Britta Fisher
Executive Director

Britta Fisher works to ensure that Wheat Ridge businesses are thriving and that neighbors feel pride while contributing to a vibrant Wheat Ridge. She oversees day-to-day operations and leads the team in achieving the Wheat Ridge 2020 strategic plan. 

Britta explored the diverse issues of the county and met great people as  a graduate of Leadership Jefferson County 2010. In 2009 Britta was a member of the Transit Alliance Citizens' Academy, discussing the complexities of combining transportation and community development to support the regional success of Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the Metro Denver area. Britta was a member of the Colorado Blue Ribbon Panel on Housing, which was tasked with making recommendations to provide housing solutions and balance in Colorado. She is former Chair of the Colorado Housing Investment Fund Coalition, which works to create a dedicated and dependable source of funding for affordable housing investment. For her work in affordable housing, Britta was recognized as the 2008 Housing Star Volunteer of the Year by Enterprise Community Partners. Britta is also a member of the Urban Land Institute, Downtown Colorado Inc., and Economic Developers Council of Colorado.

Previously, Britta worked as the Statewide Advocacy Manager for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. She managed the Fair Housing Program, traveled the state speaking on homeless and housing issues, and encouraged advocacy through the Colorado Homeless Action Network. Her background in non-profit management also extends back to her experience as the first Executive Director for Housing Justice!, a faith-based housing advocacy organization. She holds a B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from Wartburg College in Waverly, IA. 
 
Born into a farming family in rural Minnesota, Britta was raised in a community where service and involvement were expected. Nurtured in this environment, she has always believed in the power of people coming together to create solutions. “I feel fortunate to work professionally in a field where I can make my community a better place to live and do business,” she said.

Britta and her husband, Ryan, make their home near Panorama Park in Wheat Ridge and enjoy the nearby mountains for snowboarding, hiking, and photography.

She has previously served as the Director of Community and Small Business Development and as Interim Executive Director. She has been employed by Wheat Ridge 2020 since August 2006.

Denise Balkas
Director of Real Estate Development

Denise has director level experience in local government planning, private consulting and public policy development here in Colorado and on the east coast.

Her east coast experience focused on planning, urban renewal and public/private partnerships to promote reinvestment in declining communities. Activities included downtown revitalization, hotel, retail, Mets AAA stadium, historic preservation, waterfront amenities and neighborhood residential and commercial development.   Here in Colorado she was a planning director for a Front Range community during a period of rapid population and development growth and major redevelopment projects.    She recently was the Executive Director of a non-profit (government/business community coalition) along a multi-jurisdictional highway corridor. The organization was involved in transportation planning to support economic development, advocacy for transportation improvements and alternate modes of travel.   Denise holds a Masters Degree in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University.
She is a 2005 graduate of Denver’s BigHorn Center for Public Policy- Fellowship on Sustainable Development and sits on the ULI Colorado Chapter’s Executive Committee. She is a certified city planner by the American Planning Association.

Kim Snetzinger
Office Manager

Kim Snetzinger joined Wheat Ridge 2020 on December 1, 2009 as the Office Coordinator and was promoted to Office Manager in September 2011.  Kim is experienced in housing revitalization, community outreach, economic development, and higher education.  As the Office Manager, Kim is a first level of contact for many residents, business owners, developers, and other interested parties when they contact the office.

Kim spent three years with Northglenn Neighborhood Development Corporation where she worked to increase home values and a sense of community in Northglenn. Previously, Kim worked as an economic development professional with a metro municipality where she focused on business outreach and support.  She is an active volunteer in her community and in the affordable housing industry. She is a member of the Northglenn City Council, a board member for the Northglenn Urban Renewal Authority, serves as a volunteer on several Housing Colorado committees, and serves as the Vice President for the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association of Northglenn (CPAAAN).

Kim has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Eastern New Mexico University and is gearing up to persue a Masters degree.  Over the years, Kim has taken several aviation business graduate level courses from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She plans on obtaining a Masters degree in business, non-profit management, or community development in the coming years.