Wheat Ridge Real Estate
Wheat Ridge is located in Jefferson County. It is in a Home Rule Municipality. The city is a western Denver suburb. The area contains 9.1 total square miles.
History
Wheat Ridge is a young incorporated city; however, it has a history that involves agriculture. The city was a rest stop during the Gold Rush in the 1850s, and it grew into a thriving suburban and agricultural community. The unincorporated Jefferson County residential area provided housing to the Denver workforce in the 1950s.
Major transportation corridors that extended from Denver designed commercial services. During the era, many fire protection and utility districts offered the unincorporated area urban services. Because of the increasing annexation pressure by municipalities, the city was incorporated.
James H. Baugh house is found in Wheat Ridge. It is listed in the Colorado State Register of Historic Properties and the National Register of Historic Places. The house is a log cabin encased in a 1904 farmhouse. It is one of many historic sites in Wheat Ridge Historic Park.
Wheat Ridge now has nearly 31,000 residents. The city has small town character and agricultural roots. During 2000, the city had a slight population decline. Wheat Ridge’s smaller average household size and older population make the city unique.
Past And Present Agricultural Practices
Until the 1960s, Wheat Ridge was defined by agricultural production on a mid to large scale. Crop fields and orchards were mainly used. Businesses and homes were located among agrarian landscape. The city’s agricultural past is still found in certain areas. However, Wheat Ridge has experienced development and population growth during the past 40 years. It is mainly built with a combination of commercial, office, and residential uses.
Zoning changes allowed urban agriculture to gain resurgence in all areas of the city. Regulations let homeowners try various agricultural activities. They grow and sell produce and keep animals, such a bees.
Ordinance 1491 was adopted by the City Council in May 2011. It supports urban agriculture in the city. The ordinance updated regulations so that community gardens, farmers’ markets, and produce stands, are allow in any district.
An urban garden is an area of land that is organized, managed, and maintained by individuals to grow and harvest crops or non-food crops. A community garden is a common example of an urban garden. A market garden is also an urban garden; crops are sold for cash.
Farmers markets are in all districts except for residential zone districts. They require a business license. Locals may apply for a business license through the City’s Sales Tax Division.
A produce stand is a structure that is only used for a limited time. It provides agricultural products. A produce stand also requires a business license.