What do you want for Lakewood?

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Consultation has concluded

Consultation has concluded.

TABOR vote creates separate budget

Lakewood voters approved lifting the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits on the city’s budget through 2025, and the additional funds made available by this vote will be tracked in a separate budget.

The decision on TABOR came on the November ballot when Lakewood voters were asked whether the city could keep TABOR funds to spend on additional city services such as open space purchases, transportation improvements and the police. TABOR is the state law that allows residents to decide whether to limit city revenues to a specific level each year or to lift the TABOR limits to allow those funds already collected by the city to be spent on services for residents. More than 60 percent of Lakewood voters approved lifting the TABOR limits on the city’s budget.

With the voters’ approval, Lakewood can use $12.5 million that’s currently in excess of the TABOR limits in the following ways:

  • $8.5 million for open space and parkland purchases.
  • $2 million for police protective gear, safety-related and other needed items.
  • $2 million for infrastructure and transportation improvements.

Work is already underway to purchase police safety equipment and to install transportation improvements, but discussions will continue on the parkland acquisitions.

Review the list of police and transportation items here.

After this year and until Dec. 31, 2025, any money collected in excess of the TABOR limits will be spent in the following ways:

  • One-third for open space and parkland purchases, improvements or maintenance.
  • One-third on police safety equipment, other assets or police agents.
  • One-third on transportation improvements to address high-priority safety concerns or for new and upgraded sidewalks, paths, streetlights or path lighting where needed for safety.

More information and TABOR project updates, visit the "Projects paid for with TABOR funds" on the city's budget page at Lakewood.org.

Consultation has concluded.

TABOR vote creates separate budget

Lakewood voters approved lifting the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits on the city’s budget through 2025, and the additional funds made available by this vote will be tracked in a separate budget.

The decision on TABOR came on the November ballot when Lakewood voters were asked whether the city could keep TABOR funds to spend on additional city services such as open space purchases, transportation improvements and the police. TABOR is the state law that allows residents to decide whether to limit city revenues to a specific level each year or to lift the TABOR limits to allow those funds already collected by the city to be spent on services for residents. More than 60 percent of Lakewood voters approved lifting the TABOR limits on the city’s budget.

With the voters’ approval, Lakewood can use $12.5 million that’s currently in excess of the TABOR limits in the following ways:

  • $8.5 million for open space and parkland purchases.
  • $2 million for police protective gear, safety-related and other needed items.
  • $2 million for infrastructure and transportation improvements.

Work is already underway to purchase police safety equipment and to install transportation improvements, but discussions will continue on the parkland acquisitions.

Review the list of police and transportation items here.

After this year and until Dec. 31, 2025, any money collected in excess of the TABOR limits will be spent in the following ways:

  • One-third for open space and parkland purchases, improvements or maintenance.
  • One-third on police safety equipment, other assets or police agents.
  • One-third on transportation improvements to address high-priority safety concerns or for new and upgraded sidewalks, paths, streetlights or path lighting where needed for safety.

More information and TABOR project updates, visit the "Projects paid for with TABOR funds" on the city's budget page at Lakewood.org.

Consultation has concluded

Ask your question here about City Council's TABOR discussion and city staff will respond within three business days. For general questions and concerns about the city, please visit www.lakewood.org/RequestLakewood, which is the city's online customer service center available online 24 hours a day. 

Please note, your question will be visible to the public. If you'd like to send a question privately, please contact kaigau@lakewood.org.


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    More of a statement. I would like them to disprove my concerns. KEEP TABOR AND KEEP THE COUNCIL IN CHECK. The Government never holds to their word and will always misappropriate the money. It's better spent by the citizen that owns it in the first place. I helped develop the off road registration (OHV) that was to be used for trails and rec for all Coloradans specifically OHV use. Well we know they stole that money multiple times just like Congress has stolen Social Securities money as well. It's backed by IOU's. That's why it will go bankrupt not just people living longer. I was there the night CDW started the lifetime habitat stamp (temp which became permanent) I bought one that night at the banquet. Well few years later you now have to have a Small game and fishing $43 plus 2 habitat stamps $20 (or the lifetime was $250 not $300 I believe) just to apply to hunt big game. So they imposed a $63 fee just to apply for a permit they get to keep. They are all corrupt do not trust them. Nothing is more permanent then a temporary tax

    Nothumn1 asked about 5 years ago

    Good afternoon. Thank you again for commenting to express your feedback. This election happened in November 2018, and Lakewood voters approved lifting the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits on the city’s budget through 2025, and the additional funds made available by this vote will be tracked in a separate budget.You can learn more about 2019 projects here: https://www.lakewoodtogether.org/LakewoodFunding/news_feed/what-will-the-tabor-refund-pay-for. 

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    Keep Tabor and learn to live within a budget WE DO!

    Nothumn1 asked about 5 years ago

    Thank you for your comment. Lakewood voters approved lifting the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits on the city’s budget through 2025. You can learn more here: https://www.lakewoodtogether.org/LakewoodFunding/news_feed/what-will-the-tabor-refund-pay-for.

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    A very effective way to spend a small fraction of the $8.5 million allocated to open space and parkland purchases: acquire the plot located at 6590 W Arkansas Ave adjacent to Lasley park, and convert this space to additional park area! The property is 2.65 acres which would contribute an additional 1/3 of park space to Lasley Park and is currently on the market for $700,000. Purchasing this lot and zoning as park space will also prevent over development in this already-crowded area next to an elementary school. The real estate records show this lot is to be divided into 8 to 24 patio home lots. Enough lining the pockets of the real estate developers; Lasley is the ONLY park in the Cloverdale neighborhood. Let's consider the children and families of Lakewood.

    Stephen asked about 5 years ago

    Good morning, Stephen. Thank you for your suggestion, and we believe the Community Resources Director and planning employee discussed this site with you earlier in the week. Thank you. 

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    Will additional bike lanes and bike paths be considered as part of the infrastructure planning?

    RHavey asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for your question. Installation of a new shared use path on the east side of Wadsworth Boulevard and south of Mansfield Parkway is included in the approximately $2 million designated for infrastructure and transportation improvements from the 2017 funds currently in excess of the TABOR limits. Of the revenues above the TABOR limits from 2018 through 2025, one-third would be used on transportation infrastructure improvements; however, the specific projects have not been determined.



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    Is this money that the city of Lakewood already has or will it require further and increased taxes

    joann asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to learn more about this issue, and yes, this is money the city already has, and it does not involve any tax rate increase. Please let us know if you have any other questions.

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    One way the city needs to do better is to cut back on all of the money they spend on non-essential items. There would be a lot more money available to use on essential things the city should be providing for the people who live here. I feel that the city has plenty of money to make improvements in safety and for open space and infrastructure and transportation needs without taking our Tabor refund. This refund would benefit a lot of people who are just barely getting by. Those who don't need the money can either donate it to their favorite charity or help someone in need in the community.

    carol asked over 5 years ago

    Carol, thank you for taking the time to provide your feedback. We appreaciate your insight. 

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    What specifically does police safety equipment and assets mean? From the outside looking in, this is completely unnecessary and certainly not what Lakewood truly needs. I agree with a set percentage to buy and/or improve open areas - this is good in a multitude of ways as long as its not all developed and the wildlife have sancuary. I also completely agree with infrastructure needs and resident safety. Lastly, I strongly believe as a resident of Lakewood for 36 years, that this city could benefit hugely with a certain percentage for upkeep of presentation in our neighborhoods. By this I mean assisting land owners (particularly the elderly but also those who need help) by any means necessary to remove dead trees and shrubbery and maintain a reasonably nice presentation. Lakewood has always been in dire need of this kind of assistance and would do wonders for the community, property values, reputation and overall morale. Thanks for listening.

    Ray Acree asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for letting us know your thoughts. To answer your question about the police safety equipment and assets, here is what has been discussed: SWAT vehicle, ballistic equipment, taser replacement, patrol car light bar replacement, infrared UAV camera, police agent health and wellness assessment and license plate readers. To learn more, you can watch the Sept. 17 study session about the budget in the “important links” section of this website. This will be discussed further at the Oct. 8 and Oct. 22 meetings.


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    Absolutely Not Tabour must Stay Lakewood City Council is not Above THE STATE OF COLORADO CONSTITUTION

    Tabour Must Stay asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for your feedback.

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    I support letting the city of lakewood keep and spend the 12.5 million . why, you ask? because there is really no fair or impartial to refund the money back to the taxpayers. I am a property owner , and I do not need a refund whatever amount is. The way the refund would be disbursed would be unfair to the renters who live in lakewood. The refund to property owners would also be unfair to all the visitors who do not live in lakewood who pay sales taxes. We can trust the city of lakewood government to spend the money wisely. TABOR is not perfect and it does more harm than good.

    debruce123 asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for taking the time to communciate your feedback.

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    I see the Stevinson annexation (which includes Colorado Mills and Denver West) is PERMANENTLY exempt from TABOR limits on property, sales and use taxes. So 2017 Mills is not part of the $12.5 million excess? Are any marijuana sales taxes in the City Revenues subject to TABOR? Thank you.

    G.C. asked over 5 years ago

    Colorado Mills is not part of any excess. Marijuana sales are subject to the 3.0% Lakewood sales tax. Two thirds of the Lakewood sales tax (except at Mills) is limited by Tabor.  There are no marijuana sales at Colorado Mills.