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New developments, big changes Past year signals growth in Lakewood By Clarke Reader
creader@colorado communitymedia.com Lakewood celebrated both growth and important milestones in 2014. Here are the most important stories of the year.
Police officers shot Two Lakewood police officers, Kimberly Collins and Jonathan Key, were shot on the evening of July 5 by Gordon Lee Moench, 54. Both sustained non-life threatening gunshot wounds. Moench was taken into custody immediately upon his release from a local hospital on July 7 where he received treatment for a gunshot wound. As the two officers arrived separately on scene on July 5, they were met almost immediately with gun fire from the suspect who had exited the residence and confronted them outside with three guns. Collins, a two-year veteran of the department, was able to call for help after being shot. One of the rounds fired by the Moench hit Key, an eight-year veteran in the protective vest he wore. A third Lakewood officer arriving on scene shot Moench. Moench faces multiple charges including three counts of attempted first degree murder, extreme indifference, four counts of first-degree assault and 10 counts of crime of violence. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Moench’s next court date will be Jan. 12.
40 West Arts District The 40 West Arts District had another banner year in 2014, and perhaps the biggest accomplishment was being certified a Creative District by the Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade. Due to the designation 40 West will be receiving a $20,000 grant from CCI and the Boettcher Foundation, and will be in line to qualify for other arts development grants. The group continued its work with Artspace to set up a new location in Lakewood. In March Artspace conducted a survey process that showed a high desire for arts related housing and businesses in Lakewood. The organization is currently searching for potential sites to build or renovate.
Lamar Station Crossing, Plaza There were major developments near the Lamar Station in 2014. Broad Street Realty announced the purchase of the 191,000-square-foot JCRS Shopping Center in May and renamed it Lamar Station Plaza. The company spent around $9 million for the property and has actively been seeking to revitalize the area. Casa Bonita will stay in place thanks to a 15-year lease extension and Planet Fitness will open a gym in the shopping center. The Lakewood Arts Council (LAC) will also be moving into a 2,500 square-foot space at Lamar Station Plaza. Lamar Station Crossing, the first transit-oriented development along the W Rail, opened in January to massive success. The housing project, by Metro West Housing Solutions (MWHS), features 110 apartments — 80 percent of which are affordable and the remaining 20 percent at market-rate prices. The housing complex became the Rocky Mountain region’s first LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) Neighborhood Development certified community.
Broad Street Realty has announced it will be changing the name of the JCRS Shopping Center to Lamar Station Plaza, which is home to the iconic Casa Bonita. Photo by Clarke Reader
Construction defects
Lakewood City Council passed an ordinance Oct. 13 by a vote of 7-4 that makes it more difficult for homeowner associations (HOAs) to sue developers over alleged construction defects, by giving builders a chance to fix the problems before litigation starts. The ordinance only applies to future projects. The ordinance comes after the state Legislature first took up the issue in 2005, when builders say the assembly froze the new condominium market by making it too easy for homeowners to sue over property defects. This has led to increased insurance premiums that make condos too expensive to build. During the nearly two-hour public comment, both sides of the issue emphasized key themes. Those in favor of the ordinance spoke about the lack of owneroccupied multi-family units and those against spoke about the rights the ordinance would strip away.
Elections, 2A
Lakewood saw some close races in the 2014 mid-term elections, and voted to prohibit retail marijuana shops in the city. Ballot issue 2A, which prohibits recreational marijuana shops from opening in the city, passed with 32,907 (or 53.88 percent) to 28,164 (or 46.12 percent). Support for the passing of the question was determined during the election season, with the “Yes on 2A” committee raising awareness through meetings and signage. Despite predictions that the city would be flooded with funds from special interests support for the opposition was muted at best. In the race for Senate District 22 Democrat incumbent Andy Kerr held on to his seat with 30,510 votes to Republican challenger Tony Sanchez 29,174 votes. In an extremely tight race for Senate District 20 Democrat incumbent Cheri Jahn held on to her seat with 33,543 votes to Republican challenger Larry Queen’s 33,104 votes. In the race for House District 23 Democrat incumbent Max Tyler won with 17,109 votes to Republican challenger Jane
Democratic senator Andy Kerr held on to his District 22 seat in a close race in November. Photo by Daryl Wilson
Barnes’ 13,891 votes. Democrat incumbent Brittany Pettersen also took the victory in House District 28. She won with 16,356 votes to Republican challenger Stacia Kuhn’s 13,395.
James Richey dies at 88
James Richey, the city’s first mayor, died on Nov. 29. He was 88. Richey led the final, successful effort in 1969 to get the city incorporated after three failed efforts by citizens, and worked with residents and the new City Council to build Lakewood into the fifth largest city in the state. Richey served as mayor from 1969 to 1977, and during that time his proudest achievement was the progress he championed in the police department. A park and a gallery in City Hall are named in his honor.
West Metro Fire elections
West Metro Fire Protection District held its first mail ballot election in May and had the largest turnout yet for the dis-
trict. Voters did not approve a new mil levy that the department said was needed. In September West Metro announced that it will pursue the cutting of $2.1. million in budget cuts to stave off budget constraints due to lagging tax revenues and the failure of the new mil levy to pass. The cuts will take effect on Jan. 1. The cuts will include apparatus closures, reallocation of personnel, civilian layoffs and demotions. According to information provided by West Metro Professional Firefighters, the changes result in the demotions of 20 uniformed personnel and the total loss of 22 uniformed positions. There will be seven fewer firefighters on the streets every day.
Rocky Mountain Deaf School opens After years of searching, designing and building the Rocky Mountain Deaf School, located at 10300 W. Nassau Ave., finally opened its doors on Dec. 6. Changes continues on Page 2