Densification Advocacy Groups
Many groups advocated for densification in 2026 at both local and state level. This list below can be used to identify key players in future campaigns.
Special Use Hearing on June 3 For Navigation Center
The Lakewood Planning Commission is anticipated to approve a Special Use Permit for the Navigation Center on June 3, 2026. Lakewood staff have already made a presentation in favor of the permit. There are no neutral reports or equal opportunities for opposing viewpoints. While public comment is allowed, the way Lakewood interprets the Planning Commission rules means evidence needs to be presented AT THIS HEARING.
Every public comment that was made in previous City Council meetings is meaningless unless repeated at the hearing. Testimony at the hearing that presents problems with the special use could result in the permit being denied.
City Staff Pull Wildfire Code Recommendation Following Resident Feedback
Lakewood proposed, then later retracted, the adoption of a new wildfire resiliency code. Lakewood said the new code was needed to satisfy Colorado Senate Bill 23-166 but the staff memo suggested adopting much more extreme measures than required. The broad impact and high cost led to opposition from the community, which is detailed below. City staff are now developing a new recommendation that will be brought forward when ready, to replace the proposal that was pulled.
Lakewood Made 30-Year Commitment on Navigation Center
Lakewood purchased 8000 W Colfax Avenue to use as an emergency shelter and Navigation Center using a grant from the state to fund the property purchase and renovation. As a condition to getting the grant, Lakewood committed the property to shelter use for 30 years. No public discussion about this condition occurred when City Council authorized the purchase. At an annual operating cost of $3,000,000, that’s a $90,000,000 commitment that was not disclosed to the public. That makes the Center severely underfunded, with declining neighborhood support, and may be one reason for the proposed city sales tax hike.
Lakewood Council Enables Personal Advocacy For Themselves
Lakewood City Council Members gave themselves the right to use the city resources as a personal platform, while at the same time further limiting the voice of the residents. New City Council Policies and Procedures were adopted April 24, 2026.
Observations from the Navigation Center Neighborhood Meeting
By Lenore Herskovitz
On April 28, 2026 a neighborhood meeting was held at the Navigation Center at 8000 W. Colfax to explain and discuss the Special Use Permit required for the facility to operate as an overnight shelter. Presently the Navigation Center is performing this service for individuals under a Temporary Permit. The meeting was well-attended by a diverse group. Some had been notified because of their proximity to the facility, others through social media or word of mouth. Young and old residents were present to ask questions and voice their concerns to the City’s representatives Chris Conner, Manager of Lakewood’s Housing and Thriving Communities Division and Paul Rice, the Director of the Planning Department. Chris had been more directly involved with the project so he led the presentation and discussion. There were handouts that provided information about the Navigation Center and the Special Use Process.
Initially many of the comments came from angry residents who felt they should have been notified much sooner. The Navigation Center was already opened and had people living there before there was community outreach. Prior to that, engagement regarding who would operate the shelter consisted of City Staff, representatives from the West Colfax Community Association, non-competing area nonprofits, Jefferson County and command-level staff from Lakewood Police. So basically by the time this neighborhood meeting was being held the Navigation Center was operational.
High Turnout But Otherwise Normal Election
The high turnout April 7, 2026 was a surprise for a special election, especially since the election was about a normally boring topic like zoning. In most ways, the special election turnout and demographics mirrored the last two city elections, which is only surprising because so many people thought there would be something “special” about the vote.
Key takeaways include:
Lakewood is not as progressive as its Council
People vote more when they think it matters
Unopposed Council Members are vulnerable
Voter turnout was higher than expected
Generation voting rates followed historic patterns
Election Thoughts
City leaders are expressing surprise over the zoning election results and showing how completely out of touch they are with their constituents. Instead of acknowledging this fact, or even stepping down in favor of someone who is more grounded, leaders renewed their commitment to zoning changes.
Meanwhile, several trends are emerging as residents acknowledge they will have to find better leaders:
Eye of Sauron now turns to Economic Development
by Somebody Should Do Something
Having lost the special election on the 7th of April, by an almost 2 to 1 margin (despite having enormous financial backing from the real estate interests – more on that elsewhere), Lakewood’s Eye of Sauron now turns to economic development. Not that Lakewood has been doing anything of the sort.
In case you missed the memo, “In Colorado, an annual salary for a single adult needs to be at least $105,955, using the 50/30/20 budgeting rule. For a family of four, $273,728 is needed annually to live comfortably in Colorado.” Of course, if you look at the economic statistics for Lakewood – not even close an average resident is.
Our Tax Dollars at Work
By Bob Adams. The Lakewood special election is now over with an overwhelming mandate to reject the new zoning and return to the previous ordinance. This warning is that all the politicians, activists and money defending the new zoning, are still in place. Are they just going to give up? In their own words, No. One way or another, they’ll keep trying to push higher density through…. Whether Lakewood likes it or not! The battle has just begun.