Spring is quickly turning into summer, and things are very busy! Luckily I have my dog Chip to help me at work:

📰 Community Beat

Save Water, Drink This Instead🍹
Arvada hit Stage 1 drought status—so yes, save water where you can. Lawns can wait. Your spring drink lineup, on the other hand, cannot. Once the sun’s out and patios start calling, it’s officially time to trade in the heavy winter pours for something a little brighter. Luckily, Arvada bars are fully leaning into spring right now, whether you’re in the mood for something bubbly, frozen, or even zero-proof.

🔗Visit Arvada’s Sipping Guide

Ok, but seriously. What are the new drought guidelines? 🚰

Arvada gets 75% of its water from a contract with the city and county of Denver, in which we get raw water for our residents. Part of this contract requires that we follow the drought restrictions Denver declares or have even more restrictive practices. We anticipate that this year we will hit stage 2 drought status before the end of the year. 60% of our summer water use comes from irrigating residential lawns, so it makes sense to restrict this use the most. The historic low snowpack means we are facing restrictions we haven’t seen since the early 2000’s. You should have received a postcard about your watering days by now, but if you missed it or need more info, check out below.

🔗 Drought Guidelines - let’s save our water together!

Axon, Flock, ARTIC - Last community meeting is tonight! 👁️‍🗨️

Arvada Police Department recently had a $5.4 million contract approved by council with Axon to provide drone first responders, data evidence storage, new body cameras, and more. They plan to have a real time response center called ARTIC developed to aid in their work to provide police services to the city, which will bring in feeds from various cameras including automatic license plate readers, some of which are provided by Flock.

If you have questions about this program, APD is hosting the final of three community engagement meetings tonight: April 30 | 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Lake Arbor Community Station

I am for the police department adopting the ACLU’s community control oversight protocols, and always appreciate community feedback on city services like our municipal police department.

🔗 Read the ACLU guidelines here

🏛 What’s Up at Council

Spring Forum on Homelessness 🏘️

Jefferson county commissioners, staff, city mayors and council members gathered to review the success of the severe weather sheltering. Arvada’s navigation staff have reported that the program is successful, however, there were not enough vouchers even this past winter which was warmer than normal. The rest of the session was spent on how we can collaborate as a county on this issue and how we can resource solutions. Arvada has made strides as a city in getting people housed and was able to share our successful models with other cities. The county has spent over $33 million dollars in preventing homelessness in the region and continues to be an important partner in helping our residents.

🔗 Read more about the county work on homelessness here

Council Meetings 🚛

The latest city council meeting was a workshop on our trash program and adding an option for organics. While there isn’t staff capacity for curbside organics in the next few years, collective sites are possible in the near future and it could be possible in future contract requests for trash, recycling, and organics.

The council meeting before that went until 3am, largely concerning the development at the Welby Gardens property. The CUP approval for residential use failed on a 3-3 vote, and it’s likely that the question about the property’s use will come before council again. There was also a vote for Arvada Police Department’s Axon contract which passed on a 6-1 vote.

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🔊 Housing Related News

The Habitat For Humanity Newsletter has a couple of Arvada related items - internships for our youth and homes for sale at Griffith Station! Check out the newsletter here

That’s it for this newsletter, feel free to reach out by replying to this email or calling/texting me at 970-425-3060. See you soon, Shawna

Thanks to all who went to the tree lighting and said I did pretty ok playing the Tuba, it was a fun time! (Especially thanks to Kiwanis who let me play at their tent). Hope you are enjoying the holidays as much as my cat Finn (he wore his cape all day):

📰 Community Beat

Saturday with Santa in Olde Town 🎅
It’s your last chance to meet Santa for FREE! Santa will be spreading cheer in Olde Town Arvada Square from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm on December 20th. Every child who visits Santa will receive a free cookie from Rheinlander Bakery to add a touch of sweetness to their holiday season! Check out all the Arvada Holiday festivities here:

🔗2025 Arvada Holiday Guide

Climate and Sustainability Action Plan - We Need Your Feedback! 🌲

Share your feedback on the final draft of Arvada’s Climate and Sustainability Action Plan (CASAP)! The full text draft of Arvada’s new strategic plan for sustainability practices lays out a roadmap to a more sustainable future for Arvada.

🔗 Give Your Feedback Here

Tennyson Knolls Turf Conversion Project - Update 🌿

As part of the City of Arvada’s Turf Conversion Program, a portion of bluegrass at Tennyson Knolls Park is being converted to native grass. This project is part of our City’s ongoing efforts to conserve water and resources while maintaining beautiful, usable parks.

Project Timeline:

• Fall 2024: Conversion area seeded with native grass seed mix

• 2025–2029: Native grass establishment period

• Once established, the area will be maintained like our open space — it will not be irrigated and will only be mowed once a year in the fall.

🔗 More Information Here

Help the Wetland Restoration Project at Majestic View - Donate a Tree 🌳

To minimize water loss and improve habitat, Russian Olive trees will be removed from critical portions of the watershed west of the Majestic View Park and Nature Center. They are detrimental to many native species and will out-compete them. As these trees get removed in the coming months, the approach might seem aggressive, leaving areas of sparse vegetation. This temporary phase is a very important step in improving the entirety of the ecosystem.

Consider donating to the Friends of Majestic View to pay for a native tree to be planted in the wetland area where Russian Olive trees will be removed. A tree sapling costs approximately $20 per tree but you can donate as little or as much as you want! Just make sure to add a comment and type ‘Tree’ so we know it is for this project.

🔗 Learn More About This Project And Support It Here

🏛 What’s Up at Council

Join A Board Or Commission 🙋

Serving on a City of Arvada board or commission is an opportunity to engage with our City, perform a valuable public service, contribute your time and talents to the community, and help in decision-making processes that affect the quality of life in Arvada.

Our City relies on citizen volunteers to study special community issues, provide staff direction, obtain public comment on key projects, take action or offer recommendations to City Council.

Applications are due Jan 5 - apply today!

🔗 Click here to see openings and apply

Council Meetings 🛣️

At the December 9th meeting, there were two workshops. One was a presentation on the Jefferson Parkway, in which I asked about radioactive contamination. In 2020, CDPHE conducted a comprehensive assessment and determined that there would not be harmful exposures to workers or nearby residents. Any contractor performing work must do ongoing assessments and mitigation should any harmful radioactivity be found.

There was also a workshop presentation on infrastructure that had some pretty impressive accomplishments for 2025! Here are some highlights:

• 5,050 participants in bulky-item drop-off events (available to every resident in Arvada)

• 300 tons of leaves recycled in 2025 (not finalized yet)

• 18,900+ cart service customers in our City’s recycling & trash program ( ~70% of eligible residents)

• 1,200 payment arrangements support utility billing customers

• 1,750+ Ask Arvada questions and concerns answered

• $300K savings through solar energy fields

• 20 public EV charging stations

• 9 recycling bins added in Olde Town

• 147 lane miles treated or repaved

• 260+ sidewalk ramps replaced (ADA accessibility)

• 22,971 linear feet of curb, gutter, and sidewalk replaced

• 3,900+ potholes filled

• 8,700+ miles of street sweeping

• 1,085 street signs replaced

• 12 snow storms

• 35,153 miles of road plowed

• 4,143 hours of staff time

• 820,000+ cyclist and pedestrian trips counted along 4 trails

• 76,600+ trips on shared e-bikes and scooters

• 16,000+ fiber internet cable installed

• Replacement Water Treatment Plant is 30% designed, land has been acquired

Very impressed with our City team and proud to help us accomplish so much in making Arvada a great place to live. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

🔗 Slideshows on Jefferson Parkway and Infrastructure Accomplishments Here

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🔊What Colorado’s SB25-276 Means For Our Community - Jan 28th 6pm - register at bit.ly/4aus9tW

It’s more important than ever that we use Colorado’s existing laws to protect all residents. Our laws are as good as our knowledge of them - so make time to come to this workshop about how we can ensure Colorado agencies do not share information with ICE or other federal entities. It’s on Jan 28th 6pm - register at bit.ly/4aus9tW

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

• Diversify city income through attracting different sectors, accurately placing fees on new sources of costs, and development in more areas of Arvada such as Quantum Commons and anticipated stops along the new railway line project.

• As the city is behind in infrastructure development projects by $191 million dollars, attract profitable businesses to increase revenue without raising taxes.

• Push for new housing developments for everyday Arvadans so people can live and work here instead of having to live in other municipalities.

• Support a comprehensive plan from the Arvada Economic Development Association to involve the whole city in looking forward.

• Arvada’s One Step program helps unhoused people get the stability they need to get off the streets by navigating them the complicated safety web of government aid and resource profit providers.

• Transitional housing funded by HUD dollars and provided through Suburban Studios. Paying attention to calls from this area and ensuring crime rates do not go up due to this support.

• Working regionally with the county to provide Severe Weather Shelter in a uniform manner so there is no loss of life or limb. Arvada Police Department now also carries vouchers to help any person they meet who is overly exposed to the elements.

• Collaborating with The Rising in Olde Town to ensure services are offered to those seeking help and that this day shelter is good neighbors with residents and businesses in the area.

• Supporting the volunteer Colorado Ranger program for Olde Town.

• Pushing RTD to provide more oversight, enforcement, and resources on their platform at the Gold Strike and Olde Town stops.

• Working with the Arvada Police Department on monitoring the Baker Sector (Southeast Arvada) to decrease crime.

• Supporting public police workshops on how businesses can harden their frontages to stop crimes of opportunity.

• Resolving the issues with JeffCOMM for 911 calls placed from Adams County Arvada, which involves two sheriff departments, two fire departments, two call centers and multiple service agencies.

• The county now has a list of all veterans in the area to make sure they all know of resources for housing. The county also focuses their response for families, and has worked with cities in the county for a regional solution for severe weather. The next phase is solutions for people who are suffering from addictions and severe mental health conditions.

• ​Work to build a 55+ or 65+ community so people can right size when they’re ready and free up housing supply for families

• Leverage financial tools as much supporting affordable housing supply; supporting density while not overbuilding Arvada

• Supporting buyers through local bank partnerships

• Elevating programs for older adults to stay in their home

• Networking robust resources for anyone in our area in danger of losing their home

• Best use of funds from the Housing Advisory Committee and Housing Department to support

• Workforce housing development in partnership with the school board, fire district, CDOT, and other agencies

• Curbside composting to increase waste diversion and decrease methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas

• Enact a comprehensive climate justice plans to access IRA funds, especially for climate-vulnerable communities in Arvada

• Replace our park turf and wetlands with native plant species using funding available to municipalities from the passage of state law in 2023 that makes $4 million dollars available for turf replacement. This helps conserve water which helps Colorado farmers, ranchers, and others who need water from the Colorado compact

• With city facility updates, ensuring there is solar and other renewable energy to save the city funds on power generation and decrease emissions from the city

Today is a sweet day because my daughter is turning 21! Happy birthday to Rose, who wants to serve others by becoming a nurse - studying at Front Range Community College. This week’s newsletter is 468 words and should take about 3 minutes to read, so dive right in!

📰 Community Beat

JeffCo Schools - Federal Funding Will Be Released 🏫
The Arvada Press reports that the Department of Education will be releasing funds to Colorado, $3 million of which is marked for the Jefferson County School district. Thanks to everyone who spoke out to pressure the federal department for our schools! Read the full article below about the funding situation for our schools.

🔗Arvada Press Article on Department of Education

Bulky Item DropOff 🛋️

This Saturday is the time to drop off your bulky items! Citywide drop-off events are included in the minimum services that Arvada customers invest in as part of the City's Recycling and Trash Program. All Arvada residents are invited to participate.

Time: 9 am to 2 pm

Location: North Area Athletic Complex (NAAC), 19500 W 64th Parkway

🔗 Details on Bulky Item Drop Off

🏛 What’s Up at Council

August 19th – Business Meeting 🧾

On August 19th there are a number of items on the agenda for the business meeting. There are resolutions authorizing city council appointment agreements, concerning Mountain Shadows Metro District, IGA with Jefferson County for voting, ordinance on the former Allendale School Property, and hearings on registered electors, vested rights, and amending the land development code — come and listen in!

On August 12th city council had a workshop presentation on Water, Wastewater, and Stormwater improvements. The majority of council gave direction to almost fully fund all improvements, weighing the increase of fees and the need of capital improvements to prevent sewage backups or boil orders. Most people can pay the same rates if they reduce their water usage, which is possible through lawn replacement, sprinkler evaluation, or having simple water-saving devices installed in the home.

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🙋National Call: Workers Over Billionaires

The billionaires are waging a war on working people—and on May Day, international workers’ day, hundreds of thousands of us stood together and stood strong, fighting for public schools over private profits, healthcare over hedge funds, shared prosperity over free market politics. This Labor Day we are deepening and strengthening our labor & community coalitions and continuing to build our power and capacity to stand up and fight back.

Join a call TONIGHT at 5pm MT to hear about Labor Day plans and how they fit into our broader plans to build the grassroots power we need to build the world we deserve: https://www.mobilize.us/mayday/event/822934/

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

Thanks to all the volunteers who came out for the ‘Love Our Schools’ event yesterday - we made 270 goodie bags for teachers! This week’s newsletter is 553 words and should take about 4 minutes to read.

📰 Community Beat

Congrats to the Photo Contest Winner! 📷
Each July the City of Arvada and the Apex Park and Recreation District celebrate National Park and Recreation Month in Arvada. As part of the celebration, there’s a photo contest. The winner, as voted on by the community, is Seth Schafer and his photo of a beautiful sunrise at Lake Arbor. Congratulations Seth!

🔗See all the great photos here!

Solid Waste Reporting 🗑️

More people are signing up for Arvada’s single hauler waste program! While more needs to be done about waste diversion, the program is by all other measurements successful. The community events especially are highly used, with the next community bulky item drop off day being August 16th from 9am-2pm. Some facts about community solid waste events:

3 Bulky Item Drop-off Events

• 5,105 customers served

• 458.5 tons collected

• 1,424 mattresses recycled

2.5 weeks of Leaf Recycling Events (Nov. 2024)

• 346 tons of leaves

• 106 dumpster roll offs

The latest update is the ability for Arvada customers to get a roll-off at city rates once a year, a savings of about $200!

🔗Read the whole report here

🔗Details on the next bulky item drop off on August 16

🏛 What’s Up at Council

August 12th – Rates and Fees Workshop 🧾

City council has asked for more information about enterprise fee increases and what’s needed, so this upcoming workshop will be on rates and fees.

On August 5th, there was a workshop on upcoming severe weather response across Jefferson county. The county estimates that it will cost $2.1 million dollars to ensure no one suffers major bodily harm or dies from exposure during severe weather this winter, and each city will contribute to this fund based on their population size. Arvada is 22% of the county’s population, and would contribute $455k to the county so that the 100 or so Arvadans who need a safe place to stay during severe weather would have shelter.

These are details from the current proposal that all city managers in the county are coordinating together, so it could change before the first snow hits. Last season, there were 35-45 nights of severe weather sheltering needed.

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🙋Speak Up: EPA Revocation of the Endangerment Finding

The Endangerment Finding, which the EPA would like to revoke, is the EPA’s science-based determination that greenhouse gases harm public health and welfare. The Clean Car and Truck Standards are among the most important and effective protections to address the largest U.S. source of pollution. This pollution would result in an additional 184,000 premature deaths, 280,000 hospital and ER visits, and 112 million asthma attacks. Share a simple public comment with the EPA during the public comment period about this - the deadline September 21, 2025 - here is the official page for the EPA rollback of the Endangerment Finding. I will be attending sessions as a local elected official on the impact this rollback would have in Arvada.

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

It's a pretty humbling experience to watch your mom vote for you on the ballot. I'm grateful to everyone who supports this campaign, but especially my mom! Here's what she has to say in voting for this campaign:

"Shawna is someone who always gets things done. She's passionate for the right things, and cares a lot - a lot more than I ever did! I'm proud to vote for her because she really cares about the people who live in Arvada District 2 and will make the whole city better." - Pam

My brother is my first best friend and the hardest person to get to register to vote! We haven't always seen eye to eye on things, so making sure I had a platform he'd be impressed with was important to me! Here's what he says:

"My older sister Shawna is pretty smart about making sure stuff doesn't suck. It takes a lot of work, research, and talking to people to be decent in government, and I'm glad she's running for city council because she's good at that. Thanks for stepping up Shawna, I sure did not want to do it." - Stephen

Nick's support through every moment of this campaign means more to me than he'll ever know. He knew that people would believe in this campaign even though I've never run for office before, and is always there to make sure the kids are taken care of while I go to yet another campaign event or canvass for one more hour. Thank you Nick, I love you!

"Being in Colorado for quite some time I'm relieved to support someone who can deliver results on affordable housing and safety for our family and for everyone's family. When she told me she wanted to run, I told her she had to, that we could have a wedding and she could run a campaign. Seeing all the people that have come out to help her makes me feel great about Arvada. Thanks to this city for supporting my wife and this campaign for all of us!" - Nick

Usually when people find out I’m on city council, I get an earful about our national politics. There is a lot of understandable fear and anger out there. Federal budgets being slashed. Income disparity between the wealthy and middle class. The increasing divisiveness between political factions. These problems are so big and seem so intractable so people ask me, why serve in government?

I share their concerns. At the same time, it's been heartening to listen to thousands of Arvadans talk about what really matters to them.

Together, we can do something to make affordable and attainable housing a reality for those of us cramped together living with our parents and children, or downsize into a place that's safe. By building an active 55+ community, we can affect the existing housing supply in Arvada and bring in more families to reverse the trend of schools closing.

Together, we can increase our public safety through smart road design that slows cars down, protects kids walking to school and bicyclists. We can ease the burden off our understaffed police force by increasing our first responders program and shifting tasks like traffic accident investigation to civilians.

Together we can create a climate plan that addresses our crumbling infrastructure and ensure it's climate resilient to fires and floods with funds from the inflation reduction act. We can improve our roads and traffic lights to be on par with the cities surrounding us and mitigate the pollution that is more prevalent in District 2 than anywhere else in Arvada.

Together, we can invest in our local small businesses and make it easier for people to get a start here in Arvada by rebating municipal sales tax, instituting franchise fees, and supporting our Chamber of Commerce. We can diversify the sources of funding the city gets by working with the smart plans from the Arvada Economic Development Association.

Together, we can help homeless Arvadans by weaving together the many services offered by non-profits, Jefferson County, the Veteran's Administration, various housing authorities, state and federal aid. As leaders we can never turn our backs on our fellow Arvadans, and must robustly support solutions while enforcing norms of respect and safety.

Together, we can fight for competitive pay and benefits for our workers, like when I joined the picket line for Kaiser workers, or King Soopers workers, or UAW workers like my friend Albert here in this picture.

Anytime you start to feel a little hopeless about national politics, reach out to your neighbor, and get involved with your city. It's been such a uplifting journey for me to realize that while the news can seem grim, our neighbors care about each other and are working together to keep this city a great place to live.

Thanks to everyone's well wishes while Nick and I had our wedding in upstate New York this past week. We gathered with our family and friends to celebrate our love and life together. While most of Nick's family is from this area, my family is from Colorado and traveled for a wonderful day of celebration.

Our first date was in Olde Town Arvada, and our first kiss was outside of the Arvada Flour Mill. As we raise our kids together at our home near 72nd and Carr, we are so grateful to this place where we fell in love and the kind community that surrounds our family. Our Arvada roots grow deeper every day.

Chip Ambrose a few days after he was adopted

My kids wanted to adopt a dog, but they are very busy with school and work and visiting with friends. We relented under one rule: that this dog be THEIR dog, and that they take care of him. We then met Chip at a Pups n' Pints event, and fell in love with how he decides to pancake on the ground when not being immediately petted. After adopting him, our daughter started to refer to Chip as her son, because she is responsible for walking, feeding, training, and keeping him happy at home. Occasionally, I do babysit Chip while my kids go out. And the first time, it was quite a jolt to hear my daughter say "Be good to Grandma!" to Chip on her way out. I looked around for my mother, who is I think of these days as Grandma. Then it dawned on me.

Grandma. That's...me?

There are many joys and touchstone moments in parenting, and much sooner than I had thought, becoming a grandparent is in front of me. While it's with the family dog and tongue in cheek now, in 10 years or so, it's a real possibility. Which makes me think, what kind of Arvada will we have for our grandchildren? I became a city council member for my children, and for all of our children and grand children.

Our Arvadan future has many beautiful maintained parks and trails for Chip to enjoy his whole life; and a robust safety net through collaborating with multiple entities like non-profits, other municipalities and counties, and state and federal funds. The Arvada of the future should have a much higher proportion of people who live and work in Arvada as housing is affordable and more mid-size businesses are enmeshed in communities like Five Points. In the future, I see an Arvada that has built more 55+/65+ communities for seniors; that has a thriving local business core that has helped it weather national economic events; that is climate resilient and climate ready. This future Arvada has a great school system because the city supports strong public education with transportation, smart growth that ensures families can live near their school of choice, and a great local economy that attracts top talent.

Our future Arvada has a commitment to diversity and inclusion and everyone who wants to live here is able to do so.

In 2021, if you had shown me this picture of our family laughing and hugging each other in front of the giant sunflower patch in our yard, I would have burst into tears. Then, I didn't know if my daughter would make it.

She was suffering from the onset of a severe mental illness that came close to claiming her life. Our understanding of mental health and the latest development of how to treat these illnesses is always evolving. Which means that there are a lot of misunderstandings. I didn't know how people would react to her very public crisis as we sought help. Eventually, we found residential treatment, and she made a full recovery.

To prepare for her arrival back home, I made plans to sell our house and leave Arvada. I grew up on military bases in the 80's. In those times and places, when people learn someone was suffering from mental illness, the best thing to do was for that person to leave. Start over. Afresh start where no one knew how you couldn't just "tough it out."

But my daughter rebuffed this idea. "I can go back to school mom, it'll be fine," she said with confidence. And she was right. Her friends, our neighbors, teachers, and social service workers all embraced her return to Arvada. Her re-entry wasn't without speed bumps, but it's been beyond my wildest dreams to experience how our community rallied around our family, accepted my child, and welcomed her home with open arms.

While she was in treatment, I spent time planting wildflowers, hoping they'd bloom by the time she got back, and impress whoever bought the house from us. But we are able to stay home and enjoy the flowers planted, and have our family photos taken in front of this beautiful landscape because of this community's support.

Arvada gives so much to my family, through the hard times and the good, and I'm running for office to benefit Arvada the way our community has benefited my family - the way it can benefit all of our families - with understanding, inclusivity, care, grace, and an eye towards a prosperous future.

If you or a loved one struggle with mental illness, reach out. Get immediate, confidential help here: https://www.jcmh.org/emergency-crisis-services/

I enlisted in the Army in 2001 at a Nuclear Biological Chemical Weapons Specialist. Since it was in the National Guard, I could go to college at the same time. I worked for a non-profit while attending college called Hand of Hope, where we offered assistance to the unhoused by working with supermarkets to take food donations and give it to the people who needed it the most.

In college, I attained a certification in non-profit management demonstrating excellence in fundraising, budgeting, strategic planning, human resources, operations, volunteer programs, and service effectiveness. My major was in political science because I knew that NGO's had a positive affect on government and studied the intersections of government and non-profits.

I worked for a fundraising consulting firm, Paul J. Strawhecker and then for Woodmen of the World, a non-profit membership based life insurance society. During this time I felt called to ministry and began working on my Master's of Divinity. I served on multiple non-profit boards for veteran, poverty, and voting right causes during this time. I also worked for Church of the Larger Fellowship.

Moving to Denver after my enlistment period concluded, my first job in the area was as the communications and political director for Padres & Jóvenes Unidos, now Moviemiento Poder. I then was called to a congregation in Carbondale Colorado where we worked with the undocumented community to provide basic protections from federal government over reach. Working at the intersection of faith and politics, I was tapped to be the national faith engagement director for the Pete Buttigieg campaign, and then the western states director.

I then worked with Election Defenders, using my military, faith, and government experience to bring together clergy and veterans to defend polling locations from white supremacists. This program helped over 2 million voters stay safe at the polls, and trained thousands of voter protection volunteers.

Today, I work for the Rainforest Action Network on the climate and energy program, working with corporations to listen to those voices on the frontlines who are experiencing the most harm from climate disaster. Our organization works with corporations to ensure they have the very best climate plans that make real change. I am also a union member of CWA 9415.

In the 20 years I have worked for non-profits, unions, and the military, I have done everything from basic volunteering to building a national program that helped millions in under 6 months. My experience means I'm truly equipped to bring our community together to win the progress we need for all of our families.

My family and I chose to move here in 2013 after my military service. My children, Rose and Rex, enrolled in Hackberry Elementary school, and I got to know the town through its vibrant parks, friendly people, and being involved in the JeffCo school board recall effort.

Then, I served a congregation in Carbondale, Colorado for a few years before working nationally on the Pete Buttigieg presidential campaign. As the pandemic hit and the campaign wrapped, I came back to Arvada and have worked full time remotely for worthy causes.​​

Even as I've lived all over the world and across this nation, Arvada is my home. I met the love of my life, Nick Ambrose, on a date at The Schoolhouse in Olde Town Arvada. Our marriage date was this August!

My kids love growing up here. My daughter is attending community college locally, and my son works at King Soopers. While he doesn't know what he wants to do yet, my daughter is certain she'll be a Psychiatric Nurse that works with adults in mental crisis.

Be sure to reach out and tell me your Colorado story - I'd love to know how you came to live in this wonderful city!

​

Honesty

​

Honesty is critical. I've been a community leader for years, and I've seen how political opportunism ruins communities. My run isn't about my career or scratching the back of some corporate interest. It's about service to you, and honoring the service of council members who are building a terrific city for all of us. It's about our future, in which we are all able to live and thrive in our hometown. Bayard Rustin said "The function of a religious society is to speak truth to power" - and that's my mantra for service and my life.

Ethical

You need someone that you can trust to do the right thing, even when you're not looking. The rigorous training I've had as a community minister and leader shows an unwavering commitment to our shared values and principles. Doing the right thing isn't always easy, but it's the most rewarding way to make decisions that are the best for our city in the long-term. It also means having honest conversations and inclusive processes to move at the speed of trust. This is a characteristic you know I'll employ with everything I do to represent you.

Experienced

​

My style of servant leadership is effective at enacting progress. This quality was evident when I was a nuclear, chemical, and biological chemical weapons specialist in the military. It was clear when we won campaigns for school breakfast with Padres y Jóvenes Unidos in Denver. Or when our community in Carbondale came together to protect undocumented people. It's why I was offered the position of National Faith Engagement Advisor for Pete Buttigieg's presidential campaign (the first woman to hold such a position). My experience in mobilizing thousands of volunteers to help millions of voters at the polls and working with corporations to develop better climate policy is what Arvada needs - someone who knows how to unite businesses, neighborhoods, and elected officials under a common vision for a better life - and to make it happen.

Can you believe school starts back up in just a couple of weeks? This time of year brings up memories of my kids going to Hackberry, North Arvada Middle, and Early College of Arvada schools. Enjoy the last weeks of summer while you can! This week’s newsletter is 489 words and should take about 3 minutes to read.

📰 Community Beat

Arvada Day on Channel 7 🎤
Channel 7 spent all day in Arvada and generated great stories! One of them featured the redevelopment of Gold Strike Park. There were also stories about Olde Town, Arvada’s manufacturing sector, city infrastructure, and so much more!

🔗Check out all the Arvada Stories Here

Ralston Water Plant Tour 🚰

Brad Wyant, Ralston Water Treatment Plant Manager, next to the a slice of the carbon activated filter mechanism.

This week I had another tour, at the Ralston Water Treatment plant which the city estimates can only function for us in the next five years. Recently, council approved funding mechanisms for a new water treatment plant. City employees have been thrifty with this plant, for example, repurposing the back-up generator from a decommissioned water lift station for the plant. The many issues of the plant mean that it must be replaced as it is beyond its useful life cycle. Arvadans can be active about their water usage in the face of increasing rates by xeriscaping their lawn, as 50% of Arvadan water usage is for outside irrigation. Here’s how to do it for just the cost of seeds and without digging up turf: put down cardboard to smother the lawn/weeds, get chip drop to drop literal tons of mulch on top, and spread native seeds. Other ideas below!

🔗13 Xeriscape Garden Ideas

🏛 What’s Up at Council

August 5th – Severe Weather Shelter, Business 🌩️

On August 5th, we’ll have a workshop on severe weather shelter network plans and our regular business meeting. We’ll be looking at approving an evidence storage facility for Arvada police, design support for west 72nd from Kipling to Simms, a ballot measure to have relief judges that do not reside in Arvada, vested rights for Cimarron Park and Vauxmont, and updates to the Land Development Code that have already been approved by the Arvada Planning Commission.

You can review past business meetings and sessions, here:

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🧑‍🏫 Spotlight: Support Our Teachers!

Join me at Arvada High School on August 6th from 3-4:30pm for a Love Our Schools event. We’ll fill small bags with items that make teachers happy - office supplies and treats! You’ll work alongside our local school leaders from Arvada High, North Arvada Middle School, Secrest Elementary, Swanson Elementary, Lawrence Elementary and Hackberry Hill Elementary to assemble the gift bags and get to know a little bit more about the Arvada Area Schools. Sign up here!

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

A fun thing to do in Arvada this summer is to take a tour of our flour mill - where the Arva-Pride brand of flour was made and sold. They also sold other varieties like the Arva-Queen! Book your tour here. This week’s newsletter is 427 words and should take about 3 minutes to read.

📰 Community Beat

Local Celebrity - Donkey 🫏
Channel 7 covered a story about the famous donkey of Arvada, appropriately named “Donkey” - a rescue and walking companion in the streets of Arvada.

🔗 Watch the Video Of Donkey Here

CDOT Operations 🛣️

This week I toured CDOT’s operation center with Arvada RTD board member Ian Harwick led by fellow council member Bob Fifer, whose day job is overseeing maintenance and operations and really - working to save lives on the roads. Did you know that CDOT causes the majority of avalanches in Colorado to keep us safe, and they use Howitzer cannons to do it?? Stay safe on the roads and use CO Trip whenever you’re driving across our beautiful state to know the latest road conditions.

🔗Click here to use CO Trip!

🏛 What’s Up at Council

August 5th – Severe Weather Shelter, Business 🌩️

On the 5th Tuesdays of the month, Arvada city council doesn’t have meetings - so no meeting July 29th.

On August 5th, we’ll have a workshop on severe weather shelter network plans and our regular business meeting. We’ll be looking at approving an evidence storage facility for Arvada police, design support for west 72nd from Kipling to Simms, a ballot measure to have relief judges that do not reside in Arvada, vested rights for Cimarron Park and Vauxmont, and updates to the Land Development Code that have already been approved by the Arvada Planning Commission.

You can review past business meetings and sessions, here:

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

📋 Spotlight: Policy ideas for the 2026 State Legislative Session

Rep. Lisa Feret's office is seeking policy ideas and suggestions for bills. They can be new ideas, changes to existing laws - big or small! Once you fill out the form, her office will compile and reach back out if they need more information or want to discuss more in depth. Thank you for being part of this democratic process! https://forms.gle/amdHud6QG5KwCehN6

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

Hope everyone had a good time at the Good Trouble Lives On rally yesterday! This week’s newsletter is 360 words and should take about 2 minutes to read.

📰 Community Beat

Movie Night at Michael Northey Park 🎥
The Arvada Festivals Commission hosts free movies in the park and Friday, July 18th you can bring the family to see “Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice” at Michael Northey Park (11364 W. 84th Ave.) Shows start at dusk, but if you arrive early, you can enjoy some live music before the movie. Bring a blanket and some popcorn!

🔗 To see the lineup for August, Visit Here

Inside Arvada Podcast 📻
Inside Arvada is the City of Arvada’s official podcast where we bring you conversations with the people who make Arvada a thriving community. Hear stories about the past, present and future of Arvada through the lens of the City team members who help make it all happen. Explore the complex topics impacting our community and dig into conversations about parks and sustainability, development, transportation, water resources and more. Be an informed citizen and understand how our city works!

🔗Click here to sign up to listen

🏛 What’s Up at Council

July 22nd – No Council Meeting 🗒️

Council will be doing reviews of the city judge, city attorney, and city manager during this meeting time, so there won’t be a council meeting.

You can review past business meetings and sessions, here:

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🏫Spotlight: School Funds

At the council meeting on Tuesday I spoke about the $80 million dollars in federal funding that is being withheld by the federal government from the Colorado public school system. The latest is that our state has filed a suit demanding an immediate release of the funds. I joined in calling for the release of these funds as Jefferson County schools are depending on $3 million of it, and Adam County unsure of their ability to maintain programming in the long term if funds are cut. Read the latest on the school funding freeze here.

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)

Hope you’re having a great summer. 🍉 This week’s newsletter is 353 words and should take about 2 minutes to read. Let’s dig in!

📰 Community Beat

Parks Photo Contest! 📷
Celebrate Park and Recreation Month in Arvada this July by participating in the Park and Recreation Month Photo contest!

We invite you to share your photos of your favorite parks, trails and open space areas in Arvada. With more than 100 park sites and 150 miles of trails, there's plenty of inspiration!

🔗 Learn how to participate here

Women’s Defense Course - Tomorrow 🤺

The Women's Awareness Defense & Empowerment (W.A.D.E) course is a free class taught by police officers, designed to provide women with fundamental awareness skills and self-defense techniques to aid in the management and prevention of assaults and encounters.

This 8-hour course is held throughout the year and is available to Arvada residents or those working in Arvada. It includes a lecture and hands-on training as well as an opportunity to practice your new skills! Ages 18+ are welcome to apply (14+ with a parent attending).

🔗 Sign up here

🏛 What’s Up at Council

July 15th – Business Meeting 👔

This week is a light agenda, with a lease agreement from the city to T-Mobile, an IGA for a mill and overlay project, retitling departments, and revisiting city code regarding the declaration of fire bans in alignment with the county.

🔗 Arvada City Council and Study Session Videos

🙏🏼🌟 Speak Up!

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. There are 20+ boards and commissions with open spots, so apply today at https://www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2090

Talk soon,
Shawna Ambrose
Arvada City Councilmember, District Two
970-425-3060 (call or text!)