Share City Budget Process on FacebookShare City Budget Process on TwitterShare City Budget Process on LinkedinEmail City Budget Process link
2026 City Budget: In Development
The Wheat Ridge budget process is a year-long journey involving city staff, the council, and community members to ensure financial success.
Starting Up: In May, departments receive budget instructions, estimate the remainder of the year's expenditures, and begin assessing budgetary needs for the following year.
Putting It All Together: In June, departments submit their budget information, and the city estimates its financial outlook.
Examining the Data: In July, the City Manager and Budget Officer review submissions for accuracy and alignment with city goals before finalizing budget priorities. Additionally, the What's Up Wheat Ridge budget page launches for public feedback.
Building the Book: Staff prepares a budget book for Council review, detailing financial data and funding priorities.
Sharing the Draft with Council: By September/October, the proposed budget is presented to Council to ensure it meets city needs.
Hearing from the Public: In October/November, residents provide feedback during a public hearing. The City Council finalizes and adopts the budget, authorizing property tax collection for the next year.
Finishing Up: In December, the official budget is shared publicly and submitted for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
This process follows rules that ensure fairness and transparency, such as preventing overspending, conducting audits, and sharing the final budget publicly.
Public Involvement
City Staff relies on resident input to help build a strong budget that is responsive to community needs. Each year, Staff draws heavily from the City's Let's Talk Resident Engagement Program and the bi-annual Resident Survey. The public is also invited to provide community input on the budget during any Regular Meeting, which takes place on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Residents and community members can share ideas during public comment for the City to consider funding in the 2026 budget year.
If you have a general question or comment, feel free to leave it in the Questions box in the second tab below and we'll get back to you. Your opinions are very important to us and we are grateful for your participation in this process.
2026 City Budget: In Development
The Wheat Ridge budget process is a year-long journey involving city staff, the council, and community members to ensure financial success.
Starting Up: In May, departments receive budget instructions, estimate the remainder of the year's expenditures, and begin assessing budgetary needs for the following year.
Putting It All Together: In June, departments submit their budget information, and the city estimates its financial outlook.
Examining the Data: In July, the City Manager and Budget Officer review submissions for accuracy and alignment with city goals before finalizing budget priorities. Additionally, the What's Up Wheat Ridge budget page launches for public feedback.
Building the Book: Staff prepares a budget book for Council review, detailing financial data and funding priorities.
Sharing the Draft with Council: By September/October, the proposed budget is presented to Council to ensure it meets city needs.
Hearing from the Public: In October/November, residents provide feedback during a public hearing. The City Council finalizes and adopts the budget, authorizing property tax collection for the next year.
Finishing Up: In December, the official budget is shared publicly and submitted for the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
This process follows rules that ensure fairness and transparency, such as preventing overspending, conducting audits, and sharing the final budget publicly.
Public Involvement
City Staff relies on resident input to help build a strong budget that is responsive to community needs. Each year, Staff draws heavily from the City's Let's Talk Resident Engagement Program and the bi-annual Resident Survey. The public is also invited to provide community input on the budget during any Regular Meeting, which takes place on the second and fourth Monday of each month. Residents and community members can share ideas during public comment for the City to consider funding in the 2026 budget year.
If you have a general question or comment, feel free to leave it in the Questions box in the second tab below and we'll get back to you. Your opinions are very important to us and we are grateful for your participation in this process.
