Wheat Ridge Poultry has been a cornerstone of our community since 1942, providing quality products and compassionately giving back in countless ways. This is not just another business—it’s a lifeline. Over the past few years, my family and I have endured numerous hardships: cancer surgery, the unbearable loss of parents, and tragically, the passing of my husband. Through it all, our commitment to serving Wheat Ridge has never waned.

For decades, Wheat Ridge Poultry has played a significant role in supporting our community. We have donated food to local pantries, provided thousands of meals to the homeless, and offered a free community fridge and pantry within our store. Additionally, the scraps from our operations are donated to animal sanctuaries, embodying a spirit of sustainability and care for our environment.

Sadly, we are now unable to operate due to unresolved agreements with the city. Our hope is that by voicing our collective support, we can urge city officials to work with us to find a solution that will allow Wheat Ridge Poultry to reopen its doors. This is not just vital for our business but for the many people who rely on us for sustenance and support.

By signing this petition, you are helping restore a vital resource to our community and ensuring that we can continue our mission of service and sustainability. Your support can persuade city officials to act and forge a path forward.

Please sign this petition and help bring Wheat Ridge Poultry back to the community and those it serves.

WR Poultry

Re: Wheat Ridge Poultry

To the City of Wheat Ridge

I am writing today to ask one simple question. I am unsure who to address ,  so I am presenting it as an open letter.

This inquiry is to help me respond to the many caring customers, patrons, landlords, vendors, and friends of Wheat Ridge Poultry who are asking about the future of our business and, more importantly, about my family’s well-being.

These individuals have supported us throughout the past heartbreaking year as we dealt with the loss of my husband and my partner in Wheat Ridge Poultry, Rob. They have stood by us through all the challenges that come with a sudden death, and I still feel fortunate to be part of such a wonderful community, which I have known my whole life.

I am especially grateful to my work family, who have cried, battled, and even laughed alongside us through it all. This is the essence of growing up in a community like this.

To sum up my year: it has been hell.

 I have been living one day at a time, feeling like I am on the edge of collapse while trying to keep a smile on my face, supported by encouragement from those around me. Yet, I am acutely aware of the inevitable challenges ahead.

Even after the City closed my business, I held onto the naive hope that prayers and optimism would help me meet the growing tax bill. I remain hopeful and am doing everything I can to repay my debt to this community.

At the suggestion of my lawyer, I have sold every personal belonging that tied me to my late husband, including our vehicle and even my wedding ring.

Rob and I passionately believed that business is like family—a partnership with everyone we encounter, including our landlords, vendors, and customers.

Although our focus was retail meat and poultry, we were also known as one of only two regional game processors. Rob loved the outdoors, which gave us the chance to highlight our namesake city by welcoming customers from all over Colorado and beyond.

Our relationships with local farms have allowed us to uphold Wheat Ridge Poultry’s nearly 85-year tradition of providing the centerpiece for countless family meals. This is why I am writing this letter: I am fighting not just for my family’s future, but also for my community.

I am at the brink of bankruptcy, facing a future I can hardly imagine. The thought of watching my beloved business be sold off at auction or seeing my wonderful landlords—two words not often used together—lose an 85-year purpose-built space in the heart of the city is unbearable.

To prevent this, I am willing to work tirelessly.

My family is ready to contribute, and my dedicated staff, with all their understanding and sacrifice, is prepared to help me make reparations. The community that has generously donated their hard-earned money and provided support to my family is also willing to stand by a simple meat shop and a dream my husband and I nurtured ten years ago.

Now, back to my question:

 Is there a deal on which we can agree? A deal that leads to a swift reopening of this iconic business, reviving our community, and fostering goodwill?

In the past three weeks, I have paid nearly half, minus interest and penalties, of my obligations to this community, but I fear that the longer Wheat Ridge Poultry remains closed, the more hope will fade, making reopening seem less like a reality.

I have lost sleep over my past decisions and understand that strict diligence is essential not just to become current but to thrive in the future. I am strong in my faith and ready to move forward.

The question is clear, but identifying the right person to approach is challenging. Who has the authority to sign the final agreement? Is it Mayor Starker and the Council, Treasurer Miller, City Manager Goff, Economic Development, or all the above?

I am asking anyone who can help. I have several thousand dollars pledged to me to assist with my share of this deal, but I need a promise—a swift and definitive "YES!"

I look forward to seeing everyone reading this letter back at Wheat Ridge Poultry soon!

Respectfully,

 

Jessica S Bobitsky 

Wheat Ridge Poultry & Meats