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Blue Heron nest at Belmar Park in Lakewood, Colorado
The 132 acre park provides scarce riparian habitat.
90% of wildlife depends on riparian habitat. Less than 2% of Colorado is riparian.
Protecting and saving rare riparian habitats is extremely important to the environment.
With appropriate buffer zones, habitats and housing projects can co-exist!
NOTE: It is important to continue expanding community engagement as the proposal proceeds through the legal challenge phase.
After signing the Change.Org petition and signing up for email updates, here are additional important activities.
If possible, recruit some friends to participate with you. Otherwise, be self-motivated. If canvassing, have a partner with you.
- Sign the petition at Change.org.
- Sign-up for email updates.
- Write a letter to the Editor at The Denver Post.
- A key priority is to inform residents of the 1,400 homes within 500 feet of Belmar Park and alert them to the neighborhood parking and traffic issues that will occur.
- Print, post in break rooms and bulletin boards and share flyers and materials: https://savebelmarpark.com/ Popular Resources This is enables people to scan the QR code and join the email list.
- Attend Lakewood City Council meetings and ask for the Eminent Domain procurement of the parking area at 777 S Yarrow St.
- Contact your city council reps and ask for the Eminent Domain procurement of the parking area at 777 S Yarrow St.
- Ask city council and your local city council reps to step up and guarantee that requirements in the Comprehensive Plan including seamless integration with the neighborhood are enforced on any proposal.
- Invite neighbors, friends, and co-workers to participate.
On the morning of May 12, 2025, the developer began a sudden and rapid fire process of cutting the large, mature trees without complying with Lakewood’s Tree Preservation Ordinance and without obtaining a building permit and without waiting for a month when birds are not nesting in the trees. An attorney representing Save Belmar Park, Inc. immediately rushed to court and obtained a temporary restraining order (TRO). A hearing was scheduled for May 27. Sadly, most of the trees had already been savaged by the time the TRO was issued.
On May 7, 2025, Lakewood’s Planning Commission weighed in with a 5-0 vote in favor of the developer’s proposal which is a significant benefit to the developer. However, there remain additional steps the developer must complete in order to receive a building permit.
A local 501(c)(3) charity (with a similar name as this website but not related) called Save Belmar Park, Inc. has retained an attorney and plans to file a CRCP Rule 106 legal challenge within the next few weeks or so before the time limit to file a challenge runs out.
The charity has raised over $20,000 and requests more donations in order to fund a proper legal challenge. If donations are sufficient, also a possible appeal, if necessary.
Belmar Park is at Risk Of:
Habitat Loss, Degradation and Fragmentation
- Caused by construction disturbance on park property and within the park’s contiguous habitat zone to build high-density housing.
- A valuable bird habitat including over 60 large trees within the park’s habitat zone was already destroyed.
- Raptor species will decline due to inadequate wildlife buffer area recommended by best available science.
- Disease-vector rodent populations will increase due to reduced raptor predation.
- Critical biodiversity will be reduced.
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
The video is not an exaggeration. The actual building height is even taller than Ms. Johnson’s simulation! The building may appear awkwardly out of scale with the surroundings but it is the actual building that is out of scale with the surroundings. Keep in mind it is large enough to park almost 600 vehicles indoors and house 1,000 people.
Habitat Deforestation
The bird habitat removal at 777 S Yarrow St carried out on May 12, 2025 shrank the overall habitat area surrounding the park.
These are some of the 50+ trees that were cut down May 12, 2025. They extended Belmar Park’s habitat for many birds protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and other creatures.
Lakewood made this destruction possible by surrendering public easements and will even allow the developer to perform construction grading inside Belmar Park to enlarge the apartment building footprint to 411 units. Without these major concessions from the city, the project would not be possible.
Lakewood’s Planning Commission knowingly permitted this habitat destruction in violation of a key purpose of the Zoning Ordinance 17.1.2 “To protect and enhance the natural environment including the conservation of natural features, land and energy.”
Conservation biologist Michael Pardo, PhD of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology visited the site and observed:
“These trees will take decades to replace, as young trees do not provide equivalent habitat for wildlife compared to mature trees.”
Click to view Dr. Pardo’s photos and presentation on the environmental impact to Belmar Park.
Belmar Park’s Biodiversity is At-Risk
Heavy equipment will be used both on park property and at the developer’s site.
A contiguous bird habitat area that overlaid the developer’s property was already destroyed by cutting down the large trees in May 2025.
There is no wildlife buffer between the park and the proposed housing project.
- Dr. Michael Pardo is a PhD ecologist from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
- He visited the 777 location and Belmar Park and concluded the: ‘development would be a disaster for birds’.
- The Denver Post editorial board agrees there should be a buffer zone to protect Belmar Park
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife recommends a minimum 1/4 mile buffer zone based on best available science to protect raptors as explained below.
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This proposal violates every stated purpose and intent of Lakewood’s Zoning Ordinance.
Ignores Science
- More mice and other rodents!
- Increased mosquito populations!
Due to the large shadow cast across the wetlands in Belmar Park by the 6-story apartment building, algae will be reduced which will mean fewer frogs and more mosquitos.
Unfortunately, mosquito-borne West Nile virus is present in the Lakewood area and can be a serious illness.
There is no cure for West Nile virus.
In 2023, Colorado led the nation in West Nile virus deaths!
Lakewood’s Culex Tarsalis mosquitos that carry West Nile virus can fly up to 5 miles!
Caution – Lakewood does not spray for mosquitos! Belmar Park is a 132-acre city park and potential mosquito haven!
Depending on the increase in Culex Tarsalis mosquitos at Belmar Park, the 777 project could be responsible for increasing the spread of West Nile virus throughout Lakewood!
This is a deer mouse. Deer mice spread deadly Hantavirus!
Without the recommended raptor buffer zone, rodent predators such as hawks and eagles will not be controlling Belmar Park rodent populations.
As a result, neighbors may notice more rats and mice coming into homes, apartments, etc. near Belmar Park.
Unfortunately, actor Gene Hackman’s wife, Betsy Arakawa, passed away in 2025 from a rodent-borne virus called hantavirus carried by deer mice which are also native to the Lakewood area.
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Ignores Colorado Department of Natural Resources recommended 1/4 mile raptor buffer zone for Red-Tailed Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, Eagles, Ospreys, Various Owls and Falcons:
- “The mature trees on the project site provide nesting and foraging sites for songbirds and raptors.” DenverPost
- Numerous raptor species (including Bald and Golden Eagles in Sept-Oct 2024) have been regularly observed at Belmar Park by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird project and by the Avian Knowledge Network species report posted below. 1, 2, 3, 4
- Colorado Department of Natural Resources Buffer Zone Restrictions for raptors are based “on the best available science and professional judgement.”
- Active nest – Any nest that is frequented or occupied by a raptor during the breeding season, or which has been occupied in any of the five previous breeding seasons.
- Most municipalities in the Front Range use these recommendations when establishing trail closures and permitting construction projects. (See Raptor Plan p.11)
Habitat Damage Promotes Species Decline, Biodiversity Loss and Eventually Extinction!
Important Colorado habitats are already damaged or threatened including Chatfield and Bear Creek Lake due to new water storage allotments.
Now Belmar Park and surroundings at 777 S Yarrow are also in the crosshairs of developers.
Ethical City Planning Can Avoid This Outcome!
Habitats Need Protection!
- Global bird populations are rapidly declining!
- 3 Billion adult breeding birds lost in North America since 1970.
- 2024 duck count was 33% below the 2010-2019 average !
- Half of Colorado’s birds are in decline.
- 2 out of 3 North American birds face extinction.
- Audubon’s chart of most vulnerable birds in Jefferson County, Colorado
This Colorado Bird Die-off Example is proof we need to protect habitats: Hundreds of thousands of birds have been found dead in Colorado and New Mexico in 2020. These are warblers and sparrows that were found in September 2020. (Photo provided by Allison Salas, University of New Mexico) Click image to access in depth article.
Belmar Park Is a Valuable Bird Habitat:
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- Over 230 bird species – (Two Ponds National Wildlife Refuge in Arvada only has 146 species)
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- A listed birding Hot Spot
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- In the Central Flyway migration corridor of North America.
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- 48 Birds of Conservation Concern at Belmar Park (US FWS BCC full list)!
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- View the AKN Bird Species Report including 777 S Yarrow St.
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- Create your own bird species phenology report
“The best way to avoid habitat impacts is to avoid placing development near important bird habitat.”
Requiring a buffer zone to protect the park would reduce the risks to wildlife and save some of the large trees!
Please ask the city to use Eminent Domain to establish that buffer zone.
That is the purpose of the Petition!
More Startling Facts:
- 31 feet from riparian and wetlands habitat.
- Building footprint is over TWO football fields.
- Building square footage over 800,000 square feet exceeds 13 Football Fields!
- Plus TWO towers planned across the street at 777 S Wadsworth up to 12 stories each!
- The 12-story towers could be over 227 rental units per acre!
- Demolition and construction will take years and may scare off birds and wildlife.
- Human occupation and related noise, pets, traffic, litter, etc. will degrade Belmar Park’s wildlife and avian habitat quality.
- Bird migration patterns could be disrupted which can reduce survival.
- Depending on habitat degradation, protected migratory bird populations at Belmar Park may decline.
- 69 large trees listed for removal which would permanently damage Belmar Park’s habitat zone.
- 411 luxury rental units plus up to 800 more in the second building across the street.
- Attached communal garage creates maximum fire hazard.
- City Planner Mark Smith with 20 years experience: “The scale of this project is way, way out of bounds.
No Affordable Housing!
Only market rate luxury rental units estimated by Lakewood Planning up to $5/sq foot (give or take) or $3,500/mo or $42,000 per year for a 700 sq ft studio.
These negotiations took place in secret and quiet - Who knows what the city gave away for nothing!
Administrative Law Attorney
Colorado's urbanization is leading to habitat destruction!
According to the City of Lakewood, Colorado.
Increased Risk of Injury or Death to Residents - Physician Opinion
HOA Board President and physician in letter of June 19, 2023 to Lakewood Planning Department about the increased traffic.
Applying the ‘reasonable person standard’, the Belmar Park West Proposal at 777 S Yarrow Street violates every stated Purpose and Intent of Lakewood’s Zoning Ordinance and certain features of the Comprehensive Plan.
Therefore, approving this project without requiring a reasonable application of Lakewood’s Zoning Code and Comprehensive Plan is an abuse of discretion.
Each Purpose and Intent from Lakewood’s Zoning Ordinance (A) through (K) is cited below in bold print and the related abuse of discretion is documented under each zoning ordinance item.
Lakewood Zoning Ordinance – Adopted May 13, 2019
PURPOSE AND ADMINISTRATION
17.1.1: Title
Title 17 shall be known and cited as the Zoning Ordinance or the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Lakewood, Colorado.
17.1.2: Purpose and Intent
Pursuant to statutory authority, this Zoning Ordinance is enacted for the following purposes:
A. To promote the public health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of Lakewood.
By ignoring the relevant science, the 777 S Yarrow proposal stakes out a position in opposition to public health, safety and welfare.
Outdoor natural areas including parks and wildlife are important to public health and welfare and indirectly to safety.
The proposal does not provide a raptor buffer zone recommended by Colorado Parks and Wildlife based on the best available science. Without the buffer zone, the park’s valuable habitat will be degraded which in turn would reduce the park’s beneficial contribution to public health, safety and welfare.
B. To implement the vision, goals, and recommendations of the City of Lakewood Comprehensive Plan.
The scale of the proposed building and associated increased traffic and parking violate requirement L-N2(c) from page 5 of Chapter 8 of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan to seamlessly integrate with the neighborhood.
C. To protect and enhance the natural environment including the conservation of natural features, land and energy.
The proposal endangers the natural environment by not providing a science-based raptor buffer zone to protect Belmar Park’s wildlife habitat as cited in (A) above.
D. To provide for a range of housing types and costs to meet the current and future needs of the citizens of the City.
The proposal does not provide a range of housing. No urgently needed low-income housing is included. It only provides widely available market-priced luxury housing. It also only provides rental housing. No owner-occupied housing is included.
E. To promote the orderly development and redevelopment of land within the City of Lakewood.
The proposal does not promote orderly development because the scale of the proposed building and the increased traffic and parking violate requirement L-N2(c) from page 5 of Chapter 8 of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan to seamlessly integrate with the neighborhood.
Further, the proposal ignores relevant science as cited in (A) above. Ignoring the relevant science is not compatible with orderly development.
F. To ensure the effective integration of development and redevelopment with surrounding land uses.
The proposal does not ensure effective integration because the scale of the proposed building and the significantly increased traffic and parking violate requirement L-N2(c) from page 5 of Chapter 8 of the 2025 Comprehensive Plan to seamlessly integrate with the neighborhood.
A physician and nearby resident is even on record stating the project poses an increased risk of injury and death to nearby residents. Subjecting nearby residents to increased risk of injury or death is the result of ineffective integration of development with surrounding land uses.
G. To respect the unique characteristics and attributes of individual neighborhoods.
The proposal does not respect unique characteristics of the local neighborhoods because it will radically change the neighborhoods by bringing increased housing density, traffic and parking problems that are not addressed with appropriate mitigations.
H. To promote multi-modal transportation options within the City including safe, efficient and attractive pedestrian and bicycle connections.
The proposal does not promote multi-modal transportation because the location is too hilly for safe, efficient and attractive bicycle connections. Despite increased housing density, no public bicycle lockers are provided. No e-bike charging stations are provided. Therefore, primarily only elite cyclists with more expensive bikes would travel the area on a regular basis.
I. To enhance the appearance of the City of Lakewood through quality site and building design.
The proposal does not enhance the appearance of the city because the site plan removes existing mature landscaping, trees and habitat and replaces them with a 6-story multifamily structure and immature landscaping that will never provide a similar habitat. Removing these elements does not enhance the appearance of the city. Further, hundreds of linear feet of Belmar Park property will be subjected to grading operations despite published assurance from the city that the park would not be touched. This necessity to mislead the public indicates that neither the city nor the developer are confident that the site and building designs are of good quality.
J. To ensure the economic vitality of the City of Lakewood
The proposal does not ensure economic vitality because it only provides luxury rental housing which is already widely available in Lakewood and elsewhere and that most residents cannot afford without being cost burdened beyond the 30% of income threshold which defines cost-burdened households.
K. To promote mixes of commercial and residential uses within mixed-use zones.
The proposal does not include a mix of commercial and residential even though it would be the largest development within the mixed use zone district. The project only includes luxury rental housing.
17.1.3: Relationship to Comprehensive Plan
The Lakewood Comprehensive Plan establishes the goals and policies that serve as the foundation for this Zoning Ordinance.
** All land use decisions shall be consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan and with the Purpose and Intent of this Zoning Ordinance. **
As shown above, the proposal is clearly not consistent with the goals and policies of the Comprehensive Plan nor with the Purposes and Intents of this Zoning Ordinance. Therefore, it would be an abuse of discretion to approve the proposal unless it is revised to satisfy the ‘reasonable person standard’.