Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

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Emory Not Purchased Yet but is Already Scheduled to Sell

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

Emory Not Purchased Yet but is Already Scheduled to Sell The sale of Emory has already been scheduled for October 27, the same day Lakewood will authorize buying the current Action Center for more homeless services. There is no mention of when Lakewood will complete the purchase of Emory, but Lakewood must be confident since it is already scheduled for sale. There is no update on the Jeffco website and calls for comment have not been returned. No evidence of a public meeting with Jeffco schools can be found. Lakewood has consistently told residents that the purchase and sale of Emory Elementary was not a “done deal” and that the community would have plenty of opportunity to weigh in. But so far, that hasn’t been the case. While there have been many meetings where the Action Center has explained their plans, there has been no opposing views presented. Resident concerns have been brushed aside. The only real discussion about Lakewood’s homeless policy was during a Council workshop at which no votes were taken and public comment allowed. The sale date of October 27th is the day before the District Court trial involving Lakewood’s alleged violations of the Open Meetings Law. Former Lakewood Councilor and attorney Anita Springsteen filed three lawsuits against improper notice of executive sessions for Emory purchase discussions. Losing Money Jeffco will not disclose the market valuation of Emory, claiming negotiation privilege. However, the discussion from the Action Center presentations suggests: the property is worth around $10 million Lakewood will purchase the building for $4 million. Lakewood will then sell the building to the Action Center for $1 million. If true, that’s a $9 million loss to the taxpayers. Add in the cost for Lakewood to buy the current Action Center property and the cost goes up. Meanwhile, Jeffco has been cutting costs elsewhere — including reducing school resource officer coverage. Residents can’t help but connect these decisions to recent tragedies like the Evergreen school shooting, which happened when the SRO was off duty and a replacement had been “deprioritized”. Biased Presentations The Action Center has sponsored a couple of one-sided presentation meetings. Ward 2 residents expecting a zoning discussion on September 13 were instead met with a surprise Action Center presentation. The Action Center meeting scheduled for September 17 has turned into a Ward 3 meeting. It is scheduled for 5:30 at Emory Elementary. What’s missing is any balanced discussion of: The real taxpayer costs The impact on nearby neighborhoods Program effectiveness Whether these programs can stand financially without ongoing government support Expanding Homeless Services City Manager Kathy Hodgson previewed this direction back in December 2023, saying “… we are talking about a partnership with the Action Center to move them to one of the schools that’s been closed…. then Lakewood would have a presence in the existing two buildings of the Action Center to complete the navigation concept and allow for more housing for our homeless population….“ Since the City Manager made that comment, the Navigation Center has proven to be more expensive than anticipated and has drawn criticism as a magnet for the homeless. Even Governor Jared Polis recently questioned “Housing First” strategies like Lakewood’s. In a September 12 interview with CPR, Polis said Denver’s model hasn’t worked and shouldn’t be emulated. Instead, he pointed to Colorado Springs and Aurora, which emphasize mental health and individualized approaches over housing alone. (See Lakewood Informer news article for a comparison) From CPR interview with Governor Polis, 12 September 2025 Zoning Changes on a Fast Track Lakewood’s City Council is expected to vote on the final zoning changes, including the Emory site, on October 13. The move would “spot change” Emory’s zoning without the typical public hearing process. All of this is scheduled to be finalized before the next election, effectively locking in the decision before residents can have their say at the ballot box. The Bigger Picture Lakewood’s leadership continues to move forward without presenting residents with a full picture of costs, tradeoffs, or alternative models. Governor Polis himself has warned against relying on “Housing First” — yet Lakewood is doubling down on that very approach. The new zoning enables this approach while bypassing normal public hearings on controversial site changes.

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Councilor Admits Zoning is a Developer Handout

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

Councilor Admits Zoning is a Developer Handout Councilor Sophia Mayott-Guerrero said the new zoning code would be a developer handout as a standalone measure. She said the zoning is needed to get state subsidies for affordable units. The subsidies are what makes housing affordable, not the zoning, as learned in other cities with failed zoning changes. This is exactly what zoning detractors have been saying for months, only to be denied or distracted. Zoning doesn’t provide affordable housing and Lakewood has not brought forward any details for subsidized government housing. Did residents ever agree to government subsidies like Denver? The comments below are from the Lakewood City Council meeting on September 8, 2025 Councilor Mayott-Guerrero, Sept 8, 2025 Mayott-Guerrero also talks about how zoning is an investment. An investment means money down. In this case, Lakewood can “invest” in zoning to get state funds for “affordable housing.” Affordable housing is legally defined and does not include “the missing middle.” Affordable housing means government subsidies. Lakewood has not yet brought forward any city-sponsored affordable housing projects. Mayott-Guerrero suggests that projects will come after she is gone. What does she know that residents do not? When will residents be told what Lakewood is apparently already planning? Rumors that Lakewood is seeking to purchase property on Colfax have been confirmed with City Councilors. However, since negotiations are ongoing, no specific property is mentioned. Lakewood previously discussed sponsoring pallet homes on Colfax during the adoption of the new building code in 2024. Currently, the October 27th meeting is scheduled to discuss the purchase of the Action Center. In December 2023, the City Manager stated her intent to buy the Action Center to have another building for their solution to homelessness.

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Second Zoning Ordinance Passes in a Desperate Rush

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

Second Zoning Ordinance Passes in a Desperate Rush Lakewood City Council adopted zoning sections 1, 2, 4, and 5 in a desperate rush that lasted until 2:30 AM, brushing aside pleas to adjourn and take more time for review to reconvene at a reasonable hour. The final vote followed: About three hours of public comment About three hours of council debate 34 amendments discussed Several denials of substantive changes The zoning vote didn’t even begin until around 11 PM, which is the time council typically adjourns. From that moment on, amendments came in rapid succession, but when anything meaningful surfaced, someone, typically Councilors Low or Mayott-Guerrero, shut discussion down because it was not the time for substance. Although few to begin with, any amendment that could have had an impact was defeated. By the time the ordinance passed at 2:30 AM, bleary-eyed councilors had pushed through a highly anticipated but largely unchanged plan. This vote showed that even though there was rhetoric from some Councilors about taking time and listening to residents, approval was a done deal. A Night of Symbolism, Not Substance The first amendment set the tone for the night. Councilor Sinks proposed a feel-good goal about “working toward homeownership.” It wasn’t binding, just aspirational, and even that failed. Throughout the night, councilors debated minor wording changes while dodging big-picture issues. At one point, Councilor Mayott-Guerrero bluntly asked staff, “So does this do anything?” The answer: “No.” The takeaway: most amendments were political window dressing, not policy shifts. Passage Highlights Council’s Predetermined Path The sheer volume of amendments revealed just how unprepared the code may have been. Many changes corrected errors or reversed recent decisions—like minimum lot size and setback rules that had been approved just weeks earlier. The public was not able to review or comment on any of these amendments. Still, nothing altered the trajectory: higher density, fewer restrictions on development, and a zoning overhaul designed to move forward no matter the objections. Mayor Strom signaled the strategy in an interview, saying “big issues” would be postponed until later to ensure passage. Councilor Low reiterated this unofficial policy, saying that Council has been talking about zoning for months and there shouldn’t be complex amendments at this point. The strategy played out in real time, as council rejected or watered down anything remotely impactful. In other words, and as residents have complained, it’s a “done deal” by the time it gets to public vote. Residents’ Concerns Addressed in Name Only Amendments seemed more aimed at appearances than solutions. For example, several amendments were made to increase transparency. Written justification for discretionary decisions will now be posted online. But while transparency is good, DISCRETION was the issue, not transparency. Residents are concerned about the many areas where decisions are made by one unelected bureaucrat. That core issue remains unresolved. Transparency without accountability is meaningless. In fact, a motion by Councilor Paula Nystrom to grant Council the ability to review Major Site Plans died for lack of a second. No one else on Council took the opportunity to address the core issue of discretion by adding Council review and accountability, even if the concept needed additional discussion. Another example involves waiving city fee for housing projects, which is a sore point for some residents. Instead of rethinking the policy, the council opted to simply post a justification online. A brief victory for the public came when council initially voted to require a special-use permit for pickleball courts in residential areas, only to reverse the decision 10 minutes later. One last example: an amendment calling for a comprehensive report on the effectiveness of the new zoning code was made by Councilor Nystrom. Councilors Rein, Isabel Cruz and others watered it down until it was not comprehensive and could not suggest there was any reason for a report. The worry was that asking for a report implied there might be problems to report on. In other words, the present-day City Council protected itself from anyone finding any problems in the future. A Late-Night Sprint By the end, fatigue was palpable. Most of the public had left by the time Council started deliberating at 11 PM. Council had the option to table the motion at any point, which meant discussion would pick up where they left off, so no repeat would be necessary and there would be no time lost. Council procedures mandate that a decision to continue the meeting start at 11 PM in order to maintain reasonable hours. Despite this, Council started the discussion without a check-in and continued far past normal. Councilor Low used the late hour as a reason to skip deeper discussions. Staff were scrambling for reasonable suggestions when fatigue set in. Discussion was curtailed starting at 12:30 AM with multiple “call the question” votes. Councilor Sinks motioned to adjourn at 1:30 AM. That call was rejected. The majority pushed ahead, determined to pass the ordinance. Councilor Mayott-Guerrero argued that public supporters had been organized for this meeting and it would be “irresponsible” to stop. No one mentioned the grassroots residents who showed up without City Council organizers, who felt Council was irresponsible to continue the meeting so late on items the public couldn’t review. The majority who voted to push on were Strom, Rein, Mayott-Guerrero, Shahrezaei, I. Cruz, and Low in a 6-5 decision. Councilor Rein’s vote was key to moving this forward, even if eventually he voted down the measure when his vote was not critical. The Nature of the Changes Here’s what came out of three hours of amendments: 5 amendments on trees, solar panels, parks, and other sustainability-related items 4 amendments for transparency without accountability 4 amendments rephrasing items resulting in no change 3 amendments that were too substantial to consider 4 amendments that reversed prior decisions 4 times the question was called One of the biggest changes the public couldn’t preview may be the shift to make Lakewood multilingual, or at least bilingual, for physical mailings. This is a big policy

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Latest Amendments

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

Latest Amendments Below is a summary listing all the amendments discussed on September 8, 2025, to accompany the general meeting description. These are in addition to the amendments found on LakewoodSpeaks, which are also additions to the many changes that were made before. Amendments have been constant. Residents were unable to preview these. Councilor Sinks suggests adding a goal for home ownership. Failed on first try Councilor Ken Cruz made an amendment to protect the tree canopy and increase green resilience. Passed unanimously. Councilor Ken Cruz suggested another amendment to say that the zoning code is not retroactive. Passed unanimously. Councilor Roger Low restated the amendment from Sinks so that it passed unanimously. Councilor Nystrom suggested an amendment to mandate staff create a report detailing affordable housing generated from the zoning. Such “lookbacks” are common but don’t often generate results or change. Nevertheless, Councilor Mayott-Guerrero argued vehemently that staff don’t have time to do this level of review. Councilor Isabel Cruz said Nystrom’s amendment suggests there will be problems that need to be reviewed. Reasons to have a lookback needed to be taken out and reframed so that future Councilors remain neutral. Nystrom’s amendment took 3 votes to pass. Mayott-Guerrero argued that looking for a specific list of things of concern suggests there is something to be concerned about. All hints of concern needed to be deleted before finally passing the amendment to have another ineffective and neutral lookback pass unanimously at 11:25 pm. Councilor K. Cruz made an amendment to have written justification for any waivers granted by the Director. This motion was only for waivers, not for other matters that rely on Director’s discretion. Director Travis Parker says this is already standard practice. Passed unanimously at 11:30 PM. Councilor K. Cruz suggested an amendment to clarify the Director’s ability to grant waivers so that park property can be used for non-park purposes, like fencing. Mayott-Guerrero asked staff bluntly, “so does this do anything?” Answer, “no.” Passed 8-3 at 11:41 pm. Councilor Nystrom made a motion to delay the ability to cut down trees until the development is going to start. But as proposed, the language suggested that existing homeowners would need permits to cut down sick trees, which was a problem in previous versions. Motion fails with only Nystrom voting for it. On second try it passes with only Low against. Nystrom moves another amendment regarding the fact that Lakewood waives fees for certain projects in the name of the public good. Nystrom wants written justification for such decisions posted on the website.  Such justification is already made. Passed unanimously. Councilor K. Cruz moves that all public notices be posted on the website and that physically mailed notices be multilingual. Passed unanimously at midnight. Councilor Nystrom made an amendment to include public information on the preplanning application review that after completion. Again, not for any public action, just to make information public. Councilor Shahrezaei had researched this topic and said that similar proposals had been rejected several times before because of the amount of work for Council and staff on answering questions for projects that don’t get completed. Motion failed at 12:17 AM with all of Council voting against it except for Nystrom and K. Cruz. Councilor Nystrom motioned an amendment to grant Council the ability to consider any Major Site Plan within 17 days of the Directors decision for public hearing. This amendment is actionable by the public and Council, not just a transparency item, and it is in place in other cities. The motion failed for lack of a second. On a second try, the motion was seconded and discussed. Councilor Furman said he thinks this may allow Council to make arbitrary decisions. Low says this leads to weaponization of NIMBYism and would chill development. Shahrezaei called the question for the first time that night on this issue. Motion fails again at 12:30 AMwith nays being almost everyone – Strom, LaBure, Rein, K. Cruz, Mayott-Guerrero, Shahrezaei, Sinks, I. Cruz, Low and Furman. Nystrom suggested an amendment to have additional environmental assessments for development that impact parks. Mayott-Guerrero expressed concern for how much work this would be for staff. She says delays could affect government funding and that she is working for government funding. There was no dissenting discussion to show it’s not just a timing issue; this decision prioritized development over the environment. Once the site plan is approved, it is hard, if not impossible, to get a new plan based on environmental considerations. Director Parker says it may not be possible to meet Prop 123 deadlines when having an environmental review. Motion fails at 12:42 AM with only Furman and Nystrom in support. Councilor Sinks made a motion for pickleball courts require a special use permit in residential areas but allowed outright in commercial and light industrial areas. This amendment would keep pickle ball noise away from residential areas. Mayott-Guerrero says that’s not a good idea. Low and Rein needed more information. Motion fails the first time. With modifications to remove express allowances in commercial and light industrial areas, the motion passed 8-3 at 12:58 AM. Nays were LaBure, Mayott-Guerrero, and Low. Councilor Sinks made another motion pickleball and sport court use definition. Low says it is too late in the process and too late at night to consider this. A motion to call the question passes. Motion fails at 1:05 AM 5-6 vote. Amendment 20 negated the first pickleball motion so there was a motion to reconsider. The pickleball court amendment was then repealed at 1:10 AM in a 10-1 vote. Discussion sped up after this point. Councilor Isabel Cruz motioned for plant nurseries to be allowed in R-L-B and R-L-C zones as a special use. There was no discussion. Unanimous approval at 1:12 AM. Councilor K. Cruz made an amendment so that roadside stands can include produce from other properties. The original motion failed. The motion was reworded to have produce from the host property be labeled as such. This made produce

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Art+Ag: A Family-Friendly Celebration Where Art Meets Agriculture

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

Art+Ag: A Family-Friendly Celebration Where Art Meets Agriculture Fleischer Family Farm (2005 S. Zephyr Ct., Lakewood Co.)  in conjunction with the Tenet Podcast presents the 4th  annual  Art + Ag event on Saturday, September 20, 2025,  from 10 am -4 pm. This year showcases a tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month. Founded in 2022 by Todd Pierson, Wes Brown, Paul Fleischer, and Chelsie Fleischer, Art+Ag invites families and community members to experience the vibrant intersection of art and agriculture. This free, unique celebration offers guests the opportunity to explore the inner workings of an urban farm, discover innovative farming methods, learn about sustainable eating practices, and engage with the local food system—all while enjoying fresh, locally grown food and flowers from the farm. Visitors will also have the chance to connect with artists whose work is inspired by the intimate relationship between art and agriculture, creating a dynamic environment where creativity and sustainability meet. Art+Ag encourages hands-on learning, immersive experiences, and meaningful connections for guests of all ages. “Our goal with Art+Ag is to create a space where families and communities can come together to learn, appreciate, and celebrate the intersection of art and sustainable farming,” said Wes Brown,  co-founder of Art+Ag. “We believe that by connecting people to their food and the creative process, we can inspire a deeper understanding of how art and agriculture shape our lives.” Artists pay tribute to Hispanic Heritage Month Latinx artist Ken Trujillo—a commercial photographer, an artist, a father, and a Colorado native with roots deeply planted in the soil of the San Luis Valley, was very pragmatic about this year’s lineup of  Hispanic artist at the event. “ My family’s story winds through New Mexico and Colorado, beginning with some of the early Spanish settlers in Abiquiu, New Mexico, to my grandfather’s farms in Garcia, Wattenberg, and Henderson, Colorado. The land where my family tilled the earth and made their lives left imprints on my soul that is expressed in my art.” said Trujillo “My art was born from moments of transition: the loss of my father, the end of a 13-year job, and the quiet of an empty nest. These moments ignited the evolution of my fine art and abstract photography. A friend once told me, ‘There is a beautiful way to shoot even the ugliest of things’—words that inspired me to seek beauty in the world around us. I strive to find beauty in the ordinary aspects of life—the simple, the plain, and even the mundane and discarded. I capture fragments of daily life that often go unnoticed, revealing their intrinsic beauty. Standing with ART + AG, I am thrilled to be part of this upcoming event. Dolores Huerta once said, “Honor the hands that harvest your crops.” I want to honor those hands—my father’s hands, my ancestors’ hands. Farming runs in my blood and in my daughters’ blood on both sides. It truly is the backbone of Americana. Being able to celebrate that through my art, my lens, in this setting, is a heartfelt tribute to my family.” Added Trujillo This Year’s Art+Ag Market Latinx artist Ken Trujillo—a commercial photographer, an artist, a father, and a Colorado native with roots deeply planted in the soil of the San Luis Valley, was very pragmatic about this year’s lineup of  Hispanic artist at the event. “ My family’s story winds through New Mexico and Colorado, beginning with some of the early Spanish settlers in Abiquiu, New Mexico, to my grandfather’s farms in Garcia, Wattenberg, and Henderson, Colorado. The land where my family tilled the earth and made their lives left imprints on my soul that is expressed in my art.” said Trujillo “My art was born from moments of transition: the loss of my father, the end of a 13-year job, and the quiet of an empty nest. These moments ignited the evolution of my fine art and abstract photography. A friend once told me, ‘There is a beautiful way to shoot even the ugliest of things’—words that inspired me to seek beauty in the world around us. I strive to find beauty in the ordinary aspects of life—the simple, the plain, and even the mundane and discarded. I capture fragments of daily life that often go unnoticed, revealing their intrinsic beauty. Standing with ART + AG, I am thrilled to be part of this upcoming event. Dolores Huerta once said, “Honor the hands that harvest your crops.” I want to honor those hands—my father’s hands, my ancestors’ hands. Farming runs in my blood and in my daughters’ blood on both sides. It truly is the backbone of Americana. Being able to celebrate that through my art, my lens, in this setting, is a heartfelt tribute to my family.” Added Trujillo About The Fleischer Family Farm The Fleischer Family Farm, an urban farm in Lakewood, Colorado, is dedicated to building community through nutrient-rich produce, vibrant flowers, cage-free eggs, honey, and other artisanal foods—all cultivated without pesticides or synthetic chemicals. Through environmentally respectful practices, the Fleischer family strives to provide high-quality farm products while fostering meaningful connections between people and the land. In addition to supplying fresh, local foods, the farm offers year-round educational classes, community events, and a children’s summer camp, giving families hands-on opportunities to explore sustainable agriculture. For up-to-date information, be sure to follow Art+Ag & the Tenet Podcast on Instagram at @artandag303 and @tenetpodcast. Or  Contact:Todd Pierson    todd@toddpierson.com720-217-6296      www.tenetpodcast.com

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Colorado Christian University Ranks #10 for Faith Based Accelerated Nursing Program

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

Colorado Christian University Ranks #10 for Faith Based Accelerated Nursing Program From registerednursing.org Colorado Christian University’s Faith Based ABSN  program ranks #10 on RegisteredNursing.org’s annual list of the best in the United States for 2026. ABSN stands for Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. As described by the registerednursing.org website: “These spiritual programs integrate compassionate care principles with rigorous nursing curriculum, preparing students to serve communities with both professional excellence and deep personal commitment. Faith-based ABSN programs often emphasize ethical care, cultural sensitivity, and a whole-person approach to healthcare that goes beyond traditional medical training. By combining religious values with advanced nursing education, these programs produce graduates who are not just technically skilled, but also deeply empathetic healthcare professionals dedicated to serving others with genuine compassion. Learn more about our ranking methodology.” Visit the CCU website here Further information from registerednursing.org:

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Letter to the Editor: A Few Reasons Why I Don’t Spend Money in Lakewood

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

Letter to the Editor: A Few Reasons Why I Don’t Spend Money in Lakewood by Christina Suzanne One way we can support our communities is to shop at local businesses and hire local serviceproviders. But when a “business district” is chaotic, joyless, uninspiring, and dangerous,people may think twice about spending their disposable income there. Colfax: Here’s how I described Colfax to a friend in Los Angeles…”There are Porsche and Audidealerships but also a plasma center, several tattoo parlors and pawn shops…no ice creamparlors or bookstores. There are lots of motels that are halfway houses and you have to becareful when driving because people may randomly run into the street.” While the Natural Grocers is staffed by really nice people, I still approach it with caution afterwitnessing a person hide a rather large knife behind dry goods on one of the shelves. “He likesto do that every night,” an employee told me. Wadsworth: Driving South on Wadsworth a few weeks ago, to the right was a homeless campwith strung-out people milling about. To the left, an urgent care center with boarded upwindows. I then realized I could not continue the arduous journey to BelMar Whole Foods, sit inthe left-turn lane by Alameda, and pretend not to notice the beggars and windshield washers. For the record, I think it’s cruel and inhumane to support people living and using drugs inpublic spaces when they need medical attention and professional care. The only place anyoneshould see beggars is at a Renaissance Festival where it’s part of the “experience.”Lack of Services: I really tried to make appointments to see medical and dentalprofessionals. I even waited several months only to have appointments canceled at the lastminute (not fun after arranging time off from work). On the rare occasion I was finally able tosee a provider, the experience was terrifying and I had to call an attorney in Littleton. Limited Selection: While readily available and abundant in Lakewood, tattoos, drugs, alcohol,reptiles, guns, and plasma are not items I currently need, nor want for my household. Lakewood-Adjacent Doesn’t Count: I do shop at Cosmo’s for pet food but it’s actually inWheat Ridge. Sometimes I purchase things at Colorado Mills/Denver West but I have yet tomeet anyone who can confirm if that area is Lakewood or Golden  

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Colorado Supreme Court finds Lakewood unconstitutionally expanded phone provider tax

By Lakewood News from KarenPosted on Posted in UncategorizedTagged , ,

Colorado Supreme Court finds Lakewood unconstitutionally expanded phone provider tax Reposted from Michael Karlik, on ColoradoPolitics.com The Colorado Supreme Court ruled on Monday that Lakewood improperly expanded the scope of a 1969 tax ordinance twice to encompass cell phone providers without holding the popular vote the state constitution requires. A Jefferson County judge previously determined the city’s actions failed to comply with the 1992 Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, which generally requires voters to approve any new tax or tax rate increase. Lakewood appealed to the Supreme Court with a policy argument: Local governments need to be able to reinterpret their laws to encompass emerging and unforeseen variations on things that are already taxed. But the justices brushed aside that contention, noting the city’s modifications swept in new entities who would not otherwise be subject to the tax specifically intended to cover traditional telephone providers. “The Lakewood City Council could have drafted the 1969 Ordinance to enact a tax on the business and occupation of providing telecommunications services, but it did not do so,” wrote Justice Richard L. Gabriel in the Sept. 8 opinion. Read the full article…

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Recreation Centers Could Be Closed and Consolidated

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

Recreation Centers Could Be Closed and Consolidated Your neighborhood recreation center could be closed and consolidated to be replaced by a “destination”, “regional”, or “multi-use” center. Closures have already been identified. Combine this knowledge with proposed zoning changes that would allow warehouse-sized distribution centers in any area, or high-density housing anywhere, and it is hard not to speculate what will happen to current rec center properties. For example, why is Lakewood buying Emory on behalf of the Action Center when beloved, large lot, city property may be destined to face the same fate as closed schools? No definitive plans have been made public. The details below come from several sources, much like the initial details that emerged about Lakewood purchasing Emory Elementary. When asked about Emory, for months, Lakewood officials would answer that there were “no current plans” or that Lakewood “had no direct control” over school buildings. All the while, backroom discussions were taking place. Only time will tell when and what will happen to Lakewood recreation centers. Lakewood says a centralized center is years away. Historical Planning Timeline: In 2022, Lakewood began asking residents whether they were interested in a new recreation facility. Residents said yes, not knowing that meant giving up their current facilities. More people were interested in improving existing facilities than starting new ones. In May 2023, City Council approved the Imagine Tomorrow! Parks and Recreation Plan as presented by staff. The recommendation to close and consolidate was not presented or discussed. So, unless you read the entire document, a person would not know from public discussion that this was underway. THE PLAN DOCUMENTS INCLUDED THE RECOMMENDATION TO ELIMINATE AND CONSOLIDATE FACILITIES: Page 12 of Imagine Tomorrow! Parks plan Votes FOR Imagine Tomorrow Plan: Adam Paul, Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, Barb Franks, Wendi Strom, Mary Jannsen, Jeslin Shahrezaei, Sharon Vincent, Charlie Able. Votes AGAINST were Rich Olver and Anita Springsteen. As previously reported, the Parks department continued with this plan through the 2024 budget planning session: “IMPORTANT NOTICE: Without details, the Director gave notice that Parks will also start looking at condensing or efficiency operations that may include closing open space/parks/pools, public safety and recreation centers. (see September 18, 2023 meeting, 1hr 19 min). “ – From Lakewood Informer news on budget recap Shortly after that budget meeting, amidst a rising problem with the Belmar Park development, Parks Director Kit Newland resigned. The rec center consolidation has not been discussed during the staff turnover. Plans are still Active However, plans are still active. More recently, Lakewood snuck in a provision about recreation center centralization into the comprehensive plan. That plan was passed unanimously on July 28, 2025. From Lakewood’s comprehensive plan “Envision Lakewood 2040“ Using the strategies above, as approved twice by City Council, neighborhood recreation centers can be closed and consolidated. Facility Impact LAKEWOOD LINK RECREATION CENTER, GREEN MOUNTAIN RECREATION CENTER, AND CARMODY RECREATION CENTER were identified as needing costly improvements and, therefore, most likely to close. Carmody is currently undergoing extensive renovation so may no longer be a target for closure. The consolidation strategy remains active as of July 2025. The suggested place for a new “destination”, “multiuse,” “regional” recreation center is unoccupied parkland at Addenbrooke Park. “Addenbrooke Park, located at 600 S. Kipling Parkway, should be reviewed as a location for a new, regional recreation center.The Addenbrooke Park Master Plan from 1984 identified the northwest corner of the park as an ideallocation for a recreation center” — Page 12 of Imagine Tomorrow! Public Trust The potential consolidation of recreation centers that was not publicly discussed is an area that City Council and staff will say they HAVE TO continue work on because it got in the comprehensive plan. For other issues, like maintaining neighborhood character, Council and staff can, and already have, disregarded the comp plan and, in fact, made the plan non-binding. In other words, the comp plan will be binding ONLY when Lakewood chooses, even though the plan itself is required by the state to be a vetted and researched document. City of Lakewood responded to an inquiry to say that the new destination rec center may be a few years out. While technically true, that does not mean plans are not in place, as suggested by both the recently passed Parks and Comprehensive plans. Residents can look at the timeline for Emory Elementary for proof of how Lakewood operates. Plans were made behind closed doors months before the public was aware and the final plans took years to enact. “While the topic of a new destination recreation center has been discussed, there are not any current plans to pursue one in the next several years. We are currently focused on maintaining our existing recreation centers and making repairs and improvements where needed. If we do focus on building a new recreation center, there will be an extensive public engagement period to ensure the community has the chance to provide input throughout the process. Please feel free to reach out if you have additional questions.” – “Brent Berninger, Recreation and Golf Manager, City of Lakewood

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Safety Committee for Some

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

Safety Committee for Some Previously deprioritized investigations got a slap in the face after City Council made a new police oversight committee to serve only the LGBTQ+ community, rather than providing oversight for all residents. Instead of learning a lesson from a member of a vulnerable community, Lakewood is now marginalizing others. The new committee is “to ensure Lakewood police achieve the goal of serving LGBTQIA residents and other marginalized communities with integrity, intelligence, and initiative.”   City Councilors Shahrezaei and Isabel Cruz made the motion, which ultimately passed unanimously. However, creating a police oversight or public safety committee is a big step that has been declined several times before. The committee, as envisioned, would potentially involve granting subpoena powers. Giving political appointees special powers could lead to the political weaponization of the justice system. Download Repeated calls for police oversight have been made over the years. So why is this special committee needed now? Why is it serving only one sector of the population? Is City Council suggesting Lakewood Police do not serve ALL LAKEWOOD with integrity, intelligence, and initiative? Are they calling all Lakewood Police homophobic? Or are they suggesting that Lakewood Police are just incompetent to begin with? What is the exact problem? Shahrezaei said that action was necessary because for weeks there was “a packed house”. Public from all over the Front Range asked for oversight in the case of Jax Gratton, who was found dead of unknown causes. Jax’s death was a tragedy. Many people came to City Council to express feelings of loss and said how much they will miss Jax and her impact on the trans community. Asking for answers is a common reaction in such cases where loved ones want closure, and the trans community is especially vulnerable. However, this new committee is unlikely to help in Jax’s case because of slow-moving government processes. While this specific case deserves attention, so do many others. This isn’t a question of equity. City Council has been asked by other grieving family members for more oversight or increased attention to other cases involving death from unknown causes and they didn’t act. For perspective, there were 18 new death investigations started in August alone. None of them are getting oversight or attention by City Council. Many stay open forever with no further leads. Location of 18 death investigations started in August, 2025. History of Neglect by Council Even on the same August 25, meeting, a Lakewood resident stayed until midnight to make public comment on the amount of crime in North Lakewood. That is the same area represented by Councilors Shahrezaei and Isabel Cruz who have ignored so many other members of the public before on crime. Why does some crime get personalized attention and others get ignored? “We are going into a blight situation caused by the city [ignoring crime]” – David Rothenberger, Lakewood resident In 2023, then-City Councilor Rich Olver also made a request to add a safety committee to City Council. Denied. Denied by the same Jeslin Shahrezaei, now Mayor Pro Tem, who is requesting a special “oversight committee” for ONLY the LGBTQIA community. Former City Councilor Anita Springsteen asked for additional transparency from the police department. She helped win a victory in the release of body cam footage of a shooting involving the Lakewood Police killing a 17-year-old girl involved in a robbery. Springsteen asked for additional transparency and oversight for this case and Councilor Shahrezaei, who was on Council at the time, did not support her efforts.  The same thing happened when Springsteen asked for increased attention to the case of Patricia Dillworth, an African American disabled woman. That would seem to meet the definition of “marginalized community,” but Shahrezaei and the rest of Council did not support the public pleas from her grieving daughter. Again, only specific marginalized people matter. Former City Councilor Mary Janssen called for the formation of a safety committee when she was on Council. She suggested it at the annual retreat, where it got turned down and morphed into “public safety = street lights” nonsense. Later, Janssen suggested forming a public safety committee, and Shahrezaei argued against it. Janssen Request for Council Action 29, calling for a Public Safety Committee, dated November, 2022. Former City Councilor Michael Bieda and Springsteen both made legislative requests in 2021 for oversight on use of force. Declined. Hundreds of residents have come out to request more oversight and equal enforcement of the law.  Landlords report having problems renting their property because of all the crime that is allowed. Death investigations have increased. There are multiple calls for police oversight. What’s the Difference? What are the differences in these cases that ended without Council action? Many involved marginalized community members but none were LGBTQ+ Do Council Members feel they can score political points specifically with the LGBTQ+ community? Do they feel that safety concerns of the rest of Lakewood residents do not need to be addressed? Unfortunately, Council may have been denying the requests because sunlight on police investigations may reveal non-enforcement policies, aka de-prioritization, that Lakewood does not want you to know. It seems that Lakewood Police are trapped with having laws on the books that residents want, but that leadership do not want. As a result, sometimes police enforce crime penalties, sometimes they do not. Sometimes they handle investigations differently than others. It is all situational – not as a result of the police force members, but as a result of conflicting directives. One written and one unwritten. And now, Council approved direct action with special powers but only for LGBTQ+. More situational discretion. How will this committee strengthen justice for all?  How does this hold City Councilors accountable for representing all constituents? Unfortunately, this motion may show that Lakewood now needs an oversight committee to identify which City Councilors will only listen to you if you identify as LGBTQ+. The Motion Not even five minutes after a Lakewood resident made yet another plea for increased public safety, Shahrezaei

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