A closer look at how Lakewood modernized its zoning to meet today’s housing and environmental challenges.

November 18, 2025 | Max Nardo, Housing Forward Colorado
This report was originally published at Housing Forward Colorado (a SWEEP project).

———————————————————-

Lakewood just adopted one of Colorado’s most significant zoning updates: legalizing middle housing citywide and making room for the compact, affordable homes the city has been missing.

Like many cities, almost all new homes in Lakewood have been either large detached houses or apartment buildings, with little in between. These smaller formats — duplexes, townhomes, cottage clusters — fill a critical gap for a city where almost 3/4 of households are now just 1-2 people and starter homes are increasingly scarce. Existing homes of this type sell for $500,000 less than new detached houses, and they’re more often built for sale than for rent.

The new code also includes smaller lots, flexible parking, and small neighborhood shops. Check out our full explainer for more on this code and why it sets a new standard for Colorado.