Adams County Regional Graffiti Removal Program Earns Statewide Award for Innovation and Results

We all want to live in clean, safe, beautiful places. One program at Adams County just received an award for their efforts to make that a reality—one power-wash or coat of paint at a time.  

The Adams County Regional Graffiti Removal Program, part of the Community Safety & Well-Being (CSWB) Department, recently received the Program Excellence Award from the Colorado City & County Management Association (CCCMA). CCCMA is the state-level branch of the International City/County Managers’ Association, a leading organization for local government professionals.  

This award highlights innovative, impactful work being done at the local level, and the Adams County program stood out for its willingness to color outside the lines of municipal boundaries. Instead of each city or the county managing graffiti removal on its own, the Graffiti Removal team led the charge to build a proactive, regional approach that would better meet residents’ needs and reduce costs. And the results? The writing’s on the wall.

Since expanding services beyond unincorporated Adams County in 2021, graffiti removals have increased by 750%, from 2,037 in 2021 to 4,032 in 2024. At the same time, the cost per removal dropped from nearly $69 in 2017 to just $11.53 in 2024.  

“Our team has built something really special, and this recognition is extremely well-deserved,” said Lynn Baca, Chair of the Board of County Commissioners. “Our county’s residents take pride in where they live, work, and play, and they deserve to see that pride reflected by those who serve them, no matter where they live. That’s how we build a stronger, more connected community—and that’s exactly what this program does.”

The Graffiti Removal Program now serves unincorporated Adams County, Union Pacific properties in unincorporated Adams County, Brighton, Federal Heights, Northglenn, and Westminster. All graffiti removals are tracked on an interactive dashboard, which allows partners and residents to see where graffiti is being removed and to track potential hotspots and trends.

“This program is not just about results—though it’s delivering plenty of those, too. It’s about relationships, trust, and building something that truly serves the community,” said Matt Rivera, Director of CSWB. “I’m incredibly proud of our team, grateful their work is being recognized with this award, and excited to see what they accomplish next.”

Another key part of the Graffiti Removal Program is intentionally hiring people who have overcome challenges, such as homelessness or justice system involvement. Program leaders have found that these employees bring valuable insight and resilience, and they overall make graffiti removal more effective by fostering deeper community connections.

Residents and businesses can report graffiti by using the SeeClickFix App, calling us at 720.523.6565, or sending an email. If graffiti is reported outside of the areas we serve, our team will do our best to help connect you to your municipality or other resources to help. To learn more about the Adams County Regional Graffiti Removal Program, please visit our website, check the interactive map, or watch a video.