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Friday, April 17, 2026

Open Rewards Program Wins Statewide Award

The City of Littleton’s Open Rewards program took home a 2026 Colorado Downtown Excellence Award in the Partnership category from Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI). The award recognizes the groundbreaking collaboration that has generated more than $2.6 million in local economic impact since its launch in September 2023.

Through a mobile-first app, residents and visitors earn points when they shop at participating local businesses, then redeem those points for rewards, creating a powerful incentive to shop local while supporting Littleton’s business community.

The results have exceeded expectations:

• $2.6 million in economic impact flowing through local businesses
• 19-to-1 return on investment — every dollar invested generates $19 in local commerce
• 4,104 active users regularly engaging with the program
• 182 participating businesses across Littleton’s commercial districts
• $140,000+ in rewards distributed directly back to residents

“Our goal is to invest in our business community and create meaningful impact in Littleton by supporting the businesses that make our city unique,” said Littleton Economic Development Director Rachel King. “Open Rewards brings residents, visitors, and businesses together around that shared purpose. This recognition from Downtown Colorado, Inc. reflects the power of partnership and innovation in driving real economic impact for our community.”

To learn more or download the app, visit LittletonCO.gov/OpenRewards.

Last Chance! Take the Blueprint Boulevard Survey

Last call, Littleton! The survey and interactive map for Blueprint Boulevard — formerly known as the Littleton Boulevard Subarea Plan — closes Thursday, April 23. This is the last chance to share thoughts, ideas, and feedback on the future of the Littleton Boulevard corridor. Make your voice heard by visiting LetsTalkLittleton.org/LittletonBlvd.

Safety Improvements Coming to Key Broadway Intersections

The intersections of Broadway and Littleton Boulevard, and Broadway and Mineral Avenue serve thousands of people each day — students, commuters, residents, and visitors alike. They play a critical role in connecting the community to schools, workplaces, and regional destinations. As part of Littleton’s ongoing commitment to a safe, connected, and reliable transportation system, the city has developed draft concepts to improve safety and operations at these intersections. These improvements stem from community feedback gathered during the Broadway Corridor Study. While current grant funding won't cover full intersection build-out yet, the concepts support key safety upgrades and position the city to complete the study’s recommendations in the future. The draft concepts are now available for public review and comment. Visit the project webpage to view the concepts and share your feedback by May 13.

City Council Considers a Partnership for a Community Destination: 1st Street Farms

Littleton City Council is considering a partnership with 1st Street Farms — an opportunity to create a vibrant, community-centered destination supporting the city’s Comprehensive Plan and Horizon 2027 Strategic Plan goals. Located along South Platte Park near Santa Fe Drive and Mineral Avenue, 1st Street Farms is a proposed five-acre mixed-use hospitality and community hub. The project includes a restaurant, event space, publicly accessible turf field, trail connections, open space, and gathering areas designed to enhance quality of life and expand access to community amenities. The project is led by Gastamo Group, a Colorado-based hospitality company. The proposed partnership reflects several Horizon 2027 priorities. By creating new public spaces, trail connections, and recreation opportunities, the project supports a vibrant community with a rich culture. Its focus on a unique, place-based destination advances a robust and resilient economy, generating long-term revenue, attracting visitors, and supporting local jobs. The emphasis on open space integration and multimodal connections aligns with sustainability and a community with natural beauty. Developers are seeking a public-private partnership with the city to help close a funding gap driven by high development and infrastructure costs. The city is considering this approach because the project delivers significant public and economic benefits while remaining financially accountable. The proposed partnership would involve sharing the sales tax generated by the project and a forgivable loan, to be funded through use tax revenues generated by development and that would otherwise be used for future capital projects — not from the city’s general fund or voter-approved revenues — and would be structured as a performance-based public-private partnership. Funds would be distributed over time, with built-in repayment requirements and claw back protections if the project underperforms. Independent analysis by Economic & Planning Systems indicates the project could generate approximately $750,000 in annual sales tax revenue within six years, additional sales and lodgers taxes from nearby hotel stays to support Littleton’s arts and culture scene, produce more than $35 million in annual economic impact, and create over 300 jobs. Importantly, community amenities — including the turf field and gathering spaces — would remain open and accessible to the public, with event space available to the city and local nonprofits at no cost. Public participation is critical to making the project feasible. Without it, the site would likely revert to a previously planned residential development of approximately 270 townhomes — resulting in more housing but fewer public amenities and an estimated net fiscal loss to the city, based on typical costs for city services to residential properties without offsetting commercial revenues. City staff will continue to negotiate the terms of the agreement to ensure public access to the project’s amenities and expect to bring additional information and recommendations back to city council for further consideration.

Charter Review Focuses on High-Quality Governance

Littleton’s Charter Review Committee (CRC) presented its recommendations to city council April 14, suggesting possible updates to the city charter aimed at streamlining or clarifying numerous sections.

The charter is like Littleton’s constitution — it defines the organization, powers, functions, and essential procedures of city government, and can only be changed by a vote of the people.

The 14-member CRC conducted a seven-month comprehensive review of the entire charter, identifying possible changes based on best practices in similar municipalities, adopted legislation that now makes a section or sections contradictory, or additional clean-up as needed.

Completing this review helps ensure Littleton has high-quality governance under a fair and effective charter.

City council expressed interest in further discussion on six of the committee’s recommendations at its April 14 study session.

Learn more about the Charter Review Committee’s recommendations.

Heads Up: Traffic Shift Coming to Santa Fe and Mineral

The Santa Fe and Mineral Improvements Project is making progress, and traffic shifts are coming to accommodate further work.

Starting in late April and lasting until further notice, both directions of traffic on Mineral Avenue from just west of the Santa Fe Drive intersection to west of Platte River Parkway will be shifted to the north side of the roadway into two-way, single lane alignment.

To accommodate this reduced alignment and keep east-west traffic flowing, the traffic signals at the Platte River Parkway and Mineral Avenue intersection will be removed, with north-south access limited to right turn lanes only to and from westbound Mineral Avenue. Detour routes will be posted to access eastbound Mineral Avenue via Aspen Grove and Santa Fe Drive.

This temporary traffic pattern will remain in place until further notice while crews widen the south portion of the roadway and make traffic signal and pedestrian improvements. If possible, alternative routes that avoid the project area are highly encouraged during this temporary traffic pattern. The public’s patience is appreciated as another important phase of the project nears.

Keep track of road closures and traffic impacts throughout the city at LittletonCO.gov/ConeZone.

Get updates on the Santa Fe and Mineral Improvements Project at LetsTalkLittleton.org.

Hug a Tree! Arbor Day is Around the Corner

This year, Arbor Day will be celebrated Friday, April 24. In cities and neighborhoods, trees help mitigate the urban heat island effect, reduce stormwater runoff, improve air quality, and boost mental and physical health. When the right trees are planted in the right places, they can also reduce traffic noise, increase property values, and lower energy costs for homeowners.

Forestry Subsidy Program

For the third consecutive year, the city is offering the Forestry Subsidy Program, covering chemical treatment costs up to $500 to protect trees against emerald ash borer or hazardous tree removals. The city has received dozens of applications so far and is actively making house visits. The program will remain open as funding allows.

Learn more and apply for the Forestry Subsidy Program program here.

Littleton and South Metro Fire Partner on Aerial Rescue Training

City of Littleton Forestry staff recently partnered with South Metro Fire Rescue (SMFR) on aerial rescue training simulations. The collaborative exercise occurred in the trees around Littleton Center and will prove invaluable when fire crews are confronted with the real thing. Check out the SMFR Rope Rescue Training video to learn more.

Littleton Named a Tree City USA

On the 50th anniversary of the Tree City USA program, the Arbor Day Foundation named Littleton a 2025 Tree City USA in honor of its commitment to plant, grow, and maintain trees to benefit its community. The city is honored to mark its 39th year of the Tree City USA designation. To earn Tree City USA recognition, a city must uphold four core standards:

• Maintaining a tree board or department
• Having a community tree ordinance
• Spending at least $2 per capita on urban forestry
• Participating in an Arbor Day celebration

Spring Tree Program Pickup is April 18

As part of the City of Littleton’s Arbor Day celebration, 275 discounted trees are being distributed to the public Saturday, April 18. Those who ordered a tree through the Spring Tree Program can pick it up the morning of April 18 at the Belleview Service Center, 1800 W. Belleview Ave., from 8 a.m. to noon. All purchased trees must be planted within Littleton city limits. Questions about the program can be directed to Forestry@LittletonCO.gov.

Celebrate Earth Day at ‘Littleton is for Locavores!’

Celebrate Earth Day at Littleton’s fifth annual “Littleton is for Locavores!” event. Browse products from local growers, artisans, and makers, enjoy live music and activities for all ages, and learn about the earth with hands-on workshops.

When: Saturday, April 25, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: 5641 S. Nevada Street

Learn more about the Littleton is for Locavores event here.

South Platte Renew Hosting Ninth Annual River Clean-Up

Celebrate Earth Day by joining South Platte Renew’s ninth annual River Clean-Up. Help keep waterways, including the South Platte River, and green spaces clean and healthy. It’s a great opportunity to positively impact the environment while enjoying the outdoors and connecting with the community. When: Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m. to noon Where: Mary Carter Greenway Trail, Riverside Downs parking lot (near Pedal Bike Shop) For those unable to attend the clean-up day, or those who would prefer to clean a local area important to them, participants can conduct a virtual clean-up from April 18 to 25. Those participating in the virtual clean-up option should register in advance. More information about this event, as well as registration information, can be found at SouthPlatteRenewCO.gov/RiverCleanUp. For questions or concerns, contact SPRCommunications@EnglewoodCO.gov.

Small Business Resource Fair — May 4

Celebrate Small Business Week and Economic Development Week at the Tri-Cities Small Business Resource Fair! Co-hosted by the Cities of Englewood, Littleton, and Sheridan, this event connects local businesses with organizations that provide support, resources, and growth opportunities. When: Monday, May 4, 3 – 5 p.m. Where: Summit Room, Arapahoe Community College, 5900 S. Santa Fe Dr. Advance registration is required. Click here to sign up for the Small Business Resource Fair.

Small Business Safety Event – May 13

Small business owners: as the Colorado region faces increasing risks from historic drought, heightened fire danger, and potential power outages, it’s more important than ever to ensure your business is prepared.

Join the City of Littleton and the Littleton Business Chamber for “Prepared & Protected: Igniting Business Readiness for Fire and Power Outages,” an informative session designed to help business owners strengthen their emergency preparedness and continuity plans.

When: Wednesday, May 13, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Where: Littleton Center, 2255 W. Berry Ave.

Click here to register for the Small Business Safety Event.

Find More Events in Littleton

Historic Preservation Commission Meeting

Monday, April 20, 6:30 p.m. 
Council Chamber, Littleton Center

City Council Regular Meeting

Tuesday, April 21, 6:30 p.m. 
Council Chamber, Littleton Center

Transportation and Mobility Board Meeting

Thursday, April 23, 6:30 p.m. 
Community Room, Littleton Center

Planning Commission Meeting

Monday, April 27, 6:30 p.m. 
Council Chamber, Littleton Center

City Council Study Session 

Tuesday, April 28, 6:30 p.m. 
Council Chamber, Littleton Center

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More Ways to Connect

Check out Let's Talk Littleton at LetsTalkLittleton.org.