By Pat Miller

I moved to Woodland Park from a large city in 2024 for the milder weather, cleaner air, sunny skies, sweeping views, and welcoming small-town atmosphere. I needn’t remind anyone who lives here what a gem this lovely town is. What many of us may not notice—because we’re busy shoveling sidewalks, putting food on the table, and carrying on with daily life—is the remarkable group of dedicated public servants who keep essential services running behind the scenes. Their work makes our lives easier and our community more livable.

Recently I completed the City of Woodland Park’s Citizens Academy, a six-week program offered each January to help residents understand how the city operates. Sessions meet once a week for about two hours. Participants learn how the city staff is organized, where municipal revenue comes from and how it’s allocated, what public records the city must maintain, and what the Planning & Building Services Department does—and why that matters to residents. We covered how Public Works prioritizes street repairs and learned that the city must responsibly return the water it uses to the environment.

The Academy includes tours of core facilities: water and wastewater treatment plants, Public Works, the Aquatic Center, and the Police Department. Along the way you pick up intriguing facts— like where treated wastewater goes and how quickly residents would notice if influent into the plant were suddenly cut off.

The most lasting impression I took from the Academy was a deep appreciation for the outstanding job city staff do with limited resources. That commitment shows at every level, from City Manager Aaron Vassalotti to entry level clerks and technicians. The city’s 2025 budget was a little over $25 million, and the workforce includes 104 permanent employees who provide police services, water and wastewater management, road maintenance and snow removal, parks and recreation (including the Ute Pass Center), the Aquatic Center, Municipal Court, the city cemetery, and the administrative support needed to keep all these operations functioning.

There isn’t space here to name every individual who deserves recognition or to list every task they perform to keep streets safe, water flowing, toilets flushing, construction sites compliant, and parks and facilities attractive and accessible. But City Utilities Director Kip Wilie, Police Chief Chris Diesler, Planning Director Karen Schminke, their staffs, and many others consistently demonstrate professionalism and a genuine dedication to public service.

I strongly recommend the Citizens Academy. It’s free, typically held in January, and open to anyone 16 or older who lives in or near Woodland Park. If you participate, you’ll come away with a clearer understanding of city operations and a greater appreciation for the people who work every day to make our community run smoothly.