In episode three of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, we are joined by Brandon Toya and Dianah Cortez from Lockheed Martin Space and Mike Aman from the Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center. We chat about the Advanced Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Program (AMTAP), which is affording Jeffco residents the opportunity to jumpstart their career and gain valuable job skills.

An in-depth look at the issues, events, and unique perspectives, the Engage Jeffco Podcast is a deeper exploration of important county initiatives, ways to get involved, and the people who make this county function. Follow it on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Today, Jefferson County is excited to announce the launch of its refreshed external website, designed to offer residents and visitors a modern, user-friendly experience. This update brings a fresh look to our online presence, making it easier for the public to access important, frequently visited county information and services. Read the news release.

Jefferson County is seeking applications from community members to serve on the county’s Budget Retention Advisory Committee (BRAC). In November 2025, Jefferson County voters approved Ballot Measure 1A, allowing the county to retain revenue collected to help fund public safety, transportation, and infrastructure needs. This committee will play an important role in deciding how that retained revenue will be spent. Read the full article.

Each year, Jefferson County recognizes outstanding residents who contribute positively to our community and the planet, playing a key role in advancing sustainability in the county. Please let us know who these outstanding community members are by submitting your nomination today. The nomination period is open until April 30, and award winners will be recognized in May.

The Jefferson County Sustainability Commission is excited to announce this year’s Spring into Sustainability Challenge! The challenge, which will run from May 1 to May 31, will utilize the JouleBug! app to easily track and measure the carbon reduction impact that a community can make during a one-month period. Get involved for a chance to win great prizes donated by members of our business community in Jeffco.

For property owners who have not paid the first half of their 2024 payable 2025 property taxes, the full amount is due Wednesday, April 30. If you have not received this year’s property tax statement or you need to know what you paid last year for income tax filing, please visit the Jefferson County Treasurer Property Tax Payment and Records Portal.

Between January and March 2025, the Jefferson County Treasurer's Office accrued roughly $4.84 million in interest on county investments (unaudited). With voters approving 1A, Jefferson County can use all interest earned for county services and projects as determined by the Board of County Commissioners. Learn more and view financial reports.

The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act is a bill currently under consideration in Congress. If passed, it would change how Americans register to vote in federal elections and eliminate online and mail registration options. The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder’s Office has compiled a set of FAQs to help you understand how this could affect voter registration in Colorado.

Each quarter, Jefferson County Sheriff Reggie Marinelli presents the Law Enforcement Authority (LEA) Report to the Board of County Commissioners. The report includes Sheriff’s Office events, news, statistics, and notable activities during the previous quarter. You can read the Q1 2025 report in its entirety on our website.

If you want to find out if your property is in the SFHA, contact Jefferson County Planning and Zoning at 303-271-8700. County staff are available to answer your questions and can meet residents on-site to provide assistance on flooding or drainage issues. Learn about floodplain management in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder's Office is bringing back Passport-palooza! Join us from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, for this one-day, no-appointment-needed passport processing event. If you’re applying for a new passport, renewing one that’s expired by more than five years, or getting a passport for your child, this is the perfect time to do it. RSVP and learn more today.

Claim your discount today! Jefferson County residents can receive valuable incentives to help conserve water, including a free sprinkler line evaluation, a $750 discount toward lawn replacement services, and a $25 discount on Garden in a Box kits through our community non-profit partner Resource Central. All three programs are now open for participation.

Join CSU Master Gardeners on May 3 for a hands-on workshop in the at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, where we will be planting cool-season crops and sharing expert tips to help your garden thrive.

Attendees can ask questions, learn best practices for early-season planting, and connect with fellow gardening enthusiasts. Questions? Reach out! Get more information on gardening programs and classes.

Be a part of the international City Nature Challenge (CNC) and help document local biodiversity. This friendly competition encourages communities worldwide to observe and record species using the iNaturalist app, contributing valuable data for scientists. Bring a smartphone with the iNaturalist app or a camera with GPS capabilities. Every observation made in the Denver-Boulder area from April 25-28 counts toward our total! For more details or to register, visit our website.

As you drive around Jefferson County this month, you may notice the beautiful pinwheel gardens planted in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month. These whimsical displays not only add a cheerful touch to our landscape but also serve as a powerful reminder of our collective responsibility to protect and support our children. 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to reflect on the importance of supporting families and ensuring the safety and well-being of children. The focus of this month is on strengthening families, fostering resilience, and preventing child abuse and neglect. Strengthening families is at the heart of child abuse prevention. By providing families with the resources and support they need, we help reduce the risk of neglect and abuse. Read the full article.

Jefferson County utilizes virtual town halls as a tool to provide updates and to interact with community members regarding important county business. Town halls allow the commissioners to connect with thousands of Jefferson County residents, offering a platform for posing questions to the board and providing the commissioners feedback on important county-related issues. Participate in the next town hall on May 19 from 6 to 7 p.m.

In this edition of Get To Know Jeffco, we sit down for a chat with Commissioner Lesley Dahlkemper for an episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast.

Discussion topics include the commissioner's background before representing Jefferson County's District 3, what drove her to run for the seat, and some of her top priorities and accomplishments.

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center’s Summer Youth Internship Program launched last year and welcomed rising high school seniors from five Jefferson County high schools to an in-person networking event at Green Mountain High School. Participating students had the opportunity to connect with potential employers based on their interests and career paths, as well as interview for internships. Learn more as the program embarks on its second year. 

Join the CSU Master Gardeners for exciting classes where you will get an inside look at honeybee care and hive management. This interactive session includes a classroom lecture followed by a guided visit to our on-site demonstration hives, where you’ll see these fascinating pollinators in action. Whether you're a beginner or simply curious, this is a great opportunity to expand your knowledge and get your questions answered by local experts. Register today!

Jeffco's Sustainability team has completed the 2023 GHG inventory for communitywide Jefferson County. The completion of an annual inventory is an important part of evaluating our progress toward meeting our climate goals. Interested in diving into the results of the inventory? The results are now available on the Climate Action Dashboard (under the Foundational tab) and in our new 2023 GHG Inventory Infographic.

Scotch thistle is a biennial noxious weed (List B) commonly found in parts of Jefferson County below 6,000 feet. It spreads in disturbed areas, roadsides, and agricultural fields. The plant can grow more than 10 feet tall. Dense patches can block access for both people and animals. For effective control, remove plants or apply herbicide early – before flower buds develop. Learn more about Scotch thistle.

Jefferson County Public Library has added electric vehicle charging stations at the Columbine, Lakewood, and Standley Lake libraries. Charging stations are available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Learn more!

Beginning in May, the future South County Library parking lot at 11100 Bradford Road in Littleton will become a regular stop for the Jefferson County Public Library Bookmobile. The new South County Bookmobile stop will be available on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will replace the current Ken Caryl stop. Visit our South County Library project page for more information.

Work is now underway at Jefferson County Public Library’s new library space at 27122 Main St. in Conifer. The new Conifer Library is expected to open in late summer or early fall. Check out the designs and the latest news on the Conifer Library project page.

Jefferson County’s food system just got a boost, which means more people will be able find and afford food in communities like Lakewood, Golden, Arvada, and the foothill communities of Evergreen and Conifer. Colorado Gives Foundation awarded $3,077,889 in April to nonprofits working to improve access to local, healthy, and culturally relevant food for Jeffco residents. Learn more.

The theme for Older Americans Month this May is "Flip the Script for Aging," which aims to shift our perspective, remove stereotypes, and create a more positive and accurate view of how we age. The Active Adult Resource Fair will be hosted at Charles Whitlock Recreation Center in Lakewood from 8:30 a.m. to noon on May 9 and offers resources, activities, and discounts that support our aging population.

Join Jeffco Public Schools for the 2025 Jeffco Business & Education Summit on April 29. Connect with educators and industry leaders to support student success and build your future workforce. Register now or email us at partners@jeffco.k12.co.us.

Organizations working to support the Jeffco Bright Futures Roadmap and child care in Jeffco are invited to apply for Colorado Gives Foundation’s next grant opportunity focusing on improving access to quality childcare and education. Applications open May 5 and close May 25. Learn more.

Apex Park and Recreation is popping with spring events. Join us Saturday, April 26, for our Spring Ducky Derby from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pick a freshly hatched rubber duck and race them down the slide in our splash-filled competition. For the active adult in your life, check out our Active Adult Spring Fiesta on Wednesday, April 30, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. And kick off May with our Pride Prom on Friday, May 2, from 6 to 10 p.m. Register and find info on all our upcoming programs at ApexPRD.org.

Foothills Park & Recreation District is now hiring lifeguards and childcare workers for our summer programs. Get outdoors this summer and help support your community, all while receiving great benefits like FREE use of our recreation centers, swimming pools, and ice arena, as well as reduced golf rates! View current job openings and apply today.

On Saturday, May 10, Lakewood has spring opportunities for all. Prep your yard for spring with free mulch pick up for Lakewood residents at the city greenhouse (also available May 3). For a bit of fun, bring your friends to the Base Ball Bout at Heritage Lakewood and watch a vintage-style game complete with snacks and low-priced tickets. Looking for a quieter outing, visit Bear Creek Lake Park for World Migratory Bird Day and learn how to protect our winged neighbors.

Jeffco Prosperity Partners (JPP) is thrilled to partner with Golden Tutoring to provide mentoring and academic support for youth in our program.

Golden Tutoring brings more than a decade of experience in equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to succeed. Through this partnership, JPP youth will have access to personalized tutoring and mentorship, helping them reach their full potential in school and beyond.

Tickets go on sale Thursday, April 17, at 10 a.m. for the Sounds Exciting! Summer Concert Series at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. This year’s schedule presents bluegrass, high-energy rock ’n’ roll, Latin rhythms, funky blends, and fan-favorite Hazel Miller. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy live music, tasty food trucks, a relaxing beer garden, and stunning sunset views from June 18 through July 30.

The Community Partners Grant Program (CPGP) will begin accepting applications on June 1 for funding supporting nonprofit agencies and programs making a positive impact in Wheat Ridge. Find more details on the city's website. The Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission is now offering grant funding up to $500 for community-initiated arts and culture projects taking place between July and December 2025. Find more information on the commission’s Facebook page.

The Wheat Ridge and Edgewater Homeless Navigation Program is collecting donations of:

• Backpack-sized bags (Must be sturdy, in good condition; no suitcases or oversized duffel bags)
• Reusable water bottles (Must be clean and resealable)

These essential items will be distributed directly to individuals experiencing homelessness during our summer outreach. The deadline for donations is May 31. Donation locations are Wheat Ridge Police Department Lobby (7500 W. 29th Ave. in Wheat Ridge) and the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center (4005 Kipling Street in Wheat Ridge).