Welcome back to this week’s edition of Westminster Window reflections, your weekly briefing on the decisions, debates and homegrown events shaping this city. This week’s edition focuses — again — on efforts to put roofs over the heads of hardworking folks who live and work here.

Oh, and we will take a glance at efforts to convince the Almighty to be a snowmaker in Colorado.

Giddy up.

One thing that surprised me while reporting this week: The effort the city is taking to bring in resources to create more homes for people who are not occupying the top rung of Westminster’s economic ladder. The ideas being floated include stripping down the red tape needed to review the building of new homes and striving for grants and partnerships with developers to make it easier for the low-and-middle class to access homes in the city.

But talk about local government purchasing homes to keep them affordable did not sit well with Councilor Kristin Ireland. Such a move is “socialism” or communist,” according to Ireland.

🤑 Why it matters: Westminster officials have long been critical of corporations buying up local homes and renting them out for higher prices. But a Leeds School of Business study says that non-individual investors own about 3.7% of Westminster’s single-family housing stock. That’s on par with statewide findings.

What’s happening: Councilor Obi Ezeadi said the Leeds study should help provide a base to gauge future home ownership. Councilor Ireland said no matter the percentage, Westminster still needs to hold corporations accountable at the ballot box. “I think we should have a ballot measure to require corporations to pay property taxes.” she said.

🥳 Why it matters: About 60% of Westminster’s homes exist under an HOA, which can set design standards, enforce building codes and affect the general upkeep of neighborhoods. Residents often pay a fee to an HOA to do weed pulling, snow plowing and other chores to keep a development looking spiffy.

What’s happening: Councilor Obi Ezeadi said this week he wants to visit every HOA in the city over the next two years as part of a fact-finding effort. Ezeadi said the idea came after reading results of an affordability study. “One of the ideas is that we should have more engagement with HOAs,” Ezeardi said.

What to know: While the state’s snow pack is slowly recovering, cities and counties worry that as the dry, warm weather continues, a spring drought is something they will have to reckon with this summer.

What is happening: Resident Tom Lampo offers a non-denominational prayer before every city council meeting in Westminster, Thornton and other cities. This week, he offered a prayer asking God to deliver more snow to Colorado’s high country so as to feed reservoirs and rivers.

“Nothing is too great for you to accomplish,” Lampo said before Westminster City Council. To which, Ireland responded: ‘Tom Lampo, I appreciate your prayer for moisture.”

An Adams County teacher is helping educators earn thousands more: Read the story here➡

Residents voted - 1,671 in all - to name the new park located at 5750 West Central Ave. as Aerostat Park.

Aerostat is another term for hot air balloons, which were a signature feature at the old Westminster Mall. Aerostat beat out Downtown Commons, DeSpain Commons, McNally Park and Westminster Vista Park among voters.

The news: Congregation B’nai Torah will be installing its new Rabbi, Rabbi Greg Marcus, on March 7, at 1:30 p.m.

“This is a big event for us and we look forward to members as well as the community to be in attendance, said Paula Emeson, a member of the congregation.

Context: Congregation B’nai Torah is located at 3390 W. 74th Ave and shares space with the Westminster Presbyterian Church.  

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