Economic Development

Lakewood's approach to economic development is as unique as our community. We focus on facilitating appropriate real estate development and infrastructure, while maintaining our regional competitiveness, promoting environmental and economic sustainability, encouraging diverse job growth, assisting small businesses and maintaining our strong local employment base.

The Economic Development Division is dedicated to sustaining a strong economic base while maintaining our community’s quality of life and vitality. 

We are a team of professionals dedicated to:

  • Business Attraction
  • Business Retention and Expansion
  • Workforce Development and Entrepreneurialism
  • Marketing and Communications

New Economic Development Programs

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Grant Programs 

Business Safety and Security Program(PDF, 234KB)
Application

Commercial Reinvestment Program(PDF, 231KB)
Application

Adaptive Reuse Program(PDF, 239KB)
Application

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Small Business Opportunity Workshops
with Colorado Enterprise Fund

Sign up now

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Lunch and Chats

Sign up now

 

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Jumpstart Lakewood

Stay tuned to hear when applications will open for 2024! 


Find the most up-to-date information on all development projects in the City of Lakewood.

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40 West Arts District:

40 West Arts District is a nonprofit, state-certified creative district located along Lakewood’s historic West Colfax Avenue. Working with its local partners, its mission is to enrich the community and enhance the creative, cultural and economic vitality of the West Colfax corridor by creating community arts spaces and community arts events and by showcasing creative enterprises and activities in the district. 40 West Arts district includes a wide range of galleries, creative businesses, studios and more in addition to the Hub, at 6501 W. Colfax Ave., and the 40 West ArtLine, a four-mile walking and biking art experience with 70+ art installations connecting three community parks.  40 West Arts is an active partner in promoting the corridor as a destination through its social media campaigns and free arts programming, including First Friday openings, Colfax Art Crawls, a curated outdoor mural program, the annual Colfax MuralFest.

Alameda Corridor Business Improvement District:

The ACBID service area covers commercial property/business owners in Lakewood with boundaries adjacent to Alameda Avenue from Sheridan Boulevard to Carr Street on the north, and Sheridan to Allison Parkway on the south. Within the corridor, commercial property owners voted to tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant. ACBID focuses on the three key areas of street beautification, economic development and corridor safety.

Alameda Connects:

Alameda Connects is a membership organization located along the Alameda corridor made up of businesses, neighbors and community leaders with the mantra of connect, engage, grow. Alameda Connects promotes the corridor, participates in networking opportunities and provides information to the community.

Applewood Business Association (ABA):

The ABA is located in the northwestern portion of Lakewood and is made up of businesses, neighbors and community leaders who have an interest in the area. The association promotes the corridor, participates in networking opportunities and provides information to the community.

Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT):

OEDIT works with statewide partners to create a positive business climate encouraging dynamic economic development and sustainable job growth. Under the leadership of the governor, it strives to advance the state’s economy though financial/technical assistance in support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the state. It offers a host of programs and services tailored to support business development at every level including business retention services, business relocation services, business funding and incentives. The office includes the Colorado Tourism Office; Colorado Creative Industries; the Colorado International Trade Office; the Colorado Small Business Development Centers; Colorado Office of Film, TV & Media; minority and women-owned business services; and economic research.

Colorado Small Business Development Centers (CSBDC):

The Colorado Small Business Development Center Network (CSBDC) is dedicated to helping existing and new businesses grow and prosper in Colorado by providing free and confidential consulting and no- or low-cost training programs. The CSBDC has locations around the state with a team of business experts ready to help entrepreneurs start, and existing business owners create and retain jobs, secure loans, increase sales, win government contracts, obtain certifications and more.

JeffcoSBDC Network:

The Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, in partnership with Arvada, Golden, Lakewood, and Wheat Ridge, hosts an in-house Small Business Development Center specialist to support business owners and entrepreneurs in Jefferson County though confidential one-on-one consulting.

Jefferson County Business and Workforce Center:

Jefferson County Business & Workforce Center saves businesses time and money through every step of the recruiting process. Along with finding pre-screened candidates for open positions, workforce experts help employers grow their own talent by building mentorships, apprenticeships and on-the-job training opportunities. These and a wide array of resources are all free. 

Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation (Jeffco EDC):

Jeffco EDC is a public/private, not-for-profit partnership dedicated to preserving and enhancing the economic vitality for the citizens of Jefferson County through the attraction, retention and expansion of primary jobs.

Lakewood's Development Assistance Team (DAT):

The City has established a cross-departmental group called the Development Assistance Team (DAT) to oversee the efficient and thorough review of all development proposals. A number of divisions from within the Planning and Public Works departments participate in the DAT, which meets weekly to coordinate the review of all development proposals in Lakewood.

Lakewood West Colfax Business Improvement District

The Lakewood-West Colfax Business Improvement District (LWCBID) is located along Lakewood’s historic West Colfax corridor. It focuses on district advocacy, identity, business attraction and economic development activities. As the primary funding and operational partner for the West Colfax Community Association and 40 West Arts, LWCBID works with local business and property owners and other local partners to evolve this historic corridor in a way that aligns with the vision and values of the community as articulated in the corridor-led and city-adopted West Colfax Vision 2040 Action Plan. Thus, the LWCBID’s overarching goal is to shape West Colfax into a place where locals and visitors come to create fresh opportunities, connect with diverse experiences and celebrate culture both old and new—all in a safe, connected, vibrant, creative community.

Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation (Metro Denver EDC):

The nation’s first regional economic development entity, bringing together more than 70 cities, counties and economic development agencies in the nine-county metro Denver and Northern Colorado area, Metro Denver EDC works with communities to help site selectors and companies with location, expansion, information and market decisions. It provides services that include website, specialized data services, access to partners, site tours, community involvement and advocacy.

Red Rocks Community College (RRCC):

Since 1969, Red Rocks Community College has been creating pathways to success for students across the state. With over 60 degrees and 182 certificates, the college focuses on providing education that is rooted in real-world applicability. Courses are delivered in formats from traditional classroom, online, self-paced, and weekend classes.

Small Business Administration Area 8 (SBA):

The SBA provides loan guarantees, contracts and counseling to small businesses across the United States. It has a focus on helping entrepreneurs grow and provide counseling and disaster assistance. Programs including online webinars, in-person counseling sessions, how-to information and access to staff to help answer additional questions.

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs):

SBDC serves dedicated entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their path to success. Utilizing the powerful partnerships of the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro SBDC has been a cornerstone of the business community. The centers are here for one purpose: to put Coloradans to work. At the Denver Metro SBDC, it helps clients pursue a career in business ownership and become active community contributors, job creators and wealth producers. Core services include free one-on-one consulting, training and programs.

Lakewood Business Association (LBA):
The Lakewood Business Association (LBA) is dedicated to promoting the economic vitality of Lakewood and its nearby neighbors. The LBA protects the business interests of local businesses, executes outreach to residents, neighborhood groups, merchants, and commercial property owners, implements projects to beautify and enhance the area and bring people to the area for shopping and recreation and works with other established organizations to enhance the economic vitality of the community.

Union Corridor Professional Association (UCP):

UCP is a group for the businesses along the Union Boulevard Corridor. The purpose of this group is to strengthen the business community and give business owners the opportunity to network with their neighbors and hear updates specific to the area from local officials.

West Colfax Community Association (WCCA):

The West Colfax Community Association is a nonprofit coalition of engaged neighborhood, business and civic leaders focused on providing a unified local platform to foster and advance the quality of life, economic vitality and values of the West Colfax community. Working in collaboration with its local partners, WCCA hosts and supports events and programs that strengthen and invigorate the community. WCCA is the area’s oldest association serving both businesses and residents in the corridor; its monthly meetings are the best venue to connect with the energy and momentum of the historic West Colfax community.

West Metro Chamber:

A 72-year-old chamber of commerce, West Metro Chamber is the regional chamber for Jefferson County and the west metro area. It’s mission is to build a strong business community through collaboration, leadership, development, education and advocacy. It produces more than 100 events and programs a year. The West Metro Foundation also runs Leadership Jefferson County, a renowned leadership program seated each year through an application process.  

Demographics help the City of Lakewood gain an understanding of the City, as well as plan for the future. Data comes from a variety of sources including the U.S Census Bureau, the State of Colorado, the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, CoStar and the City of Lakewood.

View our 2023 Community Profile(PDF, 2MB) for updated information on population, demographics, land use, traffic, trends, employment and rents. 

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Lakewood Economic Development will help you promote your grand opening by: 

  • Promoting you in our e-Newsletter and on social media.
  • Highlighting your business in the Looking@Lakewood newspaper.
  • Notifying the elected officials who represent your area. 

We are happy to promote bricks and mortar businesses as well as home-based businesses.  

Please fill out the form below or reach out to our office to discuss your Grand Opening.

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Lakewood Economic Development makes sure your start-up, existing or expanding business benefits from the City's collaboration and support. Community, government and strategic partnerships allow Lakewood to provide your business with all the information necessary to succeed and thrive in our community.

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Lakewood is Colorado's fifth largest city, ideally located between the foothills and the Rocky Mountains, and 10 minutes from the middle of the metro area.  We are a forward thinking, all-inclusive community and a strong regional partner. 

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