Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

Author : Lakewood News from Karen

Corrections on Contributions

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in ElectionsTagged , , , , ,

Thanks to a reader we have more information on campaign contributions. The previous statement that Jacob LaBure and David Rein were self-funded was incorrect. Their campaigns were “terminated” and no longer linked from the city site. 

Donations to their committees show that they were largely funded by Lakewood residents, putting them in the same category as Glenda Sinks and Paula Nystrom.

Another reader pointed out Wendi Strom also received a large donation from the National Association of REALTORS Fund. Double checking revealed that had been missed in the compilation. That $15,000 special interest contribution pushes Strom over the edge into mostly outside and special interest donations.

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Two More Referendums

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in DevelopmentTagged , , , , ,

Two more referendums were approved to repeal zoning ordinances O-2025-28 and O-2025-29.

Similar to the first referendum, supporters ask for signatures to repeal the ordinance as it was passed. If enough signatures are gathered, the issue will be referred to a ballot vote.

Signatures must be gathered by November 3, 2025 and November 10, respectively.

Opportunities to sign all referendums will be available at the City Council meeting, Monday, October 13, and at the Green Mountain Water and Sanitation District special meeting. Other opportunities are being posted ad hoc on nextdoor.

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Council Beholden to Housing Special Interests

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in Elections, TransparencyTagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

Lakewood City Council may be beholden to housing special interests for their place on council. Overall campaign contributions to sitting Lakewood City Council are about 38% from local residents, and 62% from non-resident or special interest donations. This raises the question of whether these special interest obligations are influencing local Lakewood zoning decisions. The National Association of Realtors is the biggest named contributor with the Metro Housing Coalition being the second largest.

Note these numbers do not reflect current campaigns.

Councilors Sophia Mayott-Guerrero and Jeslin Shahrezaei did not receive any local resident donations.

ZERO

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Gas Express in Lakewood Voted CO’s top independent gas station

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in CommunityTagged , , ,

From American River Wellness

Poll of 3,016 drivers.
Gas Cafe One Stop, Crested Butte emerged 2nd favorite + Coal Mine Gas Express, Littleton came in 3rd.
Infographic showing the top locally-owned gas stations across the country.

For drivers, not all gas stations are created equal. Sure, the big chains are reliable – but it’s the independent stops that often leave the biggest impression. These are the places with personality. A hand-painted sign. A grill out back. A cashier who knows your name or recommends the best local shortcut. Maybe the pumps are a little old-school, but the coffee’s strong, the snacks are weirdly perfect, and there’s a cat sleeping under the lottery tickets.

In an era of polished convenience stores and corporate uniformity, these roadside gems are becoming rare – and more beloved than ever.

Three locally-owned Colorado gas stations were named among the best in the country:

#35. Gas Express, Lakewood
Gas Express is a well-regarded neighborhood fuel stop offering a full range of fuel options, including regular, mid-grade, premium, and diesel, alongside a variety of snacks and drinks, with quick, easy access that makes it a practical everyday choice for both locals and commuters. Customers frequently praise its friendly, accommodating staff, clean restrooms, and handy setup.

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Your Homework: Zoning Text

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in DevelopmentTagged , , , , , , , ,

Questions abound about what exactly changed in the zoning. Although we have written several articles, typically about negative side effects, there is so much more in the newly passed zoning code.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON YOU TO DO YOUR OWN HOMEWORK!

If you are interested in signing the referendum to repeal zoning, you will be asked if you have read the full code before you sign. After you sign, your name will be checked, and city officials, including City Councilors, will know you signed and may try to get you to recant your signature.

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Referendum Petition to Repeal Zoning Approved

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in DevelopmentTagged , , , , ,

Lakewood residents have a city-approved petition for a referendum to repeal the first zoning code change. This news offers hope to the increasing number of residents who have raised their voices against the zoning changes the city has made.

Lakewood residents have officially taken the first step toward repealing recent city-approved zoning code changes. A petition for referendum has cleared the city’s approval process, giving residents the right to gather signatures. People signing the petition agree that they want to repeal the zoning changes, as if they were never approved.

To succeed, petitioners must collect at least 3,517 valid signatures by October 30, 2025. Organizers say they are aiming for 5,000 to 6,000 signatures, knowing that the city frequently rejects a portion of those submitted. If successful, Council can either repeal the zoning themselves or refer the measure to a ballot vote.

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Dismantling the NEW Zoning FAQ Lies

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in Development, Transparency, Word GamesTagged , , , , , , ,

Repost from Regina Hopkins

Lakewood’s leaders keep telling us everything is fine: “No elimination of single-family zones.” “Protecting neighborhoods while planning responsibly for the future.” “No threat to infrastructure.” Sounds nice, right? Too bad it’s all a scrambled spin of words, designed to trick you into thinking there’s no problem while they hand the city to developers. Here’s the truth:

 The Single-Family Lie. Yes, you can still build a single-family house. But the exclusive protection for single-family neighborhoods is gone. No other Front Range city has done this — not even Denver. Developers now have free rein to drop duplexes, triplexes, apartments, warehouses, and more right next door. For all intents and purposes, this is the elimination of single-family zoning as we’ve known it. Don’t let their dressed-up words fool you.

 The McMansion Distraction. The City waves around “new limits on McMansions” like it’s a gift to residents. It’s a classic bait-and-switch: distract you with something that sounds good while quietly removing the rules that keep neighborhood character and open space intact. Meanwhile, developers are encouraged to pack density into every block.

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Spavia Day Spa Opens in Belmar on Oct. 10

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in CommunityTagged , , , , ,

New Day Spa Opens October 10 Offering Resort-Inspired Amenities and Lifetime Savings with Spavia’s Best Membership Offer Ever

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – Spavia Day Spa, the premier health and wellness spa, will open on Friday, October 10, at 7273 W Alaska Dr, Lakewood, CO 80226, inside Lakewood’s Belmar Shopping District, a prominent destination for shopping, dining, entertainment, and residences in Downtown Lakewood.

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Jeffco Not Disclosing Emory Details

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in Jeffco, Transparency, UncategorizedTagged , , , , ,

Jeffco Schools is not disclosing how much the district will lose on the Emory Elementary deal. And curiously, no one knows when the Board met or voted on selling the closed school.

Lakewood Informer reached out to school officials and could find NOTHING. How is Lakewood selling the property when the purchase has not been completed through Jeffco? Has it been completed and everyone missed it?

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Sengenberger: Lakewood’s shady school deal gets even shadier

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in Jeffco, TransparencyTagged , , , ,

An article by Jimmy Sengenberger on Lakewood’s deal for Emory Elementary gets reinforced by residents on nextdoor.com

From Jimmy Sengengberger at the Denver Gazette:

“In Jefferson County, local democracy dies in darkness.

“That’s the inescapable conclusion from the shady business between Jefferson County Schools, Lakewood and a homeless-services nonprofit.

“This April, Lakewood authorized City Manager Kathy Hodgson to negotiate a $4 million below-market purchase of the shuttered 17-acre Emory Elementary. The plan? Flip 10 acres to the Jeffco Action Center for just $1 million — a sweetheart deal costing taxpayers $3 million.

“Here’s the scheme: In January 2024, Jeffco Schools quietly gave municipalities first dibs on closed schools through a new “Municipal Interest” process, dodging competitive bidding. A consultant told the board they could skip community feedback using this path.

“The Action Center can’t open this municipal backdoor itself, so Lakewood did it for them

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