Lakewood, Colorado: A City Full of Possibilities

Lakewood, Colorado, is a city that embodies the spirit of the American West. Nestled at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, it is the most populous municipality in Jefferson County and the fifth most populous city in the state. With a population of 155,984 as of the 2020 U.S. Census, Lakewood is a vibrant suburb of Denver and a principal city of the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood, CO Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The urban and suburban development of Lakewood began in 1889, founded by Charles Welch and W.A.H. Loveland. Loveland, the former president of the Colorado Central Railroad, retired to the new community of Lakewood after many years of living in Golden. Until 1969, the area known as Lakewood had no municipal government, relying instead on several water districts, fire districts, and the government of Jefferson County.

The City of Lakewood was incorporated in 1969 as Jefferson City. However, an election was held shortly after, and the city’s name was changed to Lakewood due to an overwhelming dislike of “Jefferson City” and the belief that it would be confused with existing communities in Colorado and Missouri. At the time of incorporation, the city population was already over 90,000.

Geography

Lakewood is located at the junction of U.S. Route 6 and Colorado State Highway 121 in central Colorado. The city lies immediately west of Denver and 62 miles north-northwest of Colorado Springs. Lakewood lies in the Colorado Piedmont on the western edge of the Great Plains just east of the Front Range of the southern Rocky Mountains. Green Mountain, a mesa 6,854 feet tall, is located in the far west-central part of the city.

The city is located in the watershed of the South Platte River, and several small tributaries of the river flow generally east through it. From north to south, these include Lakewood Gulch, Weir Gulch, Sanderson Gulch, and Bear Creek. Two tributaries of Lakewood Gulch, Dry Gulch, and McIntyre Gulch flow east through the northern part of the city. Turkey Creek, a tributary of Bear Creek, flows northeast through the far southwestern part of the city. In addition, Lena Gulch, a tributary of Clear Creek to the north, flows east then north through the extreme northwestern part of the city.

Several small lakes and reservoirs are in Lakewood. The Soda Lakes lie in the extreme southwestern part of the city. East of them lies Bear Creek Lake, a reservoir fed by Bear Creek and Turkey Creek. Clustered near each other in central Lakewood are Main Reservoir, East Reservoir, Smith Reservoir, Kendrick Lake, and Cottonwood Lake. Northeast of them lies Kountze Lake. In the northwestern part of the city, Lena Gulch both feeds and drains Maple Grove Reservoir. In the extreme southern part of the city lies Bowles Reservoir No. 1 and, just outside the city limits to the reservoir’s northeast, Marston Lake.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lakewood has a cold semi-arid climate, abbreviated “Bsk” on climate maps. This means the city experiences moderate precipitation, with some snowfall in the winter months. Summers are warm and dry, while winters can be cold with occasional snowfall.

Lifestyle and Amenities

Lakewood offers a high quality of life to its residents. The city is home to a variety of amenities, including shopping centers, restaurants, parks, and cultural attractions. The city’s [official website](https…while the colder months can drop to the low 20s. The city experiences moderate precipitation throughout the year, with the most rainfall occurring in April and May. Snowfall is common in the winter months, making it a great place for winter sports enthusiasts.

Economy and Job Opportunities

Lakewood boasts a robust economy with plentiful job opportunities. The city is home to a diverse range of industries, including retail, scientific research, healthcare, construction, education, public administration, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. The average salary in Lakewood is about $60,000, while the average hourly wage is $17.79.

The city’s job market has increased over the last few years and predictions show it will continue to outpace the growth of the U.S. job market. Lakewood is home to the bagel giant Einstein Bros Bagels and one of the largest marketing firms in the world, The Integer Group. Some of the largest local employers are the Denver Federal Center, Terumo BCT, Jefferson County R-1 School District, St. Anthony Campus, State of Colorado, and FirstBank. A large number of residents living in Lakewood also commute to Denver for work since the drive is only about 8 miles.

Education

Lakewood is served by the Jefferson County Public Schools, which has received an A- rating. Several elementary schools have received high rankings online, including Dennison Elementary, Devinny, Kendrick, and Stober. Lakewood High School, Green Mountain High School, and Bear Creek High School have also been recognized for their excellence.

For higher education, Lakewood is home to Colorado Christian University, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, and Red Rocks Community College. Plus, since the city is close to Denver, there are plenty of universities to choose from in the big city as well.

Arts and Culture

Lakewood is a city that values arts and culture. The Lakewood Cultural Center boasts a technically advanced 320-seat theater, rotating visual art exhibits, meeting and event spaces, and cultural arts classes for kids and adults. West Arts, Lakewood’s creative district on the West Colfax Corridor, is home to more than 120 creative businesses and dining, galleries, performing arts venues, and public art installations.

The Washington Heights Arts Center offers creative art classes for pottery, metalsmithing, papermaking, weaving, woodcarving, mosaics, painting, and drawing. Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park is a 20th-century museum with more than a dozen historic structures and houses located on 15 acres of property. You can see different pieces of farm equipment and vehicles from the 20th century. The Visitor Center also has two galleries to explore inside!

Lakewood Colorado

Lakewood, Colorado, is a city that offers a high quality of life to its residents. With its robust economy, excellent schools, rich arts and culture scene, and beautiful natural surroundings, it’s no wonder that Lakewood is a popular choice for both families and young professionals. Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or someone seeking a peaceful suburban retreat, Lakewood has something to offer you.