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What do you want for Lakewood?

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Consultation has concluded

Ballot statements needed
The city will be accepting written statements concerning the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) question on the Nov. 5 ballot for Lakewood voters. The statements must be for or against the ballot question, and only Lakewood residents who are registered to vote can submit statements. 

These statements will be compiled into two summaries, up to 500 words each, that will be included in the local voter guide from Jefferson County. The statements can be submitted Sept. 2-Sept. 20 online.

August update
Lakewood voters will decide what should be done with the city's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) funds. 

At its Aug. 12 meeting, City Council approved placing a question on the November ballot. City Council took this vote after the city’s Budget and Audit Board consisting of residents and council members recommended to council that it place a TABOR question on the upcoming ballot. 

Lakewood residents will vote on whether the city should be authorized to collect and retain the full amount of city taxes starting in 2026 and continuing each year after that. The ballot question also designates TABOR funds to be spent on parks, recreation, and open space; public safety-related equipment, services, and personnel; and maintenance and improvement of streets, sidewalks, paths and infrastructure.

Learn more:

Join the discussion

Your voice really matters when it comes to the city's finances, and we really want to hear from you during an important conversation that involves Lakewood's funding. 

The city's Budget and Audit Board has started this conversation and really needs your thoughts and opinions. This board consists of Lakewood residents and City Council members, and it provides financial oversight of the city's financial statement, annual budget and financial stability. The first step has been to conduct a survey, which closed on April 25. There will be other opportunities for your input, so please stay tuned to this webpage by signing up through the Stay Informed section to the right.

This conversation includes discussing the state law known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights or TABOR. Voters statewide approved TABOR in 1992, and it places limits on the budgets for all governments in Colorado including Lakewood, which affects the services provided to you.

Here are ways to learn more: 

Ballot statements needed
The city will be accepting written statements concerning the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) question on the Nov. 5 ballot for Lakewood voters. The statements must be for or against the ballot question, and only Lakewood residents who are registered to vote can submit statements. 

These statements will be compiled into two summaries, up to 500 words each, that will be included in the local voter guide from Jefferson County. The statements can be submitted Sept. 2-Sept. 20 online.

August update
Lakewood voters will decide what should be done with the city's Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR) funds. 

At its Aug. 12 meeting, City Council approved placing a question on the November ballot. City Council took this vote after the city’s Budget and Audit Board consisting of residents and council members recommended to council that it place a TABOR question on the upcoming ballot. 

Lakewood residents will vote on whether the city should be authorized to collect and retain the full amount of city taxes starting in 2026 and continuing each year after that. The ballot question also designates TABOR funds to be spent on parks, recreation, and open space; public safety-related equipment, services, and personnel; and maintenance and improvement of streets, sidewalks, paths and infrastructure.

Learn more:

Join the discussion

Your voice really matters when it comes to the city's finances, and we really want to hear from you during an important conversation that involves Lakewood's funding. 

The city's Budget and Audit Board has started this conversation and really needs your thoughts and opinions. This board consists of Lakewood residents and City Council members, and it provides financial oversight of the city's financial statement, annual budget and financial stability. The first step has been to conduct a survey, which closed on April 25. There will be other opportunities for your input, so please stay tuned to this webpage by signing up through the Stay Informed section to the right.

This conversation includes discussing the state law known as the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights or TABOR. Voters statewide approved TABOR in 1992, and it places limits on the budgets for all governments in Colorado including Lakewood, which affects the services provided to you.

Here are ways to learn more: 

Consultation has concluded

Ask your question here, and city staff will respond within three business days. Questions and answers about this project can be visible to the public. 

For general questions and concerns about the city, please visit Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood(External link)(External link), which is the city's online customer service hub available 24 hours a day.

  • Share What is the status of land acquisition for a park, already announced informally, to the southeast of 20th and Quail? We have not been able to get a straight answer from a senior official in Community Resources. on Facebook Share What is the status of land acquisition for a park, already announced informally, to the southeast of 20th and Quail? We have not been able to get a straight answer from a senior official in Community Resources. on Twitter Share What is the status of land acquisition for a park, already announced informally, to the southeast of 20th and Quail? We have not been able to get a straight answer from a senior official in Community Resources. on Linkedin Email What is the status of land acquisition for a park, already announced informally, to the southeast of 20th and Quail? We have not been able to get a straight answer from a senior official in Community Resources. link

    What is the status of land acquisition for a park, already announced informally, to the southeast of 20th and Quail? We have not been able to get a straight answer from a senior official in Community Resources.

    David Ruchman asked 5 months ago

    Dave, good to hear from you. As you probably already know, Lakewood was awarded a grant from the Jefferson County Land Conservation fund to contribute to the acquisition of the property located at 11050 W. 20th Ave., owned by Denver Water. The City Council has approved the acquisition, and city staff members continue to work with Jefferson County Open Space and Denver Water to finalize the purchase agreement, which is taking some time. We certainly look forward to adding this new 9-acre park space to the Lakewood parks system as soon as this contract is finalized.

    Best regards,

    Stacie Oulton
    Public Information Manager

  • Share Why does The City of Lakewood take funds from TABOR to pay for the basic operations of a city? Police body cameras…Sidewalks and infrastructure…both should be paid for from the general budget. on Facebook Share Why does The City of Lakewood take funds from TABOR to pay for the basic operations of a city? Police body cameras…Sidewalks and infrastructure…both should be paid for from the general budget. on Twitter Share Why does The City of Lakewood take funds from TABOR to pay for the basic operations of a city? Police body cameras…Sidewalks and infrastructure…both should be paid for from the general budget. on Linkedin Email Why does The City of Lakewood take funds from TABOR to pay for the basic operations of a city? Police body cameras…Sidewalks and infrastructure…both should be paid for from the general budget. link

    Why does The City of Lakewood take funds from TABOR to pay for the basic operations of a city? Police body cameras…Sidewalks and infrastructure…both should be paid for from the general budget.

    Annette asked 6 months ago

    Annette, thank you so much for your interest in this and for participating by submitting your question. The needs for these essential services far exceed the General Fund budget available for these areas, so in 2018 the voters were asked if they wanted funds that were above the TABOR limits to be dedicated to police, transportation, parkland services. By pooling this money, these funds have had a more significant impact on maintaining Lakewood’s quality of life.

    Best regards,

    The Project Team

     

  • Share I am not sure the best place to ask this question. I did participate in the the Lakewood Survey and I understand the need to keep it short, however, there were other unaddresses questions. Lakewood does an amazing job with its park and rec programs - especially sports; with the art and dance programs growing with enthusiasm, are they any plans to expand the facilities to better accommodate these programs? on Facebook Share I am not sure the best place to ask this question. I did participate in the the Lakewood Survey and I understand the need to keep it short, however, there were other unaddresses questions. Lakewood does an amazing job with its park and rec programs - especially sports; with the art and dance programs growing with enthusiasm, are they any plans to expand the facilities to better accommodate these programs? on Twitter Share I am not sure the best place to ask this question. I did participate in the the Lakewood Survey and I understand the need to keep it short, however, there were other unaddresses questions. Lakewood does an amazing job with its park and rec programs - especially sports; with the art and dance programs growing with enthusiasm, are they any plans to expand the facilities to better accommodate these programs? on Linkedin Email I am not sure the best place to ask this question. I did participate in the the Lakewood Survey and I understand the need to keep it short, however, there were other unaddresses questions. Lakewood does an amazing job with its park and rec programs - especially sports; with the art and dance programs growing with enthusiasm, are they any plans to expand the facilities to better accommodate these programs? link

    I am not sure the best place to ask this question. I did participate in the the Lakewood Survey and I understand the need to keep it short, however, there were other unaddresses questions. Lakewood does an amazing job with its park and rec programs - especially sports; with the art and dance programs growing with enthusiasm, are they any plans to expand the facilities to better accommodate these programs?

    jlkochie asked 6 months ago

    Thanks for your interest and participation in this project, and please stay involved. The Community Resources Department is always evaluating ways to improve and expand its offerings, and part of the TABOR discussion would involve looking at funding to support more park and infrastructure improvements including recreation centers. But no projects have been defined.

    Best regards,

    The Project Team