Jefferson County, Colorado
Wide Acres Density Issue Update - September 8
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) notified Jeffco that it agrees the Wide Acres neighborhood qualifies for an exemption to the state law that requires local governments to allow developers to build high-density apartments and townhomes along major bus routes. Last summer, Jeffco proposed changes to its Comprehensive Plan that would have dramatically increased the allowed densities for new development within a half mile of West Colfax Ave. in order to comply with the law. The law also allows for exemptions for areas that meet certain criteria. Jeffco Planning and Zoning, working cooperatively with DWNA and others, submitted requests for exemptions for Wide Acres, Applewood and the Golden Road corridor. DOLA's informal notice to the County is great news. It does not become final until after DOLA approves the County's housing goal report that is required under the state law. That report is due by the end of the year.
For more information, visit www.wideacresco.com.
Big Turnout for Annual Picnic
Another great picnic at Daniels Park last month. Thanks to all our neighbors of all ages who joined in the fun and a special thanks to those who brought side dishes and desserts. There was plenty of delicious food for everyone. And a shout-out to all the members of the Jeffco Sheriff's Office (both human and equine), along with Jeffco Road & Bridge and Dr. Annette Cannon, the Jeffco Coroner, for joining in. For those who could not attend due to the air quality alert that day because of the fires, we hope to see you next year.
June 2026 Board Meeting Summary
Townhomes Lawsuit
- The District Court ruled against us last year and we appealed the decision to the Colorado Court of Appeals. All briefs have been filed and oral argument will be heard by the court in September. We are hoping for a decision before the end of the year.
- The new developer - Morgan Stonehill - asked us in January to consider dropping the lawsuit. After meeting with neighbors in the area around the townhomes' property, we gave the developer a list of terms that needed to be met in exchange for dropping the suit. Terms include a reduction in the number of units from 67 to 44; an increase in the number of parking spaces per unit; additional setbacks, landscaping and other provisions to protect the privacy and views of surrounding properties; and measures to limit traffic east of the property. The developer told us in June that its planners are evaluating the terms.
Together Jeffco
- Comprehensive Plan - The Planning Commission approved the new Comprehensive Plan in April. Essentially, it maintains the status quo in terms of density and zoning for all areas of the neighborhood in unincorporated Jeffco. The County is still waiting to hear from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs on its request to exempt properties in Wide Acres from the high-density requirements along bus routes passed by the legislature in 2024. If the exemptions are not approved, we will work with the County on alternative solutions.
- Unified Land Use Code - The County is continuing work on the creation of the ULUC, which will combine the Zoning Resolution and three other land-use documents into one code. It is likely the process will continue well into 2027. DWNA is monitoring the process and will review drafts when they become available. We will share suggestions and concerns we have with County staff and keep the neighborhood updated.
- Community Wildfire Protection Plan - The plan was adopted in 2024, followed this year by the adoption of the Wildfire Resiliency Code to protect homes during wildfires. The area covered under the code includes parts on the west side of the Daniels Welchester neighborhood, including homes north of 8th Ave. and west of Youngfield St., and homes west of Coors St. (Click here for map.) Those areas are classified as "Class 1 Interface Interior." According to the County, the new code requirements "only apply to new building and zoning permits." This means new requirements when installing roofs, siding, decks and other improvements. Click here for Jeffco's WRC webpage. (DWNA has reached out to Jeffco Planning & Zoning to learn more about the WRC and will post that information on the website.)
Lakewood Zoning Issues
- 2025 Zoning Code - The Code passed by City Council in late 2025 was voted down by Lakewood residents by a 2 to 1 margin in the special election in April. The mayor and council said the four zoning ordinances they passed last year are dead and they will be talking more to their constituents to learn what changes to the zoning code would be acceptable to Lakewood citizens. DWNA is participating in those discussions.
- Wildlife Resiliency Plan - City Council delayed a vote on the plan after strong opposition from citizens. DWNA supports efforts by the City to protect neighborhoods from wildfires. But the proposed plan would require many homeowners in areas on the west side of Lakewood, including Mountain View, to make expensive changes to landscaping around their homes - including removing bushes and trees - that may not be needed for fire protection. DWNA is working with other neighborhood groups to propose changes to the plan.
- City Charter Changes - Lakewood Citizens' Alliance, the group behand the special election, is working to change the city charter to assure greater transparency and citizen input in future efforts by the City to change the zoning code. Changes to the charter must be approved by a vote of Lakewood citizens. Due to technical issues, it may not be feasible to put it on the ballot until the next municipal election in November 2027.
Porter Park
This future Lakewood Park on 8th Av at Tabor St. (next to the townhomes just west of Simms) was scheduled for construction this year. But Lakewood has delayed it until next summer. Click here for more information.
Auto Dealerships Development
Construction of the new dealerships along W. 7th Ave. near Indiana is expected to get underway by this fall.
Old Church Property Development
The owner of the old church property on W. 7th Avenue by the Curling Center is seeking approval of the construction plans to build 5 single family houses. The property is already zoned to allow the development.
Meet DWNA...
"I didn't know you existed"
At DWNA, we hear that a lot. And in some ways, that's a good thing. It's also a bad thing because, if that's you, it means you're missing out on our FREE and FUN annual picnic in August (think food, music, face painting, firetrucks, etc.) and partying with the 250 neighbors who do attend. More on that later...
It's a good thing because what we do is mostly work quietly but diligently to keep this great neighborhood great while you go about your life. We are NOT an HOA. There are no dues. We are a volunteer, grassroots, advocacy group for the neighborhood that's been around for 40+ years. We're a registered non-profit with a 12-member board that's elected at our annual meetings and meets quarterly. If you live here - here being between Colfax & 6th Ave, Simms and Indiana (see map) - you are welcome to participate...or not. Owner or renter, we don't care. You are our neighbor.
Why do we matter?
Well, the Daniels Welchester neighborhood started a hundred years ago. Those who came before us built an amazing neighborhood through commitment and hard work. (Daniels Park was built - literally - by the sweat of the neighbors, starting decades before Lakewood even existed. It truly is our park.) And DWNA has been working hard behind the scenes for all these decades to keep it amazing. All the work is done by unselfish volunteers who just want to give back to the neighborhood they love. Sometimes - fortunately, not often - that means fighting a proposed development that would permanently damage our neighborhood.
Here's what would be here if DWNA hadn't been here to stop it.
- Not once, but twice - in 2013 & 2015 - Jefferson County tried to build a correctional facility housing 250 convicted felons on work release in or next to our neighborhood. Not kidding. Committees were formed, meetings were held, 1000+ volunteer hours were spent, and scores of our neighbors turned out to testify at a Lakewood hearing that started at 6 pm and didn't end until 1:30 am. And we stopped it!!!
- A developer tried to build a five-building, 72-room memory care campus in the middle of our neighborhood in 2015. Memory care facilities are greatly needed, and we have some in small group homes in our neighborhood. But a huge commercial operation with a lighted 20-car parking lot with staff coming and going 24/7 - not to mention emergency vehicles at all hours - surrounded by single-family homes and two blocks from an elementary school? We stopped that too.
- Add to that a large, round-the-clock bar/pool hall at the entrance to our neighborhood at Colfax and Wide Acres (2006), and four attempts in the past decade at massive residential developments on the big lot across Wide Acres from the Daniels Park basketball courts that never happened. Developing that lot is fine, but keep it office, size it right and put the hundreds of cars each day onto Colfax, not Wide Acres.
We want to be clear about this...we are NOT anti-development. We fully respect property rights. There's been lots of developments in our neighborhood over the past 40 years that we supported or stayed out of because they were right for our neighborhood and made it better. A correctional facility would have forever changed the character and safety of our neighborhood. We always want to work cooperatively with developers to make their proposals fit in our neighborhood and usually succeed. Of course, we would have preferred to keep it that vast, beautiful, serene horse pasture that it once was. But, when Colorado Mills was proposed on that property, we worked with the developer in friendly negotiations to minimize the impacts. But some development needs to be stopped because the people who live here should be allowed to enjoy their homes and maintain its value. They have rights too.
For more information on the townhomes and the appeal, click here.
DWNA Contact Information
To get on DWNA's email list for newsletters and event notifications, or if you need to get in touch with DWNA, please send an email to us at danielswelchester@gmail.com
Email us at danielswelchester@gmail.com
©2026 Daniels Welchester Neighborhood Association