Lakewood

Lakewood incorporated in 1969 and is now the fifth most populous city in Colorado, with about 157,000 residents across 44 square miles directly west of Denver. Postwar growth followed the Denver Federal Center and the Colfax and 6th Avenue corridors; today the city stretches from the West Colfax arts district to the foothills at Red Rocks.

Belmar

Belmar opened in 2004 on the 104-acre site of the former Villa Italia mall, laid out as 22 walkable blocks of shops, restaurants, offices and about 1,300 residences. It functions as Lakewood’s downtown and sits beside the 127-acre Belmar Park and the Lakewood Heritage Center, whose grounds include an 1870s farmhouse and a 1920s schoolhouse.

Green Mountain and Bear Creek

William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain offers more than 2,400 acres and roughly 19 miles of trail, topping out at 6,854 feet. Bear Creek Lake Park adds 2,624 acres with a reservoir, swim beach and campground on the city’s southwest edge, a short drive from Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre near Morrison.

West Colfax and transit

The 40 West Arts District along West Colfax became a state-certified creative district in 2014, with a four-mile ArtLine walking and biking route added in 2018. The W Line light rail, opened in 2013, runs through the city with seven Lakewood stations on its way from Union Station to Golden.

Homes and housing character

• Ranches, split-levels and bi-levels from the 1950s–70s on former farmland make up much of the city, with Green Mountain’s neighborhoods dating from the 1960s–80s.
• North Lakewood (80215) shares Applewood’s mid-century character and larger lots.
• Newer condominiums and townhomes cluster around Belmar and the W Line stations.