Suburban Voters In Lakewood Reject Multi Unit Housing Expansion Plan

By Sage Kelley | The Denver Gazette

Lakewood voters rebuffed zoning changes approved by the City Council that seek to allow for more housing “density,” according to the initial and unofficial count Tuesday night.

It’s the second time in five months that metro Denver voters have rejected efforts to permit multiplexes and similar types of housing in mostly single-family home neighborhoods. Last November, Littleton residents also sided with critics in voting against the city’s “density” campaign.

A group of Lakewood residents gathered sufficient signatures to force a public vote on a 400-page zoning code update and four related ordinances approved by the City Council last year. The measures aim to spur multifamily housing development, according to supporters. Critics said they would alter the character of neighborhoods without achieving their ends.

Here are the results as of 10 p.m.

Question 1: 14,911 yes; 8,082 no

Question 2: 14,832 yes; 8,182 no

Question 3: 14,878 yes; 8,113 no

Question 4: 14,848 yes; 8,132 no

The special election asked voters whether they would like to repeal the ordinances — so a “yes” vote means zoning would go back to the way it was before the 2025 changes.

READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT THE DENVER GAZETTE