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.