A bright MorningStar light

MorningStar Wheat Ridge opened its doors to the community on March 10 with a VIP celebration.

Located in the Kipling Ridge development, 10100 W. 38th Ave., the 64-suite assisted living and memory care facility cost about $ 16 million. As of its opening, MorningStar was 74 percent leased.

In attendance were local business and community leaders and elected officials Sen. Cheri Jahn (D-Lakewood), Congressman Ed Perlmutter (D-7th District), county commissioner Don Rosier and Edgewater mayor Kristian Teegardin.

“May this be a place where friendships are found,” said Reverend Aaron Gray, of Wheat Ridge United Methodist Church, in his invocation. “May MorningStar be a light for this time and contributor for a greater cause to come.”

1: Cheryle Wise, MorningStar of Wheat Ridge executive director: “This is a very special day for us, and we’re very proud to be part of Kipling Ridge. We can’t say enough about the City of Wheat Ridge’s assistance throughout.”

2: Joyce Jay, Wheat Ridge mayor: “Is this place gorgeous or what? I want to thank MorningStar for bringing this to our city. We have so many seniors in Wheat Ridge and the county, and facilities like this are going to be more in demand.”

3: Ken Jaeger, MorningStar CEO/founder: “This is the finest senior facility in the Wheat Ridge area.”

–; Clarke Reader