😉 This week we learned a city councilor is looking to chickens to help affordability woes; a rare burrowing owl is causing problems at the city’s renowned dog park; a new and dynamic food hall is opening its doors this Saturday and a first-ever Pride event surpassed all expectations.

One thing that surprised me while reporting this week: Despite the epic fail of the FasTracks commuter rail project that left Westminster and other northern cities wanting, the city remains hopeful about the Front Range Passenger Rail Project.

The city’s optimism displayed itself this week when the council agreed to a resolution backing a plan with rail officials that will place a passenger rail station in downtown Westminster. The Front Range Passenger Rail District is also promising to provide direct payments annually for over 25 years to the city to support the design, construction, operation and maintenance of the station.

Stay tuned, everybody. Hopefully, this wish will come true for Westminster.

🥚 Why it matters: Skyrocketing food prices are putting too much pressure on many Westminster residents who are already struggling with higher costs for medicine and housing, Council Obi Ezeadi said this week. One answer to the affordability crisis could be chickens, he said. The animals can provide eggs and, when it’s time, a staple for the dinner table.

What’s happening: At Ezeadi’s urging, the council agreed to consider greatly expanding the number of chickens residents can keep on their property in Westminster.

A formal discussion is scheduled for June 22.

Why it matters: Nesting burrowing owls are a threatened species in Colorado and because their habitats are slowly being swallowed up they are becoming more common on urban trails.

What’s happening: Two of the rare owls have made a home at Westminster Hills Open Space Dog Off-Leash Natural Area, prompting concerns about their protection. Dog park advocates are hoping the city will help erect signs and provide more education about the owls.

What to know: District Pour & Provision is the Front Range’s newest food hall and is opening its doors this Saturday at 11 a.m. followed by a ribbon cutting at 2 p.m. Patrons can enjoy a pour-your-own tap system dispensing 92 lines of beer, wine, cocktails, mocktails, sodas and beverages for kids. It’s located at 3053 West 104th Ave. 

Next step: Grand opening festivities include live music and other surprises, say the owners.

☔ Last week, we asked readers if they were sticking with the city's voluntary water restrictions, since we’ve had rain recently. The majority, almost 84%, said they would adhere to Westminster watering restrictions.

🧘 Converge on Westminster’s new Aerostat Park on Sundays this summer for a yoga series that is free and for all ages, located at 5750 West Central Avenue.

🏳‍🌈 As many as 1,900 attendees and 73 vendors attended Westminster’s first-ever Pride Event at Aerostat Park. The Westminster partnered with Broomfield to put on the celebration.

Context: “The Pride Event was an enormous success and we had a bigger turnout than we expected,” Mayor Claire Carmelia said. “An enormous thank you to Broomfield for partnering with us.”  

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Plaza Sessions: Concert at Central Square Plaza — 5:30 p.m., Central Plaza Park

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