Neighborhood Guide
Shop, explore, and live in Lakewood, CO
Lakewood sits directly west of Denver as Jefferson County's largest city, a broad mix of established neighborhoods, retail corridors, and open space stretching from the Denver Federal Center to the foothills. Belmar anchors the city's center with an open-air plaza of shops and restaurants, while Colorado Mills draws shoppers to its outlet stores near the city's western edge. Longtime local favorites like Casa Bonita, a cliff-diving, cave-exploring Mexican restaurant and entertainment complex, and 240 Union, a creative grille operating since 1989, give Lakewood a dining identity distinct from its neighbors.
The Lakewood Cultural Center anchors the city's arts scene with a year-round schedule of theater, dance, and music inside its Civic Center campus. The 40 West Arts District adds galleries, studios, and public art along West Colfax Avenue, complementing the dining and entertainment options found throughout Belmar and Colorado Mills. Jeffco Public Schools serves the city's education needs, alongside higher education options at Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Christian University. Outdoor recreation ranges from Bear Creek Lake Park to William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain, both within the city's own limits.
Transportation and accessibility
On the move
Public transportation
The RTD W Line light rail crosses Lakewood on its route between Denver's Union Station and Golden, with stops at Federal Center Station, Oak Station, Garrison Station, and Lakewood-Wadsworth Station serving different parts of the city. RTD bus routes run along Colfax Avenue, Alameda Avenue, and Wadsworth Boulevard, connecting Lakewood's neighborhoods to the wider Denver metro transit network.
Airports
Denver International Airport (DEN) sits roughly 25 miles northeast of Lakewood, typically a 35 to 45 minute drive depending on traffic and starting point within the city. DEN serves as a major hub for United Airlines and a large operating base for Southwest and Frontier Airlines. The RTD W Line connects riders to the airport by transferring to Denver's light rail system at Union Station.
Cars and driving
Downtown Denver sits roughly 8 miles east of Lakewood, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive via West Colfax Avenue, West Alameda Avenue, or the 6th Avenue Freeway depending on traffic. Wadsworth Boulevard and C-470 provide additional north-south and southern-loop routes across the metro. RTD operates a park-and-ride at Federal Center Station for those looking to avoid downtown parking and congestion.
Pedestrians and bicycles
Bike lanes and shared-use paths connect many of Lakewood's commercial corridors, including the streets surrounding Belmar. The paved Bear Creek Trail runs roughly seven miles through Bear Creek Greenbelt Park toward Bear Creek Lake Park, and multi-use trails at William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain add recreation close to home for cyclists and leashed pets alike.
Industry and job market
Your next job awaits
Lakewood's economy spans federal government, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, alongside a broad retail and hospitality base anchored by Belmar and Colorado Mills. The Denver Federal Center, one of the region's largest federal employment campuses, and St. Anthony Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center, both employ thousands of workers within the city. Terumo BCT, a global medical technology company, keeps its headquarters in Lakewood as well.
Government
The Denver Federal Center, a large federal campus in Lakewood, houses multiple federal agencies and thousands of workers, and the city itself employs a substantial municipal workforce as Jefferson County's largest city.
Healthcare
St. Anthony Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center operated by CommonSpirit Health, anchors healthcare employment in Lakewood, supporting roles across nursing, emergency care, and hospital administration.
Educational services
Jeffco Public Schools, Red Rocks Community College, and Colorado Christian University create teaching, administrative, and support positions throughout Lakewood.
Business services
Terumo BCT, a medical technology company headquartered in Lakewood, adds corporate, technical, and administrative business service positions to the local economy.
Retail
Colorado Mills and Belmar support retail positions across national and independent stores throughout the city.
Leisure and hospitality
Restaurants like Casa Bonita and 240 Union, along with venues throughout Belmar, generate ongoing demand for servers, culinary staff, and hospitality workers.
Education
Education for every age
Jeffco Public Schools, the second-largest school district in Colorado, serves Lakewood's students across the city. Jeffco Public Schools led the state in total honors for the 2024-25 school year with 46 performance awards from the Colorado Department of Education, including the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award and the John Irwin School of Excellence Award at multiple schools. The district also earned the NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education recognition for multiple consecutive years and reported one of its highest four-year graduation rates in over a decade. Jeffco Public Schools publishes detailed boundary maps and school-level accolades on its official website. Lakewood is also home to Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Christian University, giving residents access to a range of higher education options without leaving the city.
Things to do
Out and about
Belmar and Colorado Mills anchor much of Lakewood's shopping and dining, while the Lakewood Cultural Center and 40 West Arts District add theater, music, and public art throughout the city. Casa Bonita draws visitors from across the metro area, and trails at Bear Creek Lake Park, William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain, and Crown Hill Park round out a full day of outdoor recreation across the city.
Our top picks
Casa Bonita
This pink-towered Mexican restaurant and entertainment complex features cliff divers, a cave, puppet shows, and an arcade alongside its dining room. A Lakewood landmark since 1974, it reopened in 2023 under new ownership with a fully renovated interior.
240 Union
Operating since 1989, this creative American grille pairs a seasonal menu with an award-winning wine list inside a warm, art-filled dining room. A patio and separate event space round out the restaurant close to the Denver Federal Center.
Colorado Mills
This enclosed outlet center houses more than 100 stores, restaurants, and a movie theater along Lakewood's western edge. Frequent seasonal sales and a dedicated play area round out the shopping experience for visitors of every age.
Lakewood Cultural Center
This city-owned performing arts venue hosts a season of theater, dance, and music inside its Civic Center campus. A resident theater company and touring performances fill the calendar most weeks of the year.
40 West Arts District
This state-certified creative arts district along West Colfax Avenue features art galleries, studios, and more than 100 public artworks along its free outdoor ArtLine path. Monthly First Friday events open galleries throughout the district.
Bear Creek Lake Park
This regional park spans more than 2,600 acres with a reservoir, two smaller lakes, and multi-use trails for cycling, equestrian use, and outdoor recreation. A designated swim beach, campground, and visitor center round out the park's amenities.
William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain
This more than 2,400 acre open space is Lakewood's second-largest park, with a challenging network of multi-use trails leading to a summit near 6,800 feet. Sweeping views of Denver and the Front Range reward visitors at the top.
Crown Hill Park
This Jefferson County Open Space park straddles the Lakewood and Wheat Ridge border around Crown Hill Lake, with flat trails, wildlife viewing, and a seasonal wildlife sanctuary near Kestrel Pond. No fees are charged for entry.
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FAQs about Lakewood, CO
The RTD W Line light rail crosses the city with stops at Federal Center Station, Oak Station, Garrison Station, and Lakewood-Wadsworth Station, connecting Lakewood directly to Denver's Union Station and to Golden. RTD bus routes run along Colfax Avenue, Alameda Avenue, and Wadsworth Boulevard, reaching most of the city's commercial corridors, including Belmar and Colorado Mills. The paved Bear Creek Trail connects several neighborhoods by bike across roughly seven miles of dedicated path, and Federal Center Station also offers bike racks and lockers for riders combining cycling with transit.
Lakewood's economy spans federal government, healthcare, education, and manufacturing, alongside a broad retail and hospitality base anchored by Belmar and Colorado Mills. The Denver Federal Center, one of the region's largest federal employment campuses, and St. Anthony Hospital, a Level I Trauma Center operated by CommonSpirit Health, both employ thousands of workers within the city. Terumo BCT keeps its corporate headquarters in Lakewood as well, adding technical and administrative roles to the local economy, and Jeffco Public Schools rounds out the city's largest employers as the second-largest school district in Colorado.
Jeffco Public Schools, the second-largest school district in Colorado, serves Lakewood's students across the city. The district led the state with 46 performance awards from the Colorado Department of Education for the 2024-25 school year, including the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award at multiple schools, and earned the NAMM Foundation's Best Communities for Music Education honor for multiple consecutive years. Lakewood is also home to Red Rocks Community College and Colorado Christian University, giving residents access to higher education without leaving the city.
Casa Bonita, a Lakewood landmark since 1974, pairs Mexican dining with cliff divers, a cave, and puppet shows inside its pink-towered building. 240 Union has served a creative American menu since 1989 close to the Denver Federal Center, and Belmar rounds out the city's central dining and entertainment district with dozens of restaurants and a movie theater around its plaza. The Lakewood Cultural Center adds a full season of theater, dance, and music for those looking for a night out.
Bear Creek Lake Park spans more than 2,600 acres with a reservoir, two smaller lakes, a swim beach, and a campground. William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain, Lakewood's second-largest park at more than 2,400 acres, delivers a challenging trail network leading to sweeping Front Range views. Crown Hill Park, a Jefferson County Open Space park on the city's northern edge, offers flat trails and wildlife viewing around Crown Hill Lake. The paved Bear Creek Trail links several of these green spaces across the city.
Yes, Lakewood's parks and trail network welcome leashed pets across most of the city, including Bear Creek Lake Park, the Bear Creek Trail, and William F. Hayden Park on Green Mountain. Crown Hill Park restricts access to its wildlife sanctuary area on a seasonal basis to protect nesting waterfowl, so checking posted signage or the relevant parks department's website before a visit is the most reliable way to plan ahead. Rules and leash requirements vary by park and season across the city.
Colorado Mills anchors Lakewood's retail scene with more than 100 stores, restaurants, and a movie theater along the city's western edge. Belmar adds an open-air shopping district at the center of the city, pairing national retailers with independent shops around its central plaza. Grocery, banking, and pharmacy services are distributed throughout Lakewood rather than concentrated in a single district, giving most residents close-by access to daily needs regardless of where in the city they live. Seasonal sales events at both Colorado Mills and Belmar add further variety throughout the year.
Downtown Denver sits roughly 8 miles east of Lakewood, typically a 15 to 20 minute drive via West Colfax Avenue, West Alameda Avenue, or the 6th Avenue Freeway depending on traffic. The RTD W Line light rail also connects Lakewood's Federal Center Station and Lakewood-Wadsworth Station directly to Denver's Union Station without the need of a vehicle. Denver International Airport (DEN) sits roughly 25 miles northeast of the city, reachable by transferring to Denver's light rail system at Union Station, with Wadsworth Boulevard and C-470 offering additional driving routes toward the southern metro area.