Lakewood Informer

Lakewood requires such high sustainability standards that they are almost impossible for large developments to meet. The standards are meant to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions.  For those developments, Lakewood accepts a fee in lieu of sustainability amenities. Lakewood is currently arguing that parkland dedication is illegal or amoral because it asks too much from developers....

City Council Members Jacob Labure and Paula Nystrom asked for equal representation on the Budget and Audit Board, January 27, 2025. They were denied. Only three wards will be represented on the Board. The Budget and Audit Board is vitally important for accountability. Many policies and programs that staff originate are never disclosed to the...

As reported by CBS News, a fire in an abandoned gas station on February 3 endangered 20-30 homeless people who were using the building as a shelter. The situation underscores the need to re-examine several ongoing strategies, such as: West Metro Fire unofficial policy of not enforcing fire safety standards in homeless encampments. West Metro...

A special election to fill vacancies left by Rebekah Stewart (Ward 3) and Rich Olver (Ward 4) will be held March 25. This election has generated more candidates than recent elections, giving residents the benefit of choice. Below is the list of candidates and their respective websites. It will be updated as new information becomes...

From the Jeffco Transcript, by Suzie Glassman, February 5, 2025 The fight over a controversial proposed apartment complex near Belmar Park is escalating as frustrated residents have reached out to the city council, and parkland advocate Cathy Kentner has moved to formally intervene in a lawsuit filed by developers against the city last December.  Members of...

Lakewood is using every tool at its disposal, and then some, to aid development at 4th and Union, known as The Bend. The latest proposal is to blight the property in order to include it in an Urban Renewal Project so that the Lakewood Reinvestment Authority can fund the development. The Lakewood Planning Commission voted...

Arvada is selling the building they purchased to run a homeless shelter and navigation center. Just like what happened in Lakewood, these centers were sprung on residents with little notice about actual details.  People who may support the unhoused as a general conception may not support millions of dollars in spending in a previously undisclosed...

One little formatting problem on our website was the tip of the iceberg. I've been putting off some backend changes on the website and while trying to fix one problem, I ended up trying for too much. So Lakewood Informer is live again and we'll continue to work out the kinks. Please remember that all...

Lakewood has a sustainability agenda to push electrification in order to decrease fossil fuel emissions. Electrification means changing your gas appliance to an electric one. Xcel is asking for an extra $5 billion to upgrade infrastructure that is needed for this change. Xcel will fund this by charging all customers more on top of an...

Over the last month, Lakewood has been sued over the new park land dedication ordinance, has hired outside counsel and is now trying to quickly amend or repeal the ordinance. Lakewood staff and City Council say they are trying to make the ordinance legal. Others say Lakewood has an obligation to fight for the citizen-led...