement
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%
Im
p
o
r
t
a
n
c
e
Pe
r
c
e
n
t
e
s
s
e
n
t
i
a
l
o
r
v
e
r
y
i
m
p
o
r
t
a
n
t
QualityPercent excellent or good
Higher importance/lower quality Higher importance/higher quality
Lower importance/lower quality Lower importance/higher quality
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 24
City Government and Employee Performance
The overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government received excellent or good ratings from
about 6 in 10 respondents. These ratings were higher than ratings given in 2015 and represented a return to levels observed in surveys previous to 2015.
Figure 23: Overall City Government Performance, 2018
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government?
Note: Thirty-one percent of respondents answered “don’t know.” The figure shows responses among those who did not
answer don’t know.
Figure 24: Overall City Government Performance, 2004-2018
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government?
Percent excellent or good
Excellent
6%
Good
58%
Fair
29%
Poor
7%
60%62%65%64%
51%
64%
2004 2006 2008 2012 2015 2018
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 25
Survey respondents rated six aspects of the City government performance. Seven in 10 respondents felt
that the quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees was excellent or good. About 6 in
10 deemed the overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking as excellent or good. Just over half believed that the extent to which elected officials act in the best interest of the community was excellent or good, and just over half felt that the City government does an excellent or good job at welcoming citizen involvement. About half believed the City does an excellent or good job at informing residents about
major issues, and a similar proportion considered the value of services for the taxes paid to be excellent
or good.
In general, a greater proportion of respondents in 2018 positively rated most aspects of City government performance compared to 2015, returning the ratings to the levels observed in survey years prior to 2015.
Where comparisons were available to the benchmarks, Wheat Ridge residents generally gave similar
ratings (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons). However, the job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within the community was lower than the national and Front Range benchmarks.
Figure 25: Aspects of City Government Performance, 2004-2018
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city
government performance.
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge
employees 72% 67% 72% 69% 70% 70%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 60% 51% 56% 61% 60% 51%
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in
the best interest of the community at large 57% 42% 59% 71% 69% 64%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming
citizen involvement 55% 43% 50% 61% 64% 59%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 52% 48% 53% 55% 58% 62%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on
major issues within the community 52% 36% 48% 40% 46% 46%
The question wording changed in 2012. Before 2012, respondents were asked how strongly they agreed or disagreed with
positively-worded statements about public trust. (See the 2008 report for the exact wording for each item.)
Between 17% and 38% of respondents in 2018 answered “don’t know” to these items. The responses above are among those
who did not answer don’t know.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 26
City Employees
About 4 in 10 residents reported having contact with a City employee in the 12 months prior to the
survey. This was a similar reported rate of contact as had been observed in previous years (except 2012) and similar to rates observed in the Front Range but below what has been observed nationally (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons).
Figure 26: Contact with City Employee, 2004-2018
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person, phone or email contact with a City of
Wheat Ridge employee(s)?
Percent who had contact in the last 12 months
44%44%40%35%42%40%
2004 2006 2008 2012 2015 2018
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 27
Those who had contact with a City employee were asked to evaluate their interaction with the employee
in their most recent contact. About three-quarters rated their overall impression of the City employee in
their most recent interaction as excellent or good. This was higher than had been observed in 2015, but similar to survey years previous to 2015 (see Figure 27).
Ratings of the interactions with city employees generally were positive, and several had increased in 2018 from 2015 back to previous levels, as had been observed for overall impression (see Figure 28).
However, ratings of employee knowledge and responsiveness had decreased almost 10 points in 2015,
and remained at 2015 levels in 2018. Ratings for these two aspects of City employee interactions were below the national and Front Range benchmarks. Other ratings that could be compared were similar to the national benchmarks, but employee courtesy also was rated below the Front Range benchmark (see Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons).
Figure 27: Rating of Overall Impression of City Employees, 2004-2018
Percent who had contact in the last 12 months rating as excellent or good
Figure 28: City Employee Characteristics, 2004-2018
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge
employee in your most recent contact? (Rate each
characteristic below.)* Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Courtesy 84% 75% 86% 85% 82% 81%
Knowledge 77% 72% 86% 82% 78% 78%
Responsiveness 72% 71% 81% 76% 76% 76%
Making you feel valued 70% 60% 76% 69% 69% 69%
Overall impression 76% 65% 79% 72% 75% 73%
*Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
73%75%72%79%
65%
76%
2004 2006 2008 2012 2015 2018
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 28
Policy and Special Topics
Shopping in Wheat Ridge
Since 2004, Wheat Ridge residents have reported the frequency with which they make purchases in Wheat Ridge for various types of items. About 9 in 10 respondents have reported shopping for groceries in Wheat Ridge somewhat or very frequently over all the survey years. About two-thirds have made
meals and entertainment purchases in Wheat Ridge in all survey years. About 6 in 10 somewhat or very frequently have made purchases in Wheat Ridge of household items. There has been a decline over the years in the proportion making health services purchases in Wheat Ridge somewhat or very frequently, from 54% and 55% in 2004 and 2006 to 45% in 2018. The proportion making general retail purchases had been at about 40% from 2004 to 2012, but declined to about 30% in 2015 and 2018.
Figure 29: Frequency of Shopping in Wheat Ridge, 2004-2018
For each type of shopping, please estimate how
frequently you make purchases in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding somewhat or very frequently 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Grocery shopping 89% 87% 82% 87% 91% 88%
Health services 45% 44% 47% 52% 55% 54%
Meals and entertainment 64% 63% 62% 68% 68% 68%
Household items 57% 58% 59% 63% 65% 63%
Computers and electronics 9% 13% 16% 14% 12% 12%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) 32% 31% 41% 41% 43% 44%
Community gardens 16%
The most common reason for shopping outside of Wheat Ridge was that the desired item was not available in the city. In 2018, about half of respondents said they did not shop in Wheat Ridge because they shop online. About half reported visiting malls or other major retailers, while four in 10 say they
liked the range of goods and services outside of Wheat Ridge, or it was convenient to shop outside of Wheat Ridge on their way to or from work.
Figure 30: Reasons for Shopping Outside of Wheat Ridge, 2004-2018
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop
outside of Wheat Ridge? (Check all that apply.) 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 66% 70% 67% 66% 67% 71%
I shop online 53%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 48% 51% 55% 54%
I like the range of quality goods and services 43% 42% 43% 39% 41% 42%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my
home 41% 36% 39% 36% 40% 39%
It is more affordable 18% 18% 21% 19% 20% 16%
Other 6% 15% 16% 17% 5% 4%
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 3% 4% 5% 5%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 29
Economic Development
Since 2004, respondents to the survey have indicated the extent to which they agreed with several
statements regarding the City’s economic development efforts. Sentiments in 2018 generally were similar to those in 2015 and previous years, with about 8 in 10 respondents agreeing with each effort. However, the level of agreement with promoting efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail businesses and promoting efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th Avenue, 44th Avenue,
Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling Street dropped significantly between 2012 and 2015. However,
agreement levels returned in 2018 to those roughly similar to what had been observed in 2004 to 2012. In 2018, a new item was added, and about 8 in 10 respondents agreed that the City of Wheat Ridge should promote efforts to attract new jobs.
Figure 31: Economic Development, 2004-2018
Please rate the following statements by circling the
number which best represents your opinion. Wheat Ridge
should...
Percent responding strongly or somewhat agree 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business
areas 85% 84% 85% 83% 83% 78%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as
38th Avenue, 44th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard and
Kipling St 82% 77% 87% 85% 83% 79%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing
areas 80% 78% 78% 79% 79% 77%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail
businesses to Wheat Ridge 79% 81% 87% 82% 78% 71%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 78%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and identity 76% 80% 78% 81% 78% 72%
Homelessness About 2 in 10 respondents considered homelessness a major problem in Wheat Ridge, and another 4 in 10 considered it a moderate problem.
Figure 32: Extent to Which Homelessness is Viewed as a Problem in Wheat Ridge, 2018
Percent of respondents
20%41%30%9%
To what degree, if at all, is
homelessness a problem in
the City of Wheat Ridge?
Major problem Moderate problem Minor problem Not a problem
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 30
Respondents indicated how important they felt it was for the City of Wheat Ridge to contribute funding
to community-based organizations providing various services to people who are homeless. Over half of
respondents felt it was essential or very important to provide all the types of services queried about on the survey. Support was strongest for mental health programs and substance abuse programs, with about 4 in 10 feeling it was essential for the City to contribute to these types of services, and over 8 in 10 feeling it was very important or essential to do so.
Figure 33: Importance of City Involvement in Providing Homeless Services, 2018
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute funding to community-based
organizations that provide each of the following services to the homeless populations?
Percent of respondents
23%
28%
34%
34%
39%
45%
36%
32%
35%
35%
39%
36%
31%
29%
23%
24%
17%
15%
10%
10%
8%
7%
5%
4%
Job training programs
Housing/rental assistance programs
Supportive housing, which combines
housing with services such as job
training and substance abuse treatment
Shelters for severe weather
Substance abuse programs
Mental health programs
Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 31
Short-Term Rentals
Respondents provided their level of support for or opposition to a number of policies that could be
enacted regarding short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) in Wheat Ridge.
There were three policies that had greater support than opposition: allowing accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or garages) to be used as short-term rentals, requiring residents to apply for a City license to rent their property and allowing single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as
short-term rentals. Support outweighed opposition for these policies by 17% to 20%.
Collecting a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals was supported by 44% of respondents, but opposition was nearly as strong at 35%. Support and opposition were nearly equal for limiting the total number of days a property can be rented per year (37% supported and 35% opposed).
Requiring the property owner(s) to live in the house and only rent room(s), not the whole house, was
opposed by more respondents (45%) than supported (25%).
Figure 34: Level of Support for Potential Policies Regarding Short-Term Rentals, 2018
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following conditions if short-term
rentals (such as Airbnb) were allowed in the City?
Percent of respondents
Renters were more supportive of the City allowing single family homes, apartments or condos to be
used as short-term rentals, while homeowners were more likely to support requiring the property owner to live in the house and only rent rooms. Homeowners, those in single family homes and those who voted in the last election were more in favor of limiting the number of days a property can be rented per year than were their counterparts (see Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses.)
10%
18%
21%
24%
24%
27%
15%
19%
27%
25%
20%
21%
30%
28%
22%
23%
20%
21%
17%
17%
15%
15%
11%
10%
28%
18%
16%
14%
24%
21%
Require the property owner(s) to live
in the house and only rent room(s),
not the whole house
Limit the total number of days a
property can be rented per year
Allow accessory dwelling units (e g ,
carriage houses or garages) to be
used as short-term rentals
Allow single family homes,
apartments or condos to be used as
short-term rentals
Collect a lodger's tax for short-term
rentals (similar to the current lodger's
tax for visitors of hotels/motels,…
Require residents to apply for a City
license to rent their property
Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support/oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 32
Height Restrictions
Resident opinion about height restrictions was solicited. About two-thirds supported “bulk plane”
regulations in general, while 15% opposed it (and 24% were neutral). Just over half supported expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of the city, while 19% opposed such expansion.
Figure 35: Level of Support for Bulk Plane Regulations, 2018
Currently, the City restricts residential building heights for new construction and additions.
In addition, there are bulk plane regulations in two zone districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane
is a diagonal limit that also regulates vertical construction. By adding the diagonal limit, a
house's upper stories are required to be set back further from perimeter property lines. This
typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but increases the required separation between homes.
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following regulations?
Percent of respondents
When asked whether they thought the City should maintain current residential building height
restrictions for new infill development in established neighborhoods or whether further restrictions in residential building heights should be imposed, about twice as many felt current restrictions should be maintained (54%) than thought further restrictions should be enacted (23%).
Figure 36: Height Restrictions, 2018
The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-family zone districts.
Thinking about the building height of single- and two-family homes in Wheat Ridge, please
select the one statement below that most closely represents your opinion.
27%
32%
26%
29%
29%
24%
7%
7%
12%
8%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to
other zones of city
Bulk plane regulations in general
Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support/oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
The City should maintain current
residential building heights for
new infill development in
established neighborhoods
54%
The City should further restrict
current residential building
heights for new infill
development in established
neighborhoods
23%
I don't know
23%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 33
Accessory Dwelling Units
Those participating in the Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey were provided a definition of an
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and were asked several questions about their use in Wheat Ridge.
Currently, ADUs are not allowed in the City of Wheat Ridge. However, just over half of respondents (53%) would support the City allowing them, while about a quarter (24%) would oppose such a move. Another quarter (23%) were neutral.
Figure 37: Level of Support for Allowing Accessory Dwelling Units, 2018
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing units with a separate
entrance, kitchen, bath, and bed created within a single family home or on its lot. Currently the
City does not allow ADUs. To what extent do you support or oppose the City allowing ADUs?
Percent of respondents
If ADUs were allowed, about 7 in 10 respondents felt it would be essential or very important to limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU and to ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home. Six in 10 considered it essential or very important to require off-street parking. About half believed it would be at least very important to require the property owner to live on the property, in
either the main house or the ADU, and half thought it was important to restrict the size of the ADU.
Figure 38: Importance of Accessory Dwelling Units Regulations, 2018
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the following
regulations be?
Percent of respondents
Where differences were observed, homeowners, those living in single family homes and voters were
more likely to feel regulations for ADUs, if allowed, were essential or very important than were their counterparts.
27%26%23%11%13%To what extent do you support or
oppose the City allowing ADUs?
Strongly support Somewhat support Neither support nor oppose Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
25%
31%
33%
39%
40%
28%
30%
21%
31%
29%
31%
25%
22%
21%
21%
15%
14%
24%
8%
10%
Restrict the size of the ADU
Require off-street parking
Require the property owner to live in
either the main house or ADU
Ensure the ADU is architecturally
compatible with the existing home
Limit the number of people allowed to
live in the ADU
Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 34
When asked how likely they would be to consider adding an ADU for various reasons, about 8 in 10
respondents would be very or somewhat likely to consider adding an ADU for an elderly family member
or a family member with disabilities. Just over half might consider adding an ADU for their own personal use, for the rental income, for an adult child or for visitors.
Figure 39: Likelihood of Considering Adding an ADU, 2018
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for each of the following
reasons?
Percent of respondents
Note: 20% to 24% of respondents answered “don’t know” or “not applicable” to these items.
18%
21%
21%
24%
48%
50%
33%
33%
33%
32%
31%
32%
21%
19%
18%
18%
7%
7%
28%
27%
27%
26%
13%
11%
For visitors
For an adult child
For rental income
For my own personal use
For a disabled family member
For an elderly family member
Very likely Somewhat likely Somewhat unlikely Very unlikely
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 35
Environmental Sustainability
Survey respondents assessed the importance of City involvement in environmental sustainability issues,
which might or might not increase taxpayer costs. Most of the activities presented to respondents were considered essential or very important by over half of respondents, but less than half thought it was essential or very important to divert trash from landfill or start a composting program.
The issues considered essential or very important by the greatest proportion of respondents, about three-
quarters, were creating walkable communities, encouraging water quality improvement and encouraging
water conservation. About 7 in 10 respondents believed it was essential or very important for the City to promote renewable energy in the community, promote renewable energy in homes, and increase energy efficiency for city buildings.
Figure 40: Importance of City Focus on Environmental Sustainability, 2018
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of the following areas of
environmental sustainability, which may or may not increase costs for taxpayers?
Percent of respondents
16%
19%
20%
27%
28%
30%
31%
32%
32%
33%
35%
44%
25%
40%
32%
43%
39%
42%
37%
41%
42%
37%
44%
31%
40%
30%
32%
24%
24%
22%
21%
24%
22%
20%
17%
19%
20%
11%
15%
5%
9%
5%
11%
4%
4%
10%
5%
6%
Starting a composting program
Diverting trash from the landfill
Encouraging biking or walking,
instead of automobile use
Promoting energy efficiency for the
community
Encouraging construction of green
buildings in the community
Ensuring availability of and access to
public transit
Promoting renewable energy (wind or
solar) in the home
Increasing energy efficiency for city
buildings
Encouraging water conservation
Promoting renewable energy (wind or
solar) in the community
Encouraging water quality
improvement
Creating walkable communities
Essential Very important Somewhat important Not at all important
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 36
Communication with Residents
As in previous years, survey respondents shared whether they used various sources of information for news about Wheat Ridge. Word of mouth, the City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter the Parks and Recreation Activity Guide and the Neighborhood Gazette topped the list as the most used sources of
information, with at least two-thirds of residents saying they used these sources at least once in the 12
months prior to the survey. About half had used the City’s website, a quarter had used the City website’s automatic notifications and 2 in 10 had used the City’s social medial sites. About 2 in 10 had watched WRTV8, and 1 in 10 had viewed the City’s live or on-demand videostreaming. About a third of respondents had received information about Wheat Ridge on NextDoor or other neighborhood websites.
Since 2015, use of neighborhood websites and the Police Department’s social media sites have
increased, while use of newspapers had decreased.
Figure 41: Information Sources, 2004-2018
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you
or other household members used the following sources of
information for news about Wheat Ridge?
Percent responding at least once or twice 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Word of mouth 82% 83% 78% 79% 76% 76%
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter 73% 72% 67% 70% 68% 64%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 71%
Neighborhood Gazette 68% 68% 60%
Television news 62% 62% 57% 76% 71% 75%
City's website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us 50% 46% 40% 34% 27% 23%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 46% 52% 57% 45% 49% 47%
Radio news 45% 42% 33% 52% 48% 52%
Denver Post 44% 49% 60% 69% 71% 74%
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) 36% 18%
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events,
calendar listing) 25% 23%
Denver Post YourHub 24% 32% 28%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 24%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 21% 20% 30% 48% 45% 50%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook
or Twitter) 20% 16%
Community-created Facebook groups about Wheat Ridge 20% 17%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 13% 14%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 10% 11% 11%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 6% 8%
Respondents age 18-34 were less likely to have used print media, television news and radio news in the
12 months prior to the survey to get news about Wheat Ridge than were those who were 35 years of age or older. Older residents (55+) were less likely to have used the City’s website, social media sites and neighborhood websites as sources of information about Wheat Ridge (see Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses.)
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 37
A question was added to the 2018 survey about respondent’s general use of various social networking
sites. The two sites used by the greatest proportion of respondents were Facebook, used at least once a
month by about two-thirds of respondents, and YouTube, used at least once a month by 72% of respondents. Instagram and LinkedIn were used by about a third of respondents, NextDoor by about 3 in 10 respondents, and Twitter and Snapchat were used by about 2 in 10 respondents each. Of those who used a social media site, Facebook was the one visited most frequently, with half of users (a third of all
respondents) visiting the site daily.
Figure 42: Use of Social Media Sites, 2018
In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use each of the following social
media sites?
Percent of respondents
As may be expected, use of various social media sites decreased as age increased. Females and those
who were not white tended to be more likely to use social media sites than their counterparts (see
Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses.)
2%
4%
6%
7%
14%
15%
33%
7%
7%
4%
3%
22%
7%
16%
10%
8%
5%
4%
14%
5%
7%
19%
11%
4%
7%
23%
6%
9%
62%
69%
81%
80%
28%
67%
34%
LinkedIn
NextDoor
Snapchat
Twitter
YouTube
Instagram
Facebook
Daily Multiple times a week Once a week 1-3 times a month Never
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 38
Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses
The following pages contain a complete set of responses to each question on the survey. For questions that included a “don’t know” or “not applicable” response option, two tables for that question are provided: the first that excludes the don’t know or not applicable responses, the second that includes those response options.
Table 1: Question #1 without don't know responses
Circle the number that best represents your opinion: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 30% 60% 9% 0% 100%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 27% 52% 19% 1% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 24% 53% 21% 3% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 18% 43% 29% 10% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 24% 49% 22% 5% 100%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a
whole? 11% 42% 38% 10% 100%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 19% 62% 19% 1% 100%
Table 2: Question #1 with don't know responses
Circle the number that best represents your opinion: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 30% 60% 9% 0% 0% 100%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 27% 52% 19% 1% 0% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 17% 38% 15% 2% 28% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 9% 23% 15% 5% 48% 100%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 17% 35% 15% 4% 29% 100%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a
whole? 11% 41% 38% 10% 0% 100%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 19% 62% 19% 1% 0% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 39
Table 3: Question #2
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay the same, or decline over the next 5
years? Percent of respondents
Improve a lot 13%
Improve slightly 49%
Stay the same 19%
Decline slightly 16%
Decline a lot 3%
Total 100%
Table 4: Question #3
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that apply.) Percent of respondents*
I feel safe here 44%
I like the school my children attend 8%
My job is here 12%
I like my neighborhood 49%
I like the location in general 76%
I like the access to dining and entertainment 29%
Housing and rental rates are affordable 29%
I've always lived here 13%
I have friends and family in the area 26%
Small town feel 27%
Cost of living is affordable 26%
I like that the community is forward-thinking 16%
The growing and diverse community 14%
None of these 4%
Total 100%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
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Table 5: Question #4 without don't know responses
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat
Ridge as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Sense of community 10% 54% 33% 4% 100%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse
backgrounds 10% 50% 36% 5% 100%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 8% 51% 32% 8% 100%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 9% 46% 35% 11% 100%
Variety of housing options 8% 40% 37% 14% 100%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 11% 46% 33% 10% 100%
Shopping opportunities 8% 29% 44% 19% 100%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 8% 32% 41% 18% 100%
Recreational opportunities 23% 53% 20% 3% 100%
Employment opportunities 4% 33% 44% 19% 100%
Educational opportunities 8% 38% 40% 14% 100%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 11% 47% 36% 5% 100%
Opportunities to volunteer 16% 53% 27% 4% 100%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 11% 52% 30% 7% 100%
Availability of paths and walking trails 33% 46% 17% 4% 100%
Availability of bike trails 30% 47% 18% 5% 100%
Availability of affordable quality housing 3% 32% 39% 26% 100%
Availability of affordable quality child care 6% 27% 38% 29% 100%
Availability of affordable quality health care 13% 49% 27% 12% 100%
Availability of affordable quality food 16% 53% 25% 6% 100%
Availability of preventive health services 13% 51% 28% 8% 100%
Air quality 8% 56% 32% 5% 100%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 13% 57% 27% 3% 100%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 12% 49% 31% 7% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 41
Table 6: Question #4 with don't know responses
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat
Ridge as a whole: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
Sense of community 9% 49% 30% 4% 8% 100%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse
backgrounds 8% 41% 30% 4% 17% 100%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 8% 51% 32% 8% 0% 100%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 8% 41% 32% 10% 10% 100%
Variety of housing options 7% 36% 33% 13% 12% 100%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 10% 45% 32% 10% 3% 100%
Shopping opportunities 8% 29% 43% 19% 1% 100%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 7% 28% 36% 15% 14% 100%
Recreational opportunities 22% 51% 19% 3% 5% 100%
Employment opportunities 2% 18% 24% 10% 46% 100%
Educational opportunities 5% 23% 24% 9% 39% 100%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 9% 40% 30% 4% 16% 100%
Opportunities to volunteer 11% 34% 18% 2% 35% 100%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 8% 37% 21% 5% 29% 100%
Availability of paths and walking trails 32% 45% 17% 4% 3% 100%
Availability of bike trails 26% 41% 16% 5% 13% 100%
Availability of affordable quality housing 3% 27% 32% 22% 16% 100%
Availability of affordable quality child care 1% 7% 10% 8% 74% 100%
Availability of affordable quality health care 9% 35% 19% 8% 28% 100%
Availability of affordable quality food 15% 52% 24% 6% 3% 100%
Availability of preventive health services 9% 36% 20% 6% 29% 100%
Air quality 7% 53% 30% 4% 6% 100%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 13% 56% 27% 3% 1% 100%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 11% 48% 30% 7% 3% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 42
Table 7: Question #5
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other
household members participated in the following activities in Wheat
Ridge? Never 1-2 times
3-12
times
13-26
times
More
than 26
times Total
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 41% 18% 19% 7% 14% 100%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 58% 21% 12% 4% 6% 100%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 14% 11% 30% 17% 28% 100%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 79% 11% 7% 2% 1% 100%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 22% 13% 26% 13% 26% 100%
Used Clear Creek Trail 32% 16% 23% 10% 20% 100%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public meeting 77% 18% 4% 1% 1% 100%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television 79% 14% 5% 2% 0% 100%
Participated in a senior program 85% 7% 4% 2% 3% 100%
Visited the Active Adult Center 79% 11% 5% 2% 3% 100%
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 7% 13% 39% 22% 19% 100%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 52% 18% 18% 6% 6% 100%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 32% 39% 23% 4% 2% 100%
Ridden an RTD bus 63% 12% 12% 4% 9% 100%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 59% 17% 14% 5% 5% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 43
Table 8: Question #6: Quality, without don't know responses
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Snow removal 16% 48% 23% 13% 100%
Street repair and maintenance 6% 46% 36% 12% 100%
Maintenance of open space and trails 10% 54% 28% 8% 100%
Recreation programs 9% 55% 26% 9% 100%
Recreation facilities 11% 38% 29% 22% 100%
Community/public art 11% 49% 29% 11% 100%
Services/programs for youth 6% 36% 40% 18% 100%
Services/programs for seniors 9% 43% 34% 14% 100%
Municipal court 8% 41% 37% 15% 100%
Public information services 18% 56% 20% 6% 100%
Policing services 18% 59% 19% 4% 100%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 22% 56% 18% 4% 100%
Street cleaning 24% 53% 20% 3% 100%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 9% 38% 34% 19% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen
police academy) 10% 51% 27% 12% 100%
Traffic enforcement 15% 52% 24% 8% 100%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 9% 46% 31% 15% 100%
Animal control 10% 46% 33% 10% 100%
Land use, planning and zoning 14% 55% 23% 9% 100%
Building permits 24% 49% 18% 8% 100%
Building inspections 17% 51% 20% 11% 100%
Maintenance of existing city parks 15% 54% 21% 10% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 44
Table 9: Question #6: Quality, with don't know responses
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service. Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
Snow removal 16% 46% 23% 13% 3% 100%
Street repair and maintenance 6% 44% 35% 11% 5% 100%
Maintenance of open space and trails 9% 50% 26% 8% 8% 100%
Recreation programs 7% 43% 20% 7% 22% 100%
Recreation facilities 9% 31% 23% 18% 19% 100%
Community/public art 7% 34% 20% 8% 31% 100%
Services/programs for youth 3% 21% 23% 11% 42% 100%
Services/programs for seniors 4% 18% 14% 6% 58% 100%
Municipal court 3% 16% 15% 6% 60% 100%
Public information services 15% 47% 17% 5% 16% 100%
Policing services 15% 50% 16% 4% 16% 100%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 13% 34% 11% 2% 40% 100%
Street cleaning 19% 44% 16% 3% 18% 100%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 5% 21% 19% 10% 44% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen
police academy) 3% 18% 10% 4% 65% 100%
Traffic enforcement 9% 30% 14% 4% 44% 100%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 4% 19% 13% 6% 58% 100%
Animal control 6% 27% 19% 6% 42% 100%
Land use, planning and zoning 10% 41% 17% 7% 25% 100%
Building permits 12% 24% 9% 4% 50% 100%
Building inspections 9% 28% 11% 6% 45% 100%
Maintenance of existing city parks 9% 31% 12% 5% 42% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 45
Table 10: Question #6: Importance, without don't know responses
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service. Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Snow removal 42% 41% 17% 0% 100%
Street repair and maintenance 35% 53% 12% 0% 100%
Maintenance of open space and trails 21% 47% 30% 2% 100%
Recreation programs 25% 48% 26% 1% 100%
Recreation facilities 20% 47% 31% 3% 100%
Community/public art 16% 40% 37% 7% 100%
Services/programs for youth 30% 43% 25% 1% 100%
Services/programs for seniors 25% 41% 31% 2% 100%
Municipal court 27% 46% 25% 2% 100%
Public information services 27% 56% 16% 1% 100%
Policing services 34% 52% 14% 1% 100%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 33% 42% 22% 3% 100%
Street cleaning 18% 48% 31% 3% 100%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 20% 33% 39% 8% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen
police academy) 32% 48% 18% 3% 100%
Traffic enforcement 23% 45% 30% 2% 100%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 25% 44% 29% 2% 100%
Animal control 23% 40% 35% 2% 100%
Land use, planning and zoning 50% 37% 12% 0% 100%
Building permits 61% 32% 7% 1% 100%
Building inspections 37% 51% 12% 1% 100%
Maintenance of existing city parks 42% 47% 11% 0% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 46
Table 11: Question #6: Importance, with don't know responses
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service. Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Don't know Total
Snow removal 42% 40% 17% 0% 1% 100%
Street repair and maintenance 35% 53% 12% 0% 0% 100%
Maintenance of open space and trails 21% 47% 30% 2% 1% 100%
Recreation programs 23% 46% 24% 1% 5% 100%
Recreation facilities 19% 45% 30% 3% 4% 100%
Community/public art 15% 38% 35% 6% 5% 100%
Services/programs for youth 26% 37% 21% 1% 15% 100%
Services/programs for seniors 19% 31% 24% 2% 24% 100%
Municipal court 21% 36% 19% 1% 22% 100%
Public information services 25% 53% 15% 1% 5% 100%
Policing services 32% 50% 13% 0% 4% 100%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 30% 38% 20% 2% 9% 100%
Street cleaning 17% 46% 29% 3% 6% 100%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 18% 28% 34% 7% 13% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen
police academy) 26% 39% 15% 2% 19% 100%
Traffic enforcement 19% 39% 26% 2% 14% 100%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 20% 35% 23% 2% 20% 100%
Animal control 20% 35% 30% 2% 13% 100%
Land use, planning and zoning 46% 34% 11% 0% 8% 100%
Building permits 53% 28% 6% 1% 13% 100%
Building inspections 32% 44% 10% 1% 12% 100%
Maintenance of existing city parks 39% 43% 10% 0% 8% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 47
Table 12: Question #7 without don't know responses
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge? Percent of respondents
Excellent 9%
Good 65%
Fair 24%
Poor 3%
Total 100%
Table 13: Question #7 with don't know responses
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge? Percent of respondents
Excellent 9%
Good 64%
Fair 23%
Poor 3%
Don't know 1%
Total 100%
Table 14: Question #8 without don't know responses
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of
Wheat Ridge: Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Condition of city streets 7% 57% 30% 6% 100%
Access to mass transit 16% 52% 25% 8% 100%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 13% 53% 24% 9% 100%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 13% 55% 26% 5% 100%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 14% 42% 31% 13% 100%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 11% 49% 28% 11% 100%
Traffic flow on major streets 4% 27% 41% 28% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 48
Table 15: Question #8 with don't know responses
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of
Wheat Ridge: Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
Condition of city streets 7% 57% 30% 6% 1% 100%
Access to mass transit 14% 46% 22% 7% 11% 100%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 13% 52% 24% 9% 2% 100%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 8% 35% 16% 3% 38% 100%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 14% 40% 30% 12% 4% 100%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 9% 37% 21% 8% 26% 100%
Traffic flow on major streets 4% 26% 41% 28% 1% 100%
Table 16: Question #9 without don't know responses
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely Total
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 46% 44% 7% 3% 100%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 55% 31% 9% 5% 100%
Table 17: Question #9 with don't know responses
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the
following: Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely
Don't
know Total
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 45% 43% 7% 3% 2% 100%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 53% 30% 9% 5% 3% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 49
Table 18: Question #10 without don't know responses
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government? Percent of respondents
Excellent 6%
Good 58%
Fair 29%
Poor 7%
Total 100%
Table 19: Question #10 with don't know responses
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government? Percent of respondents
Excellent 4%
Good 40%
Fair 20%
Poor 4%
Don't know 31%
Total 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 50
Table 20: Question #11 without don't know responses
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government
performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest
of the community at large 11% 46% 32% 11% 100%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 14% 58% 24% 4% 100%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 9% 44% 35% 12% 100%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 11% 49% 28% 12% 100%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within
the community 13% 39% 31% 17% 100%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen
involvement 16% 39% 28% 17% 100%
Table 21: Question #11 with don't know responses
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government
performance. Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest
of the community at large 7% 28% 20% 7% 38% 100%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 9% 37% 16% 3% 35% 100%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 6% 31% 25% 9% 29% 100%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 9% 40% 23% 10% 18% 100%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within
the community 11% 32% 26% 14% 17% 100%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen
involvement 11% 28% 20% 12% 29% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 51
Table 22: Question #12
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person or phone contact with an employee of the City of Wheat
Ridge? Percent of respondents
Yes 40%
No 60%
Total 100%
Table 23: Question #13 without don't know responses
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in your
most recent contact? (Rate each characteristic below.) Excellent Good Fair Poor Total
Knowledge 30% 47% 18% 5% 100%
Responsiveness 33% 39% 17% 12% 100%
Courtesy 41% 43% 10% 6% 100%
Making you feel valued 29% 41% 19% 12% 100%
Overall impression 30% 46% 15% 9% 100%
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
Table 24: Question #13 with don't know responses
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in your
most recent contact? (Rate each characteristic below.) Excellent Good Fair Poor
Don't
know Total
Knowledge 29% 45% 18% 5% 3% 100%
Responsiveness 32% 38% 16% 12% 2% 100%
Courtesy 41% 42% 10% 6% 1% 100%
Making you feel valued 27% 39% 18% 11% 5% 100%
Overall impression 30% 45% 15% 9% 1% 100%
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 52
Table 25: Question #14 without don't know responses
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in
Wheat Ridge: Very safe
Somewhat
safe
Neither safe
nor unsafe
Somewhat
unsafe Very unsafe Total
Parks and playgrounds 42% 45% 8% 5% 0% 100%
Recreation centers 67% 27% 4% 1% 0% 100%
In your neighborhood 43% 43% 7% 7% 0% 100%
In your home 61% 33% 3% 3% 0% 100%
On the trail system 30% 43% 11% 12% 4% 100%
On roadways 23% 47% 17% 11% 2% 100%
Retail/commercial areas 36% 46% 14% 3% 1% 100%
Table 26: Question #14 with don't know responses
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in
Wheat Ridge: Very safe
Somewha
t safe
Neither
safe nor
unsafe
Somewha
t unsafe
Very
unsafe
Don't
know Total
Parks and playgrounds 39% 42% 8% 4% 0% 7% 100%
Recreation centers 51% 20% 3% 1% 0% 24% 100%
In your neighborhood 43% 43% 7% 7% 0% 0% 100%
In your home 61% 33% 3% 3% 0% 0% 100%
On the trail system 26% 38% 10% 10% 3% 13% 100%
On roadways 23% 46% 17% 11% 2% 2% 100%
Retail/commercial areas 35% 45% 14% 3% 1% 2% 100%
Table 27: Question #15
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months. No Yes Total
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 87% 13% 100%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge 76% 24% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 53
Table 28: Question #16 without don't know responses
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department
to prioritize resources in each of the following areas in the next 12
months? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Solving violent crimes 69% 27% 3% 1% 100%
Solving property crimes 36% 51% 12% 1% 100%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 33% 48% 18% 2% 100%
Reducing illegal drug activity 41% 38% 17% 4% 100%
Enforcement of traffic laws 25% 39% 34% 3% 100%
Code enforcement 17% 36% 41% 6% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 42% 39% 19% 1% 100%
Table 29: Question #16 with don't know responses
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department
to prioritize resources in each of the following areas in the next 12
months? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Don't know Total
Solving violent crimes 66% 26% 3% 0% 4% 100%
Solving property crimes 35% 49% 12% 1% 4% 100%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 31% 46% 17% 2% 4% 100%
Reducing illegal drug activity 40% 37% 17% 4% 3% 100%
Enforcement of traffic laws 24% 37% 33% 3% 3% 100%
Code enforcement 16% 34% 39% 6% 5% 100%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 39% 36% 18% 1% 6% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 54
Table 30: Question #17 without don't know responses
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police
Department place on each of the following in the next two years? High priority
Medium
priority Low priority
Not a
priority Total
Better connection with the community (i e , community forums, events) 29% 54% 14% 3% 100%
Increased visibility of police 38% 41% 18% 4% 100%
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health
issues 63% 30% 5% 2% 100%
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information 26% 50% 21% 3% 100%
More community policing officers (problem solving at a community-level
such as neighborhood problems) 32% 46% 20% 2% 100%
Adding officers in public schools 34% 34% 21% 11% 100%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 37% 40% 18% 4% 100%
Adding surveillance cameras in high crime area 52% 30% 12% 6% 100%
Table 31: Question #17 with don't know responses
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police
Department place on each of the following in the next two years?
High
priority
Medium
priority
Low
priority
Not a
priority
Don't
know Total
Better connection with the community (i e , community forums, events) 27% 50% 14% 3% 6% 100%
Increased visibility of police 37% 40% 17% 3% 3% 100%
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health
issues 58% 28% 5% 2% 7% 100%
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information 24% 46% 20% 3% 8% 100%
More community policing officers (problem solving at a community-level
such as neighborhood problems) 30% 43% 18% 2% 7% 100%
Adding officers in public schools 29% 30% 18% 10% 13% 100%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 35% 37% 17% 4% 7% 100%
Adding surveillance cameras in high crime area 50% 29% 12% 6% 3% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 55
Table 32: Question #18 without don't know responses
Please rate the following statements by circling the
number which best represents your opinion. Wheat
Ridge should...
Strongly
agree
Somewhat
agree
Neither agree
nor disagree
Somewhat
disagree
Strongly
disagree Total
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing
areas 42% 38% 15% 3% 2% 100%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business
areas 51% 34% 11% 3% 1% 100%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and
identity 38% 39% 18% 4% 1% 100%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of
retail businesses to Wheat Ridge 49% 30% 14% 4% 3% 100%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors
such as 38th Avenue, 44th Avenue, Wadsworth
Boulevard and Kipling St 53% 29% 10% 5% 4% 100%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 44% 34% 19% 3% 1% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 56
Table 33: Question #18 with don't know responses
Please rate the following statements by circling the
number which best represents your opinion. Wheat
Ridge should...
Strongly
agree
Somewhat
agree
Neither
agree nor
disagree
Somewhat
disagree
Strongly
disagree Don't know Total
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing
areas 41% 37% 14% 3% 2% 3% 100%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business
areas 50% 33% 10% 3% 1% 2% 100%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and
identity 37% 38% 18% 4% 1% 2% 100%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of
retail businesses to Wheat Ridge 48% 30% 14% 4% 3% 2% 100%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such
as 38th Avenue, 44th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard
and Kipling St 52% 29% 10% 5% 4% 1% 100%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 42% 33% 18% 3% 1% 4% 100%
Table 34: Question #19
For each type of shopping, please estimate how
frequently you make purchases in Wheat Ridge: Never
Very
infrequently
Somewhat
infrequently
Somewhat
frequently
Very
frequently Total
Grocery shopping 2% 6% 3% 10% 78% 100%
Health services 13% 23% 19% 26% 19% 100%
Meals and entertainment 2% 12% 22% 35% 29% 100%
Household items 7% 17% 19% 25% 31% 100%
Computers and electronics 44% 31% 16% 7% 3% 100%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc ) 18% 27% 24% 20% 12% 100%
Community gardens 55% 17% 12% 10% 6% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 57
Table 35: Question #20
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside of Wheat Ridge? (Check all that apply.) Percent of respondents*
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 3%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my home 41%
I like the range of quality goods and services 43%
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 66%
It is more affordable 18%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 48%
I shop online 53%
Other 6%
Total 100%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 58
Table 36: Question #21 without don't know responses
To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of Wheat Ridge? Percent of respondents
Major problem 20%
Moderate problem 41%
Minor problem 30%
Not a problem 9%
Total 100%
Table 37: Question #21 with don't know responses
To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of Wheat Ridge? Percent of respondents
Major problem 17%
Moderate problem 35%
Minor problem 26%
Not a problem 8%
Don't know 14%
Total 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 59
Table 38: Question #22 without don't know responses
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute
funding to community-based organizations that provide each of
the following services to the homeless populations? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Job training programs 23% 36% 31% 10% 100%
Mental health programs 45% 36% 15% 4% 100%
Substance abuse programs 39% 39% 17% 5% 100%
Shelters for severe weather 34% 35% 24% 7% 100%
Housing/rental assistance programs 28% 32% 29% 10% 100%
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services such
as job training and substance abuse treatment 34% 35% 23% 8% 100%
Table 39: Question #22 with don't know responses
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute
funding to community-based organizations that provide each of
the following services to the homeless populations? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Don't know Total
Job training programs 22% 34% 29% 9% 6% 100%
Mental health programs 43% 35% 14% 4% 5% 100%
Substance abuse programs 37% 37% 17% 5% 5% 100%
Shelters for severe weather 32% 33% 23% 7% 5% 100%
Housing/rental assistance programs 27% 30% 28% 9% 5% 100%
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services such
as job training and substance abuse treatment 32% 33% 21% 7% 6% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 60
Table 40: Question #23 without don't know responses
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the
following conditions if short-term rentals (such as
Airbnb) were allowed in the City?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Neither
support nor
oppose
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose Total
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to
be used as short-term rentals 24% 25% 23% 15% 14% 100%
Allow accessory dwelling units (e g , carriage houses
or garages) to be used as short-term rentals 21% 27% 22% 15% 16% 100%
Limit the total number of days a property can be
rented per year 18% 19% 28% 17% 18% 100%
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and
only rent room(s), not the whole house 10% 15% 30% 17% 28% 100%
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent
their property 27% 21% 21% 10% 21% 100%
Collect a lodger's tax for short-term rentals (similar to
the current lodger's tax for visitors of hotels/motels,
which is 10%) 24% 20% 20% 11% 24% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 61
Table 41: Question #23 with don't know responses
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the
following conditions if short-term rentals (such as
Airbnb) were allowed in the City?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Neither
support
nor
oppose
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose Don't know Total
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to
be used as short-term rentals 22% 23% 21% 14% 13% 6% 100%
Allow accessory dwelling units (e g , carriage houses
or garages) to be used as short-term rentals 20% 25% 20% 14% 15% 6% 100%
Limit the total number of days a property can be
rented per year 16% 17% 26% 15% 17% 10% 100%
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and
only rent room(s), not the whole house 9% 14% 27% 15% 26% 9% 100%
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent
their property 25% 19% 19% 10% 20% 8% 100%
Collect a lodger's tax for short-term rentals (similar to
the current lodger's tax for visitors of hotels/motels,
which is 10%) 22% 18% 18% 10% 22% 10% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 62
Table 42: Question #24 without don't know responses
Currently, the City restricts residential building
heights for new construction and additions. In
addition, there are bulk plane regulations in two zone
districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane is a diagonal limit
that also regulates vertical construction. By adding
the diagonal limit, a house's upper stories are required
to be set back further from perimeter property lines.
This typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but
increases the required separation between homes. To
what extent do you support or oppose each of the
following regulations?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Neither
support nor
oppose
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose Total
Bulk plane regulations in general 32% 29% 24% 7% 8% 100%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of
city 27% 26% 29% 7% 12% 100%
Table 43: Question #24 with don't know responses
Currently, the City restricts residential building
heights for new construction and additions. In
addition, there are bulk plane regulations in two zone
districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane is a diagonal limit
that also regulates vertical construction. By adding
the diagonal limit, a house's upper stories are required
to be set back further from perimeter property lines.
This typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but
increases the required separation between homes. To
what extent do you support or oppose each of the
following regulations?
Strongly
support
Somewhat
support
Neither
support
nor
oppose
Somewhat
oppose
Strongly
oppose Don't know Total
Bulk plane regulations in general 26% 24% 20% 6% 7% 17% 100%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of
city 22% 21% 24% 6% 10% 19% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 63
Table 44: Question #25
The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-family zone districts. Thinking about the
building height of single- and two-family homes in Wheat Ridge, please select the one statement below that
most closely represents your opinion. Percent of respondents
The City should maintain current residential building heights for new infill development in established
neighborhoods 54%
The City should further restrict current residential building heights for new infill development in established
neighbor 23%
I don't know 23%
Total 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 64
Table 45: Question #26 without don't know responses
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing units with a separate entrance, kitchen,
bath, and bed created within a single family home or on its lot. Currently the City does not allow ADUs. To what
extent do you support or oppose the City allowing ADUs? Percent of respondents
Strongly support 27%
Somewhat support 26%
Neither support nor oppose 23%
Somewhat oppose 11%
Strongly oppose 13%
Total 100%
Table 46: Question #26 with don't know responses
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing units with a separate entrance, kitchen,
bath, and bed created within a single family home or on its lot. Currently the City does not allow ADUs. To what
extent do you support or oppose the City allowing ADUs? Percent of respondents
Strongly support 24%
Somewhat support 24%
Neither support nor oppose 21%
Somewhat oppose 10%
Strongly oppose 12%
Don't know 9%
Total 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 65
Table 47: Question #27 without don't know responses
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the
following regulations be? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home 39% 31% 21% 8% 100%
Restrict the size of the ADU 25% 28% 31% 15% 100%
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU 40% 29% 21% 10% 100%
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU 33% 21% 22% 24% 100%
Require off-street parking 31% 30% 25% 14% 100%
Table 48: Question #27 with don't know responses
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the
following regulations be? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Don't know Total
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home 35% 28% 19% 7% 11% 100%
Restrict the size of the ADU 22% 25% 28% 14% 11% 100%
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU 36% 26% 19% 9% 10% 100%
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU 29% 19% 20% 21% 11% 100%
Require off-street parking 27% 26% 22% 12% 13% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 66
Table 49: Question #28 without don't know or not applicable responses
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider
adding an ADU for each of the following reasons? Very likely Somewhat likely
Somewhat
unlikely Very unlikely Total
For an elderly family member 50% 32% 7% 11% 100%
For a disabled family member 48% 31% 7% 13% 100%
For an adult child 21% 33% 19% 27% 100%
For visitors 18% 33% 21% 28% 100%
For my own personal use 24% 32% 18% 26% 100%
For rental income 21% 33% 18% 27% 100%
Table 50: Question #28 with don't know or not applicable responses
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider
adding an ADU for each of the following reasons? Very likely
Somewhat
likely
Somewhat
unlikely
Very
unlikely Don't know
Not
applicable Total
For an elderly family member 40% 26% 6% 9% 5% 14% 100%
For a disabled family member 37% 24% 6% 10% 4% 19% 100%
For an adult child 16% 25% 15% 20% 4% 20% 100%
For visitors 15% 27% 17% 23% 4% 14% 100%
For my own personal use 19% 26% 15% 21% 4% 14% 100%
For rental income 17% 27% 15% 22% 5% 15% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 67
Table 51: Question #28 other responses
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for each of the following reasons?
Some other reason (please specify)
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Affordable housing option
ART STUDIO!! PAINT BOOTH?
ART/GARDEN STUDIO
CARE GIVER WHEN I CANT TAKE CARE OF SELF
FIGHTING SPOUSE (ARGUMENTS)
FOR A RETIRED FAMILY MEMBER TO RETIRE IN COLORADO
HAVE NO OPINION ON THIS MATTER
HELP WITH LACK OF HOUSING IN DENVER
HOMELESS SHELTER
I BOUGHT A SINGLE FAMILY HOUSE NOT TO LIVE NEXT TO A 4 PLEX HOUSE
I PRESENTLY LIVEIN A RENTAL UNIT MYSELF!
I RENT
IF IT’S A REASON FOR ILLEGAL IMM. IM AGAINST!
increase housing density in my neighborhood
Infill development can help with the housing crisis
It should be our right
live in a condo building, would not be allowed
NONE OF ABOVE
OPPOSE ADU'S
PEOPLE ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND DISABILITY HAVE MONTHLY INCOME UNDER 1000 AMOUNT. THIS IS NO RENTALS FOR THEIR INCOME SO THIS
IS HOMELESS
PERSONALLY WOULDN'T DO ADU
STONGLY OPPOSE ADU FOR ANY REASON
TO CARE FOR AN ELDERLY PARENT
TO ISOLATE MYSELF TO GET SOME WRITING DONE, THE YARD WORKS FOR NOW
WORK SPACE
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 68
Table 52: Question #29 without don't know responses
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of
the following areas of environmental sustainability, which may or
may not increase costs for taxpayers? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Total
Starting a composting program 16% 25% 40% 20% 100%
Diverting trash from the landfill 19% 40% 30% 11% 100%
Encouraging water conservation 32% 42% 22% 4% 100%
Encouraging water quality improvement 35% 44% 17% 5% 100%
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use 20% 32% 32% 15% 100%
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit 30% 42% 22% 5% 100%
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings 32% 41% 24% 4% 100%
Promoting energy efficiency for the community 27% 43% 24% 5% 100%
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community 28% 39% 24% 9% 100%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community 33% 37% 20% 10% 100%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home 31% 37% 21% 11% 100%
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections,
bike lanes, retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc ) 44% 31% 19% 6% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 69
Table 53: Question #29 with don't know responses
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of
the following areas of environmental sustainability, which may or
may not increase costs for taxpayers? Essential
Very
important
Somewhat
important
Not at all
important Don't know Total
Starting a composting program 15% 23% 37% 19% 8% 100%
Diverting trash from the landfill 17% 36% 27% 10% 9% 100%
Encouraging water conservation 31% 41% 21% 4% 2% 100%
Encouraging water quality improvement 33% 42% 16% 5% 4% 100%
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use 20% 31% 31% 15% 3% 100%
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit 29% 41% 22% 5% 4% 100%
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings 30% 39% 23% 4% 4% 100%
Promoting energy efficiency for the community 26% 42% 23% 5% 4% 100%
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community 26% 37% 23% 8% 6% 100%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community 32% 35% 20% 10% 4% 100%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home 30% 35% 20% 11% 5% 100%
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections,
bike lanes, retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc ) 43% 30% 19% 6% 2% 100%
Table 54: Question #30
In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use
each of the following social media sites? Never
1-3 times a
month
Once a
week
Multiple
times a
week Daily Total
Facebook 34% 9% 7% 16% 33% 100%
Twitter 80% 7% 4% 3% 7% 100%
YouTube 28% 23% 14% 22% 14% 100%
LinkedIn 62% 19% 10% 7% 2% 100%
NextDoor 69% 11% 8% 7% 4% 100%
Instagram 67% 6% 5% 7% 15% 100%
Snapchat 81% 4% 5% 4% 6% 100%
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Table 55: Question #31 without don't know responses
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other
household members used the following sources of information for news
about Wheat Ridge? Never 1-2 times
3-12
times
13-26
times
More than
26 times Total
City Quarterly Connections Newsletter 27% 24% 39% 6% 4% 100%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 29% 32% 30% 6% 3% 100%
Denver Post 56% 13% 11% 6% 13% 100%
Denver Post YourHub 76% 8% 5% 3% 8% 100%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 54% 17% 21% 6% 4% 100%
Neighborhood Gazette 32% 23% 32% 8% 5% 100%
Radio news 55% 14% 10% 6% 15% 100%
Television news 38% 15% 14% 8% 25% 100%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 79% 11% 6% 2% 2% 100%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 90% 7% 3% 1% 0% 100%
City's website: www ci wheatridge co us 50% 22% 22% 5% 1% 100%
City website automatic notifications (e g , community events, calendar
listing) 75% 13% 10% 1% 1% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 76% 11% 8% 3% 3% 100%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) 80% 10% 6% 2% 2% 100%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 94% 3% 2% 0% 0% 100%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 87% 8% 3% 1% 0% 100%
Community-created Facebook groups/pages about Wheat Ridge 80% 6% 6% 5% 3% 100%
Neighborhood websites (e g , NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc ) 64% 7% 11% 11% 7% 100%
Word of mouth 18% 21% 34% 15% 12% 100%
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Table 56: Question D1
About how long have you lived in Wheat Ridge? Percent of respondents
5 years or less 43%
6 to 10 years 14%
11 to 15 years 10%
16 to 20 years 10%
More than 20 years 23%
Total 100%
Average length of residency 13.6
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Table 57: Question D2
In what city do you work? (If you work in more than one city, check the box for the city in which you most often
work.) Percent of respondents
Arvada 2%
Aurora 1%
Boulder 0%
Broomfield 2%
Denver 26%
Englewood 2%
Golden 6%
Lakewood 9%
Littleton 1%
Louisville 0%
Northglenn 1%
Thornton 1%
Westminster 1%
Wheat Ridge 12%
Other 7%
Do not work (student, homemaker, retired, etc ) 30%
Total 100%
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Table 58: Question D3
Please check the appropriate box indicating the type of housing unit in which you live. Percent of respondents
Detached single-family home 43%
Condominium or townhouse 20%
Duplex 22%
Apartment 15%
Mobile home 0%
Total 100%
Table 59: Question D4
Do you live in senior housing such as an assisted-living or senior living community? Percent of respondents
Yes 6%
No 94%
Total 100%
Table 60: Question D5
Do you own or rent your residence? Percent of respondents
Own 57%
Rent 43%
Total 100%
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Table 61: Question D6
How many people (including yourself) live in your household? Percent of respondents
0 1%
1 33%
2 38%
3 14%
4 11%
5 2%
6 1%
7 0%
8 0%
12 0%
20 0%
Total 100%
Average number of household members 2.2
Table 62: Question D7
How many of these household members are 17 or younger? Percent of respondents
0 77%
1 10%
2 11%
3 2%
4 0%
5 0%
Total 100%
Average number of household members under 18 for households with at least one child under 18 1.7
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Table 63: Question D8
Please indicate the number of dogs and cats in your household. (Please write 0 if
none.) None 1 2 3 or more Total
Dogs 57% 27% 13% 3% 100%
Cats 77% 13% 8% 1% 100%
Dogs and cats 44% 29% 18% 9% 100%
Table 64: Average number of dogs and cats in households with dogs and cats
Average number
Dogs 1.4
Cats 1.5
Dogs and cats 1.7
Table 65: Question D9
How much do you anticipate your household's total income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please include in your
total income money from all sources for all persons living in your household.)
Percent of
respondents
Less than $15,000 6%
$15,000 to $24,999 9%
$25,000 to $34,999 9%
$35,000 to $49,999 15%
$50,000 to $74,999 16%
$75,000 to $99,999 15%
$100,000 to $124,999 13%
$125,000 or more 18%
Total 100%
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Table 66: Question D10
What is your age? Percent of respondents
18-24 1%
25-34 23%
35-44 14%
45-54 20%
55-64 13%
65-74 16%
75 + 12%
Total 100%
Table 67: Question D11
What is your race? (Please check all that apply.) Percent of respondents*
White 88%
Black or African American 1%
Asian or Pacific Islander 4%
American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut 3%
Other 9%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
Table 68: Question D12
Are you Hispanic/Spanish/Latino? Percent of respondents
Yes 12%
No 88%
Total 100%
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Table 69: Question D13
What is your gender? Percent of respondents
Female 53%
Male 47%
Total 100%
Table 70: Question D14
Did you vote in the last election? Percent of respondents
Yes 87%
No 13%
Total 100%
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Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses
The tables on the following pages show responses to select questions compared by the various respondent characteristics. Shading indicates statistically significant differences in responses between respondents (p≤ .05).
Comparisons by Council District
Highlights
Overall, residents living in District 3 tended to be happier with most aspects of quality of life in Wheat Ridge than were those in other districts.
District 4 residents were more likely to give lower evaluations to the quality of their neighborhoods as places to live and were less likely
to indicate that their neighborhood as a reason for living in Wheat Ridge. They also tended to give less favorable ratings to the services
provided by the City of Wheat Ridge and City government performance compared to those living in other parts of the city.
In general, District 1 and 3 respondents tended to give more positive evaluations to various aspects of the community than did those in the other two districts. However, District 1 residents and those in District 2 were less happy with the availability of paths and walking
trails as well as bike trails.
District 1 residents were more likely to have visited the Active Adult Center, used the Wheat Ridge Library and to have community to a light rail or commuter rail station than were those living in other areas of the city.
District 1 residents were more likely to recommend living in Wheat Ridge while those living in District 3 were more likely to remain in
Wheat Ridge for the next five years.
Residents living in District 1 were more supportive of the City allowing accessory dwelling units to be used as short-term rentals than were those in other parts of the city, while District 4 residents were more supportive of collecting a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals.
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Table 71: Question #1 by Council District
Circle the number that best represents your opinion:
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 93% 90% 93% 86% 90%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 83% 81% 85% 70% 79%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 75% 73% 85% 73% 77%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 59% 54% 67% 63% 61%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 75% 68% 77% 73% 73%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a whole? 55% 44% 64% 46% 52%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 86% 79% 87% 71% 81%
Table 72: Question #2 by Council District
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay the same, or
decline over the next 5 years? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Improve a lot 17% 17% 14% 6% 13%
Improve slightly 55% 46% 47% 47% 49%
Stay the same 15% 19% 21% 21% 19%
Decline slightly 10% 15% 16% 20% 16%
Decline a lot 2% 3% 2% 5% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 73: Question #3 by Council District
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that apply.) District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
I feel safe here 48% 46% 54% 28% 44%
I like the school my children attend 7% 7% 11% 6% 8%
My job is here 6% 11% 13% 17% 12%
I like my neighborhood 59% 46% 56% 36% 49%
I like the location in general 80% 78% 81% 68% 76%
I like the access to dining and entertainment 37% 30% 27% 23% 29%
Housing and rental rates are affordable 32% 25% 25% 33% 29%
I've always lived here 8% 15% 14% 16% 13%
I have friends and family in the area 22% 26% 30% 24% 26%
Small town feel 34% 20% 29% 25% 27%
Cost of living is affordable 26% 22% 22% 32% 26%
I like that the community is forward-thinking 23% 12% 16% 11% 16%
The growing and diverse community 20% 13% 13% 11% 14%
None of these 4% 5% 1% 4% 4%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
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Table 74: Question #4 by Council District
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat Ridge as a
whole:
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Sense of community 67% 60% 68% 58% 63%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds 68% 52% 63% 54% 59%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 67% 59% 71% 44% 60%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 58% 47% 59% 51% 54%
Variety of housing options 49% 44% 55% 46% 49%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 56% 54% 61% 57% 57%
Shopping opportunities 35% 30% 44% 39% 37%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 44% 38% 41% 39% 41%
Recreational opportunities 77% 73% 82% 75% 77%
Employment opportunities 34% 38% 42% 36% 38%
Educational opportunities 45% 44% 52% 41% 45%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 62% 57% 62% 54% 59%
Opportunities to volunteer 66% 67% 73% 70% 69%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 62% 61% 66% 63% 63%
Availability of paths and walking trails 66% 72% 85% 89% 79%
Availability of bike trails 68% 65% 83% 86% 77%
Availability of affordable quality housing 35% 29% 37% 38% 35%
Availability of affordable quality child care 26% 23% 43% 35% 33%
Availability of affordable quality health care 53% 58% 68% 65% 62%
Availability of affordable quality food 62% 68% 73% 72% 69%
Availability of preventive health services 62% 62% 69% 62% 64%
Air quality 60% 63% 69% 62% 64%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 69% 64% 77% 70% 70%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 64% 58% 67% 56% 61%
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Table 75: Question #5 by Council District
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household
members participated in the following activities in Wheat Ridge?
Percent who have participated at least once District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 54% 58% 63% 59% 59%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 40% 37% 45% 45% 42%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 81% 90% 83% 90% 86%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 23% 24% 20% 20% 21%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 72% 81% 74% 85% 78%
Used Clear Creek Trail 55% 70% 67% 78% 68%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public meeting 20% 26% 26% 21% 23%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television 18% 20% 22% 25% 21%
Participated in a senior program 17% 15% 16% 13% 15%
Visited the Active Adult Center 32% 16% 22% 13% 21%
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 95% 92% 94% 92% 93%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 64% 47% 45% 37% 48%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 73% 68% 65% 66% 68%
Ridden an RTD bus 39% 35% 39% 35% 37%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 47% 37% 44% 36% 41%
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Table 76: Question #6: Quality by Council District
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each service, please
first rate the quality of each service and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Snow removal 63% 66% 62% 64% 64%
Street repair and maintenance 60% 52% 55% 42% 52%
Street cleaning 65% 63% 68% 60% 64%
Traffic enforcement 60% 67% 69% 61% 64%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 45% 50% 59% 43% 49%
Animal control 57% 61% 61% 60% 60%
Land use, planning and zoning 46% 39% 48% 35% 42%
Building permits 47% 51% 51% 58% 52%
Building inspections 46% 47% 53% 47% 49%
Maintenance of existing city parks 75% 77% 82% 63% 74%
Maintenance of open space and trails 78% 79% 83% 67% 77%
Recreation programs 87% 79% 81% 66% 78%
Recreation facilities 87% 75% 84% 64% 77%
Community/public art 53% 35% 59% 42% 47%
Services/programs for youth 64% 69% 69% 46% 61%
Services/programs for seniors 75% 65% 73% 59% 68%
Municipal court 61% 51% 69% 40% 54%
Public information services 59% 55% 67% 45% 56%
Policing services 70% 66% 71% 66% 68%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 77% 76% 75% 67% 74%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 76% 71% 74% 54% 68%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police
academy) 74% 62% 81% 63% 70%
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Table 77: Question #6: Importance by Council District
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each service, please
first rate the quality of each service and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent essential or very important District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Snow removal 79% 78% 84% 88% 83%
Street repair and maintenance 86% 88% 92% 87% 88%
Street cleaning 73% 67% 64% 68% 68%
Traffic enforcement 70% 70% 78% 73% 73%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 66% 65% 73% 61% 66%
Animal control 56% 56% 58% 55% 56%
Land use, planning and zoning 72% 73% 77% 72% 74%
Building permits 67% 63% 72% 63% 66%
Building inspections 74% 67% 80% 71% 73%
Maintenance of existing city parks 80% 82% 86% 83% 83%
Maintenance of open space and trails 81% 87% 87% 88% 86%
Recreation programs 78% 77% 69% 78% 75%
Recreation facilities 65% 64% 70% 64% 66%
Community/public art 56% 56% 48% 52% 53%
Services/programs for youth 74% 82% 78% 83% 80%
Services/programs for seniors 67% 64% 74% 66% 68%
Municipal court 61% 75% 72% 68% 69%
Public information services 60% 61% 68% 62% 63%
Policing services 85% 92% 90% 83% 87%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 94% 93% 95% 87% 93%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 91% 83% 90% 85% 88%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police
academy) 87% 88% 89% 90% 89%
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Table 78: Question #7 by Council District
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat
Ridge? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Excellent 7% 9% 16% 4% 9%
Good 68% 65% 65% 61% 65%
Fair 24% 23% 19% 29% 24%
Poor 1% 3% 0% 6% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 79: Question #8 by Council District
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of Wheat Ridge:
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Condition of city streets 76% 65% 63% 54% 64%
Access to mass transit 70% 65% 69% 65% 67%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 71% 65% 63% 67% 66%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 67% 70% 76% 63% 69%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 55% 54% 50% 64% 56%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 67% 55% 64% 57% 61%
Traffic flow on major streets 35% 28% 37% 24% 31%
Table 80: Question #9 by Council District
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Percent responding very or somewhat likely District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 93% 89% 94% 84% 90%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 85% 88% 91% 82% 86%
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Table 81: Question #10 by Council District
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Excellent 4% 3% 10% 6% 6%
Good 60% 56% 60% 58% 58%
Fair 31% 33% 24% 30% 29%
Poor 5% 9% 6% 6% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 82: Question #11 by Council District
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government performance.
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest of the
community at large 59% 50% 61% 56% 57%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 74% 76% 75% 64% 72%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 56% 54% 57% 45% 52%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 67% 60% 59% 53% 60%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within the
community 58% 47% 59% 46% 52%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen involvement 67% 50% 56% 49% 55%
Table 83: Question #12 by Council District
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person or phone contact with an employee
of the City of Wheat Ridge? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Yes 36% 43% 42% 38% 40%
No 64% 57% 58% 62% 60%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 84: Question #13 by Council District
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in your most recent
contact? (Rate each characteristic below.)
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
Percent excellent or good District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Knowledge 84% 67% 85% 72% 77%
Responsiveness 72% 66% 76% 72% 72%
Courtesy 82% 78% 91% 84% 84%
Making you feel valued 68% 68% 76% 65% 70%
Overall impression 78% 72% 79% 77% 76%
Table 85: Question #14 by Council District
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding very or somewhat safe District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Parks and playgrounds 90% 90% 88% 80% 87%
Recreation centers 96% 95% 94% 93% 94%
In your neighborhood 85% 86% 93% 79% 86%
In your home 90% 96% 96% 91% 93%
On the trail system 79% 68% 78% 69% 73%
On roadways 67% 69% 76% 65% 70%
Retail/commercial areas 83% 83% 84% 79% 82%
Table 86: Question #15 by Council District
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12
months.
Percent responding "yes" District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 9% 13% 11% 18% 13%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge 22% 23% 21% 28% 24%
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Table 87: Question #16 by Council District
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department to prioritize
resources in each of the following areas in the next 12 months?
Percent responding "essential" District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Solving violent crimes 71% 75% 66% 67% 69%
Solving property crimes 40% 38% 36% 32% 36%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 33% 32% 31% 34% 33%
Reducing illegal drug activity 37% 46% 43% 40% 41%
Enforcement of traffic laws 25% 23% 23% 27% 25%
Code enforcement 16% 17% 15% 19% 17%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police
academy) 39% 41% 45% 41% 42%
Table 88: Question #17 by Council District
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police Department
place on each of the following in the next two years?
Percent responding "high priority" District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Better connection with the community (i.e., community forums, events) 29% 28% 31% 28% 29%
Increased visibility of police 38% 27% 36% 48% 38%
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health issues 59% 60% 63% 69% 63%
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information 32% 17% 22% 32% 26%
More community policing officers (problem solving at a community-level such as
neighborhood problems) 31% 27% 26% 41% 32%
Adding officers in public schools 28% 29% 34% 42% 34%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 36% 41% 39% 33% 37%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 36% 41% 39% 33% 37%
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Table 89: Question #18 by Council District
Please rate the following statements by circling the number which best represents
your opinion. Wheat Ridge should...
Percent responding strongly or somewhat agree District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing areas 79% 76% 81% 84% 80%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business areas 85% 83% 82% 91% 85%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and identity 76% 73% 74% 80% 76%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail businesses to Wheat Ridge 81% 80% 80% 77% 79%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th Avenue, 44th Avenue,
Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling St 82% 79% 82% 83% 82%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 77% 82% 76% 77% 78%
Table 90: Question #19 by Council District
For each type of shopping, please estimate how frequently you make purchases in
Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding somewhat or very frequently District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Grocery shopping 90% 88% 93% 85% 89%
Health services 40% 44% 52% 43% 45%
Meals and entertainment 66% 63% 64% 62% 64%
Household items 59% 54% 53% 60% 57%
Computers and electronics 10% 4% 11% 11% 9%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) 33% 30% 31% 32% 32%
Community gardens 16% 14% 14% 20% 16%
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Table 91: Question #20 by Council District
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside of Wheat Ridge?
(Check all that apply.) District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 4% 2% 3% 4% 3%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my home 42% 38% 34% 49% 41%
I like the range of quality goods and services 49% 42% 47% 35% 43%
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 65% 74% 70% 57% 66%
It is more affordable 22% 10% 18% 20% 18%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 42% 43% 55% 52% 48%
I shop online 51% 56% 49% 56% 53%
Other 5% 6% 6% 7% 6%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
Table 92: Question #21 by Council District
To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of Wheat Ridge? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Major problem 9% 18% 16% 32% 20%
Moderate problem 38% 35% 39% 50% 41%
Minor problem 40% 32% 36% 15% 30%
Not a problem 14% 14% 9% 3% 9%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 93: Question #22 by Council District
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute funding to community-
based organizations that provide each of the following services to the homeless
populations?
Percent responding essential or very important District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Job training programs 53% 58% 55% 57% 56%
Mental health programs 78% 75% 74% 81% 77%
Substance abuse programs 78% 70% 72% 75% 74%
Shelters for severe weather 64% 65% 64% 67% 65%
Housing/rental assistance programs 60% 56% 57% 57% 57%
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services such as job training and
substance abuse treatment 68% 62% 66% 63% 65%
Table 94: Question #23 by Council District
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following conditions if short-term
rentals (such as Airbnb) were allowed in the City?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as short-term rentals 52% 41% 51% 50% 49%
Allow accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or garages) to be used as short-
term rentals 57% 46% 47% 42% 48%
Limit the total number of days a property can be rented per year 40% 34% 34% 37% 36%
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and only rent room(s), not the whole
house 22% 26% 22% 31% 25%
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent their property 43% 46% 48% 52% 48%
Collect a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals (similar to the current lodger’s tax for
visitors of hotels/motels, which is 10%) 39% 41% 45% 51% 44%
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Table 95: Question #24 by Council District
Currently, the City restricts residential building heights for new construction and
additions. In addition, there are bulk plane regulations in two zone districts in Wheat
Ridge. Bulk plane is a diagonal limit that also regulates vertical construction. By adding
the diagonal limit, a house's upper stories are required to be set back further from
perimeter property lines. This typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but increases the
required separation between homes. To what extent do you support or oppose each of
the following regulations?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Bulk plane regulations in general 58% 63% 61% 60% 61%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of city 52% 52% 48% 56% 52%
Table 96: Question #25 by Council District
The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-family zone districts.
Thinking about the building height of single- and two-family homes in Wheat Ridge,
please select the one statement below that most closely represents your opinion. District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
The City should maintain current residential building heights for new infill development
in established neighborhoods 54% 51% 58% 53% 54%
The City should further restrict current residential building heights for new infill
development in established neighbor 25% 26% 21% 22% 23%
I don't know 22% 22% 21% 25% 23%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 93
Table 97: Question #26 by Council District
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing units with a
separate entrance, kitchen, bath, and bed created within a single family home or on its
lot. Currently the City does not allow ADUs. To what extent do you support or oppose
the City allowing ADUs? District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Strongly support 32% 24% 22% 29% 27%
Somewhat support 28% 27% 27% 23% 26%
Neither support nor oppose 19% 24% 23% 25% 23%
Somewhat oppose 12% 9% 13% 9% 11%
Strongly oppose 9% 15% 14% 13% 13%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 98: Question #27 by Council District
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the following
regulations be?
Percent responding essential or very important District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home 71% 71% 73% 68% 71%
Restrict the size of the ADU 54% 53% 51% 55% 53%
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU 68% 65% 70% 72% 69%
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU 58% 56% 53% 52% 54%
Require off-street parking 60% 57% 64% 63% 61%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 94
Table 99: Question #28 by Council District
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for each of the following
reasons?
Percent responding very or somewhat likely District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
For an elderly family member 80% 84% 76% 89% 82%
For a disabled family member 77% 80% 75% 85% 79%
For an adult child 57% 43% 52% 61% 54%
For visitors 58% 57% 43% 48% 51%
For my own personal use 66% 58% 42% 58% 56%
For rental income 60% 54% 47% 59% 55%
Table 100: Question #29 by Council District
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of the following areas of
environmental sustainability, which may or may not increase costs for taxpayers?
Percent responding essential or very important District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Starting a composting program 45% 43% 40% 34% 40%
Diverting trash from the landfill 63% 61% 53% 61% 59%
Encouraging water conservation 76% 77% 69% 74% 74%
Encouraging water quality improvement 80% 79% 75% 80% 78%
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use 48% 60% 50% 54% 53%
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit 71% 70% 73% 74% 72%
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings 73% 74% 67% 75% 72%
Promoting energy efficiency for the community 70% 76% 66% 71% 71%
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community 68% 75% 56% 70% 67%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community 71% 76% 63% 69% 69%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home 71% 72% 62% 67% 68%
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections, bike lanes,
retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc.) 79% 74% 71% 75% 75%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 95
Table 101: Question #30 by Council District
In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use each of the following
social media sites?
Percent responding at least 1 to 3 times a month District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Facebook 62% 66% 64% 70% 66%
Twitter 16% 27% 18% 22% 20%
YouTube 73% 75% 67% 74% 72%
LinkedIn 46% 36% 34% 37% 38%
NextDoor 37% 31% 31% 25% 31%
Instagram 40% 42% 25% 29% 33%
Snapchat 15% 23% 15% 21% 19%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Table 102: Question #31 by Council District
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household
members used the following sources of information for news about Wheat Ridge?
Percent responding at least once or twice District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter 75% 66% 81% 71% 73%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 72% 68% 72% 71% 71%
Denver Post 46% 46% 46% 39% 44%
Denver Post YourHub 21% 25% 28% 23% 24%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 43% 47% 52% 43% 46%
Neighborhood Gazette 77% 64% 72% 60% 68%
Radio news 39% 45% 48% 46% 45%
Television news 54% 65% 65% 63% 62%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 19% 19% 24% 22% 21%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 8% 10% 10% 12% 10%
City's website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us 54% 48% 50% 48% 50%
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events, calendar listing) 27% 19% 29% 23% 25%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 27% 27% 25% 19% 24%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) 20% 20% 21% 19% 20%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 8% 6% 5% 3% 6%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 10% 14% 12% 16% 13%
Community-created Facebook groups about Wheat Ridge 20% 17% 21% 20% 20%
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) 38% 37% 40% 29% 36%
Word of mouth 86% 82% 81% 79% 82%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 97
Comparisons by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Highlights
In general, renters and residents who did not vote in the last election tended to give higher evaluations to aspects of quality of life, community characteristics and City services than homeowners. Residents living in single family homes also were more likely to view
City services positively than were those living in multi-family housing.
Homeowners and those who did not vote in the last election were more likely to participate in activities or use various facilities in Wheat Ridge than were renters and voters.
Where differences were observed, homeowners tended to be more critical of aspects of transportation and City government performance
than were renters.
Residents living in single family homes and those who voted in the last election were more likely to feel solving violent and property crimes were essential for the Police Department than were their counterparts. Renters were more likely to prioritize reducing illegal activities committed by youth and crime prevention.
Homeowners placed lower importance on most of the potential priorities for the Police Department to focus on in the next two years than did renters.
Those who did not vote in the last election were more likely to view homelessness as a major problem and placed higher importance on
the City contributing funding to organizations that serve the homeless than were those who voted.
Renters were more supportive of the City allowing single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as short-term rentals, while homeowners were more likely to support requiring the property owner to living in the house and only rent rooms. Homeowners, those in single family homes and those who voted in the last election were more in favor of limiting the number of days a property can be rented per year than were their counterparts.
Renters and those living in multi-family homes were less supportive of bulk plane regulations in general than were owners and those in single family homes. Renters also voiced less support for expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of the city.
Where differences were observed, homeowners, those living in single family homes and voters were more likely to feel regulations for
ADUs, if allowed, were essential or very important than were their counterparts.
Homeowners, those living in single family homes and those who voted in the last election were more likely to have used many of the sources of information for news about Wheat Ridge in the 12 months prior to the survey than were their counterparts.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 98
Table 103: Question #1 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Circle the number that best represents your opinion:
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 88% 93% 90% 91% 90% 95% 90%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 81% 78% 83% 75% 79% 80% 79%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 74% 81% 77% 77% 77% 75% 77%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 59% 65% 61% 61% 59% 77% 61%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 72% 75% 71% 76% 72% 86% 73%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a
whole? 47% 60% 52% 53% 51% 64% 52%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 81% 80% 83% 77% 80% 80% 81%
Table 104: Question #2 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay
the same, or decline over the next 5 years? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Improve a lot 15% 11% 15% 11% 14% 8% 13%
Improve slightly 47% 53% 47% 53% 48% 61% 49%
Stay the same 21% 17% 20% 18% 20% 12% 19%
Decline slightly 15% 16% 15% 16% 16% 15% 16%
Decline a lot 2% 4% 4% 2% 3% 4% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 99
Table 105: Question #3 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that
apply.) Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
I feel safe here 42% 46% 48% 39% 44% 45% 44%
I like the school my children attend 8% 7% 9% 6% 8% 9% 8%
My job is here 11% 14% 13% 11% 11% 19% 12%
I like my neighborhood 53% 44% 56% 40% 50% 44% 49%
I like the location in general 78% 76% 77% 76% 77% 71% 76%
I like the access to dining and entertainment 26% 33% 29% 28% 28% 31% 29%
Housing and rental rates are affordable 20% 41% 25% 35% 28% 34% 29%
I've always lived here 17% 7% 14% 10% 13% 12% 13%
I have friends and family in the area 26% 25% 26% 25% 26% 21% 26%
Small town feel 27% 28% 26% 28% 28% 27% 27%
Cost of living is affordable 22% 32% 20% 34% 25% 35% 26%
I like that the community is forward-thinking 14% 18% 16% 15% 15% 20% 16%
The growing and diverse community 13% 15% 14% 14% 14% 15% 14%
None of these 3% 4% 3% 4% 4% 3% 4%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 100
Table 106: Question #4 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat
Ridge as a whole:
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Sense of community 58% 71% 62% 66% 63% 69% 63%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse
backgrounds 55% 66% 59% 60% 58% 68% 59%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 60% 61% 64% 55% 59% 66% 60%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 50% 62% 53% 56% 53% 63% 54%
Variety of housing options 50% 48% 52% 45% 49% 49% 49%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 48% 69% 54% 62% 54% 78% 57%
Shopping opportunities 30% 47% 37% 38% 35% 51% 37%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 34% 51% 40% 43% 41% 42% 41%
Recreational opportunities 76% 79% 77% 78% 77% 79% 77%
Employment opportunities 35% 42% 35% 42% 36% 53% 38%
Educational opportunities 44% 47% 48% 42% 44% 56% 45%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 56% 63% 57% 61% 59% 62% 59%
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 70% 69% 70% 69% 72% 69%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 67% 58% 65% 60% 63% 72% 63%
Availability of paths and walking trails 78% 81% 78% 80% 79% 83% 79%
Availability of bike trails 74% 81% 74% 79% 76% 80% 77%
Availability of affordable quality housing 34% 38% 36% 34% 35% 36% 35%
Availability of affordable quality child care 30% 38% 26% 45% 33% 35% 33%
Availability of affordable quality health care 63% 61% 60% 66% 62% 62% 62%
Availability of affordable quality food 66% 74% 69% 70% 69% 68% 69%
Availability of preventive health services 60% 69% 65% 63% 63% 68% 64%
Air quality 59% 70% 64% 65% 64% 64% 64%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 66% 76% 73% 67% 69% 77% 70%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 58% 67% 63% 60% 59% 74% 61%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 101
Table 107: Question #5 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other
household members participated in the following activities in Wheat
Ridge?
Percent who have participated at least once Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 66% 48% 58% 59% 61% 44% 59%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 45% 38% 44% 40% 43% 34% 42%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 88% 82% 85% 88% 86% 82% 86%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 26% 16% 22% 21% 22% 20% 21%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 82% 73% 76% 81% 79% 72% 78%
Used Clear Creek Trail 71% 63% 67% 70% 70% 56% 68%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public meeting 31% 13% 29% 16% 25% 10% 23%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television 23% 19% 23% 19% 23% 10% 21%
Participated in a senior program 14% 16% 15% 14% 15% 17% 15%
Visited the Active Adult Center 21% 20% 21% 19% 20% 21% 21%
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 95% 91% 93% 93% 93% 90% 93%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 47% 49% 49% 47% 47% 55% 48%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 71% 63% 67% 68% 69% 64% 68%
Ridden an RTD bus 34% 41% 36% 38% 35% 48% 37%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 40% 42% 38% 44% 42% 30% 41%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 102
Table 108: Question #6: Quality by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service.
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Snow removal 65% 62% 66% 61% 64% 61% 64%
Street repair and maintenance 50% 56% 57% 46% 53% 45% 52%
Street cleaning 64% 63% 66% 61% 64% 66% 64%
Traffic enforcement 63% 66% 64% 65% 65% 65% 64%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 48% 50% 53% 45% 48% 56% 49%
Animal control 57% 64% 61% 58% 59% 69% 60%
Land use, planning and zoning 38% 47% 45% 36% 41% 47% 42%
Building permits 49% 62% 54% 48% 51% 59% 52%
Building inspections 48% 53% 52% 41% 49% 49% 49%
Maintenance of existing city parks 75% 74% 79% 67% 73% 82% 74%
Maintenance of open space and trails 77% 77% 81% 70% 76% 81% 77%
Recreation programs 79% 76% 82% 73% 77% 89% 78%
Recreation facilities 79% 74% 81% 70% 77% 74% 77%
Community/public art 41% 55% 49% 46% 45% 63% 47%
Services/programs for youth 61% 60% 65% 52% 60% 65% 61%
Services/programs for seniors 66% 71% 69% 66% 68% 70% 68%
Municipal court 50% 60% 58% 47% 54% 56% 54%
Public information services 57% 57% 60% 52% 55% 68% 56%
Policing services 66% 72% 67% 69% 68% 77% 68%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 70% 79% 74% 74% 72% 86% 74%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 63% 77% 68% 70% 67% 84% 68%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 70% 69% 71% 66% 69% 76% 70%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 103
Table 109: Question #6: Importance by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each
service, please first rate the quality of each service and next rate the
importance of each service.
Percent essential or very important Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Snow removal 80% 88% 82% 85% 82% 88% 83%
Street repair and maintenance 88% 89% 91% 85% 88% 90% 88%
Street cleaning 65% 73% 69% 67% 69% 69% 68%
Traffic enforcement 75% 70% 75% 69% 73% 69% 73%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 73% 56% 69% 62% 67% 64% 66%
Animal control 60% 51% 60% 50% 58% 47% 56%
Land use, planning and zoning 80% 65% 80% 64% 74% 75% 74%
Building permits 69% 63% 72% 58% 65% 80% 66%
Building inspections 74% 73% 76% 69% 73% 77% 73%
Maintenance of existing city parks 84% 82% 83% 83% 83% 87% 83%
Maintenance of open space and trails 86% 86% 86% 86% 85% 92% 86%
Recreation programs 72% 80% 75% 76% 76% 67% 75%
Recreation facilities 65% 68% 66% 66% 68% 54% 66%
Community/public art 48% 60% 51% 55% 53% 51% 53%
Services/programs for youth 77% 84% 77% 84% 81% 74% 80%
Services/programs for seniors 66% 70% 69% 66% 67% 75% 68%
Municipal court 70% 68% 70% 67% 69% 73% 69%
Public information services 59% 69% 65% 61% 63% 69% 63%
Policing services 90% 84% 89% 85% 88% 80% 87%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 93% 92% 94% 91% 92% 95% 93%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 85% 92% 85% 91% 87% 93% 88%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 87% 91% 88% 90% 89% 90% 89%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 104
Table 110: Question #7 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the
City of Wheat Ridge? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Excellent 7% 11% 10% 7% 9% 8% 9%
Good 65% 64% 64% 65% 64% 69% 65%
Fair 26% 21% 23% 24% 24% 19% 24%
Poor 2% 4% 2% 4% 2% 4% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 111: Question #8 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of
Wheat Ridge:
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Condition of city streets 64% 65% 69% 57% 66% 55% 64%
Access to mass transit 63% 76% 68% 67% 66% 84% 67%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 68% 65% 69% 68% 56% 66%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 73% 71% 67% 68% 78% 69%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 51% 63% 54% 59% 55% 63% 56%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 57% 67% 60% 62% 60% 66% 61%
Traffic flow on major streets 31% 30% 33% 27% 31% 28% 31%
Table 112: Question #9 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Percent responding very or somewhat likely Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 90% 90% 92% 86% 90% 91% 90%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 89% 83% 89% 84% 87% 83% 86%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 105
Table 113: Question #10 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city
government? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Excellent 5% 8% 6% 6% 6% 5% 6%
Good 55% 65% 55% 65% 56% 77% 58%
Fair 32% 23% 29% 27% 30% 18% 29%
Poor 8% 4% 9% 2% 7% 1% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 114: Question #11 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government
performance.
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest
of the community at large 53% 66% 56% 60% 56% 70% 57%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 72% 72% 74% 69% 73% 66% 72%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 53% 52% 55% 49% 53% 50% 52%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 55% 67% 61% 59% 59% 70% 60%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within
the community 49% 57% 56% 47% 52% 56% 52%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen
involvement 52% 59% 56% 54% 54% 64% 55%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 106
Table 115: Question #12 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person or phone contact with
an employee of the City of Wheat Ridge? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Yes 44% 33% 44% 33% 41% 27% 40%
No 56% 67% 56% 67% 59% 73% 60%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 116: Question #13 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in your
most recent contact? (Rate each characteristic below.)
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12
months.
Percent excellent or good Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Knowledge 82% 68% 82% 66% 76% 89% 77%
Responsiveness 73% 69% 73% 68% 71% 76% 72%
Courtesy 87% 80% 83% 87% 84% 87% 84%
Making you feel valued 68% 73% 67% 74% 69% 74% 70%
Overall impression 76% 79% 75% 80% 76% 84% 76%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 107
Table 117: Question #14 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding very or somewhat safe Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Parks and playgrounds 88% 86% 89% 84% 87% 86% 87%
Recreation centers 95% 94% 95% 94% 94% 99% 94%
In your neighborhood 86% 85% 88% 82% 85% 88% 86%
In your home 93% 94% 94% 93% 93% 94% 93%
On the trail system 73% 73% 73% 74% 73% 78% 73%
On roadways 69% 70% 70% 69% 69% 73% 70%
Retail/commercial areas 82% 82% 83% 81% 81% 85% 82%
Table 118: Question #15 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in
the last 12 months.
Percent responding "yes" Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 14% 11% 11% 15% 13% 12% 13%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge 25% 23% 21% 29% 24% 20% 24%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 108
Table 119: Question #16 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department to
prioritize resources in each of the following areas in the next 12
months?
Percent responding "essential" Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Solving violent crimes 74% 63% 74% 62% 71% 56% 69%
Solving property crimes 36% 36% 42% 28% 38% 27% 36%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 30% 37% 36% 28% 33% 34% 33%
Reducing illegal drug activity 42% 41% 45% 36% 42% 36% 41%
Enforcement of traffic laws 25% 23% 27% 20% 25% 20% 25%
Code enforcement 17% 16% 18% 15% 18% 10% 17%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 37% 49% 41% 44% 42% 40% 42%
Table 120: Question #17 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police
Department place on each of the following in the next two years?
Percent responding "high priority" Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Better connection with the community (i.e., community forums, events) 26% 33% 29% 29% 28% 38% 29%
Increased visibility of police 38% 38% 38% 38% 38% 34% 38%
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental
health issues 60% 67% 61% 66% 62% 70% 63%
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information 24% 30% 24% 30% 27% 24% 26%
More community policing officers (problem solving at a community-level
such as neighborhood problems) 28% 37% 29% 35% 32% 31% 32%
Adding officers in public schools 31% 38% 33% 34% 32% 45% 34%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 32% 45% 38% 36% 37% 41% 37%
Adding surveillance cameras in high crime area 48% 58% 50% 54% 52% 51% 52%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 109
Table 121: Question #18 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Please rate the following statements by circling the number which best
represents your opinion. Wheat Ridge should...
Percent responding strongly or somewhat agree Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing areas 79% 83% 79% 83% 81% 78% 80%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business areas 89% 81% 86% 84% 86% 83% 85%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and identity 77% 76% 74% 80% 76% 80% 76%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail businesses to
Wheat Ridge 83% 75% 80% 79% 80% 78% 79%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th Avenue,
44th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling St 82% 82% 81% 84% 81% 85% 82%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 74% 84% 78% 79% 77% 84% 78%
Table 122: Question #19 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
For each type of shopping, please estimate how frequently you make
purchases in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding somewhat or very frequently Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Grocery shopping 89% 89% 90% 87% 89% 83% 89%
Health services 46% 43% 45% 44% 45% 47% 45%
Meals and entertainment 63% 64% 63% 64% 63% 70% 64%
Household items 53% 62% 55% 59% 56% 64% 57%
Computers and electronics 6% 12% 8% 10% 8% 18% 9%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) 27% 38% 31% 32% 29% 48% 32%
Community gardens 15% 17% 15% 18% 16% 14% 16%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 110
Table 123: Question #20 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside of
Wheat Ridge? (Check all that apply.) Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 2% 5% 3% 3% 3% 8% 3%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my home 40% 44% 40% 43% 41% 45% 41%
I like the range of quality goods and services 49% 35% 47% 38% 44% 35% 43%
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 74% 56% 70% 61% 69% 48% 66%
It is more affordable 14% 23% 16% 21% 18% 21% 18%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 48% 49% 48% 50% 48% 50% 48%
I shop online 55% 51% 53% 53% 54% 44% 53%
Other 5% 7% 7% 5% 6% 5% 6%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
Table 124: Question #21 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of Wheat
Ridge? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Major problem 18% 21% 18% 22% 18% 30% 20%
Moderate problem 44% 37% 41% 41% 43% 32% 41%
Minor problem 28% 32% 31% 28% 30% 30% 30%
Not a problem 9% 10% 10% 9% 10% 7% 9%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 111
Table 125: Question #22 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute funding to
community-based organizations that provide each of the following
services to the homeless populations?
Percent responding essential or very important Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Job training programs 49% 65% 54% 59% 53% 78% 56%
Mental health programs 74% 82% 74% 83% 76% 88% 77%
Substance abuse programs 71% 79% 70% 81% 73% 81% 74%
Shelters for severe weather 60% 72% 62% 71% 65% 70% 65%
Housing/rental assistance programs 47% 72% 53% 64% 55% 75% 57%
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services such as job
training and substance abuse treatment 57% 75% 60% 72% 62% 86% 65%
Table 126: Question #23 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following
conditions if short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) were allowed in the
City?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as short-
term rentals 46% 53% 48% 50% 49% 52% 49%
Allow accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or garages) to be
used as short-term rentals 46% 51% 50% 45% 49% 40% 48%
Limit the total number of days a property can be rented per year 41% 29% 41% 29% 38% 20% 36%
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and only rent room(s),
not the whole house 29% 20% 27% 22% 27% 12% 25%
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent their property 49% 46% 49% 47% 49% 38% 48%
Collect a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals (similar to the current
lodger’s tax for visitors of hotels/motels, which is 10%) 46% 42% 45% 43% 46% 35% 44%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 112
Table 127: Question #24 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Currently, the City restricts residential building heights for new
construction and additions. In addition, there are bulk plane regulations
in two zone districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane is a diagonal limit that
also regulates vertical construction. By adding the diagonal limit, a
house's upper stories are required to be set back further from perimeter
property lines. This typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but increases
the required separation between homes. To what extent do you support
or oppose each of the following regulations?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Bulk plane regulations in general 65% 54% 65% 54% 61% 56% 61%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of city 57% 45% 54% 50% 52% 49% 52%
Table 128: Question #25 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-family
zone districts. Thinking about the building height of single- and two-
family homes in Wheat Ridge, please select the one statement below
that most closely represents your opinion. Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
The City should maintain current residential building heights for new
infill development in established neighborhoods 59% 47% 54% 54% 55% 46% 54%
The City should further restrict current residential building heights for
new infill development in established neighbor 23% 23% 27% 19% 24% 19% 23%
I don't know 18% 29% 19% 27% 21% 35% 23%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 113
Table 129: Question #26 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing
units with a separate entrance, kitchen, bath, and bed created within a
single family home or on its lot. Currently the City does not allow ADUs.
To what extent do you support or oppose the City allowing ADUs? Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Strongly support 25% 29% 30% 22% 27% 29% 27%
Somewhat support 25% 28% 25% 29% 27% 22% 26%
Neither support nor oppose 22% 24% 20% 27% 22% 32% 23%
Somewhat oppose 12% 9% 10% 12% 12% 6% 11%
Strongly oppose 15% 9% 15% 11% 13% 11% 13%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 130: Question #27 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the
following regulations be?
Percent responding essential or very important Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home 71% 71% 72% 69% 70% 79% 71%
Restrict the size of the ADU 59% 44% 57% 47% 55% 42% 53%
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU 71% 66% 72% 64% 69% 65% 69%
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU 59% 47% 59% 46% 56% 42% 54%
Require off-street parking 64% 57% 62% 59% 61% 58% 61%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 114
Table 131: Question #28 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for each of
the following reasons?
Percent responding very or somewhat likely Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
For an elderly family member 77% 90% 79% 87% 82% 78% 82%
For a disabled family member 74% 87% 77% 83% 80% 77% 79%
For an adult child 47% 63% 51% 57% 52% 69% 54%
For visitors 48% 56% 51% 52% 49% 63% 51%
For my own personal use 51% 63% 53% 59% 56% 54% 56%
For rental income 46% 67% 50% 62% 53% 72% 55%
Table 132: Question #29 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of the
following areas of environmental sustainability, which may or may not
increase costs for taxpayers?
Percent responding essential or very important Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Starting a composting program 39% 42% 43% 36% 38% 60% 40%
Diverting trash from the landfill 57% 62% 55% 65% 59% 63% 59%
Encouraging water conservation 73% 76% 72% 78% 74% 77% 74%
Encouraging water quality improvement 74% 84% 76% 83% 78% 81% 78%
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use 54% 50% 55% 50% 53% 50% 53%
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit 73% 71% 71% 74% 72% 78% 72%
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings 69% 77% 68% 78% 72% 77% 72%
Promoting energy efficiency for the community 67% 76% 67% 76% 69% 84% 71%
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community 66% 70% 63% 74% 67% 70% 67%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community 65% 75% 66% 75% 70% 69% 69%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home 62% 76% 65% 73% 67% 74% 68%
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections, bike
lanes, retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc.) 73% 76% 73% 78% 75% 76% 75%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 115
Table 133: Question #30 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use each of
the following social media sites?
Percent responding at least 1 to 3 times a month Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
Facebook 66% 65% 62% 72% 65% 72% 66%
Twitter 21% 20% 20% 22% 21% 20% 20%
YouTube 72% 72% 71% 74% 71% 80% 72%
LinkedIn 43% 31% 39% 38% 41% 23% 38%
NextDoor 35% 24% 35% 25% 33% 15% 31%
Instagram 34% 33% 31% 37% 33% 41% 33%
Snapchat 16% 22% 13% 27% 17% 33% 19%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 116
Table 134: Question #31 by Tenure, Type of Housing Unit and Self-Reported Voting
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other
household members used the following sources of information for news
about Wheat Ridge?
Percent responding at least once or twice Own Rent
Single
Family
Home
Multi-
Family
Home
Voted in
last
election
Did NOT
vote Overall
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter 81% 63% 78% 67% 75% 61% 73%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 77% 62% 76% 63% 73% 53% 71%
Denver Post 49% 38% 45% 42% 47% 26% 44%
Denver Post YourHub 29% 18% 27% 20% 25% 16% 24%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 50% 40% 50% 41% 49% 30% 46%
Neighborhood Gazette 71% 63% 73% 61% 69% 57% 68%
Radio news 44% 45% 43% 46% 45% 40% 45%
Television news 63% 60% 60% 63% 63% 51% 62%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 21% 21% 20% 22% 22% 18% 21%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 10% 10% 10% 11% 10% 10% 10%
City's website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us 60% 36% 55% 43% 52% 32% 50%
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events, calendar
listing) 26% 22% 25% 24% 26% 14% 25%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 23% 26% 23% 26% 25% 18% 24%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or
Twitter) 20% 19% 20% 20% 21% 8% 20%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 5% 7% 5% 7% 6% 4% 6%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 11% 16% 13% 13% 14% 9% 13%
Community-created Facebook groups about Wheat Ridge 21% 18% 20% 19% 20% 14% 20%
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) 41% 29% 39% 32% 38% 21% 36%
Word of mouth 85% 78% 82% 82% 83% 73% 82%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 117
Comparisons by Age, Gender and Race
Highlights
Older residents (55+) tended to give more favorable reviews to their neighborhood as a place to live, the city as a place to work and the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge than did younger residents. Females tended to be more positive about various aspects of quality
of life in the city than were males.
Younger respondents (18-34) were more optimistic about their quality of life in the city improving in the next 5 years than were those who were older (35+).
Residents ages 18-34 tended to be more critical of the quality of many City services than were those who were 35 years or older. The
importance of City services tended to increase with age and females and those who were not white also viewed City services as more important than did their counterparts.
The importance of the Wheat Ridge Police Department prioritizing resources for various activities in the next 12 months tended to increase with age. Overall, older residents (55+) and females were more likely to feel various actions the Police Department could take
in the next two years were a high priority compared to younger residents and males.
The youngest residents (18-34) and females placed higher importance on the City contributing funding to organizations that serve the homeless than did those who were older and males.
Respondents age 55+ were less supportive of the city allowing single family homes, apartments or condos or accessory dwelling units to
be used as short-term rentals than were their counterparts.
Older respondents (55+) voiced more support for bulk plane regulations in general and expansion of these regulations to other zones of the city than did younger respondents. Older resident also were more likely to be in favor of regulations for ADUs, if allowed.
The importance of the City focusing on various environmental sustainability areas increased as age decreased. Residents who were not
white were more likely to feel starting a composting program and diverting trash from the landfill were important focus areas for the City than were white residents.
As may be expected, use of various social media sites decreased as age increased. Females and those who were not white tended to be
more likely to use social media sites than did their counterparts.
Residents 18-34 were less likely to have used print media, television news and radio news in the 12 months prior to the survey to get news about Wheat Ridge than were those who were 35 years of age or older. Older residents (55+) were less likely to have used the City’s website, social media sites and neighborhood websites as sources of information about Wheat Ridge.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 118
Table 135: Question #1 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Circle the number that best represents your opinion:
Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 96% 87% 91% 92% 89% 91% 92% 90%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 74% 79% 83% 80% 80% 79% 82% 79%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 76% 76% 79% 83% 71% 75% 85% 77%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 54% 59% 68% 62% 61% 61% 65% 61%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 71% 67% 78% 79% 66% 74% 68% 73%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as
a whole? 48% 47% 60% 56% 49% 51% 61% 52%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 83% 79% 81% 84% 78% 81% 82% 81%
Table 136: Question #2 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve,
stay the same, or decline over the next 5 years? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Improve a lot 17% 12% 11% 14% 12% 14% 9% 13%
Improve slightly 61% 52% 41% 50% 48% 48% 57% 49%
Stay the same 8% 17% 27% 17% 21% 20% 14% 19%
Decline slightly 10% 17% 18% 15% 15% 15% 18% 16%
Decline a lot 4% 2% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 119
Table 137: Question #3 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all
that apply.) 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
I feel safe here 47% 42% 44% 44% 45% 43% 51% 44%
I like the school my children attend 9% 12% 4% 10% 6% 7% 16% 8%
My job is here 16% 13% 9% 9% 16% 12% 16% 12%
I like my neighborhood 44% 50% 52% 51% 47% 49% 50% 49%
I like the location in general 80% 79% 72% 77% 76% 77% 78% 76%
I like the access to dining and entertainment 39% 28% 23% 30% 27% 29% 31% 29%
Housing and rental rates are affordable 50% 21% 23% 29% 30% 30% 26% 29%
I've always lived here 9% 8% 18% 14% 11% 14% 8% 13%
I have friends and family in the area 17% 23% 33% 28% 23% 27% 19% 26%
Small town feel 26% 22% 32% 34% 20% 29% 20% 27%
Cost of living is affordable 44% 22% 19% 24% 29% 27% 23% 26%
I like that the community is forward-thinking 15% 15% 16% 19% 12% 16% 13% 16%
The growing and diverse community 12% 17% 13% 14% 14% 14% 12% 14%
None of these 4% 2% 5% 4% 3% 3% 5% 4%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 120
Table 138: Question #4 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to
Wheat Ridge as a whole: Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Sense of community 67% 56% 69% 70% 56% 62% 68% 63%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of
diverse backgrounds 64% 52% 64% 61% 59% 60% 61% 59%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 56% 56% 66% 62% 58% 60% 61% 60%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 57% 57% 51% 55% 55% 54% 61% 54%
Variety of housing options 50% 48% 48% 48% 50% 49% 47% 49%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat
Ridge 67% 54% 54% 57% 57% 54% 76% 57%
Shopping opportunities 31% 34% 44% 36% 38% 37% 41% 37%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 58% 38% 35% 43% 38% 39% 50% 41%
Recreational opportunities 86% 74% 74% 76% 79% 78% 77% 77%
Employment opportunities 49% 35% 34% 40% 36% 38% 38% 38%
Educational opportunities 38% 46% 48% 45% 45% 45% 47% 45%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 67% 60% 55% 62% 56% 59% 59% 59%
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 70% 69% 69% 69% 70% 64% 69%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 58% 68% 62% 65% 63% 65% 56% 63%
Availability of paths and walking trails 76% 79% 81% 80% 78% 81% 72% 79%
Availability of bike trails 78% 75% 78% 79% 76% 79% 70% 77%
Availability of affordable quality housing 40% 31% 37% 35% 36% 35% 40% 35%
Availability of affordable quality child care 9% 37% 44% 34% 32% 31% 36% 33%
Availability of affordable quality health care 58% 55% 70% 59% 66% 64% 51% 62%
Availability of affordable quality food 75% 64% 70% 69% 70% 71% 61% 69%
Availability of preventive health services 68% 59% 66% 61% 67% 63% 69% 64%
Air quality 72% 62% 61% 64% 64% 65% 63% 64%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 67% 71% 71% 73% 68% 70% 74% 70%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 59% 58% 66% 66% 56% 60% 69% 61%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 121
Table 139: Question #5 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or
other household members participated in the following activities in
Wheat Ridge?
Percent who have participated at least once 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 50% 64% 59% 60% 58% 60% 49% 59%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 31% 48% 44% 45% 39% 43% 42% 42%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 96% 91% 75% 84% 89% 86% 90% 86%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 20% 27% 19% 22% 22% 22% 25% 21%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 92% 83% 66% 75% 82% 79% 73% 78%
Used Clear Creek Trail 82% 73% 55% 63% 74% 69% 65% 68%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public
meeting 10% 25% 30% 23% 22% 23% 26% 23%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television 5% 21% 32% 19% 24% 21% 24% 21%
Participated in a senior program 0% 3% 34% 20% 8% 16% 11% 15%
Visited the Active Adult Center 6% 8% 39% 27% 12% 21% 15% 21%
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 96% 92% 92% 95% 91% 93% 95% 93%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 49% 47% 48% 51% 45% 48% 45% 48%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 63% 73% 67% 68% 68% 67% 74% 68%
Ridden an RTD bus 39% 37% 36% 33% 41% 34% 49% 37%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 49% 44% 34% 40% 41% 43% 33% 41%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
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Table 140: Question #6: Quality by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For
each service, please first rate the quality of each service and next
rate the importance of each service.
Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Snow removal 55% 66% 67% 65% 63% 65% 57% 64%
Street repair and maintenance 51% 52% 53% 54% 50% 53% 53% 52%
Street cleaning 67% 66% 60% 64% 64% 64% 64% 64%
Traffic enforcement 68% 66% 62% 66% 64% 66% 57% 64%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 50% 53% 46% 49% 51% 50% 46% 49%
Animal control 52% 61% 63% 62% 59% 60% 63% 60%
Land use, planning and zoning 43% 46% 37% 45% 39% 43% 44% 42%
Building permits 56% 56% 49% 58% 48% 54% 52% 52%
Building inspections 40% 50% 50% 52% 46% 48% 59% 49%
Maintenance of existing city parks 75% 70% 77% 76% 73% 74% 78% 74%
Maintenance of open space and trails 80% 74% 78% 78% 76% 77% 81% 77%
Recreation programs 76% 78% 80% 81% 75% 78% 87% 78%
Recreation facilities 71% 75% 81% 80% 74% 77% 79% 77%
Community/public art 38% 56% 46% 48% 47% 46% 59% 47%
Services/programs for youth 61% 60% 61% 65% 57% 59% 69% 61%
Services/programs for seniors 73% 65% 69% 72% 64% 67% 74% 68%
Municipal court 38% 54% 63% 57% 53% 53% 61% 54%
Public information services 59% 59% 55% 57% 57% 57% 62% 56%
Policing services 66% 63% 73% 72% 65% 69% 68% 68%
Police response time to emergency police calls
(not code enforcement) 65% 70% 79% 76% 71% 73% 78% 74%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls
(not code enforcement) 67% 66% 72% 72% 66% 68% 74% 68%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 61% 76% 69% 69% 72% 70% 68% 70%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
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Page 123
Table 141: Question #6: Importance by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For
each service, please first rate the quality of each service and next
rate the importance of each service.
Percent essential or very important 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Snow removal 78% 80% 88% 89% 76% 82% 85% 83%
Street repair and maintenance 86% 88% 91% 89% 87% 88% 91% 88%
Street cleaning 69% 68% 69% 68% 69% 65% 84% 68%
Traffic enforcement 54% 75% 82% 76% 69% 73% 70% 73%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 59% 63% 74% 70% 62% 67% 62% 66%
Animal control 34% 58% 69% 63% 49% 57% 52% 56%
Land use, planning and zoning 68% 72% 79% 80% 68% 75% 67% 74%
Building permits 56% 64% 75% 73% 61% 66% 70% 66%
Building inspections 59% 75% 80% 77% 68% 71% 84% 73%
Maintenance of existing city parks 81% 82% 85% 85% 80% 82% 91% 83%
Maintenance of open space and trails 87% 88% 83% 88% 84% 84% 92% 86%
Recreation programs 78% 75% 74% 79% 71% 74% 81% 75%
Recreation facilities 59% 62% 74% 73% 59% 67% 59% 66%
Community/public art 61% 57% 43% 54% 52% 50% 65% 53%
Services/programs for youth 84% 76% 81% 81% 78% 78% 87% 80%
Services/programs for seniors 57% 67% 76% 74% 61% 66% 77% 68%
Municipal court 58% 67% 79% 71% 67% 66% 83% 69%
Public information services 53% 61% 72% 70% 56% 61% 77% 63%
Policing services 81% 86% 92% 90% 85% 90% 75% 87%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 91% 91% 95% 96% 89% 93% 87% 93%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 88% 87% 88% 93% 81% 88% 85% 88%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 93% 86% 89% 94% 83% 89% 89% 89%
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 124
Table 142: Question #7 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by
the City of Wheat Ridge? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Excellent 3% 10% 12% 10% 8% 9% 7% 9%
Good 74% 63% 61% 66% 64% 64% 75% 65%
Fair 18% 26% 25% 21% 25% 24% 17% 24%
Poor 5% 1% 3% 3% 3% 3% 1% 3%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 143: Question #8 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City
of Wheat Ridge:
Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Condition of city streets 68% 63% 63% 66% 63% 63% 72% 64%
Access to mass transit 68% 63% 72% 70% 66% 66% 78% 67%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 75% 68% 60% 66% 68% 67% 67% 66%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 72% 64% 72% 72% 67% 69% 73% 69%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 48% 55% 62% 57% 55% 56% 55% 56%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 54% 64% 62% 60% 61% 64% 61%
Traffic flow on major streets 30% 33% 29% 27% 35% 31% 27% 31%
Table 144: Question #9 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the
following:
Percent responding very or somewhat likely 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 91% 92% 87% 93% 86% 89% 96% 90%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 78% 88% 90% 91% 81% 87% 86% 86%
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Table 145: Question #10 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge
city government? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Excellent 3% 5% 8% 7% 5% 6% 9% 6%
Good 76% 55% 56% 64% 54% 59% 59% 58%
Fair 19% 34% 30% 25% 32% 29% 27% 29%
Poor 2% 7% 7% 4% 9% 6% 5% 7%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 146: Question #11 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government
performance.
Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best
interest of the community at large 74% 55% 55% 64% 52% 58% 61% 57%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 77% 70% 73% 73% 72% 73% 72% 72%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 48% 52% 55% 53% 51% 53% 54% 52%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 75% 62% 51% 62% 60% 59% 71% 60%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues
within the community 53% 55% 50% 55% 50% 52% 59% 52%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen
involvement 51% 56% 57% 60% 51% 57% 48% 55%
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Table 147: Question #12 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person or phone contact
with an employee of the City of Wheat Ridge? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Yes 31% 44% 41% 38% 39% 40% 39% 40%
No 69% 56% 59% 62% 61% 60% 61% 60%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 148: Question #13 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in
your most recent contact? (Rate each characteristic below.)
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the
last 12 months.
Percent excellent or good 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Knowledge 46% 82% 86% 75% 78% 78% 72% 77%
Responsiveness 66% 72% 74% 75% 69% 73% 73% 72%
Courtesy 76% 86% 85% 84% 85% 85% 80% 84%
Making you feel valued 62% 67% 75% 71% 69% 69% 72% 70%
Overall impression 70% 76% 81% 79% 75% 78% 73% 76%
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Table 149: Question #14 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat
Ridge:
Percent responding very or somewhat safe 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Parks and playgrounds 87% 85% 88% 84% 91% 87% 89% 87%
Recreation centers 99% 93% 93% 93% 96% 94% 94% 94%
In your neighborhood 81% 87% 87% 84% 88% 86% 84% 86%
In your home 93% 92% 96% 93% 94% 93% 96% 93%
On the trail system 76% 72% 73% 69% 79% 72% 80% 73%
On roadways 69% 71% 68% 68% 71% 69% 73% 70%
Retail/commercial areas 86% 80% 82% 81% 83% 81% 89% 82%
Table 150: Question #15 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following
in the last 12 months.
Percent responding "yes" 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 21% 13% 9% 13% 12% 14% 10% 13%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge 29% 29% 17% 22% 26% 26% 15% 24%
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Table 151: Question #16 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department
to prioritize resources in each of the following areas in the next 12
months?
Percent responding "essential" 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Solving violent crimes 63% 73% 70% 70% 68% 69% 71% 69%
Solving property crimes 30% 36% 41% 37% 36% 36% 38% 36%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 23% 31% 40% 32% 33% 31% 40% 33%
Reducing illegal drug activity 32% 34% 52% 47% 34% 41% 42% 41%
Enforcement of traffic laws 11% 22% 34% 23% 24% 24% 24% 25%
Code enforcement 11% 13% 23% 18% 15% 17% 14% 17%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch,
citizen police academy) 44% 39% 43% 43% 40% 41% 44% 42%
Table 152: Question #17 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge
Police Department place on each of the following in the next two
years?
Percent responding "high priority" 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Better connection with the community (i.e., community forums,
events) 38% 23% 30% 28% 31% 27% 39% 29%
Increased visibility of police 24% 39% 46% 40% 34% 39% 28% 38%
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental
health issues 66% 67% 57% 67% 59% 63% 65% 63%
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information 26% 21% 31% 30% 22% 26% 27% 26%
More community policing officers (problem solving at a
community-level such as neighborhood problems) 35% 29% 32% 34% 29% 34% 19% 32%
Adding officers in public schools 24% 34% 40% 40% 26% 34% 34% 34%
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras 36% 31% 44% 39% 34% 34% 54% 37%
Adding surveillance cameras in high crime area 47% 47% 59% 61% 42% 51% 55% 52%
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Table 153: Question #18 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Please rate the following statements by circling the number which
best represents your opinion. Wheat Ridge should...
Percent responding strongly or somewhat agree 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing areas 84% 80% 79% 84% 78% 81% 81% 80%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business areas 80% 91% 85% 86% 86% 86% 83% 85%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and identity 75% 79% 76% 81% 72% 76% 76% 76%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail
businesses to Wheat Ridge 78% 78% 82% 81% 78% 81% 70% 79%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th
Avenue, 44th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling St 83% 83% 81% 84% 80% 84% 72% 82%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 79% 74% 81% 84% 73% 78% 79% 78%
Table 154: Question #19 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
For each type of shopping, please estimate how frequently you
make purchases in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding somewhat or very frequently 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Grocery shopping 88% 92% 86% 91% 86% 88% 93% 89%
Health services 26% 44% 56% 50% 39% 44% 47% 45%
Meals and entertainment 68% 62% 62% 65% 61% 62% 69% 64%
Household items 56% 55% 58% 66% 47% 55% 62% 57%
Computers and electronics 5% 7% 14% 10% 9% 8% 17% 9%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) 20% 30% 41% 39% 24% 30% 36% 32%
Community gardens 20% 13% 17% 20% 12% 17% 13% 16%
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Table 155: Question #20 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside
of Wheat Ridge? (Check all that apply.) 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 1% 2% 6% 3% 4% 4% 2% 3%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my home 49% 51% 30% 43% 40% 41% 44% 41%
I like the range of quality goods and services 50% 41% 41% 42% 44% 43% 43% 43%
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 69% 67% 64% 66% 66% 67% 63% 66%
It is more affordable 24% 13% 18% 21% 14% 18% 19% 18%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 48% 46% 51% 52% 44% 46% 63% 48%
I shop online 80% 55% 35% 54% 52% 55% 51% 53%
Other 7% 4% 7% 5% 7% 6% 7% 6%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
Table 156: Question #21 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of
Wheat Ridge? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Major problem 20% 19% 18% 22% 17% 20% 18% 20%
Moderate problem 30% 40% 52% 44% 38% 42% 41% 41%
Minor problem 37% 31% 24% 28% 32% 30% 25% 30%
Not a problem 13% 10% 6% 7% 13% 8% 15% 9%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 157: Question #22 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute
funding to community-based organizations that provide each of the
following services to the homeless populations?
Percent responding essential or very important 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Job training programs 63% 52% 55% 60% 51% 53% 66% 56%
Mental health programs 83% 77% 75% 80% 74% 77% 83% 77%
Substance abuse programs 79% 76% 71% 77% 70% 74% 76% 74%
Shelters for severe weather 65% 65% 67% 74% 55% 64% 70% 65%
Housing/rental assistance programs 61% 58% 56% 66% 48% 55% 69% 57%
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services such as
job training and substance abuse treatment 76% 63% 60% 70% 59% 64% 71% 65%
Table 158: Question #23 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following
conditions if short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) were allowed in
the City?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to be used as
short-term rentals 58% 54% 39% 46% 53% 49% 55% 49%
Allow accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or garages) to
be used as short-term rentals 58% 53% 38% 49% 49% 49% 49% 48%
Limit the total number of days a property can be rented per year 29% 36% 41% 35% 35% 39% 19% 36%
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and only rent
room(s), not the whole house 14% 28% 30% 24% 25% 27% 16% 25%
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent their property 47% 47% 50% 48% 48% 50% 43% 48%
Collect a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals (similar to the current
lodger’s tax for visitors of hotels/motels, which is 10%) 44% 46% 43% 42% 47% 44% 48% 44%
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Table 159: Question #24 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Currently, the City restricts residential building heights for new
construction and additions. In addition, there are bulk plane
regulations in two zone districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane is a
diagonal limit that also regulates vertical construction. By adding
the diagonal limit, a house's upper stories are required to be set
back further from perimeter property lines. This typically still
allows 2-3 story homes, but increases the required separation
between homes. To what extent do you support or oppose each of
the following regulations?
Percent who strongly or somewhat support 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Bulk plane regulations in general 55% 57% 67% 62% 58% 63% 48% 61%
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of city 51% 46% 59% 54% 49% 54% 42% 52%
Table 160: Question #25 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-
family zone districts. Thinking about the building height of single-
and two-family homes in Wheat Ridge, please select the one
statement below that most closely represents your opinion. 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
The City should maintain current residential building heights for
new infill development in established neighborhoods 61% 56% 49% 50% 59% 55% 56% 54%
The City should further restrict current residential building heights
for new infill development in established neighbor 18% 25% 24% 23% 23% 23% 22% 23%
I don't know 20% 19% 27% 27% 18% 22% 21% 23%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 161: Question #26 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent
housing units with a separate entrance, kitchen, bath, and bed
created within a single family home or on its lot. Currently the City
does not allow ADUs. To what extent do you support or oppose the
City allowing ADUs? 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Strongly support 31% 30% 20% 28% 26% 27% 29% 27%
Somewhat support 27% 27% 26% 25% 28% 27% 28% 26%
Neither support nor oppose 22% 20% 26% 24% 22% 23% 23% 23%
Somewhat oppose 8% 10% 14% 11% 10% 11% 12% 11%
Strongly oppose 12% 12% 14% 11% 14% 13% 9% 13%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 162: Question #27 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of
the following regulations be?
Percent responding essential or very important 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing
home 69% 65% 77% 73% 68% 70% 72% 71%
Restrict the size of the ADU 36% 49% 66% 57% 48% 54% 46% 53%
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU 57% 67% 78% 71% 66% 70% 64% 69%
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU 46% 51% 62% 56% 52% 56% 43% 54%
Require off-street parking 51% 55% 71% 60% 60% 63% 49% 61%
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Table 163: Question #28 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for
each of the following reasons?
Percent responding very or somewhat likely 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
For an elderly family member 78% 86% 80% 88% 76% 80% 91% 82%
For a disabled family member 70% 85% 80% 84% 75% 77% 88% 79%
For an adult child 47% 55% 57% 63% 44% 53% 56% 54%
For visitors 62% 53% 42% 57% 47% 49% 62% 51%
For my own personal use 60% 60% 50% 61% 53% 54% 66% 56%
For rental income 67% 57% 45% 57% 54% 52% 72% 55%
Table 164: Question #29 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of
the following areas of environmental sustainability, which may or
may not increase costs for taxpayers?
Percent responding essential or very important 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Starting a composting program 52% 37% 36% 41% 40% 37% 58% 40%
Diverting trash from the landfill 72% 62% 49% 61% 58% 58% 67% 59%
Encouraging water conservation 87% 74% 67% 74% 75% 74% 77% 74%
Encouraging water quality improvement 91% 77% 73% 79% 79% 78% 82% 78%
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use 58% 57% 45% 50% 56% 52% 58% 53%
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit 72% 75% 71% 71% 73% 72% 76% 72%
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings 76% 75% 69% 75% 70% 71% 77% 72%
Promoting energy efficiency for the community 76% 72% 67% 74% 67% 70% 77% 71%
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community 79% 68% 59% 68% 67% 67% 69% 67%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community 79% 73% 61% 72% 67% 70% 70% 69%
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home 78% 73% 58% 71% 66% 69% 67% 68%
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections,
bike lanes, retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc.) 85% 78% 65% 77% 73% 74% 79% 75%
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Table 165: Question #30 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use each
of the following social media sites?
Percent responding at least 1 to 3 times a month 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
Facebook 79% 74% 51% 72% 59% 65% 76% 66%
Twitter 32% 24% 11% 19% 23% 20% 29% 20%
YouTube 92% 85% 50% 70% 74% 72% 79% 72%
LinkedIn 58% 48% 18% 35% 43% 40% 34% 38%
NextDoor 42% 34% 21% 36% 25% 31% 30% 31%
Instagram 67% 38% 10% 37% 30% 33% 40% 33%
Snapchat 49% 14% 5% 23% 14% 17% 27% 19%
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Table 166: Question #31 by Age, Gender and Race of Respondent
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or
other household members used the following sources of
information for news about Wheat Ridge?
Percent responding at least once or twice 18-34 35-54 55+ Female Male White
Not
white Overall
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter 55% 79% 79% 71% 75% 74% 69% 73%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 48% 76% 80% 73% 69% 71% 66% 71%
Denver Post 43% 38% 50% 42% 47% 46% 36% 44%
Denver Post YourHub 15% 17% 36% 24% 23% 25% 16% 24%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 31% 45% 57% 43% 49% 47% 39% 46%
Neighborhood Gazette 50% 70% 76% 68% 67% 68% 65% 68%
Radio news 37% 41% 52% 43% 47% 45% 42% 45%
Television news 47% 58% 74% 66% 57% 61% 65% 62%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 11% 21% 28% 20% 22% 19% 31% 21%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 8% 11% 10% 7% 13% 9% 13% 10%
City's website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us 50% 65% 37% 49% 51% 52% 42% 50%
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events,
calendar listing) 18% 31% 23% 27% 22% 25% 22% 25%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 29% 32% 14% 28% 20% 23% 32% 24%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or
Twitter) 24% 27% 11% 20% 18% 20% 19% 20%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 2% 2% 11% 7% 4% 5% 5% 6%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 11% 16% 13% 14% 12% 13% 16% 13%
Community-created Facebook groups about Wheat Ridge 18% 28% 13% 24% 15% 19% 25% 20%
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) 45% 39% 27% 42% 30% 37% 27% 36%
Word of mouth 80% 83% 82% 84% 79% 83% 76% 82%
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Appendix C: Comparisons of Survey Results over Time
The tables on the following pages show responses to survey questions in 2018 to survey results from previous years’ surveys conducted for Wheat Ridge. Shading indicates statistically significant differences in responses between 2018 and 2015 (p≤ .05).
Table 167: Question #1 by Year of Survey
Circle the number that best represents your opinion:
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? 90% 84% 87% 86% 82% 86%
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? 79% 78% 77% 77% 73% 75%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? 77% 74% 76% 74% 74% 77%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? 61% 51% 58% 55%
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? 73% 67% 71% 68% 68% 68%
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a whole? 52% 52% 53% 48% 52% 52%
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? 81% 78% 79% 74% 75% 77%
Table 168: Question #2 by Year of Survey
Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay the same, or decline
over the next 5 years? 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Improve a lot 13% 17% 11% 11% 11% 5%
Improve slightly 49% 43% 43% 39% 35% 31%
Stay the same 19% 22% 31% 28% 29% 38%
Decline slightly 16% 14% 13% 19% 20% 21%
Decline a lot 3% 4% 2% 3% 5% 5%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 169: Question #3 by Year of Survey
What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that apply.) 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
I feel safe here 44% 46%
I like the school my children attend 8% 8%
My job is here 12% 14%
I like my neighborhood 49% 54%
I like the location in general 76% 72%
I like the access to dining and entertainment 29% 26%
Housing and rental rates are affordable 29% 36%
I've always lived here 13% 15%
I have friends and family in the area 26% 28%
Small town feel 27%
Cost of living is affordable 26% 34%
I like that the community is forward-thinking 16% 15%
The growing and diverse community 14% 14%
None of these 4%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
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Table 170: Question #4 by Year of Survey
Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat Ridge as a whole:
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Sense of community 63% 53% 59%
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of diverse backgrounds 59% 56% 63%
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 60% 60% 66%
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge 54% 52% 49%
Variety of housing options 49% 50% 55%
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge 57% 48% 51%
Shopping opportunities 37% 36% 37%
Opportunities to attend cultural activities 41% 31% 34%
Recreational opportunities 77% 66% 70%
Employment opportunities 38% 25% 25%
Educational opportunities 45% 36% 42%
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities 59% 48% 46%
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 60% 65%
Opportunities to participate in civic matters 63% 56% 59%
Availability of paths and walking trails 79% 74% 70%
Availability of bike trails 77% 71%
Availability of affordable quality housing 35% 43% 51%
Availability of affordable quality child care 33% 33% 44%
Availability of affordable quality health care 62% 61% 62%
Availability of affordable quality food 69% 61% 57%
Availability of preventive health services 64% 61% 63%
Air quality 64% 67% 66%
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge 70% 68% 71%
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge 61% 60% 61%
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Table 171: Question #5 by Year of Survey
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members
participated in the following activities in Wheat Ridge?
Percent who have participated at least once 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center 59% 58% 61% 64% 63% 63%
Participated in a recreation program or activity 42% 39% 44% 44% 44% 42%
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 86% 85% 85% 85% 84% 82%
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool 21%
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path 78% 76% 75% 76% 75% 71%
Used Clear Creek Trail 68%
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public meeting 23% 26% 24% 27% 21% 23%
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television 21% 25% 32% 44% 41% 42%
Participated in a senior program 15% 16% 18% 20% 17% 15%
Visited the Active Adult Center 21% 22% 26% 33% 29% 30%
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) 93% 89% 89% 92% 90% 90%
Used the Wheat Ridge library 48% 52% 52% 54% 49% 50%
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event 68% 61%
Ridden an RTD bus 37% 38% 40% 44% 36% 40%
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station 41%
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Table 172: Question #6: Quality by Year of Survey
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each service, please first
rate the quality of each service and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Snow removal 64% 67% 67% 58% 69% 64%
Street repair and maintenance 52% 42% 56% 51% 58% 55%
Street cleaning 64% 57% 62% 58% 63% 62%
Traffic enforcement 64% 66% 69% 69% 69% 66%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 49% 48% 49% 45% 42% 42%
Animal control 60% 68% 71%
Land use, planning and zoning 42% 43% 46% 41%
Building permits 52% 48% 51% 56% 54% 56%
Building inspections 49% 52% 59% 57% 52% 54%
Maintenance of existing city parks 74% 77% 80% 77% 79% 76%
Maintenance of open space and trails 77% 78% 77% 75% 80% 74%
Recreation programs 78% 79% 82% 81% 81% 81%
Recreation facilities 77% 83% 85% 85% 87% 85%
Community/public art 47% 40% 41% 45% 43%
Services/programs for youth 61% 64% 64% 65% 54% 64%
Services/programs for seniors 68% 76% 77% 72% 74% 75%
Municipal court 54% 60% 67% 66% 68% 66%
Public information services 56% 48%
Policing services 68% 69% 76% 73% 72% 76%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 74% 79% 83% 79% 79% 79%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 68% 72% 77% 69% 64% 71%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police academy) 70% 59% 67%
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Table 173: Question #6: Importance by Year of Survey
Following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each service, please first
rate the quality of each service and next rate the importance of each service.
Percent essential or very important 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Snow removal 83% 90% 83% 83% 77% 82%
Street repair and maintenance 88% 95% 89% 86% 87% 86%
Street cleaning 68% 61% 53% 55% 53% 55%
Traffic enforcement 73% 76% 72% 77% 78% 82%
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed control, trash, outside storage) 66% 59% 66% 69% 72% 67%
Animal control 56% 59% 60%
Land use, planning and zoning 74% 77% 79% 76% . .
Building permits 66% 63% 68% 64% 68% 65%
Building inspections 73% 71% 72% 71% 77% 70%
Maintenance of existing city parks 83% 86% 85% 85% 83% 77%
Maintenance of open space and trails 86% 84% 80% 82% 77% 74%
Recreation programs 75% 66% 72% 72% 71% 69%
Recreation facilities 66% 73% 74% 76% 75% 74%
Community/public art 53% 37% 44% 46% 38%
Services/programs for youth 80% 76% 79% 81% 83% 81%
Services/programs for seniors 68% 70% 75% 77% 79% 76%
Municipal court 69% 75% 76% 78% 79% 78%
Public information services 63% 68%
Policing services 87% 87% 91% 91% 94% 94%
Police response time to emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 93% 97% 97% 97% 97% 97%
Police response time to non-emergency police calls (not code enforcement) 88% 87% 89% 88% 89% 87%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police academy) 89% 86% 94%
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Table 174: Question #7 by Year of Survey
Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge? 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Excellent 9% 7% 9% 9%
Good 65% 65% 66% 67%
Fair 24% 26% 23% 22%
Poor 3% 2% 2% 2%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 175: Question #8 by Year of Survey
Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of Wheat Ridge:
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Condition of city streets 64% 54% 64% 61% 68% 70%
Access to mass transit 67%
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 58% 68% 65% 65% 64%
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 69% 61% 58% 60% 61% 57%
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 56% 58% 50% 56% 58%
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge 61% 58% 50%
Traffic flow on major streets 31% 33% 46%
Table 176: Question #9 by Year of Survey
Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Percent responding very or somewhat likely 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks 90% 90% 90%
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years 86% 87% 88%
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Table 177: Question #10 by Year of Survey
How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government? 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Excellent 6% 3% 7% 7% 7% 5%
Good 58% 47% 57% 57% 55% 55%
Fair 29% 35% 27% 29% 31% 31%
Poor 7% 14% 9% 6% 7% 9%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
Table 178: Question #11 by Year of Survey
Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government performance.
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest of the community
at large 57% 42% 59%
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees 72% 67% 72%
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge 52% 48% 53%
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking 60% 51% 56%
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within the community 52% 36% 48%
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen involvement 55% 43% 50%
Table 179: Question #12 by Year of Survey
In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person or phone contact with an employee of the
City of Wheat Ridge? 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Yes 40% 42% 35% 40% 44% 44%
No 60% 58% 65% 60% 56% 56%
Total 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100%
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Table 180: Question #13 by Year of Survey
What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee in your most recent contact?
(Rate each characteristic below.)
Asked only of those who had contact with a City employee in the last 12 months.
Percent excellent or good 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Knowledge 77% 72% 86% 82% 78% 78%
Responsiveness 72% 71% 81% 76% 76% 76%
Courtesy 84% 75% 86% 85% 82% 81%
Making you feel valued 70% 60% 76% 69% 69% 69%
Overall impression 76% 65% 79% 72% 75% 73%
Table 181: Question #14 by Year of Survey
Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat Ridge:
Percent responding very or somewhat safe 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Parks and playgrounds 87% 85% 88% 82% 86% 82%
Recreation centers 94% 93% 92% 92% 92% 92%
In your neighborhood 86% 81% 85% 83% 78% 85%
In your home 93% 93% 93% 88%
On the trail system 73% 72% 75% 70% 67% 67%
On roadways 70% 74%
Retail/commercial areas 82% 84% 83% 83% 83%
Table 182: Question #15 by Year of Survey
Please indicate whether or not you have done each of the following in the last 12 months.
Percent responding "yes" 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 13% 14%
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge 24% 24%
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Table 183: Question #16 by Year of Survey
How important, if at all, is it for the Wheat Ridge Police Department to prioritize resources in
each of the following areas in the next 12 months?
Percent responding "essential" 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Solving violent crimes 69% 76%
Solving property crimes 36% 43%
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth 33% 42%
Reducing illegal drug activity 41% 48%
Enforcement of traffic laws 25% 25%
Code enforcement 17% 19%
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police academy) 42% 39%
Table 184: Question #18 by Year of Survey
Please rate the following statements by circling the number which best represents your
opinion. Wheat Ridge should...
Percent responding strongly or somewhat agree 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's housing areas 80% 78% 78% 79% 79% 77%
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge's business areas 85% 84% 85% 83% 83% 78%
Strengthen Wheat Ridge's community image and identity 76% 80% 78% 81% 78% 72%
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail businesses to Wheat Ridge 79% 81% 87% 82% 78% 71%
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th Avenue, 44th Avenue,
Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling St 82% 77% 87% 85% 83% 79%
Promote efforts to attract new jobs 78%
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Table 185: Question #19 by Year of Survey
For each type of shopping, please estimate how frequently you make purchases in Wheat
Ridge:
Percent responding somewhat or very frequently 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Grocery shopping 89% 87% 82% 87% 91% 88%
Health services 45% 44% 47% 52% 55% 54%
Meals and entertainment 64% 63% 62% 68% 68% 68%
Household items 57% 58% 59% 63% 65% 63%
Computers and electronics 9% 13% 16% 14% 12% 12%
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) 32% 31% 41% 41% 43% 44%
Community gardens 16%
Table 186: Question #20 by Year of Survey
When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside of Wheat Ridge? (Check all
that apply.) 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
Don't shop outside of Wheat Ridge 3% 4% 5% 5%
It is convenient on my way to or from work or near my home 41% 36% 39% 36% 40% 39%
I like the range of quality goods and services 43% 42% 43% 39% 41% 42%
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge 66% 70% 67% 66% 67% 71%
It is more affordable 18% 18% 21% 19% 20% 16%
Visit a mall or other major retailers 48% 51% 55% 54%
I shop online 53%
Other 6% 15% 16% 17% 5% 4%
*Total may exceed 100% as respondents could select more than one answer.
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Table 187: Question #31 by Year of Survey
In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members used the
following sources of information for news about Wheat Ridge?
Percent responding at least once or twice 2018 2015 2012 2008 2006 2004
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter 73% 72% 67% 70% 68% 64%
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide 71%
Denver Post 44% 49% 60% 69% 71% 74%
Denver Post YourHub 24% 32% 28%
Wheat Ridge Transcript 46% 52% 57% 45% 49% 47%
Neighborhood Gazette 68% 68% 60%
Radio news 45% 42% 33% 52% 48% 52%
Television news 62% 62% 57% 76% 71% 75%
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) 21% 20% 30% 48% 45% 50%
City live/on-demand videostreaming 10% 11% 11%
City's website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us 50% 46% 40% 34% 27% 23%
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events, calendar listing) 25% 23%
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) 24%
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) 20% 16%
Active Adult Center's Facebook page 6% 8%
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center's Facebook page 13% 14%
Community-created Facebook groups about Wheat Ridge 20% 17%
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) 36% 18%
Word of mouth 82% 83% 78% 79% 76% 76%
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Appendix D: Benchmark Comparisons
Understanding the Benchmark Comparisons
Communities use the comparative information provided by benchmarks to help interpret their own resident survey results, to create or revise community plans, to evaluate the success of policy or budget
decisions and to measure local government or organizational performance. Taking the pulse of the
community has little meaning without knowing what pulse rate is too high and what is too low. When surveys of service satisfaction turn up “good” resident evaluations, it is necessary to know how others rate their services to understand if “good” is good enough or if most other communities are “excellent.” Furthermore, in the absence of peer community comparisons, a community is left with comparing its
police protection rating to its street maintenance rating. That comparison is unfair as street maintenance
always gets lower ratings than police protection. More illuminating is how residents’ ratings of police service compare to opinions about police service in other communities and to resident ratings over time.
A police department that provides the fastest and most efficient service – one that closes most of its cases, solves most of its crimes, and keeps the crime rate low – still has a problem to fix if the residents
in the community rate police services lower than ratings given by residents in other cities with
objectively “worse” departments. Benchmark data can help that police department – or any department – to understand how well citizens think it is doing.
While benchmarks help set the basis for evaluation, resident opinion should be used in conjunction with other sources of data about budget, population demographics, personnel and politics to help
administrators know how to respond to comparative results.
Comparison Data
NRC has designed a method for quantitatively integrating the results of surveys that we have conducted
with those that others have conducted. These integration methods have been described thoroughly in
Public Administration Review, Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, and in NRC’s first book on conducting and using citizen surveys, Citizen Surveys: how to do them, how to use them, what they mean, published by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA). Scholars who specialize in the analysis of citizen surveys regularly have relied on NRC’s work. 1,2 The method described in those publications is refined regularly and statistically tested on a growing number of
resident surveys in NRC’s proprietary databases.
Communities in NRC’s benchmark database are distributed geographically across the country and range from small to large in population size. Comparisons may be made to all communities in the database or to a subset. Despite the differences in characteristics across communities, all are in the business of providing services to residents. Though individual community circumstances, resources and practices
vary, the objective in every community is to provide services that are so timely, tailored and effective that residents conclude the services are of the highest quality. High ratings in any community, like SAT scores in any teen household, bring pride and a sense of accomplishment.
1 Kelly, J. & Swindell, D. (2002). Service quality variation across urban space: First steps towards a model of
citizen satisfaction, Journal of Urban Affairs, 24, 271-288.
2 Van Ryzin, G., Muzzio, D., Immerwahr, S., Gulick, L. & Martinez, E. (2004). Drivers and consequences of citizen
satisfaction: An application of the American Customer Satisfaction Index Model to New York City, Public
Administration Review, 64, 331-341.
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NRC’s database of comparative resident opinion is comprised of resident perspectives gathered in
citizen surveys from approximately 500 communities whose residents evaluated local government
services and gave their opinion about the quality of community life. The comparison evaluations are from the most recent survey completed in each jurisdiction; most communities conduct surveys every year or in alternating years. NRC adds the latest results quickly upon survey completion, keeping the benchmark data fresh and relevant. The City of Wheat Ridge chose to have comparisons made to
communities across the nation as well as to communities in Colorado’s Front Range.
Interpreting the Results
Average ratings are compared when questions similar to those asked in the Wheat Ridge survey are
included in NRC’s database, and there are at least five jurisdictions in which the question was asked.
Where comparisons for quality ratings were available, the City of Wheat Ridge’s results were noted as being “higher” than the benchmark, “lower” than the benchmark or “similar” to the benchmark. In instances where ratings are considerably higher or lower than the benchmark, these ratings have been further demarcated by the attribute of “much,” (for example, “much lower” or “much higher”). These
labels come from a statistical comparison of Wheat Ridge’s rating to the benchmark where a rating is
considered “similar” if it is within the margin of error; “higher” or “lower” if the difference between Wheat Ridge’s rating and the benchmark is greater the margin of error; and “much higher” or “much lower” if the difference between Wheat Ridge’s rating and the benchmark is more than twice the margin of error.
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National Benchmark Comparisons
For the evaluative ratings, 4 of the items were higher than the national benchmark comparison, 46 were similar and 18 were lower.
Table 188: Quality of Life
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Wheat Ridge as a place to live 90% 208 371 Similar
Neighborhood as a place to live 79% 196 294 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to raise
children 77% 234 361 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to work 61% 182 340 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to retire 73% 113 335 Above
Overall quality of life in Wheat
Ridge 81% 256 433 Similar
Table 189: Likelihood of Remaining in and Recommending Wheat Ridge
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Likely to recommend living in
Wheat Ridge to someone who
asks 90% 112 270 Similar
Likely to remain in Wheat Ridge
for the next five years 86% 100 262 Similar
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Table 190: Community Characteristics
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Sense of community 63% 174 294 Similar
Openness and acceptance of the
community toward people of
diverse backgrounds 59% 174 275 Similar
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 60% 213 267 Much below
Overall quality of new
development in Wheat Ridge 54% 159 274 Similar
Variety of housing options 49% 164 262 Similar
Overall quality of business and
service establishments in Wheat
Ridge 57% 176 255 Similar
Shopping opportunities 37% 209 278 Much below
Opportunities to attend cultural
activities 41% 222 278 Much below
Recreational opportunities 77% 92 279 Above
Employment opportunities 38% 156 292 Similar
Educational opportunities 45% 165 215 Below
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 148 247 Similar
Opportunities to participate in
civic matters 63% 153 257 Similar
Availability of paths and walking
trails 79% 69 299 Much above
Availability of affordable quality
housing 35% 181 285 Similar
Availability of affordable quality
child care 33% 218 238 Much below
Availability of affordable quality
health care 62% 150 243 Similar
Availability of affordable quality
food 69% 116 227 Similar
Availability of preventive health
services 64% 129 222 Similar
Air quality 64% 203 231 Much below
Quality of overall natural
environment in Wheat Ridge 70% 208 259 Below
Overall image or reputation of
Wheat Ridge 61% 235 331 Below
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Table 191: Aspects of Transportation
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Condition of city streets 64% 5 10 Similar
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 163 287 Similar
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 69% 3 22 Much above
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 56% 195 287 Below
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat
Ridge 61% 118 287 Similar
Traffic flow on major streets 31% 261 323 Much below
Table 192: Participation in Activities
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Used Wheat Ridge recreation
centers 59% 103 224 Similar
Participated in a recreation
program or activity 42% 15 21 Below
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 86% 108 252 Similar
Attended a meeting of local
elected officials or other local
public meeting 23% 83 246 Similar
Watched a meeting of local
elected officials on cable
television 21% 117 214 Similar
Used the Wheat Ridge library 48% 217 229 Much below
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival
or special event 74% 14 229 Much above
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Table 193: City Services
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Overall quality of the services
provided by the City of Wheat
Ridge 73% 263 409 Similar
Snow removal 64% 162 274 Similar
Street repair and maintenance 52% 169 371 Similar
Street cleaning 64% 180 308 Similar
Traffic enforcement 64% 215 353 Similar
Code enforcement (junk vehicles,
weed control, trash, outside
storage) 49% 207 369 Similar
Animal control 60% 209 325 Similar
Land use, planning and zoning 42% 187 283 Similar
Building permits 52% 7 10 Similar
Building inspections 49% 10 11 Much below
Maintenance of existing city parks 74% 28 40 Similar
Recreation programs 78% 119 309 Similar
Recreation facilities 77% 92 261 Similar
Services/programs for youth 61% 20 29 Below
Services/programs for seniors 68% 21 39 Similar
Municipal court 54% 212 261 Below
Public information services 56% 227 270 Below
Policing services 68% 383 442 Much below
Police response time to
emergency police calls (not code
enforcement) 74% 4 8 Similar
Crime prevention (School
Resource Officers, neighborhood
watch, citizen police academy) 70% 216 344 Similar
Table 194: Safety in Public Areas
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Safety in parks and playgrounds 87% 4 11 Similar
Safety in your neighborhood 86% 7 11 Similar
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Table 195: Crime Victimization and Reporting
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Household member was NOT a
victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 87% 169 255 Similar
Did NOT report a crime to the
police in Wheat Ridge 76% 159 233 Similar
Table 196: City Government Performance
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
The extent to which Wheat Ridge
elected officials act in the best
interest of the community at large 57% 6 9 Similar
The value of services for the taxes
paid to Wheat Ridge 52% 200 384 Similar
The overall direction that Wheat
Ridge is taking 60% 157 298 Similar
The job Wheat Ridge does at
informing residents on major
issues within the community 52% 10 12 Below
The job Wheat Ridge government
does at welcoming citizen
involvement 55% 139 304 Similar
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Table 197: City Employees
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Had in-person, phone or email
contact with a City of Wheat
Ridge employees 40% 225 304 Below
Employee knowledge 77% 35 44 Below
Employee responsiveness 72% 34 44 Below
Employee courtesy 84% 13 17 Similar
Employee making you feel valued 70% 5 5 Similar
Overall impression of employee 76% 148 361 Similar
Table 198: Voting Behavior
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Voted in the last election 87% 70 241 Similar
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Communities Included in the National Benchmark Comparison
Listed below are the communities included in the national benchmark comparisons provided for the City
of Wheat Ridge followed by the 2010 population for each according to the U.S. Census.
Adams County, CO ..................... 441,603
Airway Heights city, WA .................. 6,114
Albany city, OR .............................. 50,158
Albemarle County, VA ................... 98,970
Albert Lea city, MN ....................... 18,016
Alexandria city, VA ...................... 139,966
Algonquin village, IL ..................... 30,046
Aliso Viejo city, CA ........................ 47,823
American Canyon city, CA ............ 19,454
Ames city, IA ................................. 58,965
Ankeny city, IA .............................. 45,582
Ann Arbor city, MI ....................... 113,934
Apache Junction city, AZ .............. 35,840
Arapahoe County, CO ................. 572,003
Arkansas City city, AR ......................... 366
Arlington city, TX ......................... 365,438
Arvada city, CO ........................... 106,433
Asheville city, NC .......................... 83,393
Ashland city, OR ........................... 20,078
Ashland town, MA ........................ 16,593
Ashland town, VA ............................ 7,225
Aspen city, CO................................. 6,658
Athens-Clarke County unified government
(balance), .................................... 115,452
Auburn city, AL .............................. 53,380
Augusta CCD, GA ........................ 134,777
Aurora city, CO ............................ 325,078
Austin city, TX ............................. 790,390
Avon town, CO ................................ 6,447
Avon town, IN ............................... 12,446
Avondale city, AZ .......................... 76,238
Azusa city, CA ............................... 46,361
Bainbridge Island city, WA ........... 23,025
Baltimore city, MD ...................... 620,961
Bartonville town, TX ....................... 1,469
Battle Creek city, MI ..................... 52,347
Bay City city, MI ............................ 34,932
Bay Village city, OH ...................... 15,651
Baytown city, TX ........................... 71,802
Bedford city, TX ............................ 46,979
Bedford town, MA ......................... 13,320
Bellevue city, WA ........................ 122,363
Bellingham city, WA ..................... 80,885
Benbrook city, TX ......................... 21,234
Bend city, OR ................................ 76,639
Bethlehem township, PA .............. 23,730
Bettendorf city, IA ......................... 33,217
Billings city, MT .......................... 104,170
Bloomington city, IN ..................... 80,405
Bloomington city, MN ................... 82,893
Blue Springs city, MO ................... 52,575
Boise City city, ID ........................ 205,671
Bonner Springs city, KS .................. 7,314
Boone County, KY ...................... 118,811
Boulder city, CO ............................ 97,385
Bowling Green city, KY ................. 58,067
Bozeman city, MT ......................... 37,280
Brentwood city, MO ......................... 8,055
Brentwood city, TN ....................... 37,060
Brighton city, CO ........................... 33,352
Brighton city, MI .............................. 7,444
Bristol city, TN .............................. 26,702
Broken Arrow city, OK .................. 98,850
Brookline CDP, MA ....................... 58,732
Brooklyn Center city, MN ............. 30,104
Brooklyn city, OH .......................... 11,169
Broomfield city, CO ...................... 55,889
Brownsburg town, IN ................... 21,285
Buffalo Grove village, IL ............... 41,496
Burlingame city, CA ...................... 28,806
Cabarrus County, NC ................. 178,011
Cambridge city, MA .................... 105,162
Cannon Beach city, OR ................... 1,690
Cañon City city, CO ....................... 16,400
Canton city, SD ................................ 3,057
Cape Coral city, FL ..................... 154,305
Carlisle borough, PA ..................... 18,682
Carlsbad city, CA ........................ 105,328
Carroll city, IA ............................... 10,103
Cartersville city, GA ...................... 19,731
Cary town, NC ............................. 135,234
Castine town, ME ............................ 1,366
Castle Rock town, CO .................. 48,231
Cedar Hill city, TX ......................... 45,028
Cedar Rapids city, IA .................. 126,326
Celina city, TX .................................. 6,028
Centennial city, CO ..................... 100,377
Chandler city, AZ ........................ 236,123
Chandler city, TX ............................. 2,734
Chanhassen city, MN ................... 22,952
Chapel Hill town, NC .................... 57,233
Chardon city, OH ............................. 5,148
Charles County, MD ................... 146,551
Charlotte city, NC ....................... 731,424
Charlotte County, FL .................. 159,978
Charlottesville city, VA ................. 43,475
Chattanooga city, TN .................. 167,674
Chautauqua town, NY ..................... 4,464
Chesterfield County, VA ............. 316,236
Clackamas County, OR .............. 375,992
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Clarendon Hills village, IL .............. 8,427
Clayton city, MO............................ 15,939
Clearwater city, FL ...................... 107,685
Cleveland Heights city, OH .......... 46,121
Clinton city, SC ............................... 8,490
Clive city, IA ................................... 15,447
Clovis city, CA ............................... 95,631
College Park city, MD ................... 30,413
College Station city, TX ................ 93,857
Colleyville city, TX ......................... 22,807
Columbia city, MO ...................... 108,500
Columbia city, SC ....................... 129,272
Columbia Falls city, MT .................. 4,688
Commerce City city, CO ................ 45,913
Concord city, CA ......................... 122,067
Concord town, MA ........................ 17,668
Conshohocken borough, PA .......... 7,833
Coolidge city, AZ ........................... 11,825
Coon Rapids city, MN ................... 61,476
Copperas Cove city, TX................. 32,032
Coral Springs city, FL ................. 121,096
Coronado city, CA ......................... 18,912
Corvallis city, OR ........................... 54,462
Cottonwood Heights city, UT ........ 33,433
Creve Coeur city, MO.................... 17,833
Cupertino city, CA ......................... 58,302
Dacono city, CO .............................. 4,152
Dakota County, MN .................... 398,552
Dallas city, OR .............................. 14,583
Dallas city, TX ......................... 1,197,816
Danville city, KY ............................ 16,218
Dardenne Prairie city, MO ............ 11,494
Darien city, IL ................................ 22,086
Davenport city, FL .......................... 2,888
Davidson town, NC ....................... 10,944
Dayton city, OH ........................... 141,527
Dayton town, WY ................................ 757
Dearborn city, MI .......................... 98,153
Decatur city, GA ............................ 19,335
Del Mar city, CA .............................. 4,161
DeLand city, FL ............................. 27,031
Delaware city, OH ......................... 34,753
Denison city, TX ............................ 22,682
Denton city, TX ........................... 113,383
Denver city, CO ........................... 600,158
Des Moines city, IA ..................... 203,433
Des Peres city, MO ......................... 8,373
Destin city, FL ............................... 12,305
Dover city, NH ............................... 29,987
Dublin city, CA .............................. 46,036
Dublin city, OH .............................. 41,751
Duluth city, MN ............................. 86,265
Durham city, NC ......................... 228,330
Durham County, NC ................... 267,587
Dyer town, IN ................................ 16,390
Eagan city, MN ............................. 64,206
Eagle Mountain city, UT ............... 21,415
Eagle town, CO ................................ 6,508
Eau Claire city, WI ........................ 65,883
Eden Prairie city, MN ................... 60,797
Eden town, VT ................................. 1,323
Edgerton city, KS ............................. 1,671
Edgewater city, CO .......................... 5,170
Edina city, MN .............................. 47,941
Edmond city, OK ........................... 81,405
Edmonds city, WA ........................ 39,709
El Cerrito city, CA .......................... 23,549
El Dorado County, CA ................. 181,058
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles)
city, CA .......................................... 29,793
Elk Grove city, CA ....................... 153,015
Elko New Market city, MN .............. 4,110
Elmhurst city, IL ............................ 44,121
Englewood city, CO ....................... 30,255
Erie town, CO ................................ 18,135
Escambia County, FL ................. 297,619
Estes Park town, CO ....................... 5,858
Euclid city, OH .............................. 48,920
Fairview town, TX ............................ 7,248
Farmers Branch city, TX ............... 28,616
Farmersville city, TX ........................ 3,301
Farmington Hills city, MI .............. 79,740
Farmington town, CT .................... 25,340
Fayetteville city, NC .................... 200,564
Fernandina Beach city, FL ........... 11,487
Flagstaff city, AZ ........................... 65,870
Flower Mound town, TX ............... 64,669
Forest Grove city, OR ................... 21,083
Fort Collins city, CO .................... 143,986
Franklin city, TN ........................... 62,487
Fremont city, CA ......................... 214,089
Friendswood city, TX .................... 35,805
Fruita city, CO ............................... 12,646
Gahanna city, OH ......................... 33,248
Gaithersburg city, MD .................. 59,933
Galveston city, TX ......................... 47,743
Gardner city, KS ........................... 19,123
Georgetown city, TX ..................... 47,400
Germantown city, TN ................... 38,844
Gilbert town, AZ .......................... 208,453
Gillette city, WY ............................ 29,087
Glen Ellyn village, IL ..................... 27,450
Glendora city, CA .......................... 50,073
Glenview village, IL ...................... 44,692
Golden city, CO ............................. 18,867
Golden Valley city, MN ................. 20,371
Goodyear city, AZ ......................... 65,275
Grafton village, WI ........................ 11,459
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Grand Blanc city, MI ....................... 8,276
Grants Pass city, OR..................... 34,533
Grass Valley city, CA ..................... 12,860
Greeley city, CO ............................ 92,889
Greenville city, NC ........................ 84,554
Greenwich town, CT ..................... 61,171
Greenwood Village city, CO .......... 13,925
Greer city, SC ................................ 25,515
Gunnison County, CO ................... 15,324
Haltom City city, TX ...................... 42,409
Hamilton city, OH ......................... 62,477
Hamilton town, MA ......................... 7,764
Hampton city, VA ........................ 137,436
Hanover County, VA ..................... 99,863
Harrisburg city, SD ......................... 4,089
Harrisonburg city, VA .................... 48,914
Harrisonville city, MO ................... 10,019
Hastings city, MN ......................... 22,172
Hayward city, CA ......................... 144,186
Henderson city, NV ..................... 257,729
Herndon town, VA......................... 23,292
High Point city, NC ...................... 104,371
Highland Park city, IL ................... 29,763
Highlands Ranch CDP, CO ........... 96,713
Homer Glen village, IL .................. 24,220
Honolulu County, HI ................... 953,207
Hooksett town, NH ....................... 13,451
Hopkins city, MN .......................... 17,591
Hopkinton town, MA ..................... 14,925
Hoquiam city, WA ........................... 8,726
Horry County, SC ........................ 269,291
Howard village, WI ........................ 17,399
Hudson town, CO ........................... 2,356
Huntley village, IL ......................... 24,291
Hurst city, TX ................................. 37,337
Hutchinson city, MN ..................... 14,178
Hutto city, TX ................................ 14,698
Independence city, MO .............. 116,830
Indianola city, IA ........................... 14,782
Indio city, CA ................................. 76,036
Iowa City city, IA ............................ 67,862
Irving city, TX ............................... 216,290
Issaquah city, WA ......................... 30,434
Jackson city, MO .......................... 13,758
Jackson County, MI .................... 160,248
James City County, VA .................. 67,009
Jefferson County, NY .................. 116,229
Jefferson Parish, LA ................... 432,552
Johnson City city, TN .................... 63,152
Johnston city, IA ........................... 17,278
Jupiter town, FL ............................ 55,156
Kalamazoo city, MI ....................... 74,262
Kansas City city, KS ................... 145,786
Kansas City city, MO .................. 459,787
Keizer city, OR .............................. 36,478
Kenmore city, WA ......................... 20,460
Kennedale city, TX .......................... 6,763
Kent city, WA ................................ 92,411
Kerrville city, TX ............................ 22,347
Kettering city, OH ......................... 56,163
Key West city, FL .......................... 24,649
King City city, CA .......................... 12,874
Kirkland city, WA .......................... 48,787
Kirkwood city, MO ........................ 27,540
Knoxville city, IA .............................. 7,313
La Plata town, MD ........................... 8,753
La Vista city, NE ........................... 15,758
Laguna Niguel city, CA ................. 62,979
Lake Forest city, IL ....................... 19,375
Lake in the Hills village, IL ........... 28,965
Lake Stevens city, WA .................. 28,069
Lake Worth city, FL ...................... 34,910
Lake Zurich village, IL .................. 19,631
Lakeville city, MN ......................... 55,954
Lakewood city, CO ...................... 142,980
Lakewood city, WA ....................... 58,163
Lancaster County, SC .................. 76,652
Lane County, OR ........................ 351,715
Lansing city, MI .......................... 114,297
Laramie city, WY ........................... 30,816
Larimer County, CO .................... 299,630
Las Cruces city, NM ..................... 97,618
Las Vegas city, NM ....................... 13,753
Lawrence city, KS ......................... 87,643
Lawrenceville city, GA .................. 28,546
Lee's Summit city, MO ................. 91,364
Lehi city, UT .................................. 47,407
Lenexa city, KS ............................. 48,190
Lewisville city, TX.......................... 95,290
Lewisville town, NC ...................... 12,639
Libertyville village, IL .................... 20,315
Lincolnwood village, IL ................. 12,590
Lindsborg city, KS ........................... 3,458
Little Chute village, WI ................. 10,449
Littleton city, CO ........................... 41,737
Livermore city, CA ........................ 80,968
Lombard village, IL ....................... 43,165
Lone Tree city, CO ........................ 10,218
Long Grove village, IL ...................... 8,043
Longmont city, CO ........................ 86,270
Longview city, TX .......................... 80,455
Lonsdale city, MN ........................... 3,674
Los Alamos County, NM ............... 17,950
Los Altos Hills town, CA .................. 7,922
Louisville city, CO ......................... 18,376
Lower Merion township, PA ......... 57,825
Lynchburg city, VA ........................ 75,568
Lynnwood city, WA ....................... 35,836
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Macomb County, MI ................... 840,978
Manassas city, VA ........................ 37,821
Manhattan Beach city, CA ........... 35,135
Manhattan city, KS ...................... 52,281
Mankato city, MN ......................... 39,309
Maple Grove city, MN ................... 61,567
Maplewood city, MN .................... 38,018
Maricopa County, AZ .............. 3,817,117
Marion city, IA ............................... 34,768
Marshfield city, WI ........................ 19,118
Martinez city, CA ........................... 35,824
Marysville city, WA ........................ 60,020
Matthews town, NC ...................... 27,198
McAllen city, TX .......................... 129,877
McKinney city, TX ....................... 131,117
McMinnville city, OR ..................... 32,187
Menlo Park city, CA ...................... 32,026
Menomonee Falls village, WI ....... 35,626
Mercer Island city, WA ................. 22,699
Meridian charter township, MI .... 39,688
Meridian city, ID ........................... 75,092
Merriam city, KS ........................... 11,003
Mesa city, AZ .............................. 439,041
Mesa County, CO ........................ 146,723
Miami Beach city, FL .................... 87,779
Miami city, FL ............................. 399,457
Middleton city, WI ......................... 17,442
Midland city, MI ............................ 41,863
Milford city, DE ............................... 9,559
Milton city, GA .............................. 32,661
Minneapolis city, MN ................. 382,578
Minnetrista city, MN ....................... 6,384
Missouri City city, TX .................... 67,358
Modesto city, CA ......................... 201,165
Monterey city, CA ......................... 27,810
Montgomery city, MN ..................... 2,956
Montgomery County, MD ........... 971,777
Monticello city, UT .......................... 1,972
Montrose city, CO ......................... 19,132
Monument town, CO ...................... 5,530
Moraga town, CA .......................... 16,016
Morristown city, TN ...................... 29,137
Morrisville town, NC ..................... 18,576
Morro Bay city, CA ........................ 10,234
Mountain Village town, CO ............ 1,320
Mountlake Terrace city, WA ......... 19,909
Murphy city, TX ............................. 17,708
Naperville city, IL ........................ 141,853
Napoleon city, OH .......................... 8,749
Nederland city, TX ........................ 17,547
Needham CDP, MA ...................... 28,886
Nevada City city, CA ....................... 3,068
Nevada County, CA....................... 98,764
New Braunfels city, TX ................. 57,740
New Brighton city, MN ................. 21,456
New Hope city, MN ....................... 20,339
New Orleans city, LA .................. 343,829
New Smyrna Beach city, FL ......... 22,464
New Ulm city, MN ......................... 13,522
Newberg city, OR .......................... 22,068
Newport city, RI ............................ 24,672
Newport News city, VA ............... 180,719
Newton city, IA .............................. 15,254
Noblesville city, IN ........................ 51,969
Norcross city, GA ............................. 9,116
Norfolk city, VA ........................... 242,803
North Mankato city, MN............... 13,394
North Port city, FL ........................ 57,357
North Richland Hills city, TX ........ 63,343
North Yarmouth town, ME .............. 3,565
Novato city, CA ............................. 51,904
Novi city, MI .................................. 55,224
O'Fallon city, IL ............................. 28,281
O'Fallon city, MO .......................... 79,329
Oak Park village, IL ...................... 51,878
Oakland city, CA ......................... 390,724
Oakley city, CA .............................. 35,432
Oklahoma City city, OK .............. 579,999
Olathe city, KS ............................ 125,872
Old Town city, ME ............................ 7,840
Olmsted County, MN .................. 144,248
Olympia city, WA ........................... 46,478
Orange village, OH .......................... 3,323
Orland Park village, IL .................. 56,767
Oshkosh city, WI ........................... 66,083
Oshtemo charter township, MI .... 21,705
Oswego village, IL ........................ 30,355
Ottawa County, MI ...................... 263,801
Overland Park city, KS ............... 173,372
Paducah city, KY .......................... 25,024
Palm Beach Gardens city, FL ...... 48,452
Palm Coast city, FL ....................... 75,180
Palo Alto city, CA .......................... 64,403
Palos Verdes Estates city, CA ...... 13,438
Papillion city, NE .......................... 18,894
Paradise Valley town, AZ ............. 12,820
Park City city, UT ............................. 7,558
Parker town, CO ........................... 45,297
Parkland city, FL ........................... 23,962
Pasco city, WA .............................. 59,781
Pasco County, FL ........................ 464,697
Payette city, ID ................................ 7,433
Pearland city, TX .......................... 91,252
Peoria city, AZ ............................. 154,065
Peoria city, IL .............................. 115,007
Pflugerville city, TX ....................... 46,936
Pinehurst village, NC .................... 13,124
Piqua city, OH ............................... 20,522
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Pitkin County, CO.......................... 17,148
Plano city, TX .............................. 259,841
Platte City city, MO ......................... 4,691
Pleasant Hill city, IA ........................ 8,785
Pleasanton city, CA ...................... 70,285
Polk County, IA ........................... 430,640
Pompano Beach city, FL .............. 99,845
Port Orange city, FL ...................... 56,048
Port St. Lucie city, FL ................. 164,603
Portland city, OR ......................... 583,776
Powell city, OH .............................. 11,500
Prince William County, VA .......... 402,002
Prior Lake city, MN ....................... 22,796
Pueblo city, CO ........................... 106,595
Purcellville town, VA ....................... 7,727
Queen Creek town, AZ ................. 26,361
Raleigh city, NC .......................... 403,892
Ramsey city, MN .......................... 23,668
Raymond town, ME ........................ 4,436
Raymore city, MO ......................... 19,206
Redmond city, OR ........................ 26,215
Redmond city, WA ........................ 54,144
Redwood City city, CA ................... 76,815
Reno city, NV .............................. 225,221
Reston CDP, VA ............................ 58,404
Richland city, WA .......................... 48,058
Richmond city, CA ...................... 103,701
Richmond Heights city, MO ........... 8,603
Rio Rancho city, NM ..................... 87,521
River Falls city, WI ........................ 15,000
Riverside city, CA ........................ 303,871
Roanoke city, VA........................... 97,032
Roanoke County, VA ..................... 92,376
Rochester Hills city, MI ................ 70,995
Rock Hill city, SC .......................... 66,154
Rockville city, MD ......................... 61,209
Roeland Park city, KS .................... 6,731
Rogers city, MN .............................. 8,597
Rohnert Park city, CA ................... 40,971
Rolla city, MO ............................... 19,559
Roselle village, IL ......................... 22,763
Rosemount city, MN ..................... 21,874
Rosenberg city, TX ........................ 30,618
Roseville city, MN ......................... 33,660
Round Rock city, TX ..................... 99,887
Royal Oak city, MI ......................... 57,236
Royal Palm Beach village, FL....... 34,140
Sahuarita town, AZ ....................... 25,259
Sammamish city, WA ................... 45,780
San Anselmo town, CA ................. 12,336
San Diego city, CA .................. 1,307,402
San Francisco city, CA ................ 805,235
San Jose city, CA ........................ 945,942
San Marcos city, CA ..................... 83,781
San Marcos city, TX ...................... 44,894
San Rafael city, CA ....................... 57,713
Sangamon County, IL ................. 197,465
Santa Fe city, NM ......................... 67,947
Santa Fe County, NM ................. 144,170
Santa Monica city, CA .................. 89,736
Sarasota County, FL ................... 379,448
Savage city, MN ........................... 26,911
Schaumburg village, IL ................ 74,227
Schertz city, TX ............................. 31,465
Scott County, MN ....................... 129,928
Scottsdale city, AZ ...................... 217,385
Sedona city, AZ............................. 10,031
Sevierville city, TN ........................ 14,807
Shakopee city, MN ....................... 37,076
Sharonville city, OH ...................... 13,560
Shawnee city, KS ......................... 62,209
Shawnee city, OK ......................... 29,857
Sherborn town, MA ......................... 4,119
Shoreline city, WA ........................ 53,007
Shoreview city, MN ...................... 25,043
Shorewood village, IL ................... 15,615
Shorewood village, WI.................. 13,162
Sierra Vista city, AZ ...................... 43,888
Silverton city, OR ............................. 9,222
Sioux Center city, IA ........................ 7,048
Sioux Falls city, SD ..................... 153,888
Skokie village, IL .......................... 64,784
Snoqualmie city, WA .................... 10,670
Snowmass Village town, CO ........... 2,826
Somerset town, MA ...................... 18,165
South Jordan city, UT ................... 50,418
South Lake Tahoe city, CA ........... 21,403
Southlake city, TX ......................... 26,575
Spearfish city, SD ......................... 10,494
Spring Hill city, KS ........................... 5,437
Springfield city, MO .................... 159,498
Springville city, UT ........................ 29,466
St. Augustine city, FL ................... 12,975
St. Charles city, IL ........................ 32,974
St. Cloud city, FL........................... 35,183
St. Joseph city, MO ....................... 76,780
St. Joseph town, WI ......................... 3,842
St. Louis County, MN ................. 200,226
State College borough, PA ........... 42,034
Steamboat Springs city, CO ......... 12,088
Sugar Grove village, IL .................... 8,997
Sugar Land city, TX ...................... 78,817
Suisun City city, CA ....................... 28,111
Summit County, UT ...................... 36,324
Summit village, IL ......................... 11,054
Sunnyvale city, CA ...................... 140,081
Surprise city, AZ ......................... 117,517
Suwanee city, GA ......................... 15,355
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Tacoma city, WA ......................... 198,397
Takoma Park city, MD .................. 16,715
Tamarac city, FL ........................... 60,427
Temecula city, CA ....................... 100,097
Tempe city, AZ ............................ 161,719
Temple city, TX ............................. 66,102
Texarkana city, TX ........................ 36,411
The Woodlands CDP, TX .............. 93,847
Thousand Oaks city, CA ............. 126,683
Tigard city, OR .............................. 48,035
Tracy city, CA ................................ 82,922
Trinidad CCD, CO .......................... 12,017
Tualatin city, OR ........................... 26,054
Tulsa city, OK .............................. 391,906
Twin Falls city, ID .......................... 44,125
Unalaska city, AK ........................... 4,376
University Heights city, OH ........... 13,539
University Park city, TX ................. 23,068
Upper Arlington city, OH ............... 33,771
Urbandale city, IA ......................... 39,463
Vail town, CO .................................. 5,305
Ventura CCD, CA ......................... 111,889
Vernon Hills village, IL .................. 25,113
Vestavia Hills city, AL ................... 34,033
Victoria city, MN ............................. 7,345
Vienna town, VA ........................... 15,687
Virginia Beach city, VA ............... 437,994
Walnut Creek city, CA ................... 64,173
Warrensburg city, MO .................. 18,838
Washington County, MN ............ 238,136
Washington town, NH .................... 1,123
Washoe County, NV ................... 421,407
Washougal city, WA ...................... 14,095
Wauwatosa city, WI ...................... 46,396
Waverly city, IA ................................ 9,874
Wentzville city, MO ....................... 29,070
West Carrollton city, OH ............... 13,143
Western Springs village, IL .......... 12,975
Westerville city, OH ...................... 36,120
Westlake town, TX .............................. 992
Westminster city, CO .................. 106,114
Weston town, MA ......................... 11,261
Wheat Ridge city, CO ................... 30,166
White House city, TN .................... 10,255
Wichita city, KS .......................... 382,368
Williamsburg city, VA .................... 14,068
Willowbrook village, IL .................... 8,540
Wilmington city, NC .................... 106,476
Wilsonville city, OR ....................... 19,509
Windsor town, CO ......................... 18,644
Windsor town, CT ......................... 29,044
Winnetka village, IL ...................... 12,187
Winter Garden city, FL ................. 34,568
Woodbury city, MN ....................... 61,961
Woodinville city, WA ..................... 10,938
Woodland city, CA ........................ 55,468
Wyandotte County, KS ............... 157,505
Yakima city, WA ............................ 91,067
York County, VA ............................ 65,464
Yorktown town, IN ........................... 9,405
Yorkville city, IL ............................. 16,921
Yountville city, CA ............................ 2,933
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Front Range Benchmark Comparisons
For the evaluative ratings, 6 of the items were higher than the Front Range benchmark comparison, 37 were similar and 16 were lower.
Table 199: Quality of Life
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Wheat Ridge as a place to live 90% 14 26 Similar
Neighborhood as a place to live 79% 13 24 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to raise
children 77% 15 27 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to work 61% 14 27 Similar
Wheat Ridge as a place to retire 73% 9 28 Above
Overall quality of life in Wheat
Ridge 81% 19 30 Similar
Table 200: Likelihood of Remaining in and Recommending Wheat Ridge
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Likely to recommend living in
Wheat Ridge to someone who
asks 90% 6 18 Above
Likely to remain in Wheat Ridge
for the next five years 86% 5 18 Similar
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Table 201: Community Characteristics
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Sense of community 63% 12 21 Similar
Openness and acceptance of the
community toward people of
diverse backgrounds 59% 14 20 Similar
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge 60% 10 16 Below
Overall quality of new
development in Wheat Ridge 54% 9 17 Similar
Variety of housing options 49% 8 17 Similar
Overall quality of business and
service establishments in Wheat
Ridge 57% 11 16 Similar
Shopping opportunities 37% 17 22 Much below
Opportunities to attend cultural
activities 41% 17 20 Much below
Recreational opportunities 77% 13 21 Similar
Employment opportunities 38% 15 23 Similar
Educational opportunities 45% 6 10 Similar
Opportunities to volunteer 69% 6 13 Similar
Opportunities to participate in
civic matters 63% 9 17 Similar
Availability of paths and walking
trails 79% 7 17 Above
Availability of affordable quality
housing 35% 5 17 Above
Availability of affordable quality
child care 33% 8 12 Similar
Availability of affordable quality
health care 62% 8 15 Similar
Availability of affordable quality
food 69% 5 12 Above
Availability of preventive health
services 64% 6 9 Similar
Air quality 64% 12 15 Below
Quality of overall natural
environment in Wheat Ridge 70% 12 16 Below
Overall image or reputation of
Wheat Ridge 61% 13 22 Similar
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Table 202: Aspects of Transportation
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge 66% 11 23 Similar
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge 69% 1 8 Much above
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge 56% 16 22 Below
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat
Ridge 61% 15 23 Below
Traffic flow on major streets 31% 16 19 Below
Table 203: Participation in Activities
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Used Wheat Ridge recreation
centers 59% 8 13 Similar
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail 86% 10 15 Similar
Attended a meeting of local
elected officials or other local
public meeting 23% 5 14 Similar
Watched a meeting of local
elected officials on cable
television 21% 2 11 Similar
Used the Wheat Ridge library 48% 13 14 Much below
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival
or special event 74% 2 14 Much above
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Table 204: City Services
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Overall quality of the services
provided by the City of Wheat
Ridge 73% 17 28 Similar
Snow removal 64% 8 24 Similar
Street repair and maintenance 52% 10 24 Similar
Street cleaning 64% 12 19 Similar
Traffic enforcement 64% 12 23 Similar
Code enforcement (junk vehicles,
weed control, trash, outside
storage) 49% 11 24 Similar
Animal control 60% 13 21 Similar
Land use, planning and zoning 42% 9 15 Similar
Maintenance of existing city parks 74% 6 6 Below
Recreation programs 78% 11 20 Similar
Recreation facilities 77% 9 18 Similar
Services/programs for seniors 68% 3 7 Similar
Municipal court 54% 13 17 Below
Public information services 56% 11 14 Below
Policing services 68% 24 27 Below
Crime prevention (School
Resource Officers, neighborhood
watch, citizen police academy) 70% 11 20 Similar
Table 205: Crime Victimization and Reporting
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Household member was NOT a
victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge 87% 7 12 Similar
Did NOT report a crime to the
police in Wheat Ridge 76% 6 11 Similar
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Table 206: City Government Performance
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
The value of services for the taxes
paid to Wheat Ridge 52% 13 22 Similar
The overall direction that Wheat
Ridge is taking 60% 13 24 Similar
The job Wheat Ridge does at
informing residents on major
issues within the community 52% 5 5 Much below
The job Wheat Ridge government
does at welcoming citizen
involvement 55% 11 25 Similar
Table 207: City Employees
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Had in-person, phone or email
contact with a City of Wheat
Ridge employees 40% 15 20 Similar
Employee knowledge 77% 8 10 Below
Employee responsiveness 72% 6 8 Below
Employee courtesy 84% 6 7 Below
Employee making you feel valued 70% NA NA NA
Overall impression of employee 76% 12 26 Similar
Table 208: Voting Behavior
Percent
positive Rank
Number of
communities in
comparison
Comparison to
benchmark
Voted in the last election 87% 8 11 Similar
City of Wheat Ridge 2018 Resident Survey
Report of Results
Page 168
Communities Included in the Front Range Benchmark Comparison
Listed below are the communities included in the Front Range benchmark comparisons provided for the
City of Wheat Ridge followed by the 2010 population for each according to the U.S. Census.
Adams County, CO ..................... 441,603
Arapahoe County, CO ................. 572,003
Arvada city, CO ........................... 106,433
Aurora city, CO ............................ 325,078
Boulder city, CO ............................ 97,385
Brighton city, CO ........................... 33,352
Broomfield city, CO ....................... 55,889
Castle Rock town, CO ................... 48,231
Centennial city, CO ..................... 100,377
Commerce City city, CO ................ 45,913
Dacono city, CO .............................. 4,152
Denver city, CO ........................... 600,158
Edgewater city, CO ......................... 5,170
Englewood city, CO ....................... 30,255
Erie town, CO ................................ 18,135
Fort Collins city, CO .................... 143,986
Golden city, CO ............................. 18,867
Greeley city, CO ............................ 92,889
Greenwood Village city, CO .......... 13,925
Highlands Ranch CDP, CO ........... 96,713
Lakewood city, CO ...................... 142,980
Larimer County, CO .................... 299,630
Littleton city, CO ........................... 41,737
Lone Tree city, CO ........................ 10,218
Longmont city, CO ........................ 86,270
Louisville city, CO ......................... 18,376
Monument town, CO ....................... 5,530
Parker town, CO ........................... 45,297
Pueblo city, CO ........................... 106,595
Westminster city, CO .................. 106,114
Windsor town, CO ......................... 18,644
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Appendix E: Survey Methodology
The Wheat Ridge Resident Survey serves as a consumer report card for the City by providing residents the opportunity to rate City services, local government, community amenities and the quality of life in the City. The survey also gives residents a chance to provide feedback to government on what is working well and what is not, and to communicate their priorities for community planning and resource allocation. The City of Wheat Ridge funded this research. Please contact Carly Lorentz of the City of
Wheat Ridge at clorentz@ci.whatridge.co.us if you have any questions about the survey.
Developing the Questionnaire
General citizen surveys, such as this one, ask recipients for their perspectives on policy issues facing the City and assessments of City service delivery, the quality of life in the city and use of City amenities. The survey instrument for the City of Wheat Ridge was developed through an iterative process between
City and NRC staff. The process started with City of Wheat Ridge staff reviewing the 2015 iteration of
the survey and creating lists of questions related to new issues in the City. New questions were created and all questions were prioritized and an optimal composition of topics and questions were selected. The survey draft was given to City Council for final approval. Through this iterative process a final seven-page questionnaire was created for 2018.
Selecting Survey Recipients
“Sampling” refers to the method by which survey recipients are chosen. The “sample” refers to all those who were given a chance to participate in the survey. All households located in the City boundaries were eligible for the survey. Because local governments generally do not have inclusive lists of all the residences in the jurisdiction (tax assessor and utility billing databases often omit rental units), lists from
the United States Postal Service (USPS), based on their delivery sequence file (DSF, the addresses used
by the postal carriers to deliver the mail) updated every three months, usually provide the best representation of all households in a specific geographic location. The address list was obtained for NRC by GoDog Direct, and was based on the USPS DSF data to select the list of households.
A larger list than needed was obtained so that a process referred to as “geocoding” could be used to
eliminate addresses from the list that were outside the City’s boundaries. Geocoding is a computerized
process in which addresses are compared to electronically mapped boundaries and coded as inside or outside desired boundaries; in this case, within the City of Wheat Ridge and within the City’s Council Districts. All addresses determined to be outside the study boundaries were eliminated from the address list. A random selection was made of the remaining addresses to create a mailing list of 4,500 addresses
and the Council District for each address was tracked to permit comparisons of the survey results.
Attached units were oversampled to compensate for detached unit residents’ tendency to return surveys at a higher rate.
An individual within each household was randomly selected to complete the survey using the birthday method. The birthday method selects a person within the household by asking the “person whose
birthday has most recently passed” to complete the questionnaire. The underlying assumption in this method is that day of birth has no relationship to the way people respond to surveys. This instruction was contained in the cover letter accompanying the questionnaire.
Survey Administration and Response
Each selected household was contacted three times beginning March 6, 2018. Households were first
mailed a pre-notification announcement, informing the household members that they had been selected
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to participate in the Wheat Ridge survey. Approximately one week after mailing the pre-notification,
each household was mailed a survey containing a cover letter signed by the Mayor enlisting
participation. The letters also contained a link for respondents to complete the survey online. An access code was provided for respondents to be able to complete the survey online and to prevent duplicate response. A postage-paid return envelope in which the survey recipients could return the completed questionnaire to NRC was provided. A second survey packet, with similar contents to the first packet,
scheduled to arrive one week after the first survey was the final contact. This second mailing packet
asked those who had not completed the survey to do so and those who had already done so to refrain from turning in another survey. Completed surveys were collected over the following six weeks.
About 3% (133) of the 4,500 surveys mailed were returned because the housing unit was vacant or the postal service was unable to deliver the survey as addressed. Of the remaining 4,367 households, 1,136
completed the survey (including 181 completed online), providing a response rate of 26%. Average
response rates for a mailed resident survey range from 20% to 35%. Additionally, responses were tracked by Council District and ranged from 21% to 32%. The response rates were calculated using AAPOR’s response rate #23 for mailed surveys of unnamed persons.
Table 209: 2018 Resident Survey Response Rates
District 1 District 2 District 3 District 4 Overall
Total sample used 1,160 1,080 1,128 1,132 4,500
I=Complete Interviews 278 258 341 225 1,102
P=Partial Interviews 9 7 12 6 34
R=Refusal and break off 4 2 2 3 11
NC=Non Contact 0 0 0 0 0
O=Other 0 0 0 0 0
UH=Unknown household 0 0 0 0 0
UO=Unknown other 836 788 744 852 3,220
Response rate: (I+P)/(I+P) + (R+NC+O) + (UH+UO) 25% 25% 32% 21% 26%
95% Confidence Intervals The 95% confidence interval (or “margin of error”) quantifies the “sampling error” or precision of the estimates made from the survey results. A 95% confidence interval can be calculated for any sample size, and indicates that in 95 of 100 surveys conducted like this one, for a particular item, a result would
be found that is within three percentage points of the result that would be found if everyone in the population of interest was surveyed. The practical difficulties of conducting any resident survey may introduce other sources of error in addition to sampling error. Despite best efforts to boost participation and ensure potential inclusion of all households, some selected households will decline participation in
the survey (referred to as non-response error) and some eligible households may be unintentionally
excluded from the listed sources for the sample (referred to as coverage error).
While the margin of error for the survey is generally no greater than plus or minus three percentage points around any given percent reported for the entire sample; results for subgroups will have wider confidence intervals. Where estimates are given for subgroups, they are less precise.
3 See AAPOR’s Standard Definitions here: http://www.aapor.org/Standards-Ethics/Standard-Definitions-(1).aspx
for more information
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Survey Processing (Data Entry)
Mailed surveys were submitted via postage-paid business reply envelopes. Once received, staff assigned
a unique identification number to each questionnaire. Additionally, each survey was reviewed and “cleaned” as necessary. For example, a question may have asked a respondent to pick two items out of a list of five, but the respondent checked three; staff would choose randomly two of the three selected items to be coded in the dataset.
Once cleaned and numbered, all surveys were entered into an electronic dataset. This dataset was subject
to a data entry protocol of “key and verify,” in which survey data were entered twice into an electronic dataset and then compared. Discrepancies were evaluated against the original survey form and corrected. Range checks as well as other forms of quality control were also performed.
NRC used SurveyGizmo, a web-based survey and analytics platform, to collect the online survey data.
Use of an online system means all collected data are entered into the dataset when the respondents
submit the surveys. Skip patterns are programmed into system so respondents are automatically “skipped” to the appropriate question based on the individual responses being given. Online programming also allows for more rigid control of the data format, making extensive data cleaning unnecessary.
A series of quality control checks were also performed to the web data in order to ensure the integrity of
the web data. Steps may include and not be limited to reviewing the data for clusters of repeat IP addresses and time stamps (indicating duplicate responses) and removing empty submissions (questionnaires submitted with no questions answered).
As mentioned above, the surveys included an access code for respondents to enter to complete the
survey online and the code also was included in the data entry of any surveys submitted via mail. The
access code was used to look for and remove any duplicate survey submissions. After reviewing the access codes in the final dataset, 40 households had duplicate surveys; however, 14 of these were households where one survey was complete and all the others were attempted online surveys that had no data other than the access code. These were people who had looked at the survey online, but only
submitted one set of responses.
For those 26 households where two surveys were received through the mail, online or a combination, the survey data were examined and the survey with the most completed questions was selected for inclusion in the final dataset. If both surveys were complete, then the first wave paper copy survey or the first online survey submitted was selected for inclusion in the final dataset.
Weighting the Data
The demographic characteristics of the survey respondents were compared to those found in the 2015 American Community Survey conducted by the United States Census Bureau. The primary objective of weighting survey data is to make the survey respondents reflective of the larger population of the community. The variables used for weighting were respondent gender, age and housing tenure (rent or
own). No adjustments were made for design effects. The results of the weighting scheme are presented
in the table on the following page.
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Table 210: 2018 City of Wheat Ridge Weighting Table
Respondent Characteristics 2015 Census Unweighted Weighted
Own 55% 73% 57%
Rent 45% 27% 43%
Detached* 56% 82% 58%
Attached* 44% 18% 42%
White 88% 87% 85%
not White 12% 13% 15%
Hispanic 17% 10% 12%
not Hispanic 83% 90% 88%
Female 52% 62% 53%
Male 48% 38% 47%
Age 18-34 26% 10% 24%
Age 35-54 35% 25% 35%
Age 55 and over 39% 65% 41%
Female 18-34 13% 5% 13%
Female 35-54 17% 18% 17%
Female 55 and over 22% 38% 23%
Male 18-34 13% 4% 12%
Male 35-54 18% 8% 18%
Male 55 and over 17% 26% 18%
District 1† 27% 25% 24%
District 2† 25% 23% 22%
District 3† 25% 31% 26%
District 4† 24% 20% 27%
* American Community Survey 2015 5-year estimates
† Proportion of addresses in USPS list
Analyzing the Data
The electronic dataset was analyzed by NRC staff using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences
(SPSS). For the most part, frequency distributions and mean ratings are presented in the body of the report. A complete set of frequencies for each survey question is presented in Appendix A: Complete Set of Survey Responses.
Crosstabulations of survey results by Council District of residence and other respondent characteristics
are provided in Appendix B: Comparisons of Selected Survey Responses. Chi-square or ANOVA tests of
significance were applied to these breakdowns of selected survey questions. A “p-value” of 0.05 or less indicates that there is less than a 5% probability that differences observed between groups are due to chance; or in other words, a greater than 95% probability that the differences observed in the selected categories of the sample represent “real” differences among those populations. Where differences
between subgroups are statistically significant, they have been marked with grey shading in the
appendices.
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The dataset of 2018 survey results was combined with the datasets of results from the previous
implementations of the Wheat Ridge Resident Survey. Appendix C: Comparisons of Survey Results over
Time contains tables displaying the 2018 results with the results from previous years where similar items were asked. Tests of statistical significance were conducted on the results to compare 2018 to 2015. Where these differences were statistically significant, they were shaded with grey. Differences from other years can be considered significant if the differences are greater than five percentage points.
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Appendix F: Survey Instrument
The 2018 survey instrument appears on the following pages.
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 1 of 7
2018 Wheat Ridge Resident Survey
Please complete this questionnaire if you are the adult (age 18 or older) in the household who most recently had a birthday. The adult’s
year of birth does not matter. Your responses are confidential and will be reported in group form only. Thank you.
Community and Services
1. Circle the number that best represents your opinion:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to live? ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
How do you rate your neighborhood as a place to live? ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to raise children? ....................................... 1 2 3 4 5
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to work? ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
How do you rate Wheat Ridge as a place to retire? .................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
How would you rate the physical attractiveness of Wheat Ridge as a whole? ........... 1 2 3 4 5
How do you rate the overall quality of life in Wheat Ridge? ...................................... 1 2 3 4 5
2. Do you think the quality of life in Wheat Ridge is likely to improve, stay the same or decline over the next 5 years?
Improve a lot Improve slightly Stay the same Decline slightly Decline a lot
3. What are your reasons for living in Wheat Ridge? (Please select all that apply.)
I feel safe here
I like the school my children
attend
My job is here
I like my neighborhood
I like the location in general
I like the access to dining and
entertainment
Housing and rental rates are
affordable
I’ve always lived here
I have friends and family in the area
Small town feel
Cost of living is affordable
I like that the community is forward-
thinking
The growing and diverse community
None of these
4. Please rate each of the following characteristics as they relate to Wheat Ridge as a whole:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Sense of community ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Openness and acceptance of the community toward people of
diverse backgrounds .................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Cleanliness of Wheat Ridge ................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Overall quality of new development in Wheat Ridge ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Variety of housing options .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Overall quality of business and service establishments in Wheat Ridge ............ 1 2 3 4 5
Shopping opportunities ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to attend cultural activities ......................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Recreational opportunities ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Employment opportunities ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Educational opportunities .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to participate in social events and activities ............................... 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to volunteer ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Opportunities to participate in civic matters ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of paths and walking trails ............................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of bike trails ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality housing ........................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality child care ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality health care ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of affordable quality food ................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Availability of preventive health services ........................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Air quality............................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Quality of overall natural environment in Wheat Ridge .................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall image or reputation of Wheat Ridge ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 2 of 7
5. In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members participated in the
following activities in Wheat Ridge?
1-2 3-12 13-26 More than
Never times times times 26 times
Used Wheat Ridge recreation center .....................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Participated in a recreation program or activity ....................................................1 2 3 4 5
Used a Wheat Ridge park or trail ............................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Visited Wheat Ridge outdoor pool .........................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Used a Wheat Ridge bike/pedestrian path .............................................................1 2 3 4 5
Used Clear Creek Trail .............................................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Attended a meeting of local city officials or other local public meeting ................1 2 3 4 5
Watched a meeting of local city officials on cable television .................................1 2 3 4 5
Participated in a senior program ............................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Visited the Active Adult Center ..............................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Dined at a Wheat Ridge restaurant (other than fast food) ....................................1 2 3 4 5
Used the Wheat Ridge library .................................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Attended a Wheat Ridge festival or special event..................................................1 2 3 4 5
Ridden an RTD bus ..................................................................................................1 2 3 4 5
Commuted to a light rail or commuter rail station.................................................1 2 3 4 5
6. The following are services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge. For each service, please first rate the quality of each
service and next rate the importance of each service.
Quality Importance
Don’t Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t
Excellent Good Fair Poor know Essential important important important know
Snow removal .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Street repair and maintenance ....................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Street cleaning ................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Traffic enforcement ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Code enforcement (junk vehicles, weed
control, trash, outside storage) ................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Animal control ................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Land use, planning and zoning ........................ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Building permits............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Building inspections ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Maintenance of existing city parks .................. 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Maintenance of open space and trails ............ 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Recreation programs ....................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Recreation facilities ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Community/public art ..................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Services/programs for youth ........................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Services/programs for seniors ......................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Municipal court ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Public information services ............................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Policing services ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Police response time to emergency
police calls (not code enforcement) ........... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Police response time to non-emergency
police calls (not code enforcement) ........... 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers,
neighborhood watch, citizen police academy) . 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
7. Overall, how would you rate the quality of the services provided by the City of Wheat Ridge?
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 3 of 7
8. Please rate the following aspects of transportation within the City of Wheat Ridge:
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Condition of city streets ..................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Access to mass transit ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of car travel in Wheat Ridge ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of bus travel in Wheat Ridge ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of walking in Wheat Ridge .......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Ease of bicycle travel in Wheat Ridge ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Traffic flow on major streets .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
9. Please indicate how likely or unlikely you are to do each of the following:
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t
likely likely unlikely unlikely know
Recommend living in Wheat Ridge to someone who asks ........... 1 2 3 4 5
Remain in Wheat Ridge for the next five years ............................ 1 2 3 4 5
City Government and Employees
10. How would you rate the overall performance of the Wheat Ridge city government?
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
11. Please rate the following aspects of Wheat Ridge city government performance.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
The extent to which Wheat Ridge elected officials act in the best interest
of the community at large ............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
The quality of work performed by City of Wheat Ridge employees .................. 1 2 3 4 5
The value of services for the taxes paid to Wheat Ridge. .................................. 1 2 3 4 5
The overall direction that Wheat Ridge is taking ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5
The job Wheat Ridge does at informing residents on major issues within
the community ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
The job Wheat Ridge government does at welcoming citizen involvement ........ 1 2 3 4 5
12. In the last 12 months, have you had any in-person, phone or email contact with a City of Wheat Ridge employee(s)?
Yes (go to question 13) No (go to question 14)
13. What was your impression of the City of Wheat Ridge employee(s) overall? (Rate each characteristic below.)
Excellent Good Fair Poor Don’t know
Knowledge .......................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Responsiveness ................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Courtesy .............................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Making you feel valued ....................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Overall impression .............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
14. Please rate how safe you feel in the following areas in Wheat Ridge:
Very Somewhat Neither safe Somewhat Very Don’t
safe safe nor unsafe unsafe unsafe know
Parks and playgrounds ........................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Recreation centers. ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
In your neighborhood ......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
In your home ...................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
On the trail system ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
On roadways ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Retail/commercial areas ..................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 4 of 7
15. Please indicate whether or not each of the following has applied to you in the last 12 months.
No Yes
Household member was a victim of a crime in Wheat Ridge ......................................................................... 1 2
Reported a crime to the police in Wheat Ridge ............................................................................................. 1 2
16. How important, if at all, is it for the City of Wheat Ridge Police Department to prioritize resources in each of the
following areas in the next 12 months?
Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t
Essential important important important know
Solving violent crimes ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Solving property crimes ................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Reducing illegal activities committed by youth ............................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Reducing illegal drug activity ........................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Enforcement of traffic laws ............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Code enforcement ........................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Crime prevention (School Resource Officers, neighborhood watch, citizen police academy) .. 1 2 3 4 5
17. How much of a priority, if at all, should the City of Wheat Ridge Police Department place on each of the following in the
next two years?
High Medium Low Not a Don’t
priority priority priority priority know
Better connection with the community (i.e., community forums, events) ................ 1 2 3 4 5
Increased visibility of police ......................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Additional training for officers to more effectively deal with mental health issues ... 1 2 3 4 5
Greater accessibility to police and police-related information ................................... 1 2 3 4 5
More community policing officers (problem solving at a community-level such as
neighborhood problems) ........................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Adding officers in public schools ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Increasing use of technology, such as body cameras .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Adding surveillance cameras in high crime area ......................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Economic Development
18. Please rate the following statements by circling the number which best represents your opinion. Wheat Ridge should…
Strongly Somewhat Neither agree Somewhat Strongly Don’t
agree agree nor disagree disagree disagree know
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge’s housing areas ....... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Promote efforts to revitalize Wheat Ridge’s business areas ...... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Strengthen Wheat Ridge’s community image and identity ........ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Promote efforts to attract and recruit new types of retail
businesses to Wheat Ridge ..................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Promote efforts to revitalize business corridors such as 38th
Avenue, 44th Avenue, Wadsworth Boulevard and Kipling St ..... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Promote efforts to attract new jobs ........................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
19. For each type of shopping, please estimate how frequently you make purchases in Wheat Ridge:
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t
Never infrequently infrequently frequently frequently know
Grocery shopping ....................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Health services ........................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Meals and entertainment .......................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Household items ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Computers and electronics ........................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
General retail (shoes, beauticians, clothing, etc.) ......... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Community gardens .................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 5 of 7
20. When you shop outside of Wheat Ridge, why do you shop outside of Wheat Ridge? (Check all that apply.)
Don’t shop outside of Wheat Ridge It is more affordable
It is convenient; on my way to or from work or near my home Visit a mall or other major retailers
I like the range of quality goods and services I shop online
Desired item is not available in Wheat Ridge Other
Policy Topics
21. To what degree, if at all, is homelessness a problem in the City of Wheat Ridge?
Major problem Moderate problem Minor problem Not a problem Don’t know
22. How important to you, if at all, is it for the City to contribute funding to community-based organizations that provide
each of the following services to the homeless populations?
Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t
Essential important important important know
Job training programs ...................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Mental health programs .................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Substance abuse programs .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Shelters for severe weather ............................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Housing/rental assistance programs ............................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Supportive housing, which combines housing with services
such as job training and substance abuse treatment .................................. 1 2 3 4 5
23. To what extent do you support or oppose each of the following conditions if short-term rentals (such as Airbnb) were
allowed in the City?
Strongly Somewhat Neither support Somewhat Strongly Don’t
support support nor oppose oppose oppose know
Allow single family homes, apartments or condos to
be used as short-term rentals ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Allow accessory dwelling units (e.g., carriage houses or
garages) to be used as short-term rentals ......................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Limit the total number of days a property can be rented
per year .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Require the property owner(s) to live in the house and
only rent room(s), not the whole house ............................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Require residents to apply for a City license to rent their
property .............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Collect a lodger’s tax for short-term rentals (similar to the current
lodger’s tax for visitors of hotels/motels, which is 10%) ............ 1 2 3 4 5 6
24. Currently, the City restricts residential building heights for new construction and additions. In addition, there are bulk
plane regulations in two zone districts in Wheat Ridge. Bulk plane is a diagonal limit that also regulates vertical
construction. By adding the diagonal limit, a house’s upper stories are required to be set back further from perimeter
property lines. This typically still allows 2-3 story homes, but increases the required separation between homes. To
what extent do you support or oppose each of the following regulations?
Strongly Somewhat Neither support Somewhat Strongly Don’t
support support nor oppose oppose oppose know
Bulk plane regulations in general ............................................ 1 2 3 4 5 6
Expansion of bulk plane regulations to other zones of city ..... 1 2 3 4 5 6
25. The maximum building height is 35 feet in all of the City’s single-family zone districts. Thinking about the building
height of single- and two-family homes in Wheat Ridge, please select the one statement below that most closely
represents your opinion.
The City should maintain current residential building heights for new infill development in established neighborhoods.
The City should further restrict current residential building heights for new infill development in established
neighborhoods.
I don’t know.
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 6 of 7
26. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are secondary, independent housing units with a separate entrance, kitchen, bath, and
bed created within a single family home or on its lot. Currently the City does not allow ADUs. To what extent do you
support or oppose the City allowing ADUs?
Strongly Somewhat Neither support Somewhat Strongly Don’t
support support nor oppose oppose oppose know
27. If ADUs were allowed, how important to you, if at all, would each of the following regulations be?
Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t
Essential important important important know
Ensure the ADU is architecturally compatible with the existing home ........... 1 2 3 4 5
Restrict the size of the ADU ............................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Limit the number of people allowed to live in the ADU .................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Require the property owner to live in either the main house or ADU ............ 1 2 3 4 5
Require off-street parking ............................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
28. How likely, if at all, would you be to consider adding an ADU for each of the following reasons?
Very Somewhat Somewhat Very Don’t Not
likely likely unlikely unlikely know applicable
For an elderly family member ................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
For a disabled family member ................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
For an adult child ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
For visitors ................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5 6
For my own personal use .......................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
For rental income ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5 6
Some other reason (please specify):____________________________________________________________________
29. How important to you, if at all, is it that the City focus on each of the following areas of environmental sustainability,
which may or may not increase costs for taxpayers?
Very Somewhat Not at all Don’t
Essential important important important know
Starting a composting program ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Diverting trash from the landfill ...................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Encouraging water conservation ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Encouraging water quality improvement ........................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Encouraging biking or walking, instead of automobile use ............................. 1 2 3 4 5
Ensuring availability of and access to public transit ........................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Increasing energy efficiency for city buildings ................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Promoting energy efficiency for the community ............................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Encouraging construction of green buildings in the community ..................... 1 2 3 4 5
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the community .................... 1 2 3 4 5
Promoting renewable energy (wind or solar) in the home ............................. 1 2 3 4 5
Creating walkable communities (providing sidewalk connections,
bike lanes, retail/shopping/grocery closer to homes, etc.) ......................... 1 2 3 4 5
Information Sources
30. In a typical month, about how many times, if ever, do you use each of the following social media sites?
1-3 times Once Multiple times
Never a month a week a week Daily
Facebook ................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Twitter .................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
YouTube .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
LinkedIn .................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
NextDoor ................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Instagram ................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Snapchat ................................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Wheat Ridge Resident Survey Page 7 of 7
31. In the last 12 months, about how many times, if ever, have you or other household members used the following
sources of information for news about Wheat Ridge?
1-2 3-12 13-26 More than
Never times times times 26 times
City Quarterly “Connections” Newsletter ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Parks and Recreation Activity Guide ......................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Denver Post…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1 2 3 4 5
Denver Post YourHub ............................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Wheat Ridge Transcript ............................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Neighborhood Gazette ............................................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
Radio news ................................................................................................................ 1 2 3 4 5
Television news ......................................................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
WRTV8 (Government Access Channel) ..................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
City live/on-demand videostreaming ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
City’s website: www.ci.wheatridge.co.us ................................................................. 1 2 3 4 5
City website automatic notifications (e.g., community events, calendar listing) ..... 1 2 3 4 5
City of Wheat Ridge social media sites (Facebook, Twitter) ..................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Wheat Ridge Police Department social media sites (Facebook or Twitter) ............. 1 2 3 4 5
Active Adult Center’s Facebook page ....................................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Wheat Ridge Recreation Center’s Facebook page .................................................... 1 2 3 4 5
Community-created Facebook groups/pages about Wheat Ridge .......................... 1 2 3 4 5
Neighborhood websites (e.g., NextDoor, i-neighbors, etc.) ..................................... 1 2 3 4 5
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Demographics
Our last questions are about you and your household. All of your responses are completely confidential and will be reported in group form only.
D1. About how long have you lived in Wheat Ridge?
(Write 0 if six months or less) years
D2. In what city do you work? (If you work in more than one
city, check the box for the city in which you most often
work.)
Arvada Louisville
Aurora Northglenn
Boulder Thornton
Broomfield Westminster
Denver Wheat Ridge
Englewood Other
Golden Do not work (student,
Lakewood homemaker, retired, etc.)
Littleton
D3. Please check the appropriate box indicating the type of
housing unit in which you live.
Detached single-family home Apartment
Condominium or townhouse Mobile home
Duplex
D4. Do you live in senior housing such as an assisted-living or
senior living community?
Yes No
D5. Do you own or rent your residence?
Own Rent
D6. How many people (including
yourself) live in your household? people
D7. How many of these household
members are 17 or younger? people
D8. Please indicate the number of dogs and cats in your
household. (Please write 0 if none.)
A. Number of dogs ______ B. Number of cats ______
D9. How much do you anticipate your household’s total
income before taxes will be for the current year? (Please
include in your total income money from all sources for all
persons living in your household.)
Less than $15,000 $50,000 to $74,999
$15,000 to $24,999 $75,000 to $99,999
$25,000 to $34,999 $100,000 to $124,999
$35,000 to $49,999 $125,000 or more
D10. What is your age?
18-24 45-54 75 +
25-34 55-64
35-44 65-74
D11. What is your race? (Please check all that apply.)
White
Black or African American
Asian or Pacific Islander
American Indian, Eskimo, or Aleut
Other
D12. Are you Hispanic/Spanish/Latino?
Yes No
D13. What is your gender?
Female Male
D14. Did you vote in the last election?
Yes No
Thank you very much! Please return the completed
questionnaire, in the postage-paid envelope provided, to:
National Research Center, Inc.
2955 Valmont Road, Suite 300
Boulder, CO 80301
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager Ken Johnstone, Community Development Director Scott Brink, Public Works Director FROM: Mark Westberg, Projects Supervisor
DATE: May 25, 2018 (for June 4 Study Session) SUBJECT: Wadsworth Widening Value Engineering Update
ISSUE:
Council was last updated on the Wadsworth Widening project at the Study Session on April 16, 2018. As discussed during the funding update portion of the presentation, a Value Engineering (VE) workshop was conducted during the first week of May 2018. A follow-up meeting was held with City and CDOT staff to discuss the proposals that were presented by the VE team.
The purpose of this memo is to update Council on the outcome of the Value Engineering workshop and seek consensus on moving forward with the proposals that were acceptable to both City and CDOT staff.
BACKGROUND:
In October 2014, the City applied to DRCOG for federal transportation funds available for fiscal years 2016 through 2021 to help fund a widening and improvement project on Wadsworth Boulevard from 35th Avenue to 48th Avenue. DRCOG awarded a Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) grant in October 2014.
The improvement of this segment of Wadsworth Boulevard has been a high priority for both CDOT and the City of Wheat Ridge for more than 20 years. Lack of available funding has been the primary reason for postponing improvements. With an earlier grant, a Planning and Environmental Linkage Study (PEL) was completed and adopted by Council on October 12,
2015. That study identified traffic congestion and safety issues, developed multi-modal solutions, and identified related environmental issues and mitigation measures that needed further assessment. The Final Recommended Alternative (FRA) from the PEL study identified the improvements needed to widen Wadsworth Boulevard between 35th and 48th Avenues to six travel lanes, to provide additional turning capacity at the key congested intersections at 38th and
44th Avenues, and install medians to better manage access. Bicycle and pedestrian facilities were also included to add facilities for additional modes of transportation.
Wadsworth Widening Value Engineering Update
May 25, 2018
Page 2 On March 28, 2016, Council approved a contract with HDR to complete the survey, conceptual
(30%) design and plans, and prepare the Environmental Assessment (EA), which is the federally
required process to approve a final roadway design. The consultant team, City staff, and CDOT started working to investigate and resolve issues identified in the PEL. In particular, the need to improve the traffic capacity at the major intersections of 38th Avenue and 44th Avenues was addressed further.
Most of the elements from the FRA were kept and have moved forward through the EA process; however, a couple of major items were changed or added. In response to needing additional capacity at the 38th and 44th Avenue intersections, the design of those intersections was changed from a traditional signalized design with double left turn lanes on all four legs of the intersection,
to Continuous Flow Intersections (CFI). The CFI intersection designs were determined to be a
better solution to increase capacity and have the least impact to adjacent parcels. Also a pedestrian connection was added to the Clear Creek Trail on the east side. These changes were included in the update to Council at the March 20, 2017 Study Session.
During the April 16, 2018 Study Session, the capacity advantages of the CFIs were again
discussed along with the ability to provide signalized left turn access at the CFI crossover signals, providing improved local access. Also included in the CFI discussion was the ability to add signalized pedestrian crossings at three of those crossover signals.
Environmental updates were also provided concerning the adverse impacts to three of the
potentially eligible historic properties and the mitigation that will be provided with historical information signs. A discussion of the potential to require noise walls was also included. Staff recently received preliminary results indicating that the noise walls will not be required at any of the residential properties. Also briefly discussed was the need to analyze the visual impacts of
the project. An update on the recent public outreach, funding, and project schedule was also
provided VALUE ENGINEERING WORKSHOP: A VE workshop was recently held from April 30 thru May 2. A team made up of City staff,
City’s design and review consultants (HDR and AECOM), and CDOT staff, who were not
familiar with the project, intensely reviewed the design over three days. The main purpose of the VE workshop was to ensure that the best and most economical design is moving forward. For this project, this included looking for ways to close the funding gap by reducing costs while still meeting the purpose and need of the project.
The VE team presented its findings to City, CDOT, and FHWA staff on May 3, 2018. City and CDOT staff have independently analyzed the recommendations and met on May 21, 2018 to discuss which of the recommendations seemed most viable. City and CDOT staff were able reach a consensus on the recommendations that would be incorporated into the conceptual plans.
City staff felt that some of the recommendations required further input from both the Council
and the public.
Wadsworth Widening Value Engineering Update
May 25, 2018
Page 3 Workshop Outcomes The VE team generated 70 ideas which were incorporated into 19 VE recommendations. A
summary of the proposals is included in Attachment 1 – VE Recommendations Resolution. The recommendations are organized based on their acceptability and timing. The first group were determined to be acceptable and would need to be incorporated prior to start of the EA because of changes in the impact of the project. The second group were determined to be acceptable but
could wait until after the EA is completed and then incorporated into the final design. The last
group was not acceptable to either or both the City and CDOT staff. VE-1 Two-way Cycle Track The two-way cycle track provided a separate facility for bicycles between 35th to 44th Avenues
and has been part of the design since the PEL. The VE team proposed to eliminate this eleven
foot wide facility and widen the sidewalk from eight feet to twelve feet to accommodate the bicycles and pedestrians with a single facility. Upon further evaluation and discussion with CDOT and consultant staff, a shared used facility will be adequate to accommodate the expected bicycle and pedestrian users, especially given the short length of the facility. The reduction in
width of seven feet for the southern portion of the corridor provides a cost savings of over
$750,000. This savings only includes construction and ROW costs. The demolition that will not be required will likely increase the savings to over $1,000,000. VE-4 & VE-5 Reduce Median and Amenity Zone Widths
Much of the corridor was proposed to have center medians with a minimum width of six feet
from curb face to curb face. While this width is desirable, a minimum width of four feet is allowed while still providing clearance for signage in the median. The amenity zones were proposed to be 9.5 feet wide on both sides. Again, while this width is desirable, a minimum width of eight feet provides the necessary clearance from the face of curb and still allows
adequate room for plantings. The tree spacing may need to be increased to allow adequate root
zone. The reduction in width of five feet for all of the corridor provides a cost savings of almost $2,000,000. Again, this savings only includes construction and ROW costs. Additional savings will be realized with the demolition that will not be required.
VE-12 & VE-18 47th/48th Avenues Access
These two recommendations were combined to reduce the impacts to and scope of improvements at the office building at 4800 Wadsworth Boulevard on the east side. The access for both 47th Avenue on the west side and the office building on the east side would be separated and limited to ¾ access. The allowed access would be right-in, right-out, and left-in. A left-out would not be
allowed. The frontage road in front of the office building would be eliminated. The access for
48th Avenue on the east side would be limited to a right-in. A right-out will be evaluated, but is difficult because of how quickly the grades on Wadsworth drop at this location. If the right-out is not possible, then a cul-de-sac or some other turnaround will be required. In addition to the savings in construction and ROW, the residential building to the south may no longer need to be
acquired. The savings of the combined recommendations will likely be around $1,000,000.
Wadsworth Widening Value Engineering Update
May 25, 2018
Page 4 VE-13, VE-14, & VE-17 North End Retaining Walls
These three recommendations were combined to reduce the costs of rebuilding the retaining
walls north of 48th Avenue. The largest cost savings is associated with leaving the existing retaining wall on the west side. The center median would be reduced to four feet to allow the third lane for southbound traffic. The southbound traffic would start shifting to the east at the Clear Creek bridge. The sidewalk on the west side would be constructed on top of the wall,
incorporating the tiered wall proposal. Because the upper wall would be ten feet further away
from the existing house and would be less than ten feet tall, a less expensive wall could be constructed. On the east side, the existing retaining wall would still need to be removed to allow the third lane
for northbound traffic. The proposed caisson wall could possibly be replaced with two shorter
tiered, less expensive walls. An alternate design for the upper wall may even allow the existing house to remain. Because the sidewalks on both sides would be vertically separated from the street, the amenity
zones would be eliminated. Switchbacks would need to be added at the north end of the
sidewalks on the slope to bring the sidewalks back down to street grade. Entry signage could possibly be incorporated into the switchbacks. The other advantage to this combined proposal is that the sidewalks on both sides would be able to meet ADA slope requirements. There are many details to work out with the wall redesign so some of these proposed elements are likely to
change. The estimated savings with this combined proposal will likely be between $500,000 and
$1,000,000. VE-15 Reduce Sidewalk Width at Johnson Park to Five Feet This recommendation has been partially incorporated. The sidewalk width on the west side from
the Enramex building to 48th Avenue has to be reduced to eight feet with a two foot wide
amenity zone at a couple locations to reduce the impact at historical properties. To maintain a consistent design, the eight/two foot configuration will be used from the Enramex building to the Clear Creek bridge. The estimated cost savings will likely be around $50,000 to $100,000.
VE-9 & VE-19 Eliminate ABC and Split Drainage
These two recommendations will be deferred as they do not affect the impacts of the project. VE-9 would eliminate the gravel under the sidewalks. VE-19 keeps the existing storm sewer pipe that discharges into Johnson Park and reduces the size of the proposed pipe that will cross Wadsworth and discharge into the proposed water quality pond. The cost savings from these two
recommendations is around $200,000.
Total Savings By incorporating the above proposals, a total savings of at least $5,000,000 may be possible.
Public Outreach
Because of potential concerns associated with changing the cycle track/sidewalk to a shared bicycle/pedestrian facility and the changes in access at the 47th/48th Avenue intersection, City staff is planning some additional public outreach, assuming Council agrees with incorporating
Wadsworth Widening Value Engineering Update
May 25, 2018
Page 5 those proposals. For the cycle track, the Active Transportation Advisory Team (ATAT) will be contacted as well as Bike JeffCo to ask for input. For the 47th/48th Avenue, a block meeting will
be held in mid-June to discuss the proposed ¾ movement accesses. The invitations would be sent
to the office building owner/tenants and the neighborhoods on both sides of Wadsworth. Funding Updates As was discussed at the April 16, 2018 Study Session, the City’s application for a 2017 TIGER
grant was not successful. City and consultant staff had a debrief conference call with an FHWA
representative on May 14, 2018. Our application met all the criteria and was in the “highly recommended” category. However, the desire to spread the grants to as many states as possible basically limited the opportunity for more than two grants to be awarded in Colorado. In addition, almost 2/3 of the grants were awarded to rural communities.
A new grant program has been announced, BUILD, Better Utilizing Investment to Leverage Development. City and consultant staff are evaluating the feasibility of submitting an application. Similar to TIGER, the City’s grant would essentially be competing against other Colorado projects.
With the VE process potentially closing the funding gap by almost half, the City will continue to look for funding to close the remaining gap. The next round of DRCOG TIP funding through either the regional and/or sub-regional categories likely provides the best source of potential funding.
Schedule Updates Preliminary plans and the EA process are expected to be completed by the end of this year with documents being signed in February 2019. A public hearing in accordance with the federal process would then be anticipated to be held in March 2019. A decision document would then be
expected in late summer 2019. The final design phase will start in early spring 2019 and should
be completed in early 2020. The right-of-way acquisition phase will start in early 2019 and should be completed in early 2020. The construction phase would start in mid-2020, with an expected completion date in mid-2022.
Next Steps
Upon final approval, City staff will work with HDR/WSP to revise the conceptual plans to reflect the acceptable proposals from the VE process. The preparation of the EA documentation will then start in late June 2018. While the EA documentation is being prepared, the team will be working with the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) to finalize mitigation measures for
the adversely impacted properties.
City staff is currently working with HDR to finalize a contract for the final design phase of the project and expects to bring that to Council for approval in a couple of months. After the design contract is completed, staff will start the process of hiring a ROW acquisition consultant. That
process should be completed in early 2019.
ATTACHMENTS: 1. VE Recommendations Resolution
VE Recommendations Resolution
Now Later
1 Use a multi-use trail on the east side of the corridor in
lieu of separate bike and ped facilities
X Increase walk width to 12' from 38th
to 44th, saves 7' of ROW, demo, etc.
4 Reduce median width throughout the corridor X Reduce by 2' except at ped x-ings.
5 Reduce width of amenity area throughout the corridor X Reduce to 8', saves 3' of ROW, etc.
12 Eliminate east leg of 47th and put cul-du-sac at 48th
and provide right-in right-out to 4800 Wads
18 Use off-ramp from Wadsworth onto 48th and eliminate
the frontage road
13 Tier the retaining wall on the west and east side
14 Widen to one side to eliminate a retaining wall
17 Consider a soil nailed wall instead of caisson wall on
the east side north of 48th
15 Reduce the sidewalk width to 5 feet in front of the
Johnson Park
X Reduce sidewalk width to 8' w/ 2'
amenity zone from JeffCo MH north
9 Eliminate ABC from under cycle track and sidewalks X Further evaluation needed
19 Split the drainage system at Johnson Park, use smaller
pipe to carry WQ+ flows to WQ pond on east side
X Keep existing 48" pipe for larger flows
only
2 Permanent easement in lieu of purchasing right-of-way
throughout the project
X Not City standard and not
advantageous to property owner
3 Use asphalt in lieu of concrete throughout the project X Life cycle cost higher for asphalt
6 Use asphalt in lieu of concrete throughout the project
on the sidewalks throughout the corridor
X Not City standard
7 Reduce project limits X Last resort
8 Replace trees with bushes X Not City standard
10 Eliminate the ped islands at the 38th and Wadsworth X Need for ped refuge and queue
11 Eliminate the exclusive right turn lanes on the east and
west legs of 44th and the westbound leg of 38th
X Need operationally due to lane
imbalance with shared lane
16 Use existing inlet in Johnson Park w/ water quality vault X Use idea #19 instead
Pursue the below ideas and wait to incorporate them into the design after EA
Do not in pursue the below ideas
A combination of these two ideas to
provide separate 3/4 movements for
47th & 4800 Wads north of 47th and
access to, and maybe from, 48th
X
X A combination of these 3 ideas to
reduce retaining wall costs at north
end, add switchback on both sides
on slopes
Pursue the below ideas and incorporate them into the design prior to EA
VE #VE Recommendations CommentsRejectIncorporate
ATTACHMENT 1
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council FROM: Kenneth Johnstone, AICP, Community Development Director
THROUGH: Patrick Goff, City Manager DATE: May 30, 2018 (for June 4 study session) SUBJECT: Wheat Ridge-Ward TOD Area Update
Introduction One of the four (4) projects funded through the City’s Investing 4 the Future (ballot measure 2E) sales tax supported bond program is infrastructure in and around the City’s future commuter rail station at Ridge Road just east of Ward Road. A number of different activities are occurring in
and around the station area and the purpose of this memo is to provide a summary update for City Council. RTD Update The Colorado Public Utilities Commission has issued their written findings approving the
technology related to the safety of the railroad crossings. That approval paves the way for an
opening day for the long awaited commuter rail line in 2018. Some additional testing of rail cars is required and one additional Federal Rail Administration approval is needed; however, based on information from Denver Transit Partners (RTD’s long-term public/private operator of the commuter rail line) the train could potentially open in the next several months.
Development Updates
Hance Ranch Townhomes: The project is located on the south side of 52nd Avenue between Tabor Street and Taft Court. This 63-unit townhome project has received subdivision plat approval from City Council and is very near final administrative approval of a site plan, pursuant
to the City’s Mixed Use-Neighborhood zoning requirements. The project is proposed to be developed by Remington Homes and is anticipated to break ground in the next few months. It is anticipated that a small amount of 2E funds will be used on this project to offset some unanticipated stormwater costs associated with some off-site stormwater that impacts the property.
TRAX at Ward Road: This project proposes approximately 207 highly amenitized, higher-density, market-rate apartments in a 4-story building with structured parking. This project is located directly northeast of the station platform and directly south of the Hance Ranch
Wheat Ridge-Ward Station Area
May 30, 2018
Page 2
Townhomes. Due in part to the expense of the structured parking and local street improvements,
a 2E investment in this project, along with Urban Renewal tax increment financing (TIF) is
anticipated. Staff has been working with the property owner’s development team on the details of the public/private finance agreement and expects that to be finalized in the next several months, with construction beginning later in 2018 or early in 2019.
Former Jolly Rancher Site: The site of the former Jolly Rancher facility at the northeast corner of
Ward and Ridge (formerly 50th Place) Roads is under contract to be purchased and developed by Toll Brothers, a national homebuilder. A formal application for administrative concept plan and site plan submittal has not yet been filed with the City, but the required neighborhood meeting has been held, which allows them to make said application. Staff anticipates an application for a
mix of approximately 200 townhomes and live-work townhomes and approximately 6,000 sq. ft.
of commercial building space to be submitted soon. A subdivision plat will also need to be reviewed and approved, which will require action by the Planning Commission and City Council.
Arvada/Jefferson County IGA
Earlier this year the City Managers of Arvada and Wheat Ridge along with the County Manager of Jefferson County signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) agreeing to coordinate and cooperate on designing and funding mutually beneficial road improvements in the area surrounding the Wheat Ridge-Ward station area. The MOU anticipates future intergovernmental
agreements (IGAs) that would more specifically outline cost-sharing arrangements among the
parties. Design is underway for 52nd Avenue improvements as are discussions surrounding an associated IGA. Marketing Materials/Outdoor Recreation Focus Council approved the Vision Plan for the area surrounding the station in 2016, which identifies a
theme of Outdoor Recreation for the station area. There are already several outdoor recreation businesses located in proximity to the station and it is the City’s intent to attract more. To that end, the City has created a “Base Camp” brand and logo and is developing a marketing video to be used to attract outdoor recreation related businesses. In the fall of 2017, City staff attended the
international outdoor recreation conference, which recently relocated from Utah to Denver. The
next such conference is coming up this summer and the marketing video will be used as promotional material leading up to and during that event. Regional Park Planning The City’s Vision Plan identified an opportunity to develop one or both of the two pond
properties adjacent to I-70 as regional park amenities. Both properties are in private ownership and staff has been in active communications with both owners regarding those plans. AECOM, the City’s consulting firm for the Investing 4 the Future program has also completed some additional planning and programming analysis for potential regional park opportunities. No
formal public/private partnerships have yet been identified, but discussions with both property
owners continue.
Wheat Ridge-Ward Station Area
May 30, 2018
Page 3
Allocation of 2E funds The 2E ballot language identified a range of potential infrastructure projects. Following are
examples of potential infrastructure projects being considered:
• Local streets including sidewalks and amenity zones
• Pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks
• Public parks and plaza areas The ballot language emphasized the importance of the public funds leveraging private sector investment. A formal list of projects to spend the $12M allocated to the station area has not yet
been developed; that said, it is likely that a portion of the funds will be spent on local street improvements, including 52nd Avenue, Ridge Road and Tabor Street. As noted, City staff are also recommending some funds be reserved for a future pedestrian bridge, the linear park identified in the Vision Plan and possibly for future public/private projects not yet identified. Some funds also might be needed to pursue a public private partnership to potentially redevelop
RTD’s surface parking lot and/or the bus circulation area, should it not be needed in the future. Following is a range of costs for potential infrastructure projects:
• Local streets – up to $8,000,000
• Pedestrian bridge over railroad tracks – $1,500,000 to $4,000,000
• Linear Park – up to $5,000,000
• Regional Park – up to $5,000,000
• Ward Road (state highway) – up to $2,000,000 Staff is exploring various ways to leverage 2E public investment with other funding sources, including TIF, state and federal grants, and private developer funding. As specific 2E project
funding opportunities are identified, staff will provide updates to City Council.