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.

There were additional concerns other than the delayed notification. Safety is a big problem. A coffee shop owner said that she may have to close her business because the young baristas don’t feel safe in the area. A woman has to walk her dog at 3 a.m. before work because it’s too dangerous at other times. A father worries about drug addicts and needles where his children play. There were complaints of excrement and trash from encampments with little help from the police. Two young realtors spoke of the problems selling property in the vicinity of the Center. Will that area around the Navigation Center ever be able to have commercial success? Can there be an economic rebound for businesses on that portion of W. Colfax Ave.? Will property values in the surrounding areas decline?

The City of Lakewood purchased the properties at 7900 and 8000 W. Colfax Avenue in September of 2024 in funded partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. As a condition of the purchase, a 30-year use covenant is recorded to the properties restricting use to homeless response, even if ownership changes hands. A young attendee asked if there would be periodic assessments and evaluations (any oversight and accountability) regarding the success and failures of the program acknowledging that 30 years is a long time. The Volunteers of America are presently running the Navigation Center and their contract can be renewed after a year. There were questions about costs and funding of the facility in the future with no definitive answers just some aspirational thoughts.

It was encouraging to see so many residents turn out for this meeting. Chris Conner was calm and patient in attempting to allow everyone to have a chance to speak. He answered questions to the best of his knowledge. He did explain the next steps in this Special Use permitting process which will eventually lead to a public hearing before the Planning Commission presently scheduled for June 3, 2026. It should be noted that even if the Special Use Permit were to be denied, the Navigation Center would still be used to serve the homeless community but without overnight housing.

Some takeaways from this large gathering. Community members want to be involved in projects early, before decisions are made. They want their input to have real impact not mere window dressing for an already completed plan. Unfortunately, for too long the City talks about the desire for community engagement but in reality only wants their citizens’ seal of approval for their already made decisions. This creates distrust and anger because residents feel disrespected by those who decide to make decisions for them without their consent. Will things ever change? The Emory/ Action Center deal requires the same Special Use process as the Navigation Center. Will they delay that till the last minute? Is it more beneficial to the City to continue to keep citizens in the dark so they can get what they want? If that is the case, then it is up to the residents of Lakewood to demand transparency and accountability. The network of informed citizens continues to expand. There is strength in numbers and we can support and educate each other. Change will only happen if we band together and insist that it happen.