On June 22, the mayor and city council received a Community Awareness Program (CAP) award from the Colorado Municipal League (CML) for its unique involvement and education of the community with regards to local government issues. This is the third year in a row that the city has received this distinguished award. No other city in the state has received the CAP award as many times as Wheat Ridge. Past city councils also have established citizen volunteer groups such as formal Boards and Commissions, City Charter Review Committees, Election Law Review Committee, City Manager Screening Committee, Blue Ribbon Budget Review Committee, Urban Renewal Authority, Wheat Ridge Housing Authority and the Wheat Ridge Business District.

This year's award was received for city council's development of Wheat Ridge 2020 (WR2020). WR2020 is nonprofit organization established to once again create an avenue where citizens will have a voice in shaping the city's future. WR2020 also will have the unique ability to partner with the city on many projects. The WR2020 partnership includes influencing and/or providing recommendations for the regulatory and bureaucratic processes within our city. They will be a responsible partner for developing a balanced and thriving community by addressing a portion of the housing and commercial needs of the community. WR2020 will have the ability to take action and provide for these needs through economic and community development efforts.

To achieve support for WR2020, a grassroots movement was initiated by the mayor and city council to educate the public on the state of the city, as well as gain insights into public perceptions about city needs.More than 29 public meetings were held withmore than 250 community members attending.

More than160 community members have volunteered to lead and take part in WR2020 and shape the future of the city. Their commitment involves in-depth education on government processes, city codes and ordinances, the needs and perceptions of the community and the complex issues impacting the ever-changing identity of the community. WR2020 gives the community the ability to solve its own problems in partnership with the local municipality and elected officials and to influence and shape its own future.

Wheat Ridge 2020 can be democracy in action. That, in a nutshell, is what the city of Wheat Ridge is supporting. As I have stated before, the "do nothing" approach is not acceptable.