English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Lakewood, CO

Supporters of a sweeping rezoning effort enacted last year by Lakewood’s elected leaders have outraised opponents by a 5-to-1 ratio ahead of a special election that could repeal the measures, according to recent campaign finance reports.

The zoning changes were designed to encourage construction of denser housing in Colorado’s fifth-largest city. Ballots for the April 7 special election, which break down the issue into four questions, will be sent to voters starting Monday as Lakewood plays host to the latest Colorado battle over housing density.

The issue committee Make Lakewood Livable — which supports keeping Lakewood’s rezoning ordinances — has pulled in about $200,000 since the start of the year, while three committees urging voters to scrap the zoning changes have raised just under $40,000, according to reports filed by March 9.

The pro-rezoning side has pulled down big-dollar contributions from developers — $10,000 from Cardel Homes and $50,000 from Boulder-based Conscience Bay — while its top donor is Action Now Initiative. The Houston-based nonprofit advocacy organization, which is a part of the national philanthropy Arnold Ventures, gave Make Lakewood Livable $75,000.

Arnold Ventures was launched by John Arnold, a former Enron executive and hedge fund manager who previously spent in support of Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s election and a 2024 Denver affordable housing sales tax proposal that was narrowly rejected by voters.

The top contribution on the side attempting to repeal Lakewood’s rezoning was $2,500.

“Ours is a true grassroots campaign,” said Karin Schantz, who supports undoing the zoning changes that she feels threaten rural neighborhoods like hers. “I chose my neighborhood because I wanted to be in the agricultural part of the city.”

Schantz, who has kept horses, chickens and goats on her tree-shaded Morse Park property over the nearly 20 years she has lived there, worries that Lakewood’s rezoning will allow “cluster homes” and other higher-density housing types to take root next to her half-acre property.

“It was a blanket rezoning of all of Lakewood,” said Schantz, who established the issue committee Imagine Lakewood to combat the rezoning. “And it’s really affecting the historic older neighborhoods.”

Sophia Mayott-Guerrero, a former Lakewood City Council member who now serves as campaign manager for Make Lakewood Livable, said the city spent more than two years — across 30 public meetings — hammering out the zoning changes.

The new code allows diverse housing stock anywhere in the city, limits new home sizes to 5,000 square feet, and encourages the conversion of vacant or underused commercial buildings to housing. Some of the housing types pushed by rezoning advocates are duplexes, triplexes and accessory dwelling units that come with less square footage but provide more dwelling units per acre than traditional standalone homes.

“The zoning code is designed to foster the type of housing that is built for the missing middle,” Mayott-Guerrero said, referring to types of residential buildings that can accommodate multiple families but aren’t as big as an apartment building. “The idea that we can keep structuring our housing in the same way and get a different result doesn’t make sense to me.”

Home prices in metro Denver have been a problem, especially for working-class people and young families, for years. Last month, the median price of a single-family home came in at $630,000, a 2.4% increase from the price in January.

But signs of relief for homebuyers have popped up in the last couple of years, with a recent report from First American Data & Analytics finding that the Denver region recorded the biggest drop in starter home prices over the past year of any major metropolitan area.

The battle over affordable housing runs deep in Colorado, with the state mandating higher density in recent years and, in turn, being sued by cities that claim the legislation treads on their home-rule authority. Last fall, Littleton voters passed a measure that better protects single-family home neighborhoods from multifamily housing projects.

Dissatisfied Lakewood residents collected more than 10,000 signatures last fall in a challenge to the council’s rezoning ordinances. In January, the council voted to send the four questions to next month’s special election.

Zach Martinez, the director of policy and advocacy at Gary Advocacy, says Lakewood’s rezoning ordinances are exactly what Colorado cities need to pass to make life more affordable for residents.

“The two things that are most costly for families are housing and child care,” he said. “The general approach in Lakewood is good because it allows people to build more housing on smaller pieces of land.”

Gary Advocacy is the policy arm of the philanthropic organization Gary Community Ventures, which was once headed by Johnston. The organization gave $25,000 to Make Lakewood Livable.

“People need affordable homes and that’s our priority,” Martinez said.

Charlie Anderson, the executive vice president of infrastructure for Arnold Ventures, echoed that sentiment in a statement.

“A lack of housing supply, particularly starter homes, has led to an affordability crisis for Coloradans,” he wrote. “Arnold Ventures has provided grants to support efforts in Colorado and across the country, including work in Lakewood, to build homes faster, better, and at lower cost, making housing more affordable for families and workers.”

Make Lakewood Livable is supported by a number of nonprofit groups and affordable housing organizations, including Housing Forward Colorado and Metro West Housing Solutions. It also has the backing of the Jefferson County commissioners and U.S. Rep. Brittany Pettersen and former U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter.

But the Lakewood Citizens Alliance, the issue committee that has raised the most money on the repeal side, takes pride in not having big backing from “national or state advocacy groups parachuting into local issues.” It describes its campaign as one “started by local residents.”

Cathy Kentner, who heads up Lakewood for All — another group supporting the repeal effort — said the city’s rezoning initiative would do little to bring down home prices. It leaves too much power in the hands of developers to build what pencils out best for them, rather than focusing on building an affordable product, she said.

“This new zoning is likely to reduce homeownership opportunities because it allows an investor to replace a single-family home with a multiplex,” she said. “A ‘no’ vote benefits corporations and the wealthy elite, and a ‘yes’ vote is for the people.”

Lakewood’s long-running zoning fight is headed for a spring showdown at the ballot box, spearheaded by a new resolution from the City Council.

The Lakewood City Council amended and confirmed a resolution on Monday expressing the councilmembers’ desire for residents to vote against the repeal of zoning code ordinances 2025-27, 28, 29 and 30 on April 7.

“Vote ‘no’ on ballot questions 1, 2, 3 and 4,” the resolution reads.

The resolution passed 9-2, with Councilmembers Jacob LaBure and Paula Nystrom voting no.

“The intention here is to give people more time to be informed in front of the election,” Mayor Pro Tem Jeslin Shahrezaei said, adding that special elections are often close in results.

The battle regarding the zoning changes started last summer when the council decided to spread the approval of a nearly 400-page zoning code update across separate meetings. The proposal, in its entirety, was approved on Oct. 13 and took effect at the beginning of the year.

Four petitions were then turned in to the city at the end of last year by groups like Lakewood Citizens Alliance and Lakewood Stronger Together to repeal the aforementioned ordinances.

Due to the number of signatures, the council could either repeal the ordinances based on the petition or send the ordinances to a special election. They chose the latter.

Meanwhile, Make Lakewood Livable has worked to promote the changes, claiming the opposing groups used fear-mongering and incorrect information regarding the changes.

Just like the zoning itself, the resolution drew mixed opinions on the city’s website.

“I am upset that the city council and mayor are even considering a resolution to tell the Lakewood citizens how they are supposed to vote on a ballot question regarding the zoning ordinance,” resident Leanne Thompson wrote.

“I support the no position on repealing the new zoning,” resident Joshua Comden wrote. “This is a vote on whether housing in Lakewood will be flexible to meet the quality of life needs of all economic classes or whether we continue the tradition of only serving the economically gated communities in Lakewood.”

WHAT IS ON THE BALLOT?

The debated ordinances — 2025-27, 28, 29 and 30 — include multiple changes that have drawn ire from the opposition.

The biggest issue raised by the opposition (Ordinance 2025-29) was the changing of the term “single-family zoning,” which does not appear in the new document. Instead, the city will use the term “residential dwellings.” A residential dwelling could be a single-family home, duplex, tri-plex or townhome in an effort to create more affordable housing.

Lakewood has never had single-family-only zoning, with all areas allowing some type of different usage like group homes or duplexes, but now all areas will allow multi-family residences.

The other debate, focused on Ordinance 2025-27, included a lack of parking minimums for residences in transit areas and affordable housing units.

Required parking in residential areas for non-affordable housing is based on square footage of the residence. For example, in a residential neighborhood, there needs to be three parking spaces per 1,000 square feet.

The other two ordinances included zoning definitions and planning procedures (Ordinance 2025-28) and changes to the city map (Ordinance 2025-30).

All of these changes, along with the council’s reasoning for the changes, are detailed in the resolution.

While Nystom and LaBure did not support the resolution, they both said there are many positives to the zoning code.

LaBure said that the most concerning issue overall is the city not being able to get citizens to buy into the concept of affordable housing, potentially leading to a lack of development in the future.

Also, residents raised questions on social media regarding the way the ballot will be structured when it is mailed to registered voters before April 7.

“Confusingly, the question on the ballot is whether to repeal the 2025 zoning ordinances. So vote no if you’re in favor of the zoning changes,” one user wrote on the city’s Reddit page.

All four of the ordinances will be separate votes on the ballot.

Premier Assisted Stretching Brand Expands to Colorado Under Local Ownership

LAKEWOOD, Colo., March 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stretch Zone, the nation's premier assisted-stretching brand featuring a patented strapping system on proprietary tables, is proud to announce the grand opening of its newest location in Lakewood, CO. The studio introduces practitioner-assisted stretching to the community, helping residents improve mobility, increase energy, and enhance overall quality of life.

Stretch Zone Lakewood is owned and operated by Pedro Ramirez and Nicole Garcia, marking their first Stretch Zone location, with plans to open additional studios in the future. The duo was inspired to join the brand after experiencing firsthand the benefits of assisted stretching when Nicole sought relief from sciatica pain.

"We're excited to bring Stretch Zone to Lakewood and deliver the awesome service the Stretch Zone system provides," said Pedro Ramirez, Owner of Stretch Zone Lakewood. "Our goal is simple — to help people live better. There's nothing more rewarding than the satisfaction that comes from helping improve somebody's life."

Nicole, who works in the aerospace industry, and Pedro, who previously owned a house cleaning business, were drawn to Stretch Zone's science-backed approach and proven system. With the brand's proprietary method and patented strapping system now backed by research data, they know that Stretch Zone will bring real, measurable improvements to members.

Stretch Zone's practitioner-assisted stretching uses trained professionals and proprietary equipment to help muscles relax and move more efficiently. By stabilizing and isolating muscle groups, practitioners can safely increase range of motion beyond what individuals can achieve on their own. The result is improved flexibility, more energy, reduced stiffness, and enhanced performance in everyday life.

"When someone tries their first stretch session, they're often surprised by how energized and flexible they feel afterward," Ramirez added. "They walk out eager to come back."

Conveniently located in Lakewood, the studio offers accessible appointment times and membership options designed to fit a variety of lifestyles and budgets. The team is committed to creating a welcoming environment where members of all ages and activity levels can prioritize their mobility and long-term wellness.

To celebrate its grand opening on March 5, 2026, Stretch Zone Lakewood is offering a complimentary first stretch session for new members.

Stretch Zone Lakewood437 S Wadsworth Blvd B, Lakewood, CO, 80226Phone: (720) 826-2050Hours: Monday – Friday, 7AM – 8PM, Saturday & Sunday 8AM – 4PM

Outside of the studio, Pedro and Nicole enjoy hiking Colorado's scenic trails and walking their dogs — an active lifestyle that reflects their passion for movement and wellness.

About Stretch ZoneFounded in 2004 by Jorden Gold, Stretch Zone has redefined how people approach flexibility and recovery. With over 420 locations open across the U.S. and Canada, the brand's patented equipment and certified practitioner training deliver a safe, effective experience that improves mobility and enhances quality of life. In 2026, the company released an industry-first research study, The Stretch Zone Effect - published in the Journal of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Treatment, providing scientific data supporting the benefits of its practitioner-assisted stretching method. Stretch Zone has been featured on the Inc. 5000 and Franchise Times Top 400 lists for growth and innovation. Learn more at www.stretchzone.com.

Media Contact:Mariah MckenziePitch Public Relationsmariah@pitchpublicrelations.com

SOURCE Stretch Zone

more press release views with Request a Demo

DENVER — It wouldn’t be Colorado if we didn’t have critical fire danger conditions followed by heavy snow just a day later. But that’s exactly the scenario that will play out across parts of the state as we head into the tail end of the work week.

Warm and dry conditions were felt Thursday across the Denver metro as temperatures reached the upper 60s to low 70s. Windy conditions along and south of I-70 also gave way to high fire danger, with unseasonably warm temperatures in the 70s and near 80 degrees in far southeast Colorado.

Those winds, along low humidity values, prompted the National Weather Service in Boulder to issue another red flag warning from Castle Rock all the way down south the New Mexico border until 6 p.m. Thursday.

But in true Colorado fashion, weather conditions will drastically change late Thursday night into Friday, when a powerful winter storm swings into Colorado, ushering in heavy mountain snow that will then spread across the plains Friday.

What’s going to happen in the mountains?

A winter weather advisory will go into effect for the next 24 hours starting midnight Thursday for the High Mountain Parks, the Front Range Foothills, the Park Range mountains, and the Palmer Divide. Between 3 inches and up to a foot of snow are forecast for the area, with the heaviest amounts falling in the southern foothills.

The northern and southern Front Range foothills, as well as Castle Rock, Elizabeth, and Larkspur will be under a winter weather advisory for about 24 hours starting midnight Thursday. Total snow accumulations for these areas could be anywhere between 3 inches and a foot of snow, according to the National Weather Service.

The biggest impacts from this snowstorm, however, will be felt across the Front Range mountains, the Medicine Bow Range, the mountains of Summit County and the Mosquito Range.

A winter storm warning will be in effect midnight Thursday through midnight Friday for those areas due to gusty winds reaching 40 mph. Blowing and drifting snow along the higher mountain passes will make for extremely treacherous driving conditions. The NWS said Thursday they expect between 6 and 15 inches of snow to fall along these areas.

Weather service officials said localized snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour can be expected under the heaviest showers/snow bands, “most likely along and south of the I-70 mountain/foothills corridor, and across the Palmer Divide.”

Those traveling to the mountains or foothills will encounter a tough morning commute Friday, with evening ski travel also particularly impacted by the evening, according to the NWS.

How much snow can we expect in the Denver metro?

So far, it looks like it’ll be a slushy and snowy Friday for the Denver metro area, according to Denver7 chief meteorologist Lisa Hidalgo.

The shift will begin late Thursday night when the cold front moves over into the plains, bringing temperatures down to near freezing by sunrise.

NWS officials said a few rain/snow showers are possible overnight for the urban corridor, mainly north of Denver, “but almost all of the snow will hold off until after daybreak Friday.”

“Friday morning will see the bulk of the impacts as steady snow develops across the I-25 corridor and becomes heavier in our mountains and foothills,” they wrote in Thursday’s forecast discussion.

Between a trace to 2 inches of snow are expected for Denver, with heavier snowfall totals south and west of the metro, according to the NWS.

"Overall, it looks like light amounts of snowfall ... should be pretty slushy here for our area; it's just been so warm lately," said Denver7 meteorologist Stacey Donaldson. "If you are skiing in the next couple of days, some great powder on the way."

Friday’s snowstorm will break Denver’s long spell of unseasonably warm temperatures this winter. The last time the Mile High City had any measurable snowfall was on Jan. 25.

“Commuters should prepare for slick conditions in the morning regardless,” forecasters wrote Thursday, adding northern portions of the I-25 corridor will be less favored.

The plains will also see limited accumulations as temperatures hovering in the mid to upper 30s, “despite a likely band of greater precipitation extending northeast from the Palmer Divide into the Morgan, Washington and Logan county lines, forecasters said.

Highs on Friday for the I-25 corridor will be in the mid to upper 30s, with temps below freezing in the high country.

Milder and drier weather will return Saturday with a high of 50, and the warming trend continues through Monday, with a high for Denver of 71 degrees.

Colorado snow totals

Here are possible “expected” and “high-end” snow totals across Colorado and the Denver metro area from the NWS.

Here are links to cold weather shelter information and other resources for Denver metro communities.

The City of Denver has activated its cold weather shelter plan.

"All shelter sites are pet-friendly and provide food, showers, and blankets. Transportation will run daily from downtown shelters to cold weather shelter sites. Security will be present at each site, and shelters will deactivate once weather improves," wrote the city in a news release.

Here's additional information from the city on places to find shelter: