The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners recently announced a call for volunteers to serve on numerous boards and commissions. Applications will be accepted through July 29 for appointments made in late September.

Service through Jefferson County’s volunteer boards and commissions is an effective way for citizens to provide valuable input and make a positive impact in our community on issues ranging from pending land use cases to the allocation of open space grant funds. Read this article for more information and vacancies.

In episode seven of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, we sit down with Rachel Meixner with Jefferson County Head Start, Jess Fuller with the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, and Jennifer Anton from Triad Bright Futures to talk about the child care crisis in Jefferson County — and how local leaders are stepping up with real solutions.

Follow the Engage Jeffco Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Jefferson County is excited to announce that the full public drafts of the Together Jeffco 2045 Comprehensive Plan and the Transportation and Mobility Plan are now available for public review. We invite community members to participate in person or online and provide feedback by July 30.

Online participation is through the Together Jeffco website, where you can access both documents. In-person participation is through open house events planned in locations across Jefferson County. Check out the dates and times, along with more information.

In episode six of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, we talk with emergency preparedness experts about how Jefferson County is gearing up for wildfires, floods, and other hazards — and what residents can do now to get ready.

Follow the Engage Jeffco Podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners and Sheriff Reggie Marinelli are excited to announce the launch of a new Wildland Fire Management Program that will help to address and mitigate extreme wildfire danger in Jeffco.

In 2024, Jefferson County voters approved the passage of Ballot Measure 1A, allowing Jefferson County to retain revenue collected to help fund public safety as well as transportation and infrastructure needs. With the approval of this program, the county will invest nearly $7 million in wildfire mitigation and response.

On July 7, Jefferson County launched a new platform — NextRequest — for submitting open records requests. This centralized online portal allows users to submit and track requests, access records and receive updates, all while reducing reliance on paper and email. The platform also automates workflows, routes requests efficiently and ensures compliance through comprehensive communication tracking. Learn more and find the NextRequest portal link on the Jefferson County Public Records Request page.

Between January and June 2025, the Jefferson County Treasurer's Office accrued roughly $13.48 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.

Personalize your marriage license with a commemorative seal! You can choose from five unique designs, including a Pride-themed seal and a red, white and blue option. Just let your clerk know which one you'd like when you come into our Records and Licensing office to purchase your marriage license.

Jefferson County Head Start is a comprehensive, no-cost preschool and early childhood program for children ages 6 weeks to 5 years living in Jefferson County. Head Start supplies full support for families, including parenting classes, mental health services (including trauma informed education) and individual learning plans, as well as nutritious meals and snacks.

Head Start is now accepting applications for the 2025–'26 school year for locations in Arvada and Wheat Ridge. Check eligibility requirements and apply.

Need help landing your next job? Join the Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center for their FREE digital workshops on various topics that will help your applications stand out. Workshops focus on building captivating resumes and cover letters, finding the right job for you, using LinkedIn and so much more. View this month’s full list of workshops and register.

Join Natural Resource Specialist Erica Hample and a team of guest experts for a journey through Colorado’s iconic landscapes. This immersive, place-based ecology series brings the Front Range to life as you dive into topics like native plants, water and wildlife — all through hands-on, outdoor learning experiences.

Whether you’re a nature lover, a lifelong learner or simply curious about the world around you, this series offers a fresh way to connect with the environment and deepen your understanding of the ecosystems that make the Front Range unique.

Join us on Colorado Day, Aug. 2, as we mark 149 years of statehood surrounded by the stunning red rock formations of South Valley Park. We’re inviting volunteers to help protect the beauty of our shared landscapes by removing invasive weeds and supporting the health of native plants that make Colorado’s ecosystems thrive. Participants will enjoy free breakfast and lunch and will be entered for raffle prizes.

This is a great way to celebrate Colorado’s natural heritage — and help preserve it for generations to come. Find more info and register today.

Jefferson County Public Library purchases memberships at local art, culture, history and outdoor destinations so that library cardholders can explore Colorado for FREE. Culture Pass benefits vary by destination. Each library cardholder may book two Culture Passes per month and one pass per institution per month. Book your culture pass today!

JCPL partnered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars to showcase artwork by their members and photography from the Denver Vet Center. Throughout July, several JCPL locations will host the work of different local artists. Each location will host a reception providing the public an opportunity to listen to their stories and discover how artistic expression helps triumph over adversity.

Learn more about the participating libraries and the artist receptions.

Thank you to all the sponsors who helped celebrate Jeffco families at Jeffco Prosperity Partners' (JPP) Annual Achievement Ceremony! JPP is now seeking sponsors for fall events including the Back-to-School Bash, Pumpkin Patch, Thanksgiving Gratitude Dinner and Gingerbread House Contest. Every sponsorship helps create meaningful moments for families and comes with great benefits, including volunteer opportunities and community recognition. Contact Roxy Dunaway to learn more

As we witness the devastating effects of recent floods in Texas, it’s important to remember that natural disasters can strike anywhere at any time. In Jefferson County, we’re committed to ensuring the safety of our residents. 

One way we do this is through LookoutAlert, a system that provides real-time emergency notifications. By signing up for LookoutAlert, you’ll be taking an important step in protecting yourself and your family during times of crises. Read the full article.

Have you moved or changed your name since you last voted? Now is the perfect time to update your voter record. Not sure if your information is current? You can check your registration anytime. Visit Go Vote Colorado to view or update your voter record and make sure you're ready for November's Coordinated Election!

Based on community feedback, Jefferson County Public Library is moving all Boundless e-book and audiobook materials to Libby, by OverDrive, by the end of summer. Enjoy a growing selection of audiobooks, in addition to current e-books, magazines and comics. New to Libby? We’re here to make your switch easier.

The Child Support Services (CSS) team with Human Services’ Community Assistance Division won several awards at the Colorado Family Support Conference.

• The Jeffco team won an award for meeting all three C-Stat Measures for 2024.
• For the second year running, it won the award for Greatest Improvement in Overall Percent of Disbursements on Hold (DOH) for 2024.
• Program Manager Audrey Slorf won the award for Outstanding IV-D Administrator for 2024–'25. Congratulations to Audrey and CSS team!

Accidents happen, and life with kids is unpredictable. That shouldn’t get in the way of your child’s connection to reading. Starting this summer, Jefferson County Public Library no longer charges replacement fees for children’s books. Visit our website for more information.

Join Jefferson Center at Hope;ink on Sept. 6 where for $50 you can get a semicolon tattoo and help support suicide prevention work. Thank you to the tattoo studios and artists who have joined us again this year!

Registration opens on Aug. 4. Visit the Jefferson Center website for sponsorship and registration information.

A brighter future for young children and their families in Jefferson County is on the horizon. Colorado Gives Foundation is Jeffco’s community foundation and just awarded nearly $1.7 million in grants to 39 local initiatives focused on enhancing early childhood care and education in the county. Learn more and view the recipients.

CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties is hosting its second annual Putt Fore CASA mini golf tournament on Aug. 27 from 4 to 8 p.m.! If you can hold a putter, you can play! 

CASA supports children navigating the court system, so every swing makes a difference. Your ticket includes dinner, drinks, door prizes and more. Get your tickets today, as early bird pricing lasts until July 25.

Join Apex Park and Recreation District under the Arvada Olde Town Water Tower (7783 W. 55th Ave. in Arvada) on July 18 at 7:30 p.m. for a light dinner and plenty of fun as we illuminate the tower in celebration of Park and Recreation Professionals Day. 

Let’s honor the amazing people who help our community build together and play together every day. We can’t wait to celebrate with you! Please email Monica with Apex Park and Recreation District to RSVP.

July is National Park and Recreation Month. Lakewood is celebrating with discounts, theme days and events. The celebration recognizes how park and recreation professionals improve the lives of millions of people, making a lasting impact in communities across the country. Our teams build parks, communities and programs so we can build together and play together. Join the fun and fill your summer calendar.

Exciting news for Jeffco nonprofits! A new funding opportunity is here to support nonprofits helping Jefferson County residents navigate evolving job markets and secure brighter employment opportunities. Nonprofit applications open Aug. 4. Learn more.

Want to help shape the future of Jeffco Public Schools? Three seats on the Board of Education are up for election this November — District 1, 2 and 5. School board members play a critical role in shaping the future of the district, helping set policy, overseeing the budget and representing the voice of the community in public education.

Interested in running? Nominations open Aug. 6. Learn more and apply.

Voting is now open for the 2025 People’s Choice Award, which highlights the best outdoor projects funded by the Colorado Lottery. Lakewood’s Bear Creek Trail improvement project — a 7-mile regional trail and soft-surface parallel trail connecting the West Metro Area from C-470 to Denver — is one of 14 projects in the state to receive the 2025 Colorado Lottery Starburst Award and is now eligible to win the People's Choice Award. Voting closes on July 31. Learn more and vote.

Enjoy FREE outdoor, family-friendly concerts and performances on Wednesdays from June 18 to July 30 at Anderson Park in Wheat Ridge! Showtimes for children’s performances are from 10–10:45 a.m., and evening performances are from 6:30–8 p.m. There will be food trucks at all evening performances, so you can enjoy sweet and savory eats while you watch the show! Check out the 2025 performance lineup.

Foothills Park & Recreation District invites you to enjoy Shakespeare in Clement Park's free production of "Twelfth Night" at the Grant Family Amphitheater. Shows begin at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, July 25-26 and August 1-2. No tickets are needed. Admission is free. View more details about the event and venue.

Join the City of Wheat Ridge for a free outdoor Movie in the Park on Sept. 5 at the Green at 38th, 7101 W. 38th Ave. in Wheat Ridge. We’re showing Moana 2, and the fun kicks off at 6:15 p.m. with lively Polynesian dancers, a thrilling fire knife show and vibrant Tahitian drumming. The movie starts at dusk (around 7:45 p.m.). Enjoy complimentary popcorn and water, along with door prizes and activities for all ages. Learn more about this event.

The 2025-26 Lakewood Cultural Center Presents season is packed with vibrant, multicultural programs featuring international and national touring artists. Choose your preferred performances, save when you create your own season ticket package and experience extraordinary performances in the heart of Lakewood. Season tickets are on sale now. Single tickets are available Aug. 1, starting at $33.

Join us on Sept. 6 for the grand opening of The Green at 38th, 7101 W. 38th Ave in Wheat Ridge. Enjoy a jam-packed day of free live music, fitness and dance classes, games and family activities. Children can explore Wheat Ridge’s tallest playground and the whimsical “Fun, Fun, Fungi” art exhibit. Come be part of this exciting community celebration and experience everything this incredible new space has to offer! The schedule of events is coming soon.

Any Jeffco-based business or nonprofit is eligible to receive a basic listing in the West Metro Chamber of Commerce’s online business directory completely for free. This listing is not a membership in the West Metro Chamber but rather a way for us to recognize and represent all businesses throughout Jefferson County. Learn more and sign up.

Colorado Gives Foundation is throwing a concert, and all of Jefferson County is on the guest list. Bring your coworkers, family, friends, neighbors and folding chairs or a blanket to enjoy music from some of Colorado’s best bands. 

Join us for an evening of free live music, fun energy and a whole lot of local love on Thursday, Sept. 25, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Grant Family Amphitheater in Clement Park. Reserve your free tickets for Jeffco Jams