1 Lakewood: Developers' Playground, Community Betrayed

• Podcasts
• by Public
• 06/29/2025

Podcast 12.3min • MP3 Developers Run Lakewood — With the City as an Accomplice in the Assault on Its Own Community How the community, environment, and city resources are being EXPLOITED  By: Regina H. Lakewood loves to brand itself as a city that values trees — we even carry the Tree City USA designation and host an annual tree sale. But talk is cheap when our city routinely ignores its own tree preservation codes and sides with developers over the environment and residents. According to city ordinance, trees with a caliper of 8 inches or more are considered protected, and “lot layouts shall be designed to minimize disturbance” to them. But time and again, developers submit plans that wipe out mature trees — and Lakewood’s planning staff rubber-stamps these designs without public input. In return, developers plant a few 1 or 2-inch saplings — a laughable “replacement” for the ecological value of a century-old tree. We saw this play out in real-time with the Belmar Park fiasco, where nearly 70 protected, old-growth trees – many so large you couldn’t even wrap your arms all the way around them were clear cut and placed into industrial grinders as if they were trash to make way for another big-box market-rate 411-unit apartment complex right next to one of our most treasured parks. Even the City itself refers to the Park as the "crown jewel" of Lakewood. Not to mention, they crushed wildlife underneath the trees. Many animals had no time to escape and were killed.  But the City of Lakewood doesn’t care. Kairoi certainly doesn’t either.  The developer, Kairoi also refused to include simple bird-safe features like anti-collision window coatings because they were “too expensive” – despite already planning to spend hundreds of millions of dollars. They’re only interested in lining their billionaire pockets, no matter who gets hurt or how many citizens’ voices they bulldoze along the way. Worst of all, the City has become an accomplice to this assault and betrayal on our community. In 2024, the Planning Commission had an opportunity to consider the environmental impact of development on park-adjacent land — like other cities already do (Fort Collins provided 13 pages of precedent). Instead, they dismissed the idea without even reading it, killing the resolution 5-1. If this sounds like a city that values tree canopy and habitat — think again. Where’s the justification for Lakewood continuing to approve thousands of new apartment units — without the jobs to support the people moving into them? It’s not Lakewood’s job to house the entire Denver metro area. Yet it feels like we’re being turned into a regional overflow zone without any coordinated plan to match housing with employment opportunities. We’re importing thousands of new residents, but where are the jobs to support this?  Instead of allowing developers to dictate Lakewood’s future, we must hold our City Council, Economic Development team, Mayor, and especially our city manager—who earns an outrageous $465,000+ per year—fully accountable.  Where is the economic justification for all this high-density growth? What jobs are being added to Lakewood to support all this high-density growth? It’s not Lakewood’s job to house the entire region. If you want density – Denver’s right next door.  Lakewood’s leaders have become indistinguishable from the developers they’re supposed to regulate. We need to start calling this what it is: Developers are the ones driving the agenda, and the public — the community, environment, and city resources — are the ones being exploited. But make no mistake, Lakewood WANTED this to happen. They’ve been carefully giving more and more power to developers and making alliances with developers behind our backs for years and ignoring our pleas. Why? To maintain control of their political position, votes and enrich themselves.  What used to be a party of community-minded Democrats has morphed into a brand of ultra-progressive politics that talks green but votes developer. These officials campaign on “affordable housing,” but once in office, they push through whatever the developers want—mostly more apartments—with no regard for environmental protections or real homeownership opportunities. Residents try to engage — we show up to speak, we write letters — but it feels like we’re shouting into a void. City leadership is largely unresponsive, and nothing meaningful changes. It’s time to take real action: ✅ Think before you vote – Party loyalty and defending “blue” or “red” just because you’ve always voted that way isn’t cutting it anymore. It’s natural for our sense of identity to get tied up in party loyalty—but holding on without questioning only keeps us stuck and blind to what’s truly best for our community. We need voters who think critically, research candidates thoroughly, and understand exactly which agendas they’re supporting. Don’t be afraid to switch teams.  ✅ Petition to Remove Lakewood’s Tree City USA designation — until the city proves it will actually follow its own tree codes. No more pretend words about “sustainability” and “caring about the environment.” ✅ Demand accountability in development — Require environmental impact evaluations for park-adjacent projects, as other Colorado cities already do. ✅ Support Save Belmar Park Inc. in their legal battle — they’re fighting for all of us. ✅ Change the system: • Elect councilmembers who listen to the people, not just donors. • Restructure city leadership so that Council, not the unelected City Manager, holds the power. • Put reforms on the ballot — don’t wait for elected officials to challenge the system that got them elected. • Reduce Council to 6 wards, 6 reps – fewer seats means less campaign money needed, more grassroots wins, and better representation. Lakewood’s current path is not sustainable. We’re on a train that’s about to crash and burn– yet it’s the whistleblowers who face the heat, while our government and profit-driven billionaire developers escape accountability. Mature trees don’t grow back overnight. Once they’re gone, so are the ecosystems, shade, carbon capture, and beauty they provide. We are losing what makes Lakewood livable. We need your help to stop this reckless out of control train – that’s driving us all toward extinction just a little bit faster. Please SHARE this and tell 10 people - and encourage those 10 to tell 10 others. We need to grassroot share this information! Please help get the word out about the truth of what's happening in Lakewood. We need HELP!!

0 Contamination and Redevelopment Concerns

• Podcast and Story
• by Public
• 06/07/2025

  Podcast 13:50 mins • MP3   Read, Watch, Listen, Learn and Engage   The provided sources primarily discuss the historical chemical contamination of the Denver Federal Center (DFC) and ongoing concerns regarding its redevelopment. Originating as a World War II munitions plant, the site became a Superfund site due to widespread soil and groundwater pollution from solvents, heavy metals, and other toxic substances. Although removed from the Superfund list in 2012 after extensive cleanup, residents and authors raise questions about the effectiveness of current remediation efforts, the potential release of toxins during new construction, and the lack of transparency from local authorities. A recurring debate among citizens involves a disputed claim of nuclear waste at the DFC, with some asserting its presence based on GSA admissions, while others, including the original article's author, emphasize that their research points only to chemical contamination. The overall sentiment reflects public apprehensionabout health and environmental risks as development projects progress on the historically polluted land.

3 The High Cost of ‘Density’ - From Betrayal to Toxic Danger: Lakewood’s Deadly Dealings with Developers

• Stories
• by Public
• 05/29/2025

mp3 • 10.9min • 5.29.2025   In the continuing saga of development in Lakewood, Colorado this podcast relates to The High Cost of ‘Density’ - From Betrayal to Toxic Danger: Lakewood’s Deadly Dealings with Developers In Lakewood, it’s become painfully clear: residents’ matter about as much to the city as the 65 towering, majestic—supposedly “protected”—trees that once stood like sentinels beside Belmar Park. Many trees were so wide you couldn’t wrap your arms around them. They had silently witnessed decades of community life. Then, without ceremony, trees that took more than half a century to grow were erased in a single tragic morning on May 12th – arguably Lakewood darkest moment. Their trunks cut with recklessness, crushing wildlife underneath their sturdy trunks, their roots severed, and bodies fed into industrial grinders—treated like nothing more than trash. Their destruction wasn’t just approved—it was encouraged. Lakewood didn’t just look the other way; it opened the door and handed over the chainsaws.  The city’s message to longtime residents? You’re just as disposable. Out with the old, in with the new— especially if the newcomers are likely to help stack the polls with more of their obedient, party-line minded people will keep the growth machine rolling. Loyalty, history, health—it all takes a backseat to political gain and development dollars. Something really strange is happening to the Democratic party in Lakewood. This was once the party of environmental stewardship, grassroots activism and sharing the wealth. Now, at least in Lakewood, the “democrats” we vote for push forward their “vision” of what they want for Lakewood, despite widespread public opposition. They bulldoze over green space in the name of “density”—forcing it down our throats even as residents repeatedly say "no."  Density at all costs is their new slogan — at the expense of our environment, our wildlife, and the quality of life for those who already live here. Not to mention they are actively supporting giving wealth to billion-dollar corporate developers - as if they need more money and power.   This isn’t progress—it’s corporate-driven greed and them siding with developers over their own residents. In Lakewood, environmentalism isn't championed by the left anymore—it's being defended by independents, centrists, and even shockingly, conservatives who see the livability of our community swirling down the toilet. Politics have drastically shifted recently, with democracy giving way to developer-driven agendas that dictate what happens in our cities. The people's voice is now completely erased. You can talk to city council - but they will give you a canned response saying how hard they are working, but "we'll help you with the next park." Right—because there’s nothing else like Belmar Park left in the heart of urban Lakewood. I tried for more than 2 years to have my voice heard by the city of Lakewood advocating for stewardship of our parks and open spaces in Lakewood, and specifically Belmar Park. I was dismissed, ignored, told “it's too late,” and “our hands are tied.”  Lakewood government DOES NOT work for the people anymore. Don’t think if you have a problem that you can go to our city government, and they will do a thing about it. I’m 100% certain that they won’t do anything after what I’ve been through the last 2 years with this city council who can’t do anything except execute orders from top-down authority (the city manager – Kathy Hodgson, planning director- Travis Parker, and other city staffers/planners who aren’t even from Colorado – like Brea Pafford – who all supported rubber stamping the Kairoi monstrosity) that will be built at 777 South Yarrow Street. Kairoi came in, destroyed and devastated our most cherished park, and so far has shown our community utter disrespect. At the Jefferson County district court hearing on May 27th, the billion-dollar developer, Tyler Sibley said, "I deserve to be treated the same as all the other developers Lakewood granted allowances to [for the last 13 years, without exception]".  He cares only about himself—not about the people, not about the living creatures who’ve called this area home long before this Texas-based developer arrived, and certainly not about the unique ecological value of the site. What he does care about is profiting handsomely—using Belmar Park as little more than a backdrop for marketing his multi-million-dollar high-rise. He AND Lakewood think nothing of our old growth trees and have made Lakewood an absolutely heartbreakingly abysmal place to live now.  Next time you vote—I know the two-party system seems hopeless, and the options rarely inspire confidence—but what we really need are leaders who truly listen to the people, stand up to city staff, and aren’t afraid to push back against agendas that don’t serve the people who live here. If you know of anybody you think would be good for this – please start recruiting them now and planting that seed. Stay tuned for an update of what the group Save Belmar Park Inc. is planning next and how the city of Lakewood’s dirty dealings led us to a sad loss for our entire community.  And, as if cutting down 65 "protected" trees and our heritage wasn’t enough, Lakewood is also greenlighting the "Bend project"—an excavation that will churn up contaminated nuclear waste soil, stirring up a toxic legacy from a time when radioactive materials were recklessly buried. It’s the same kind of reckless development that gave rise to the horror stories from the Candelas neighborhood, built near Rocky Flats—where cancers began appearing just like the local documentary maker of The Half-Life of Memory movie warned us about. Hosted by Ramey Johnson Lakewood isn’t just ignoring the warnings—it’s actively inviting the next health disaster. Our city is becoming a case study in how not to protect your people. Sincerely -A citizen along with others who ACTUALLY cares because I live here What do you think. Add you comments Watch out for our next series talks about the declining Sale Tax collection in Lakewood and how this might relate to development. See you soon.

0 WHAT AND HOW MUCH IS STILL REMAINING ON THE LAND?

• Stories
• by Public
• 05/23/2025

This year Memorial Day is a little early. This day is a federal holiday set aside to honor those brave men and women who died while serving America in the armed forces. My humble gratitude- thank you. Because of your service, I am able to write this newsletter.     Thank you to those who attended the recent screening of HALF LIFE OF MEMORY. This documentary exposes the truth about the egregious situation that happened at Rocky Flats regarding contamination and the cover-up. It is my sincere hope that your major takeaway is that the government lied, and we should be mindful that history has a way of repeating itself. You had the opportunity to meet Jon Lipsky, a former FBI agent who was highlighted in the movie. He refused to sign a document handed to him by the Department of Justice, telling him NOT to tell Congress the truth regarding Rocky Flats. The DOJ wanted him to lie. He refused to sign the document.   Now Lakewood is facing a similar potential build-out of 2100 apartments at the Federal Center that is now referred to as The Bend. Until it was recently sold, it was called the Horseshoe Property. This 59 acres of land is owned by Lincoln Properties, however, they used a company by the name of Lakewood Land Partners, LP for the deed. They paid $30,010,000 for the 59 acres.     UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: Mike Feeley (husband of Leslie Dahlkemper- County Commissioner) represented the developer who approached Metro West Fire Department and negotiated a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) plan. West Metro Fire District and any developer are NOT authorized to negotiate tax rates.WHY did Lakewood sign off on this?Why did the Fire Chief and City Manager agree to this negotiation? A GAP ANALYSIS is a tool used to justify public financing like “TIFs” (tax increment financing) in order to estimate the cost associated with contaminated land and demolition (not needed in this situation). A GAP analysis was never done.Since taxpayers are on the hook for costs associated with contamination, how much will we pay?Will taxpayers ultimately be held liable for any long-term health issues (like cancer) associated with contamination if the 59 acres are not remediated correctly?Could this lead to a class action lawsuit?Given the history of this property, should it ever be considered to have structures built on it?         The Bend is a superfund site that requires a long-term response to clean up any contaminated materials. It is known that after WWII, solvents, heavy metals, and PCBs were buried in landfills scattered throughout the campus.WHAT AND HOW MUCH IS STILL REMAINING ON THE LAND? To date, no one has been able to locate the soils report for the Common Spirit Hospital site (formerly St. Anthony Hospital). When asked for the soils report, Travis Parker, Director of Planning for Lakewood stated, “Lakewood’s retention policy is 2 years.”What standards does EPA use for retention of documents relating to hazardous materials? If the cost of remediation and liability issues regarding health become so egregiously high, will Lakewood Land Partners LP just walk away? The Blight Report, done in 2017 by the General Services Administration, stated on page 4, “no soil disturbance including digging, drilling, or grading on the northern section.” Note: The “northern section” is much of the 59 acres.How can a developer build on land with this determination without having liability issues for workers, inhabitants, and taxpayers?   LAST- Why would the City Manager, Mayor and City Council not question this development instead of supporting it? So many questions needing answers. In your service. Ramey Johnson

0 ‘Secret shoppers’ at King Soopers, other Kroger stores say overcharging is common

• Stories
• by Public
• 05/17/2025

Provided By: Larry Gardner - Lakewood Colorado MAYBE YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER WHO IS ACTUALLY SELLING PRODUCTS CHEAPER. Based on the article below (Denver Post) this issue of fair pricing at Kroger seems endemic throughout the U.S. Please share with friends, family and parishioners at your church of choice, as appropriate. If desiring further action,you can also file a complaint with the CO A.G's office. ‘Secret shoppers’ at King Soopers, other Kroger stores say overcharging is common  Members of United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 say "secret shoppers" who visited 50 Kings Soopers and City Market stores in March found wide discrepancies between prices listed on shelves and what people actually paid. Shopping trips to King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado and other Kroger-owned supermarkets in other states turned up what the shoppers say were widespread discrepancies between the price on the shelves and what got rung up. As a result, the customers spent more for groceries than they expected at a time when prices for most items remain high and tariff increases have stoked fears of inflation heating up again. Walmart, the nation’s largest grocer, warned Thursday that higher tariffs on imports will raise prices. Members of the union negotiating a new contract with King Soopers shopped at 50 stores across Colorado over four days in March. The total tab, paid for by the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, was $3,921.11. However, based on the price tags on the shelves, the bill should have been $3.297.26, or nearly 16% less, said Kristi Bush, the union’s associate general counsel and one of the shoppers. The UFCW’s secret shopper excursions coincided with ones made by The Guardian newspaper, Consumer Reports and the Food & Environment Reporting Network in 26 Kroger-owned stores in 14 states and the District of Columbia in March, April and May. The tests by the media partners found more than 150 items with expired tags, leading to average overcharges of about $1.70 per item, 18% over the discount price listed on the shelves. The union that represents King Soopers and City Market employees in Colorado has made the discrepancies an issue in contract negotiations that started late last year.  The union raised the issue while King Soopers and Albertsons, which owns Safeway stores in Colorado, were pursuing a merger. The deal collapsed in December after judges in two separate cases rejected the merger. Kim Cordova, UFCW Local 7 president, said the union has shared the information from its shopping trips with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser in hopes that he will investigate. The attorney general’s office can’t confirm “or otherwise comment on investigations,” spokesman Lawrence Pacheco said. In 2023, Weiser and the Nevada attorney general reached a settlement with Walmart over the company’s failure to make sure the price customers paid matched the price listed on the shelf. The settlement called for Walmart to pay $3 million to Colorado to help fund local food pantries and other food assistance programs Bush, who went to King Soopers stores to check prices, said shoppers took timestamped pictures of the items on the shelves and later compared the tags on the shelves to the receipts.. The bill for a trip to an Englewood store was $83.80. Based on the prices listed on the shelves, it should have cost Bush $57.61. In one case, she got two bottles of soap that were advertised at a special price of $8.99 per bottle if she bought two. But the receipt showed she paid the full price of $14.99 per bottle. In another case, Bush picked up a bag of chicken strips, “the kind that you would feed your kids.” The regular price was $10.99 per bag, or $9.99 with a King Soopers loyalty card. The tag listed an additional discount of $2 per bag if the shopper bought three of the items. “I bought three and they charged me $10.99 for each bag of chicken,” Bush said. “The total should have been $23.97. I paid $32.97.” Chris Lacey is a service manager at a Littleton King Soopers. He’s not surprised by the reports of listed prices not matching what people actually pay. Last week, avocados were listed on the King Soopers app for 99 cents apiece, but Lacey said they rang up as $1.49 for each one.