Jefferson County is collecting public feedback on updates to the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and the Evacuation Annex (EA) included in the county’s Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan (CEMP). Jeffco community members are encouraged to provide input by Sept. 22.

Both the CWPP and EA have been developed with input from multiple county partners and will play a critical role in the county’s wildfire and emergency response. The CWPP identifies specific wildland fire risks facing communities, neighborhoods, and other essential values and offers prioritized recommendations to reduce those risks.

Documents will be posted at TogetherJeffco.com and will be accompanied by a link to the plans on the Jefferson County Emergency Management webpage.

This year, Coffee with a Cop will be a little different. While the grown-ups enjoy a cup and conversations, your kiddos will be in a room next door being read to by a deputy while they enjoy cookies and milk — and leave with a free book.

There will be two events on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The first will be from 7:30-9:30 a.m., the second from 5-7 p.m., at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, 200 Jefferson County Parkway in Golden. Please RSVP to attend.

Your ballot for the Presidential election will be on its way in just a few weeks. If you moved recently, make sure you change your address with the Secretary of State so your ballot will arrive. Election mail cannot be forwarded. If your ballot does not arrive, go to any vote center and request a replacement or vote in-person. You can register to vote up to and including on Election Day.

The National Head Start Association's Program of Excellence recognizes and supports innovative and outstanding Head Start and Early Head Start programs. To receive the accreditation, Jefferson County Head Start demonstrated 44 indicators of excellence in various facets of their work including leadership, fiscal stewardship, partnerships with families, and more.

The Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) Board of Trustees recently authorized a purchase and sale agreement for an existing property, located at 11100 Bradford Road in Littleton, to be used for a new South County Library. Next steps in this project involve conducting due diligence before closing on the property. Find out more about the South County building project.

Deer Creek Canyon Park, as well as Black Bear and Rattlesnake Gulch Trails remain closed until further notice following the Quary Fire. Jeffco Open Space is completing damage assessment, repair, hazard assessment, and hazard mitigation. These activities are standard for post-fire operations and are required for visitor safety and resource protection prior to reopening the park.

After months of extensive community outreach and research, the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to place a question on the ballot. The commissioners believe the voters of Jefferson County should have the opportunity to decide if the county can retain additional revenue to address budget shortfalls and a growing backlog of infrastructure needs.

Give back to your community, meet new friends, and make a positive impact while celebrating Jefferson County's public lands. Join Jeffco Open Space on Sept. 28 from 8:30-11 a.m. Register to participate.

Stick around after the event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for well-deserved relaxation and enjoyment at Clear Creek Valley Park in Arvada. Enjoy delicious food, refreshing beverages, and groovy tunes.

The Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) Board of Trustees and staff are thrilled to be moving the fully funded Northwest Jeffco Library project forward and community engagement is next on the agenda. Watch the project page for upcoming community engagement opportunities and project updates.

Individuals served by Jefferson County's new Case Management Agency are invited to an Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 9, from 4-5 p.m., at the Human Services Building. Staff will be available to meet and answer questions with brief remarks at 4:45 p.m. and an optional tour of the CMA space at the end. Please RSVP to attend.

Prepare the kids in your life for a lifetime of learning at the Jefferson County Public Library (JCPL) Raise A Reader Festival on Saturday, Sept. 28. Participate in a variety of activities including a StoryWalk®, and pick up a free book at any JCPL location (while supplies last). Held at the Colorado Railroad Museum, this free event is perfect for the whole family. Enjoy train rides, live music, delicious treats, and fun activities designed to foster early literacy.

In partnership with the Whale of a Used Book Sale, CSU Extension will offer an afternoon filled with fun fall-themed activities and demonstrations for all ages. Learn about CSU Extension programs, collect Halloween candy and stickers, win prizes, and enjoy discounted books. The event is open to ages. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Entry for the event is free. For the book sale, admission is $5 and a bag of books is $8.

The Jeffco Clerk and Recorder's office will host a hauntingly fun wedding experience this Halloween. On Thursday, Oct. 31, couples coming in for a marriage license can tie the knot in a spooky setting and get a special edition seal. We'll be celebrating boo-tiful beginnings all day! Space is limited; appointments are required. Visit Jeffco's Marriage Licenses and Civil Unions page to secure your spot.

Jeffco Prosperity Partners' (JPP) Bid for a Brighter Future: Online Auction is live. Bid on more than 60 unique items and experiences donated by local businesses and community members. Every bid creates positive change in our community, supporting families on their journey to achieve their hopes and dreams. Register and learn more.

For some, the county budget may seem like nothing more than a thick pile of indecipherable numbers, detailed charts, and spreadsheets.

For us, it captures the community’s funding priorities and how we best leverage taxpayer dollars to deliver county services. Like you, we must balance our budget every year while funding essential county services such as public safety, roads, bridges, elections, and other operations. Read the full article from Commissioner Dahlkemper.

On Aug. 27, Jefferson County Commissioners Lesley Dahlkemper and Andy Kerr were joined by County Manager Joe Kerby and county subject-matter experts to provide updates and answer questions on wildfire preparedness, the county budget, and more. An audio recording is now available.

Tours of Jeffco's election center are free and open to the public. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at ballot transport, processing, signature verification, and vote counting, plus insight into election security and accessibility. Come get your questions answered and learn about the journey your ballot will take. Tour dates and times are posted, and pre-registration is required.

Each September, the American Library Association and libraries across the country unite to ensure every child, teen and adult in the community signs up for their own library card.

Get a Library Card to access thousands of materials — from books and DVDs to databases and streaming services. Apply online or visit a location to get started.

Colorado Mission of Mercy (COMOM) holds an annual dental clinic in areas of need throughout Colorado. This year’s event will be held Sept. 27-28, at Riverdale Ridge High School in Thornton. COMOM is committed to providing high-quality, no cost dental services to eliminate dental pain, promote oral health, and create smiles for individuals of all ages who cannot afford or access dental care.

4-H is a youth development program that focuses on providing young people with hands-on learning experiences. Participants join a club and connect with other kids to complete a project. Join 4-H at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds and meet club leaders, check out project demonstrations, and learn what it means to be part of 4-H. Questions? Email Christine Jacquot.

Celebrate Lakewood’s agricultural heritage with an entertaining mix of live performances, activities and tasty treats – it’s fun for all ages! Advance tickets are highly encouraged for the Oct. 5-6 events. The Cider Days festival wouldn’t be complete without everything apple, including apple pressing, cider and a variety of apple goodies.

Wheat Ridge City Council approved a ballot question for the November election, asking voters to decide on building height limits for the former Lutheran Hospital campus. This height change was brought to council as part of the city’s efforts to implement the 2021 Lutheran Legacy Campus Master Plan, following Lutheran Hospital’s relocation to Clear Creek Crossing. Learn more about the Lutheran Legacy Campus.

Jeffco Public Schools outperformed state averages on all 2024 CMAS and PSAT/SAT tests, with growth in math and English Language Arts scores. More than 100 schools met or exceeded state growth expectations, with 13 schools surpassing the 65th percentile. This can be credited the success to the Jeffco Thrives 2025 strategic plan and a strong curriculum, highlighting a commitment to student success.

CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties is thrilled to host its first annual Putt Fore CASA minigolf fundraising event at Putter’s Pride on Sept. 26. This event will offer an exciting and memorable experience for participants of all ages. Join CASA for a fun-filled evening of minigolf, delicious BBQ, and great music, all while supporting a worthy cause.

In the spirit of the Ryder Cup, the West Metro Chamber will host the inaugural Jeffco Cup on Sept. 27 at Foothills Golf Course. Competing teams claim the city/area where they live or work and compete to crown their community the Jeffco Cup champion. Whether it's Arvada, Edgewater, Golden, Lakewood, Westy, Wheat Ridge, or unincorporated Jeffco, the aggregated scores will determine the Jeffco Cup winner.

Celebrate the largest national day of volunteer service dedicated to public lands. This volunteer project is part of an effort to keep Lakewood beautiful and takes place in a Lakewood park each year. Assist with park projects during the largest national day of volunteer service on Sept. 28 from 8 a.m. to noon at Bear Creek Lake Park.

Join Apex Park and Recreation District for a month of spooktacular activities that will give you all of the fall feels. From Wizards and Witches Tea, to National Senior Health and Fitness Day Trek or Treat, Witches Night Out, and our Annual Trik or Trot 5K and Candy Hunt. You will find everything you are looking for to get you moving and grooving into October. Find more information and register.

Join Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation for Trunk-or-Treat at Anderson Park (4355 Field St.) on Oct. 26, from 4-6 p.m. Experience a fun twist on trick-or-treating with creatively decorated trunks and festive games. Children can vote for their favorite trunk—the trunk with the most votes will win a prize. This is a fantastic chance for your business or personal creativity to shine and connect you with the community.

Bring the whole family to Foothills Park & Recreation District’s BOO-rific Bash & Splash at Ridge Recreation Center on Oct. 25. This fun and affordable indoor trick-or-treating event allows children to dress in full costume, trick-or-treat among community business tables, and enjoy bounce houses and swimming for one low price. Entry for kids is $5. Adults accompanying children are free.

Turn your home harvest of apples into juice using Lakewood's apple presses. Use keyword “pressing” to sort and select a time slot on Sept. 20 or Oct. 19 at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park. Reservations will be good for a family or group of up to six people. Sessions will be 20 minutes at a traditional apple press.

Don’t miss your chance to participate in phase three of the Wheat Ridge City Plan to discuss tradeoffs and how to bring the City Plan to life. Online activities close Friday, Oct. 11. The City Plan, which is often called a comprehensive plan, will articulate our community’s vision for the next 20 years, establish shared values, and identify priorities for the future.