Joyce Thomas

Joyce Thomas (Term of Office 2007 - 2015)

Joyce Thomas, the 16th mayor of Federal Heights and first (and only to date) female Mayor of the City, was elected in 2007 and again in 2011, serving a total of eight years. Her election as Mayor came after many years of public service on the City’s Planning and Zoning Commission, Charter Commission, Redevelopment Authority, Liquor Board and six years on City Council. During her tenure, she served on Denver Regional Council of Governments, Metro Mayors’ Caucus, Adams County Council of Governments, Regional Air Quality Council (appointed by Governor Hickenlooper), Colorado Communications and Utility Alliance, and was elected president of Colorado Women in Government.

Joyce (Goens) Thomas was born in Urbana, Illinois, moving to Colorado with her family in 1963. She attended Metro State University, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. After living in Boulder, Denver, Tucson, AZ, and Westlake, OH, Joyce and her husband, Harold, settled in Old Town Federal Heights in 1992.

“I have been associated with the City of Federal Heights for 19 years,” Thomas said. “I have seen progress as well as struggles, but overall have seen improvements to this city because of the caring of many staff members, City Managers and City Council members. It took all of us to do what the City has done in this time.”

Mayor Thomas listed the good things and accomplishments that happened in Federal Heights during her years in City Government:

General clean-up of the City;
Yard of the Month started (thanks to Council Member Scott Rinkenberger);
Full redevelopment of the former King Sooper’s center at 104th and Federal;
Saturn dealership at 104th rebuilt (now Carmax);
Nissan dealership expansion on 104th Avenue;
Larry Miller dealerships expansion on 104th;
Redevelopment with Ace Hardware, Smashburger, Panda Express;
Closing of the NAPA store and the Flight Deck. (Hopefully great things will come to this property in the near future.);
The former Mitchell’s Garden Center (started in 1993) changed owners and became Hilltop Garden Center;
Annual tree giveaway restarted and scheduled each year in association with Hilltop Garden Center. (Many trees and shrubs throughout the city are the result of years of tree giveaways.);
Oceans Express Car Wash opened in spring of 2012;
Redevelopment from 92nd Avenue to 97th Avenue - Shell station changing to a 7-Eleven, Auto Zone parts store, Sonic drive in, Family Dollar, Checker’s Auto Parts store moving across the parking lot (now called O’Reilly’s), Trunited Fulfillment Center (formerly Catholic Charities building and Net Direct Sales), and the Phillip 66 is now Exxon;
Thrive Church built on vacant land at 92nd and Camenisch Way (originally New Life Worship Center), with plans to build a community center to the west of the church;
92nd Avenue and Bryant - Advance Auto, Finish Line, Sharpy’s, and Robin’s Automotive & Towing filled in vacant land along 92nd Avenue;
A second Family Dollar Store was opened on Tejon Street;
Development at Pecos and 85th has included the building of the Northmoor Subdivision with 117 single-family homes, Roth Park Condos, EZ Pawn, another Family Dollar (which was built in conjunction with the one on 92nd Ave), Walgreens at 84th and Pecos as well as the Blockbuster, which has since closed and is now the Absolute Liquor Mart, the King Soopers Center at 84th and Pecos was remodeled with an agreement with the city to do the surrounding landscape improvements in the spring of 2004, and townhomes at Aspen Meadows;
Legacy Heights apartment complex in Federal Heights, (2700 W. 103rd) built in 1998, has 1 bedroom/1 bath up to 3 bedroom/2 bath apartments;
Residential development with Northmoor subdivision, Roth Park Condos, Aspen Meadows Townhomes and remodeling of Tuscan Heights and The Lodge (previously The Maples);
Pinnacle Charter School replaced the old K-Mart at 84th and Pecos Street, and added an entertainment facility for ballets, concerts and student events;
Major improvements and expansion to Allbrick Kennel’s and Veterinary, including Doggy Day Care and training services; and
Approval of an “Admissions Tax” that provides dollars to support Federal Heights services.

Mayor Thomas served on the Airport Coordinating Committee (ACC). She and representatives from other Adams County cities along with Adams County negotiated with Denver to get an agreement, and vote of the public, in favor of sharing development revenues on the DIA grounds. This agreement has the potential to provide funding for the cities of Adams County in perpetuity. As a member of DRCOG, Mayor Thomas received the support of other members to be awarded a grant of more than $4,020,000 for the revamping of the intersection at Federal Blvd. and 92nd Ave. The work will add double turn lanes in all directions.

Besides service for the City, Joyce volunteers for a food bank/soup kitchen, serves as a board member for Pinnacle Charter School, belongs to the Adams County Former Mayors’ Group, presents pocket constitutions to school children, and bakes and knits for various fundraisers. She belongs to the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, and in her youth, was a member of Job’s Daughters, and Future Secretaries of America. Joyce is a Certified Public Accountant and co-owner of A-OK Motors with her husband, Harold.

Contributed by Joyce Thomas