For the first time in twelve years, Arvada’s State of the City saw a new speaker — Mayor Lauren Simpson.

Simpson — who is the first elected female Mayor in Arvada — spent her first State of the City reflecting on Arvada’s recent accomplishments, as well as looking ahead at the challenges facing the city.

Beginning with an acknowledgment of former Mayor Marc Williams, Simpson thanked him for leaving her such a great city to run. She also noted that her outfit choice for the day — a black suit jacket with sparkles — was inspired by Williams’ previous State of the City attire.

“I am excited to be continuing the work of all the great leaders that came before me,” Simpson said. “I inherited a city that’s in a really great place and that is not lost on me.”

Simpson also acknowledged fellow city council member John Marriott — who was also a contestant in the mayoral race. She thanked Marriott for running a healthy election and focusing on the issues.

“I care deeply about him,” Simpson said. “I know he cares about me, as we do for every single member of our council.”

Moving on to some of the city’s accomplishments during the last year, Simpson mainly focused on some of Arvada’s ongoing construction. She celebrated the majority of the construction on Ralston Road being completed — with several finishing touches needed later this year.

Despite delays, Simpson also celebrated the completion of phase two of construction on West 72nd Avenue. Phase three of the construction is delayed due to ongoing negotiations with Union Pacific.

Another milestone mentioned was the anticipated completion of the Arvada Aquatics Center — the replacement for Meyers Pool. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed this fall. The natatorium will serve as a home for the Jefferson County Public Schools swimming and diving programs.

“I once heard that to celebrate a pool opening my predecessor did a cannonball in a sparkly sequin jacket,” Simpson said. “I’m not sure if I’m going to do that. However, I can promise you we will have fun.”

Simpson also noted the accomplishment of opening Arvada’s newest park — Little Raven Park — last year, with two more parks on the way this year. Both Garrison Garden Paseo Park and the Holistic Health and Fitness Park are anticipated to open this year.

Turning towards the struggles currently facing the city, Simpson spoke about homelessness, focusing on the work Arvada was currently doing to combat homelessness. She touched on the impact of Arvada Police Department’s CORE Team —officers who primarily work with homeless individuals — as well as the co-responder program, which offers specialists to respond to mental health-related calls.

“Homelessness is a multifaceted issue,” Simpson said. “If you have 100 homeless individuals, you will have 100 unique solutions.”

Simpson pointed towards Arvada’s One Small Step Program as a solution. The program allows criminal defendants experiencing homelessness who are charged with low-level offenses to make small steps towards bettering their lives, rather than serving jail time or paying a fine.

“It’s one step at a time through a bigger journey,” Simpson said. “This is not meant to be a short-term solution. It’s a long-term solution.”

According to Simpson, the One Small Step Program currently has 61 active participants and approximately a dozen graduates.

Despite touching on Arvada’s successes in dealing with homelessness, Simpson emphasized that the city was not solely responsible, and needed help from state and federal partners.

“This is not something Arvada can tackle alone,” Simpson said. “We need our state partners, our federal partners to increase those resources so that when we do have someone who needs help and is willing to receive it, we have a place to take them.”

Simpson also touched on housing as a problem facing the city. She pointed towards the need for affordable and attainable housing—specifically focusing on the need for workforce housing.

“At all stages of life, whether you are a counselor, a barista, an auto mechanic, a teacher, a police officer, a firefighter, you deserve to be able to make your own in this community,” Simpson said. “And we are excited to have you here.”

Discussing solutions, Simpson pointed towards the Housing Advisory Committee. The committee was formed in November of 2022 and saw its first members appointed in April of 2023. Simpson said that when forming the committee, they sought members from a wide variety of backgrounds, so they would have a variety of expertise.

“(The Housing Advisory Committee) is currently working on outlining a strategies and goals plan for housing preservation of existing affordable housing,” said Simpson, “and both the creation of new opportunities across Arvada and seeing what strategies are out there that we’re not doing yet, that we can make happen.”

In closing remarks, Simpson emphasized once again how lucky she felt to be the Mayor of Arvada.

“It is the collective talents, dedication and experience of Arvadans, and of all of you here in this room today that makes this community thrive,” Simpson said. “It is a special place. And we are so fortunate to get to call it home.”