Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

Lakewood Informer

Resident generated news about Lakewood, Colorado

LAKEWOOD INFORMER

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Residents Reject City Council Zoning

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“Rooted In Littleton” Provides Blue Ribbon Example

July 20, 2025/

Littleton residents claim to be amateurs in the political sphere but you won’t believe it when you see how they have successfully organized against density-driven zoning changes. Rooted in Littleton got density changes postponed in January and kept fighting to recently gather enough signatures for a petition. Their website reads: “We are passionate about preserving the small-town charm and beauty of Littleton. Our deep roots inform the perspective that good things grow slowly and knee-jerk responses to large social issues don’t produce lasting results. Let’s not let increased density usher in a new era of increased traffic, crime and big city-problems in our little town.” Does that sound familiar? They have many of the same objections to densification as Lakewood residents, such as the attempt to “to erode our home-rule rights with a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach that could strip our community of its uniqueness.” Check out their website for excellent material that could be used as a blueprint for others fighting this issue: Survey Have you ever felt that Lakewood presents data on “housing density and housing shortages in 2024 [that] was insufficient and skewed toward City Council insiders”? That’s what Rooted in Littleton wrote but Lakewood residents have also been making that point for months. The argument really gained traction after the Belmar Park fiasco. (See these articles from savebelmarpark.com: Lakewood’s Housing Affordable Surplus, Lakewood’s 10-year Housing Surplus, Denver Has Enough Housing.) Instead of just complaining about it, Rooted in Littleton organized a survey of their own and provided...

The Psychology of Living In Decay

July 19, 2025/

From Ramey Johnson’s Newletter The decay and decline in our community are visible, real, growing, and palpable. Driving along 6th Avenue (though managed by CDOT) feels like a scavenger hunt through cans, rags, tires, car parts, cardboard, overgrown weeds, buckets of dirt, broken glass, and filth. On West 14th Avenue and nearby side streets, the scene is equally disheartening: homeless encampments, tents, graffiti, fenced-off vacant lots, trash, needles, and even human feces have become the norm. Colfax has all but collapsed. Every block from Sheridan to beyond Simms is littered with For Sale and For Lease signs, boarded-up buildings, graffiti, shattered storefronts, shuttered businesses, and abandoned shopping carts – sometimes overflowing with belongings. Businesses are fleeing this once-thriving street. But what does it do to the psyche of those of us who call Lakewood home—and pay property taxes – to live amid decay, squalor, and a declining local economy? Having grown up here, I decided to find out. As it turns out, researchers have studied this very thing. The most familiar is the “Broken Windows Theory.” This criminological concept uses broken windows as a metaphor for anti-social behavior and civil disorder. It draws a stark contrast between caring and apathy toward the physical appearance of a neighborhood. Visible signs of crime and neglect, like broken windows, create an environment that encourages further crime and disorder. The theory suggests that addressing small offenses and maintaining physical order can help prevent more serious crimes. Rooted in the idea of social disorder, Wilson...

How the West Is Being Lost

July 19, 2025/

From Alex at Somebody Should Do Something A note: Originally, the article was published on YourHub at https://yourhub.denverpost.com/blog/2022/09/politics-and-development-in-colorado/296507/ We had hand delivered a copy of of it to Jared Polis, Brittany Pettersen, and Ed Perlmutter at some get-together the progressive thought leaders were having in Lakewood: The “representatives” immediately studied the input from the citizens, and drew up a comprehensive set of policies addressing the input. Just kidding. Polis has doubled down on squashing the local governments’ right to govern (as long as corporate-owned rentals continue to be built), in addition to driving the state to a billion-ish dollar budget shortfall this year, while trying to dog-whistle the public with a bridge to nowhere and that nobody had asked for. Pettersen has been shilling for the real estate industry and Mr. Perlmutter is off to… Not sure what – may or may not have something to do with lobbying. The irony of the latest spat of policies trying to squash the home rule rights of cities and towns around Colorado is that when we had reached out to the governors office in 2018 about the actions of the local governments that were destroying the economic potential of the Rooney Valley, we were told that the governor’s office “does not get involved in local land use decisions.’’ I guess, the times are a changing. On to the origional post. “Mortgage lenders are starting to look at the risks of lending for somewhere that doesn’t have a water supply, as that’s not a good investment. Capital...

Zoning Fact Sheet Summary

July 17, 2025/

Below is a one-page summary of zoning code changes and concerns from Lakewood residents. Lakewood Informer authors have posted multiple pages of content and more will be coming but this is a starting point to communicate with neighbors. Feel free to share and help people understand the issues. The fact that there is more to say than can fit on one page is a great indication that the changes are overly complex for a single vote by City Council. It’s very hard for residents to understand all the ways this will affect our neighborhoods, especially with no trials and everything changing at once. Much like the last zoning change which the city promised would solve problems and make things wonderful. In real life, the changes sparked backlash that last to this day. To this day, the city is not correcting those problems, just moving forward with bigger, denser growth. Other articles for more information: For a quick handout, the page below is available:

Luka Nieto to represent Colorado at American Legion Boys Nation

July 17, 2025/

CONGRATULATIONS TO LAKEWOOD HIGH STUDENT LUKA NIETO! From The American Legion National Headquarters Who: Luka Nieto from Lakewood High School and 99 other incoming high school seniors representing 49 states and the District of Columbia.  What: At the 79th session of American Legion Boys Nation, 100 “senators” will learn from a hands-on approach how the U.S. Senate and the federal government function.  When: July 18-25, 2025.  Where: Marymount University, Arlington, Va.  Background: The nearly 1.6-million member American Legion, the nation’s largest veterans organization, conducts American Legion Boys Nation each year. Each state except Hawaii, and the District of Columbia, holds a Boys State program for young men before their senior year of high school. Two “senators” from each program are selected to represent their state at Boys Nation, where the senators elect a president, vice president, president pro tempore and secretary. Prominent past Boys Nation graduates include former President Bill Clinton, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and the late Sen. Joe Lieberman.The American Legion Auxiliary sponsors similar programs with Girls State and Girls Nation.

Warriors of Palabra Art Exhibition gives voice to the experiences of youth in Juvenile Justice System

July 17, 2025/

From CHAC Chicano Humanities & Arts Council Genesis Gallery (1390 Brentwood, Lakewood Co. 80214) is honored to announce their latest art exhibition Warriors of Palabra, opening July 18th, running through Aug.18th. This unique show addresses the challenges youth face when navigating the juvenile justice, educational, and mental health systems.  Hosted by Huitzilin Warriors, a program under the Denver Healing Generations, it utilizes art to advocate for transformative change in the community. Curator Brenda Vargas invited 10 emerging “Raza” artists to help tell the stories of 10 local youth. The exhibition features each youth’s photo and personal story, alongside a creative portrait crafted by their paired artist, inspired by the youth’s individual journey and experiences. Featured artists include: Guillermo Ruiz, Gabriel Lopez, Santiago Padilla-Jaramillo, Tayz Enriquez-Bañuelos, Diego Flores-Arroyo, Victoria Loosearrow, Brenda Vargas, Mario Santacruz, Aalycia Rodriguez, and Leenz Rivera.  “It is our responsibility to uplift the stories of our youth,” said Vargas. “This show is so special because it’s a collaboration of youths’ storytelling of their lives with the artistry of local artists from Denver/Greeley. Our young people have so much fire, and it’s our duty to fan those flames and keep the movement going.”  “This show is especially dear to our hearts,” said Brenda Gurule, executive director of the   Chicano Humanities Arts Council.  “The Genesis Gallery at Lakewood United Methodist Church (LUMC) is a public space where a plethora of artists and non-profits are housed. It is our pleasure to support the gallery and the Huitzilin Warriors in their efforts to bring this powerful exhibition to the gallery for a...

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