In episode five of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, Jefferson County Open Space Director Tom Hoby joins us to discuss the Rocky Mountain Greenway, including improvements aiming to create a safer experience for visitors of the regional trail project running through Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge.

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.

With the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners receiving multiple funding requests each year, the Non-County Agencies and Programs (NCAP) process was put into place to ensure fair and equitable decision-making to help allocate taxpayer dollars to projects that support the safety and well-being of Jeffco residents.

The deadline to for these agencies to apply for funding is June 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. Find more information on funding request policy and how to apply.

Effective July 1, recording fees at the Clerk and Recorder’s Office will move to a flat rate of $43 per document, as mandated by House Bill 24-1269. This update will lower costs for many customers, as it eliminates per-page pricing, which can get very pricy with long legal records. Death records are free and Uniform Commercial Code filing prices are not changing. Learn more by visiting us online.

Claim your discount today! Jefferson County residents can receive valuable incentives to help conserve water, including a free professional sprinkler line tune-up, free rain sensors and timers, 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. Businesses and HOA’s are also eligible.

Between January and May 2025, the Jefferson County Treasurer's Office accrued roughly $10.5 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.

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 is now accepting applications for the 2025–'26 school year. Check eligibility requirements and apply.

The Summer Food Services Program (SFSP) provides nutritious meals to students 18 years and younger during the summer or other continuous school calendar vacation programs. Meals are provided to all children (ages 1–18) at no cost at approved SFSP sites in areas with high concentration of low-income students.

SFSP site for summer 2025 include Edgewater Elementary, Deane Elementary and Lumberg Elementary. Learn more about service dates and times.

Discover the natural wonders of Colorado’s Front Range in an engaging, place-based ecology series led by natural resource specialist Erica Hample and guest experts. Dive into topics like geology, soil, water, flora and fauna through immersive outdoor learning experiences at some of the region's most iconic sites. This series is a great way to get outside and get inspired!

It's not too late to sign up for the Jefferson County Public Library's annual Library Summer Challenge! Learning is for everyone, so beat the summer slide and participate, no matter your age. Registration is open, and the challenge runs from June 1–July 31. Discover our colorful world and earn points to win prizes! Register today!

You may have heard Congress is considering sweeping changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. Those changes are harmful to our most vulnerable community members. SNAP provides critical nutrition and food for children, the elderly, people with disabilities and low-income adults. 

These sweeping changes will have broad impacts on our community members and lead to greater economic and health disparities, especially in communities already experiencing barriers to access. Protecting and strengthening SNAP is essential for more than 38,000 individuals in Jefferson County to provide lifesaving food and nutrition. Read the full article.

On June 12, Commissioners Lesley Dahlkemper, Andy Kerr and Rachel Zenzinger proclaimed June as LGBTQIA+ Pride Month in Jefferson County.

Jeffco proudly stands with our LGBTQIA+ community, and the county remains committed to creating a safe, inclusive and affirming place where everyone — especially our youth — can live openly, authentically and with pride.

Orange hawkweed, a perennial, is a List A member of the sunflower family (Asteraceae). It forms rosettes in late spring to early summer and typically blooms by early July. Its bright orange, dandelion-like flowers appear in clusters at the tips of slender, hairy stems. This invasive species thrives in meadows, along creeks and rights-of-way, where it can form dense patches that outcompete all other vegetation. Learn more about orange hawkweed, including how early control is key.

Thank you to the more than 2,400 community members who shared input for the future South County Library. The official Community Engagement Report was presented to the Board of Trustees in May and will be used to help guide the design of the new library. Read through the full report on our project page and be sure to check out the winning submissions from our One-Sentence Story Contest.

The Children, Youth, Families and Adult Protection (CYFAP) Division of Jefferson County Human Services has achieved the Human Rights Campaign’s Tier 2, the Solid Foundation for Inclusion tier! CYFAP is recognized for having more advanced parent- and youth-facing practices, such as adding a non-discrimination clause with explicit LGBTQ+ protections in all contracts, ensuring forms include gender-expansive identities and having a trans-affirming placement policy. 

Jeffco Prosperity Partners (JPP) celebrated the accomplishments of Jefferson County families at its Annual Achievement Ceremony. Families earned degrees, launched careers, paid off debt and became homeowners. In honor of their success, JPP is skipping the gala and hosting an Anti-Event Fundraiser, where every dollar goes to families, not event expenses. Donate by June 30 to help more families reach their goals. Read more success stories in JPP’s 2024 Annual Report.

Did you know that Jefferson County Public Library offers opportunities for teens to get involved? From fun events to welcoming gathering spaces to volunteer opportunities, there’s something for everyone. Find out more!

The Action Center is preparing for its annual Back-to-School Drive, and we need your help to donate and distribute school supplies to children in need. Contribute by donating school supplies or by volunteering for a shift to assist with distribution and packing supplies on July 31, Aug. 1, and Aug. 2. Every filled backpack ensures that a student starts school with dignity and confidence.

New to Jeffco Public Schools or enrolling for the first time? Whether you’re enrolling a kindergartener, switching schools or re-enrolling, we’ve got you covered. Visit our one-stop shop for all enrollment options and resources: jeffcopublicschools.org/enroll

More than 20 locations are offering free and low-cost arts and culture experiences May 30–July 3 during INSPIRE Arts Lakewood. This month-long celebration of art includes galleries, cultural centers and shops throughout the city. From the Sounds Exciting! concert series to kids' crafts at Belmar Library, view a full schedule of activities on the Inspire website.

Thanks to voter support for the 2023 “Next Chapter” sales tax extension, Wheat Ridge is moving forward with $75 million in bond-funded infrastructure improvements. City council approved the final project list in May, prioritizing major corridor upgrades, sidewalk expansions, stormwater repairs and school-area safety improvements. Over the next five years, these funds will support ADA upgrades, pavement repairs and traffic safety studies at key intersections.

Join park naturalists and special guests at the amphitheater near the Bear Creek Lake Park Visitor Center to learn about local animals, ecosystems and conservation. Then enjoy roasting marshmallows for s'mores at the campfire! (Fires available based on current weather and restrictions.) For this FREE event, registration at Lakewood.org/Register is appreciated. Search keyword “Campfire.”

Find beautiful, one-of-a-kind gifts at Foothills Park & Recreation District's Summer Pottery Sale under the shade of the Grant Family Amphitheater at Clement Park on Saturday, June 21, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Handmade pottery produced by students and instructors of Foothills Pottery Program will be on display and available for purchase.

Enjoy FREE outdoor, family-friendly concerts and performances on Wednesdays from June 18–July 30 at Anderson Park in Wheat Ridge! Showtimes for children’s performances are from 10 to 10:45 a.m., and evening performances are from 6:30 to 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.

Join Apex Park and Recreation District as we bring the community together for a star-spangled month of fun during National Park and Recreation Month — where we build together, play together. Start with our Apex PRD community game, filled with activities and prizes for the whole family, which you can play by visiting our facilities. Next, enjoy live music outside at our Summer Concert Series, then cheer on our young athletes at the always-inspiring KidsTRYathlon. Find out more information.

Hop, skip or jump your way to Family Fun Day in Lakewood on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Carmody Park (2200 S. Kipling St.). Celebrating fitness for all ages, this free event emphasizes the vital role that parks and recreation play in building a strong, healthy and resilient community while giving families a chance to play together. Enjoy water play, an obstacle course, fitness and sports demos, and a color run at 12:15! Learn more about this event.

Lakewood is one of a select group of cities internationally that have been recognized for its work on sustainability, climate change, resiliency and environmental transparency. Named to the 2024 CDP A List for the fourth time overall and second year in a row, Lakewood is among 112 cities across the globe and 29 in the U.S. to achieve this ranking. Learn more about what this means.

Join CASA of Jefferson and Gilpin Counties for a fun, family-friendly mini golf tournament. 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. Learn more and get your tickets.

The West Metro Chamber’s 34th annual golf tournament, The Jeffco Cup, will take place on Thursday, Sept. 25, at Foothills Golf Course.

Player registration, hole sponsorships and event sponsorships are available now. Learn more and sign up.