On June 18, 2025, the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Meet Your Community Leaders Leadership Luncheon at the Hilton Garden Inn. This important event brings together key leaders from across Arvada’s government, public safety, arts, recreation, and economic sectors to provide insight on the current challenges and opportunities shaping the city.
This year’s luncheon featured updates from:
- Don Wick | City Manager, City of Arvada
- Chief Ed Brady | Arvada Police Department
- Deputy Chief Dave Mitchell | Arvada Fire Protection District
- Philip Sneed | President & CEO, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
- Jeff Glenn | Executive Director, Apex Park and Recreation District
- Iza Petrykowska | Executive Director, Arvada Economic Development Association
- Carrie Briscoe | Executive Director, Arvada Urban Renewal Authority
- Joe Hengstler | Executive Director, Olde Town Arvada Business Improvement District
- Jean Gordon | Executive Director, Arvada Visitors Center
Seven takeaways from the luncheon:
1. Arvada’s Top Challenges: Housing, Homelessness, and Public Safety
City Manager Don Wick outlined the top challenges facing Arvada, which included recruiting and retaining police officers, addressing homelessness, creating more affordable housing, and advancing sustainability efforts. These are complex, interwoven issues, and the City is working with regional and community partners on long-term strategies to address them.
2. Arvada Police Are Innovating to Meet Staffing Needs
Chief Ed Brady shared that at one point, the Arvada Police Department was short 35 officers and detective staffing was down 50%. A new digital recruitment campaign launched in February 2025 has helped bring in over 300 applications, leading to 25 new hires and 20 recruits joining the fall academy. In response to rising safety concerns in Olde Town, APD has also partnered with the Colorado Rangers for cost-effective weekend patrol support.
3. Fire Department Faces a Wave of Retirements
Deputy Chief Dave Mitchell reported that between now and 2030, approximately 40 firefighters will retire. At the same time, the department’s service area has grown to 60 square miles and annual calls exceed 20,000. New firetrucks cost $1.3 million and have a 5-year lead time, underscoring the need for proactive planning and sustained investment in infrastructure and personnel.
4. The Arvada Center Prioritizes People
The Arvada Center, one of the largest multidisciplinary arts organizations in the U.S., spends 70% of its $14.5 million budget on staffing. President Philip Sneed emphasized the organization’s role as a community anchor, with 200,000+ annual visitors, a dynamic summer concert and exhibition series, and programming that celebrates Arvada’s diversity and creativity.
5. Apex Keeps Arvada Moving (and Employed)
Executive Director Jeff Glenn shared that 4,000 children are enrolled in Apex’s summer camps and the organization employs 1,000 staff members. Current projects include a new 60-yard competitive archery range and a sports performance lab utilized by youth sports clubs.
6. AEDA Leads in Economic Development Excellence
Under the leadership of Iza Petrykowska, the Arvada Economic Development Association (AEDA) became re-accredited through the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) in 2024. AEDA was the first accredited Economic Development Organization (EDO) in Colorado and continues to drive business retention and attraction, facilitate development projects, and provide critical financial and advisory support to Arvada businesses.
7. Collaboration is Driving Community Results
From Arvada Urban Renewal Authority’s (AURA) mixed-use developments to Olde Town’s 2.1 million visits and 90+ annual events, Arvada is leveraging cross-sector collaboration to build a more vibrant, accessible, and sustainable future. Whether it’s the Visitors Center generating $750K in media value or AURA investing in public infrastructure, Arvada’s leaders are actively shaping a resilient city.
How to engage with each organization
City of Arvada
- Boards and Commissions – learn and advise
- Ask Arvada – report and improve
- Neighbors Connected – engage, support and enhance
- Council – inform
Arvada Police Department
- Social Media
- Say “Hello” to an Officer
Arvada Fire Protection District
- Dave’s Locker
- Community Risk Reduction (CRR)
Arvada Center for the Arts & Humanities
- Visit the Center
- Come to a theatre performance or concert
- Visit galleries
- Take a class
- Volunteer your time
- Make a donation
Apex Park & Recreation District
Attend an event, take a program, or visit one of the 12 facilities. See what Apex can do to help you socially, emotionally, and physically. Email: Info@ApexPRD.org if you ever need anything.
Arvada Economic Development Association
- Business Retention Visits (bizinfo@arvada.org)
- Annual Events and Monthly Communications
- Strategic Partnership Engagement
- Visit the office located at 5603 Yukon St.
Olde Town Arvada
- Volunteer for events
- Join one of its committees
- Sign-up as a sponsor
- Continue to support local businesses
Arvada Visitors Center
- Engage on social (not just follow!)
- Do You Plan Arvada events? Add your event on our calendar!
- Sign up for email newsletters
Want to stay informed about Arvada’s progress and connect with these community leaders? Visit arvadachamber.org and explore upcoming events like Taste of Arvada on July 10 and State of Education on August 8.
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