Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado
Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado
“Many hands make light work” is true for holding government accountability. And it’s easier to get involved than you might think – there are a lot of new people getting involved in Lakewood politics now. In 2026, don’t pound your fists in frustration; do one little thing to contribute to the solution.
Make a friend – you would be surprised at how fast you can be plugged into a whole new community and will have friends to talk to about issues that matter
Guest post from Joan Poston
Hello Neighbors, on January 26 there will be a meeting of the city council of Lakewood. They are having a vote about the referendum petitions that were successfully presented to the city. Now the city is faced with a choice. They can repeal all of the ordinances about zoning that they passed this past August and September. Or they can hold a special election. I have been hearing rumors that they want the special election and I have been contemplating why? Why would you choose the more expensive route using taxpayer money when you can remedy the situation for free? This seems to be a kitchen table issue. Money is tight right now for both taxpayers and city government. Why would you want a special Election costing at least $300,000? I have a couple of theories. Maybe some of the city council will use this election to raise war chest money. It is always easier to raise money when you show that you’re fighting for an issue. The real question is who are they fighting for? I believe that some members of City Council are fighting for the developers. And developers have deep pockets.
Even though Lakewood City Council hasn’t made any official decisions, it appears Council has unofficially decided they will send the zoning referendum to the ballot. Issue committees have been made and official campaigns started. Former City Councilor Sophia Mayott-Guerrero is leading the campaign against the citizens’ referendum and is already collecting donations. That committee has announced the referendum is on the ballot. A special election would be scheduled for March.
Lakewood passed another “emergency” ordinance, December 8, 2025, once again showing an inability – or purposeful unwillingness – to properly plan for the Navigation Center. The latest “emergency” was a lease that was months in the making. Lakewood used “emergency” and non-profit non-city meetings to skirt public input. The new lease and the property sale both rely on new zoning to keep the public in the dark and do spot zoning for favored projects. No one has addressed how the Center will be affected by the potential repeal of the new zoning nor has the declining neighborhood been addressed. During the January 8 meeting, a resident publicly complained about how the Navigation Center was negatively impacting his business.
LLakewood has ruled AGAINST PROTESTS challenging zoning referendum petitions – meaning Lakewood ruled IN FAVOR OF THE REFERENDUM. The protesters said they represented the “rule of law” and stood for democracy. Then they argued against the democratic right to referendum. Lakewood and the petitioners cited Colorado Supreme Court case law to uphold the Constitutional right to referendum. Lakewood’s decision means the petitions are sufficient, and City Council must now respond. The first reading of a repeal ordinance is scheduled for 12 January, 2026 Council meeting.
From Somebody Should Do Something
JeffCo’s Common Clay of the New West prides themselves on yapping about “equity, diversity and affordable housing.’’ Seeing how they are so well versed in the cultures of the world, they should be able to translate the Russian saying of “Когда жареный петух клюнет” – for the rest of us, mere mortals, it says, “When a fried rooster pecks you” or, for those in JeffCo, “once your house (almost, maybe) burns down, then you’ll care.”
In early September of 2025, yet another community in JeffCo got to experience an evacuation notice, in part, due to the development they live in being placed in an area with known fire risk. To add some spice to the situation, in a manner too common to most of Colorado, the roads in and out of the neighborhood are not sufficient to provide viable evacuation routes.
Jeffco and Colorado are now net emigration but Lakewood is still concerned about growth.
By Aldo Svaldi, asvaldi@denverpost.com
Colorado’s economy will continue to crawl along next year, with GDP growth strengthening but job gains remaining sluggish as some of the state’s highest-paying sectors shed jobs, according to the 2026 Colorado Business Economic Outlook from the University of Colorado.
Defending the referendum requires legal counsel. Regular residents cannot navigate full legal proceedings alone. Although there can be no issue committee at this time, and therefore no campaign donations, an attorney is stepping forward to assist.
If you wish to support the effort, donations can be sent directly to:
From Ramey Johnson’s newsletter
When I served on the Lakewood City Council (2010–2020, Ward 1), we voted on changes to the zoning ordinance in 2012. That process required months of resident input and several citizen committee meetings before it ever reached the council for a final vote. It ultimately passed 8–3. I voted no.
Under normal procedure, city staff—typically the Director of Planning or Public Works—presents updated versions of ordinances to the council for consideration.
However, council is not made aware when new language is inserted into ordinance drafts that shifts additional authority to the Director of Planning (currently Travis Parker).
Former Lakewood resident Kip Kolkmeier has filed complaints about the referendum signatures on behalf of Joshua Comden and Reverend Ben Hensley. The complaint alleges very technical violations about the referendum petitions while also complaining about the hearing itself. Without documented procedures, the hearing officer is free to use their experience to guide a successful, neutral process. Kolkmeier disagrees and dictated how the complaint process should be handled, including the hearing and even who is allowed to talk to the City Clerk.
The eight bullet points listed in Kolkmeier’s hearing complaint are not suggestions for future hearings. They are demands to be implemented immediately. He uses words such as “shall”, “is” and “must.” This is a complete departure from suggested advice and does not acknowledge various alternatives of holding public hearings.
