🌱 Patch AM: Want to try Lakewood’s first bike-optimized beginner flow trail?

Hello Lakewood! Here's our latest buzz. Let's get into it. ☀️

Before we get to what's happening, a big thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Lakewood PatchAM possible. Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

• Crossroads at Lakewood Memory Care — (720) 393-0394
  Join us for Trick or Treat Street on 10/26/25, from 2-4pm.
• Arbor View Senior Living — (303) 732-5909
  Arvada’s Best Kept Secret in Senior Housing

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

In today's newsletter:

• Want to try Lakewood’s first bike-optimized beginner flow trail?
• Which South Pacific performance night at Lakewood Cultural Center suits you?
• How bad are staffing and safety problems at Lakewood’s youth centers?

Also on today's calendar: Holiday Liter Day — WestFax Brewing, Lakewood, CO and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Sun and clouds, with a high of 65 and low of 42 degrees.
• Wednesday: Mostly sunny and warm, temps: high: 68, low: 48.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 70 and low of 39 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. New bike-optimized beginner flow trail opens at Bear Creek Lake Park near Denver, CO (singletracks.com) — Lakewood riders just gained a new beginner-friendly, bike-optimized flow trail at Bear Creek Lake Park, designed and built in partnership between COMBA and the City of Lakewood. The short Prairie Plunge trail adds sweeping berms, reroutes older eroded paths, and includes ecological restoration work, all while remaining multi-use for hikers and fitting into the park’s conservation-first management approach.
   

2. Performance Now Theatre Company To Present Rodgers & Hammerstein's SOUTH PACIFIC (broadwayworld.com) — Lakewood theater fans can catch Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” at the Lakewood Cultural Center from January 9–25, 2026, with evening and weekend matinee performances. Performance Now Theatre Company’s production features classic songs, a large local cast, and tickets starting at $33, available online or by phone.
   

3. Violence, 16-hour days and no support: Why staff say they're fleeing Colorado's juvenile detention centers (denverpost.com) — Two Lakewood youth services centers are among Colorado facilities struggling with severe staff shortages, long mandatory shifts, and safety concerns for both employees and teens. The article details high vacancy rates, frequent injuries, and criticism of management practices across the state system, while new leadership promises reforms that could directly affect how these Lakewood facilities operate.
   

4. Counselors confront Jeffco schools over mental health cuts (canyoncourier.com) — Lakewood families should know that Lakewood High School is expected to lose a counseling position next year as Jefferson County Public Schools cuts 139 central mental health and support roles despite a voter-approved tax for such services. Counselors are questioning where the mill levy money went and why required financial oversight was never created, warning that students in crisis may soon have far fewer specialists to turn to.
   

📸 Around Lakewood

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Thursday December 25

• Lakewood Performing Arts Council
  Slammers Bingo, 1884 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood
  7:30 pm

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

Wednesday December 24

• Open for Visitors
  Jefferson County, CO Calendar
  8:00 am

Thursday December 25

• Closed for Christmas
  Jefferson County, CO Calendar
  8:00 am

Friday December 26

• Toddler Time
  Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
  10:15 am
• Family Time
  Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
  11:15 am

Saturday December 27

• Holiday Liter Day — WestFax Brewing, Lakewood, CO
  WestFax Brewing Company , 6733 W Colfax Ave , Lakewood
  11:00 am
• Cuentacuentos
  Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
  11:15 am

Sunday December 28

• Wedding Site Tours
  Jefferson County, CO Calendar
  10:00 am

📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 23

• Open for Visitors
  Jefferson County, CO Calendar
  8:00 am
• Athletics - Basketball (boys)
  Green Mountain High School - Auxiliary Gym, Green Mountain High School - Large Gym
  8:00 am
• Smorgasbord of Art
  Golden Library , 1019 Tenth Street , Golden
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Neighborhood Safety & Animal Welfare Concern
  **Update- I did contact animal control. Lakewood came and picked up one little guy that was struggling. Officer was going to watch but ultimately… (Nextdoor Alameda)

Ok Lakewood! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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