Project Process

The Climate Hazard & Social Vulnerability Study is a Lakewood-specific assessment and analysis to improve our understanding about the anticipated impacts of climate change and how those will affect our city and our capacity to cope with those anticipated impacts.

The first phase of the study will focus on climate risks related to known hazards, such as drought, extreme temperatures, floods, hailstorms, and wildfires. The analysis will include the city’s greenhouse gas inventories, modeling impacts based on likely emissions scenarios, and the identification and evaluation of climate risks, particularly in socially vulnerable areas of Lakewood.

The second phase of the study will focus on social vulnerability, including the collection of demographic data and community engagement focused on socially vulnerable groups and neighborhoods in order to better understand the current and anticipated climate risks that they face. Often, the climate impacts fall disproportionately on the most underserved or marginalized people in a community. The adverse effects of climate change intersect with other social vulnerabilities such as income, age, and health, leaving those with the highest social vulnerability most in danger of short-term and long-lasting impacts. It is important that the potential dangers of climate change and its impacts are fully understood.

The data collected in both phases will be analyzed and combined into a unified and cohesive Climate Hazard & Social Vulnerability Report by the end of 2024. In addition to identifying risks and vulnerabilities, this report will include a preliminary overview of potential strategies to mitigate hazards in Lakewood, providing guidance in effective and equitable hazard-mitigation projects. The report will help to inform and prioritize Lakewood's policy related to hazard mitigation and to identify additional areas of study for further exploration. The results will inform climate and sustainability reporting; supplement the city’s current Comprehensive Plan update; and guide future sustainability, climate action, and strategic planning efforts, such as the next Jefferson County Hazard Mitigation Plan (planned for 2025-2026).