Navigation Center finally going through permit process, City Council increase personal advocacy power

By Lenore Herskovitz

On April 28, 2026 a neighborhood meeting was held at the Navigation Center at 8000 W. Colfax to explain and discuss the Special Use Permit required for the facility to operate as an overnight shelter. Presently the Navigation Center is performing this service for individuals under a Temporary Permit. The meeting was well-attended by a diverse group. Some had been notified because of their proximity to the facility, others through social media or word of mouth. Young and old residents were present to ask questions and voice their concerns to the City’s representatives Chris Conner, Manager of Lakewood’s Housing and Thriving Communities Division and Paul Rice, the Director of the Planning Department. Chris had been more directly involved with the project so he led the presentation and discussion. There were handouts that provided information about the Navigation Center and the Special Use Process.
Initially many of the comments came from angry residents who felt they should have been notified much sooner. The Navigation Center was already opened and had people living there before there was community outreach. Prior to that, engagement regarding who would operate the shelter consisted of City Staff, representatives from the West Colfax Community Association, non-competing area nonprofits, Jefferson County and command-level staff from Lakewood Police. So basically by the time this neighborhood meeting was being held the Navigation Center was operational.

There were additional concerns other than the delayed notification. Safety is a big problem. A coffee shop owner said that she may have to close her business because the young baristas don’t feel safe in the area. A woman has to walk her dog at 3 a.m. before work because it’s too dangerous at other times. A father worries about drug addicts and needles where his children play. There were complaints of excrement and trash from encampments with little help from the police. Two young realtors spoke of the problems selling property in the vicinity of the Center. Will that area around the Navigation Center ever be able to have commercial success? Can there be an economic rebound for businesses on that portion of W. Colfax Ave.? Will property values in the surrounding areas decline?

The City of Lakewood purchased the properties at 7900 and 8000 W. Colfax Avenue in September of 2024 in funded partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. As a condition of the purchase, a 30-year use covenant is recorded to the properties restricting use to homeless response, even if ownership changes hands. A young attendee asked if there would be periodic assessments and evaluations (any oversight and accountability) regarding the success and failures of the program acknowledging that 30 years is a long time. The Volunteers of America are presently running the Navigation Center and their contract can be renewed after a year. There were questions about costs and funding of the facility in the future with no definitive answers just some aspirational thoughts.

It was encouraging to see so many residents turn out for this meeting. Chris Conner was calm and patient in attempting to allow everyone to have a chance to speak. He answered questions to the best of his knowledge. He did explain the next steps in this Special Use permitting process which will eventually lead to a public hearing before the Planning Commission presently scheduled for June 3, 2026. It should be noted that even if the Special Use Permit were to be denied, the Navigation Center would still be used to serve the homeless community but without overnight housing.

Some takeaways from this large gathering. Community members want to be involved in projects early, before decisions are made. They want their input to have real impact not mere window dressing for an already completed plan. Unfortunately, for too long the City talks about the desire for community engagement but in reality only wants their citizens’ seal of approval for their already made decisions. This creates distrust and anger because residents feel disrespected by those who decide to make decisions for them without their consent. Will things ever change? The Emory/ Action Center deal requires the same Special Use process as the Navigation Center. Will they delay that till the last minute? Is it more beneficial to the City to continue to keep citizens in the dark so they can get what they want? If that is the case, then it is up to the residents of Lakewood to demand transparency and accountability. The network of informed citizens continues to expand. There is strength in numbers and we can support and educate each other. Change will only happen if we band together and insist that it happen.

Lakewood City Council Members gave themselves the right to use their official position as a personal platform, while at the same time further limiting the voice of the residents. New City Council Policies and Procedures were adopted April 24, 2026.

Personal Platforms

A new policy was added, Policy 05.17, that allows Council to use their City Council platform for providing “their personal position on matters not directly impacting the establishment of policy for the City.”

Misuse of Position

There is no explanation as to why City resources should be used to advance a personal agenda that does not benefit the city.

Historically, using government positions to advance personal agendas in what may give the appearance of governmental sanction was known as a misuse of power. The new policy allows a vote of support so that other Council Members can add their personal declaration, which would show City Council support for something that doesn’t affect Lakewood.

This situation was discussed during the Gaza War in 2023. Most Council Members wanted to show support for Palestine. Then-Councilor Rich Olver supported Israel and endured considerable blowback.

Previous Changes

The majority of the 2026 Lakewood City Council have been involved in other changes to increase personal advocacy of Council Members.

Previously, they gave themselves the power to take advocacy positions on an issue. As resident S St writes on LakewoodSpeaks, “change clearly allows electioneering by the council and cannot be allowed, we saw this with the Council’s “resolution” of a NO vote for rezoning. Council should NEVER be allowed a personal or group opinion on a matter of public/citizen authority. I would encourage everyone to read, and read between the lines, of these proposed changes to policy.”

Council has also increased the use of proclamations that did not result in policy changes, especially in 2025.

• March 24, 2025 was declared Nowruz Day in the City of Lakewood

• April 22 was declared Earth Day and April 25 Arbor Day

• May was declared Mental Health month in Lakewood

• June 6 was declared National Gun Violence Day

Exempt from Open Meetings Law

Personal declarations can be developed as a group, and voted on by all of Council. However, per this new policy, such meetings of multiple Council Members will be allowed because they claim it is personal.

Normally, any meeting of three or more City Councilors is subject to Open Meetings Law.

Limiting Public Comment

In contrast, since the election of Mayor Wendi Strom and Mayor Pro Tem Jeslin Shahrezaei, opportunity for public comment has been reduced:

1. Most of public comment has moved to the end of the meeting

2. Candidates can no longer say they are candidates (they never could make campaign speeches)

3. Residents can discuss issues but not urge a specific vote the way Council did

4. The ability to comment remotely via zoom or phone call has been removed

5. Online submission of comments is encouraged rather than in-person comments during city business times (section 05.8, pg 29)

6. And now, online submissions are limited to one comment per agenda item (pg 31)

As Lenore Herskovitz writes on LakewoodSpeaks, “It is unfortunate that you have decided to limit the public to 1 in person comment and 1 comment on Lakewoodspeaks per agenda item. Many comments on Lakewoodspeaks are submitted before Council discussion and votes. Lakewoodspeaks is open until 10 a.m. the following morning. If you have further comment on council action after the meeting ends, this rule prohibits you from expressing it. The post meeting comment certainly doesn’t deprive the Council of any of the time needed to conduct city business so what is the point of the rule?”

Rules for Thee

Resident Alexei Fernandez sums up the changes with “Rules from me but not for thee.”