What do this year’s city council and mayor candidates have to say about walking/biking/transportation in Wheat Ridge?
The ATATs held a candidate forum on October 8th, 2025 at the Wheat Ridge Rec Center where we invited all candidates for city council and mayor. Most were able to attend, and we had a lively and thoughtful conversation about making it safe to walk, bike, roll, take transit, etc. around our city. We also kicked off our brand new Vision Zero campaign, and heard from a student and parent from Stevens Elementary about why walking and biking to school safely is so important to them. Several of the candidates have submitted their answers to questions asked at the forum, which you can find below as you fill out your ballots!
Please provide a brief introduction, office you’re running for, and favorite place to bike and walk in Wheat Ridge.
Korey Stites - Mayor
I was lucky enough to grow up here in Wheat Ridge. As a kid, I spent my summers and days off from school riding my bike from 35th and Ward all the way down to 38th and Quay to visit my dad and grandpa at B&F Tire. Back then, it felt like it was a safe and simple ride.
Today, I wouldn’t feel comfortable letting my own kids make that same trip. Roads have changed, cars have changed, and unfortunately, so have people’s habits behind the wheel. As a city councilor, I helped get 2J passed that will add sidewalks, bike lanes, and will slow the speeds on west 38th Avenue. As Mayor, I want to help create a safer, more walkable, bikeable, and rollable city, one where families feel confident getting around no matter how they travel.
One of my favorite places to walk and bike is the Clear Creek Trail between Youngfield, near my business Personal Achievement Martial Arts, and Kipling. It’s an easy, beautiful stretch of trail where I often run into friends and neighbors enjoying the outdoors. It’s truly one of Wheat Ridge’s crown jewels, and a great example of what makes our city so special.
Kathleen Martell - District 1
Hello! My name is Kathleen Martell, I am running for City Council, District I because I love Wheat Ridge. I promote our businesses and organizations, advocate for residents, show up for creative and agriculture endeavors, and work to retain our unique culture. I believe that the hyper local level is where we must focus to make a true impact. This is where we see our leaders in our community, we know each other, and that connectivity builds trust and safety as we make hard decisions in tough times.
My favorite places to walk and trike (I have a Schwin Meridian Tricycle) in Wheat Ridge are around District I including Stites Park, Panorama Park and to Mestizo Brew Cantina.
Scott Ohm - District 2
Hi, I am Scott Ohm. I am running for re-election to WR City Council District 2.
I have enjoyed biking since I was a kid. The first bike I bought was a yellow 10-speed huffy bike and I would spend my days riding the rural dirt roads. Everywhere I have lived I have found a way to continue biking. When I moved to Colorado, I joined an amateur racing team in Fort Collins. One of the incredible climbs I really enjoyed was Mt. Blue Sky going through the hair pin turns to reach the 14,400 foot summit. My favorite place to ride now is the Clear Creek bike path because I love seeing the wildlife along the trail, experiencing the change of seasons and watching the Clear Creek transform throughout the year. My favorite place to walk would be the numerous trails at Prospect Park. I would take my kids there when they were little and explore. With so many different paths to take it was always an adventure.
Alex Gouldsmith - District 2
My name is Alex Gouldsmith, and I’m running for City Council to represent District II for my daughter. The decisions we make today will shape her childhood in Wheat Ridge, and I want to help ensure she grows up in a community she’ll love just as much as I do.
I want her to live in a neighborhood where kids can safely walk to school, grab ice cream with friends, and trick-or-treat on welcoming streets. I want her to have the freedom to travel around the city at a young age. That vision drives my commitment to building safer, more accessible infrastructure, especially along 44th Avenue, the backbone of District II. We need a continuous, protected pedestrian and bicycle corridor that connects our parks, gathering spaces, businesses, and neighborhoods.
One of my favorite places to walk and bike is along the Clear Creek Trail. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful infrastructure can bring people together and create safe, active spaces for everyone. I’d love to see that same kind of connectivity extended into our business corridors, especially along 44th Avenue, so every resident can move safely and easily through their community.
I believe in building community through connection. Maintaining protected corridors that bridge our neighborhoods together will create a self-sustaining local economy where neighbors can support each other, businesses can thrive, and workers have real opportunities to live and grow in the same community they serve. Wheat Ridge is a welcoming community for all, where we can embrace each other and grow together.
Justin Slocum - District 3
My name is Justin Slocum and I am running for City council for district 3 here in Wheat Ridge. I Like to walk and bike on the beautiful trails we have spent enormous amounts of money on for pedestrian and slow non motorized traffic.
Pat Quinn - District 3
Hi, I’m Pat Quinn, and I’ve proudly called Wheat Ridge home since 1991. I’ve lived in the same house near the Rec Center for over three decades, and I’ve seen firsthand how our community has grown and evolved.
One of my favorite and most convenient places to walk is the Clear Creek Trail, especially the stretch between Youngfield and Anderson Park. It’s a truly beautiful walk—peaceful, scenic, and full of surprises. You never know when you’ll spot a deer or catch sight of a stunning bird along the way. It’s moments like those that remind me why I love this city and why I’m committed to making it even better
Mike Okada - District 4
My name is Mike Okada and I'm running for City Council in District IV. I'm running for a lot of reasons but safe connections for pedestrians and bicycles in District IV is a high priority of mine, and a part of my motivation to run.
My wife and I live on the North side of I-70 and have limited walking access to the Clear Creek Trail, one of our favorite places in the city to walk. We also enjoy walking in Wheat Ridge's many beautiful neighborhoods.
What is the biggest barrier that Wheat Ridge faces to make it safer and more attractive to walk and bike?
Korey Stites - Mayor
There are two major obstacles to making Wheat Ridge safer and more attractive for walking and biking: money and time.
Even with the $72 million we received from 2J, those funds must be spread across many important corridors: West 38th, East 38th, 32nd, 44th, Youngfield, and 29th Avenue. While also addressing sidewalk gaps and drainage issues throughout the city. We have to keep finding new ways to fund our capital improvement projects so we can continue building safer, more walkable, and bikeable streets.
The other big barrier is time. These projects take a long time, from planning and public outreach to construction. As we’ve seen with Wadsworth. It’s critical that we continue working efficiently and collaboratively with our residents to ensure that we have both the time and resources to make Wheat Ridge a safer, more walkable, bikeable, and rollable community for everyone.
Kathleen Martell - District 1
Safety. Inconsistent or damaged sidewalks, lack of safe crossings, and that several highways cross through or border Wheat Ridge, all present safety hazards. Bikes, pedestrians, and cars share common and/or adjacent spaces without adequate protection. This mix increases risk and discourages active transportation, particularly for older adults, children, and people with disabilities.
Scott Ohm - District 2
Besides needing funding, which is an obvious barrier, it is important to have the physical space in terms of ROW available to make the changes needed. These dimensions are different for cyclists and pedestrians.
Cyclists want dedicated bike lanes that are protected and safe along primary corridors. This would include minimizing the number of curb cuts along the bike-path to help minimize interactions between cars and cyclists. We can see an example of this along the new Wadsworth multi-modal sidewalk.
Pedestrians want sidewalks that are of a sufficient width to walk side by side with other pedestrians and that will accommodate strollers and wheelchairs. These sidewalks need to be continuous and raised above traffic. The new Wadsworth Boulevard renovations are a good example of what these improvements for cyclists and pedestrians look like. Wheat Ridge has made a lot of improvements to these problem areas by adding pedestrian crossings with lights, identifying missing sidewalks, and adding sidewalks such as along 38th from Kipling to Youngfield. Thanks to the 2J initiative, that I enthusiastically campaigned for, these improvements will now be made in many of the problem areas.
Alex Gouldsmith - District 2
The biggest barrier Wheat Ridge faces is fragmented infrastructure. Our sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossings often don’t connect safely or consistently between neighborhoods, parks, and business areas. Residents want to walk or bike to local shops and restaurants, but these gaps make it unsafe or impractical.
Expanding bike lanes and pedestrian corridors is key to preserving the small-town character Wheat Ridge residents love, while supporting local businesses and creating a more self-sustaining community. When people can safely walk or bike, they’re more likely to shop, dine, and spend their leisure time locally, driving literal and economic “foot traffic” to our business districts.
I’m encouraged by the mobility network outlined in the Wheat Ridge City Plan, but much of the proposed connectivity currently bypasses District II via Clear Creek Trail. 44th Avenue is the backbone of District II, and we have an opportunity to make it the bridge that ties the entire city together, strengthening mobility, access, and community connection.
Justin Slocum - District 3
Inconsistent messaging and near zero enforcement and education for pedestrian and non motorized and now electric powered recreational options. We do not have a good way to regulate the education required and or shouldbe required for all these different transportation options and it is becoming increasingly deadly.
Pat Quinn - District 3
Disconnected Infrastructure: Missing sidewalks and bike lanes make it hard to travel safely across the city. Missing sidewalks and bike lanes make it hard to travel safely across the city. Cracked sidewalks, poor lighting, and missing ADA ramps reduce accessibility.
Traffic Safety: Speeding and unsafe crossings pose risks, especially for kids and seniors.
Funding: Budget constraints – only so much money in budget for these neighborhood gaps and need to do a little at time. Projects that are supported by voters are sometimes slow to implement due coordination.
Mike Okada - District 4
The barriers we face often involve funding and the time it takes to coordinate with partnership governmental organizations. For example, the Tabor bridge over I-70 is overdue for an upgrade to include safe passage for pedestrians and bicycles. Upgrading that bridge will require coordination with CDOT, and a substantial investment. I plan on continuing and upkeeping the conversations needed to secure funding and support for that project and others that will improve our ability as a city to walk and ride safely to our destinations.
What are your thoughts on Vision Zero?
Korey Stites - Mayor
I believe one of the first responsibilities of municipal government is to keep the public safe. Whether that’s through effective policing or through designing streets and neighborhoods that are safe for everyone. That’s why I fully support the goals and vision of the Vision Zero campaign.
One key way to achieve this is by continuing to implement our Bike and Pedestrian Master Plan, ensuring that cars, bikes, and pedestrians have dedicated, separated spaces wherever possible. Getting bikes and pedestrians out of the same lanes as cars, through sidewalks, protected bike lanes, and shared-use paths, everyone will travel safer across our city.
We should also expand our Neighborhood Traffic Management Program to be more proactive, not just responding to speeding complaints, but identifying and improving streets before problems arise.
With funding from 2J and new developments happening across the city, we have real opportunities to make lasting safety improvements. I also support exploring tools like red-light and speed cameras and other enforcement strategies to help ensure that everyone can get where they need to go safely.
Kathleen Martell - District 1
I support Vision Zero as it prioritizes human life through safety and data, it takes into consideration that humans have good intentions and make mistakes, and it focuses on protecting our most vulnerable neighbors.
If elected, I would support expanding safe bike lanes and pedestrian access, especially along key routes to schools, parks, restaurants, and businesses. One idea is to partner community members to serve as volunteer crossing guards. This could build safety and community without straining limited resources. I would also support the ATAT’s recommendations to adopt a Vision Zero Resolution and create a Vision Zero Task Force. I agree with the member suggestions for the task force, and suggest including community members who primarily bike, walk, and drive to provide inclusive points of view. We are all in this together.
Scott Ohm - District 2
I fully support the City of Wheat creating a partnership with ATAT to champion the Vision Zero movement.
It is important for Wheat Ridge to partner with state and regional entities to identify the problem areas in Wheat Ridge that are responsible for traffic deaths and injuries. Wheat Ridge needs to invest in creating a mapping system that identifies the most dangerous areas so that can find solutions.
Currently, I know that the intersection at Kipling and 38th is a dangerous intersection. I have seen first hand cars turning left at the same time as a family crossing the street. Luckily no one was hurt, but these close encounters need to be avoided. The crossing signals are not long enough, and the lack of left turn on green only signals create unsafe conditions for drivers, cyclists and especially pedestrians. There are a lot of students and parents crossing at that intersection due to Discovery park and the retail across the street. Kids are crossing coming from Everrett and going to the Rec center. Cars are trying to get to the gas stations and businesses causing too many chances for unfavorable interactions.
It really comes down to the design of the areas where cyclists and pedestrians are in contact with automobiles. These areas need to be identified and optimized for maintaining the safety of the pedestrians and cyclists.
One of the main issues I hear from constituents is about speeding around Wheat Ridge and in their neighborhoods. I advocated strongly for the speed cameras that are now in place on 32nd and 44th. These are already proving to be valuable. At the city council study session on Monday night, Chief Murtha discussed some of the preliminary results from implementing the traffic cameras. He said the speeds are coming down as they are seeing less tickets in these areas meaning drivers are slowing down. I am in support of adding more cameras and red light cameras as well.
In addition, I support community led place-making and traffic calming pilot projects such as the small roundabout that would enable the slowing of traffic without stopping.
Alex Gouldsmith - District 2
I strongly support Vision Zero and its goal of eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. Safety should always come first, which means designing our streets to prevent crashes, not just reacting to them. We should plan corridors like 44th Avenue with people in mind, not cars.
I would prioritize traffic calming measures, safer crossings near schools and major arteries like Wadsworth and Kipling, improved lighting, and protected bike lanes wherever possible. Strengthening partnerships with schools and neighborhoods would help us identify and fix safety gaps faster. Everyone should be able to move around Wheat Ridge safely, no matter how they get there.
44th Avenue is a prime example of a corridor that needs investment. The sidewalks are too narrow, there’s no dedicated bike path, and four travel lanes encourage speeding. A simple, effective solution would be to re-stripe the road to two lanes with dedicated bike lanes on either side. This would slow vehicle speeds, create safer conditions for cyclists, and give pedestrians more comfort and separation from traffic. Because 44th Avenue connects many of District II’s parks and beloved small businesses, transforming it into a protected bicycle and pedestrian corridor would unite our neighborhoods and strengthen our community.
Justin Slocum - District 3
I will always be in favor of finding ways to save life and limb, but as a government, we MUST enforce the law and change poor behavior through that enforcement. We must also pass laws to hold all stakeholders responsible for reckless behavior. We must find ways to reduce distractions especially when mobile electronics are such a huge distraction, we have all witnessed folks crossing a street never looking up from a cell phone to look at possible hazards. We must also find a solution for all the rental electric bikes and scooters being left all over the city streets and sidewalks, they cause blockages for handicapped and less mobile pedestrians from traveling safely or in some cases at all and it is a huge concern. Sidewalks in our city need to be consistently maintained and or even built for safe ADA compliant options within our city as well.
Pat Quinn - District 3
I fully support Vision Zero and the Active Transportation Advisory Team’s campaign to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries in Wheat Ridge. No one should fear walking, biking, or getting their kids to school safely. Key actions I support and would lead:
Safer Infrastructure – We need to close the gaps in our sidewalk and bike lane networks, especially near schools, parks, transit stops and senior or assisted living housing. Protected bike lanes and raised crosswalks save lives. Clear, bold street markings and lane identification to help identify spaces for cars and bikes.
Slow Down Traffic – I support lowering speed limits in residential areas and expanding traffic-calming tools like bulb-outs and roundabouts to make streets safer for everyone.
Engage the Community – I believe in listening. Walk audits, neighborhood input, and partnerships with groups like Bike Jeffco and ATATs will help us build solutions that reflect real needs.
Invest in Safe Routes – Programs like Safe Routes to Parks and Schools are essential. Every child and senior should have a safe, direct way to reach community spaces.
Mike Okada - District 4
I support Vision Zero. At first glance, zero traffic fatalities sounds like a lofty and possibly unreachable goal, but the project outlines clearly that the goal isn't to eliminate human mistakes, but instead to make them less destructive when they do happen, through careful and intelligent design work. This work isn't easy, and it's not often intuitive, so I support the careful and thorough work needed to achieve the project's core goal.
