Budget Book Photo Contest

Great photos!

Thanks everyone for all the fantastic photos from our community. With 50 photos, we have so many to choose from, and we'll let you know which ones were selected for the 2026 Annual Budget Book by announcing them on this project page. So stay tuned! It might take a little while.

Share your best photos of Lakewood!

Lakewood is full of beautiful places, and we are looking for the best shots you, the Lakewood community, can produce to be part of our annual budget book this year. Share your unique perspective and help tell the story of our community through one of the city's most important documents. Whether you're an experienced photographer or simply love capturing special moments, we invite you to submit your best photos and showcase what makes Lakewood the city you love.

The annual budget, compiled by the city's Finance Department, is published each year and includes the most recent city budget as approved by City Council. See last year's online.

One special photo will be selected to grace the cover, while seven others will introduce each of the budget's seven sections.

Submit one or multiple photos via the tool below ! Photos should not have the faces of people in them, and please note where in Lakewood each photo was taken and any other relevant information you'd like to share.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 5.

Great photos!

Share your best photos of Lakewood!

The annual budget, compiled by the city's Finance Department, is published each year and includes the most recent city budget as approved by City Council. See last year's online.

One special photo will be selected to grace the cover, while seven others will introduce each of the budget's seven sections.

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 5.

Submit your photo(s)

Submit your photo(s)

We're excited to see your best shots of Lakewood!

Submit your photo(s) by 11:59 Aug. 5. By submitting a photo you understand:

You are encouraged to register to become part of the city's LakewoodTogether engagement site, but it isn't a requirement to submit a photo for this project. You, however, have to create a screen name and provide an email address to submit a photo.
The city has permission to share any photos on other mediums and city publications.
Winners will be contacted by the email address submitted with the photo.
Entries will be reviewed using the Forum Etiquette & Moderation guidelines.

Thank you for sharing your photo with us.

CLOSED: This discussion has concluded. Thanks everyone for all the great pictures. We'll let you know those whose photos were selected.

Share Kendrick Lake, Lakewood, Colorado! on Facebook Share Kendrick Lake, Lakewood, Colorado! on X (formerly Twitter) Share Kendrick Lake, Lakewood, Colorado! on Linkedin Email Kendrick Lake, Lakewood, Colorado! link

Kendrick Lake, Lakewood, Colorado!

by herb440, about 1 month ago

Kendrick Lake Park never disappoints me for the best Sunsets and Sunrise pictures! Lakewood is an amazing city with ample places for recreation and photography!
Kendrick Lake Park never disappoints me for the best Sunsets and Sunrise pictures! Lakewood is an amazing city with ample places for recreation and photography!
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Kendrick Lake Sunset

by herb440, about 1 month ago

Kendrick Lake Sunset! Lakewood, Colorado
Kendrick Lake Sunset! Lakewood, Colorado
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Morning Surprise

by Tessa, about 1 month ago

On July 9th, the morning gifted everyone with this rare sighting taken from 12th & Benton Street.
On July 9th, the morning gifted everyone with this rare sighting taken from 12th & Benton Street.
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Green Mountain sunset photos

by Jeremy Fleming, about 1 month ago

I rode the backside of Green Mountain just before sunset. The deer in the second photo were a few feet off the trail.

I rode the backside of Green Mountain just before sunset. The deer in the second photo were a few feet off the trail.
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colleenkissinger60@gmail.com

by ColleenK, about 2 months ago

I have recently moved back to Colorado, and am happily settling into Belmar neighborhood.
It affords opportunities to walk around Belmar lake, explore the Heritage sites, walk to movies, dining, banking, and shopping. Can practically walk to church!
Lots of beauty, and lots of terrific people.
I have recently moved back to Colorado, and am happily settling into Belmar neighborhood.
It affords opportunities to walk around Belmar lake, explore the Heritage sites, walk to movies, dining, banking, and shopping. Can practically walk to church!
Lots of beauty, and lots of terrific people.
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Nature’s beauty of Lakewood

by Devin G., about 2 months ago

I’m born and raised in Lakewood and have been a resident for 34 years. Lakewood has a small town charm, although we nestled in Denver’s large metro area. Ever since I was little, I’ve always been fascinated by our climate and ever changing weather. From summer storms, sunsets, a foot of snow, stars in the night sky, and everything in between. My favorite place has always been Kendrick Lake Park and the magic that resides there. It’s a place to reconnect with nature. A place to unwind and relax. A place where time seems to slow down. I hope you... Continue reading

I’m born and raised in Lakewood and have been a resident for 34 years. Lakewood has a small town charm, although we nestled in Denver’s large metro area. Ever since I was little, I’ve always been fascinated by our climate and ever changing weather. From summer storms, sunsets, a foot of snow, stars in the night sky, and everything in between. My favorite place has always been Kendrick Lake Park and the magic that resides there. It’s a place to reconnect with nature. A place to unwind and relax. A place where time seems to slow down. I hope you enjoy these photos, as much as I enjoyed shooting them over the years. The beauty of the Lakewood community is unmatched and I feel so fortunate to call this wonderful place home.
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Night Beauty

by CmarieS, about 2 months ago

A super cell producing amaizng brught cloud to groubd lightning. Beauty in its most natural form.
A super cell producing amaizng brught cloud to groubd lightning. Beauty in its most natural form.
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Connecting

by Jack Lafleur, about 2 months ago

Every bridge tells a story of connection.
To the west lies the quiet pull of the Rockies. To the east, the energy of the city. This arch doesn't choose one over the other—it joins them, reminding us that contrasts don't have to divide us. They can define the journey.
Sometimes the most meaningful place isn't at either destination, but on the path that brings them together.
I wanted to photograph the 6th Avenue Arch Bridge in the fall because the season feels like a bridge of its own. Colorado's warm afternoons give way to crisp evenings, the trees trade summer... Continue reading
Every bridge tells a story of connection.
To the west lies the quiet pull of the Rockies. To the east, the energy of the city. This arch doesn't choose one over the other—it joins them, reminding us that contrasts don't have to divide us. They can define the journey.
Sometimes the most meaningful place isn't at either destination, but on the path that brings them together.
I wanted to photograph the 6th Avenue Arch Bridge in the fall because the season feels like a bridge of its own. Colorado's warm afternoons give way to crisp evenings, the trees trade summer greens for gold, and one season quietly hands the landscape to the next. It's a reminder that change doesn't always arrive all at once—sometimes it happens in the spaces between, connecting what was with what's yet to come.
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Golden Hour at Main Reservoir

by Kirsten pratt, about 2 months ago

We have lived in Lakewood for 12 years and we love...well, the lakes! Maine Reservoir is our favorite go-to-lake when we want to really take in all of Lakewoods beauty.
We have lived in Lakewood for 12 years and we love...well, the lakes! Maine Reservoir is our favorite go-to-lake when we want to really take in all of Lakewoods beauty.