Read through these Forestry FAQs to navigate tree and vegetation issues and concerns in Lakewood.
Lakewood residents can access free mulch on weekdays at our City Greenhouse, located at 9556 W Yale Ave. Residents may load their own vehicles from Monday to Thursday, 7 am to 3 pm, and on Friday, 7 am to 12 pm. Please note that city staff assistance with loading is only available during our mulch giveaway event in May. For the exact date and time, please check back closer to the event.
Services
Help! A branch or tree fell into the street and is blocking traffic, what do I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
- IF the tree is city property, Lakewood Forestry staff will remove it.
- IF the tree is private property, it is the responsibility of the adjacent property owner to clean it up.
Does Lakewood have a public dump for citizens to drop off limbs or brush?
No, not unless the city declares an emergency and opens a temporary dump site following a significant weather event.
However, Jefferson County has opened an additional site for residents including in Lakewood to dispose of slash at 151 S. Rooney Road. Known as Jeffco Tincup Slash, the facility accepts tree branches, woody debris, logs and pine cones, but it does not accept other yard waste such as leaves.
I have a tree issue in front of my house between the street and sidewalk, who’s responsible for it?
Citizens are responsible for maintaining landscaping behind the curb or apparent edge of asphalt.
I have a tree issue behind my house in a ditch, who’s responsible for it?
Contact the Public Works Maintenance Division at 303-987-7950 or submit a service request at Lakewood.org/PublicWorks.
What steps can I take if I have wildfire concerns?
- Visit Lakewood.org/Wildfire for wildfire preparedness and fire mitigation information.
- Any mitigation taken by the city will depend on the exact location and the condition of the vegetation.
Notices and Citations
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city, what do I do?
Read the specific instructions; you have 30 days to complete the requested work. After this time, if all of the requested work has not been completed the city will hire a licensed tree contractor to complete the requested work and hold the property owner responsible for all costs incurred. A certified letter will then be sent to the property owner giving them 30 days to pay in full or a lien will be placed on the property.
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city, who can I hire?
All forestry work for hire in Lakewood must be completed by a licensed and insured tree contractor. For a list of contractors, visit Lakewood.org/Forestry and visit the Tree Contractor Information page.
I received a vegetation correction notice from the city; can I perform the work myself?
Yes, if you are the property owner. However, tree work can be an extremely dangerous job and is best left to a licensed and insured tree professional.
Neighbor Vegetation Issues
My neighbor’s tree or branch is growing over my fence, what can I do?
Under common Law, a property owner has the legal right to trim vegetation up to the property line so long as the property owner does not enter a neighbor’s land or damage/destroy the vegetation being trimmed.
My neighbor has branches on the ground and is not cleaning them up, what can I do?
Contact Code Enforcement at 303-987-7566 or email them at codeenforcement@lakewoodco.org.
My neighbor has a dead/dying/declining tree/branch that I’m concerned about, what can I do?
- Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
- If the Lakewood Forestry staff deem the situation as potentially hazardous, they will issue a vegetation correction notice to the property owner.
My neighbor has shrubs/tree branches low over the sidewalk or street, what can I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
My neighbor has shrubs or trees obstructing visibility at an intersection, what can I do?
Submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.
My neighbor has a cottonwood tree that keeps dropping cotton, what can I do?
- IF the tree is alive, unfortunately there is nothing the city can enforce on this subject.
- IF the tree is declining or has significant deadwood, submit a service request at Lakewood.org/RequestLakewood.