Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What makes Lakewood’s new Prairie Plunge trail different for beginners?
You won't want to miss Lakewood Performing Arts Council on the Lakewood Patch calendar
Good morning to you Lakewood! Catch up on our news and events right here. Keep reading to stay in the know. ☀️
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Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In today's newsletter:
- What makes Lakewood’s new Prairie Plunge trail different for beginners?
- Will Lakewood schools lose the mental health support voters thought they funded?
- How bad are staffing and safety problems at Lakewood’s youth centers?
Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Lakewoodfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Tuesday: Sun and clouds, with a high of 63 and low of 43 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny, nice and warm, temps: high: 68, low: 45.
- Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 70 and low of 39 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• New bike-optimized beginner flow trail opens at Bear Creek Lake Park near Denver, CO (singletracks.com) — Lakewood riders now have a new beginner-friendly, bike-optimized flow trail at Bear Creek Lake Park, designed and built with help from COMBA. The short Prairie Plunge trail adds much-needed, modern beginner terrain while the city balances conservation, possible reservoir expansion, and ecological restoration work in one of the metro area’s closest mountain biking networks. 
• Counselors confront Jeffco schools over mental health cuts (canyoncourier.com) — Mental health support at Lakewood High School is on the line as Jeffco Public Schools cuts 139 central positions and tells staff the school will lose a counseling role next year. Counselors are challenging the district to explain where voter-approved mental health tax dollars went, noting Jeffco never formed the required oversight committee and doesn’t track how the funds are spent.
• Violence, 16-hour days and no support: Why staff say they're fleeing Colorado's juvenile detention centers (denverpost.com) — Lakewood’s Mount View and Marler youth centers are among Colorado facilities struggling with severe staff shortages, mandatory 16-hour shifts, and frequent violence, according to current and former employees. Workers describe burnout, injuries, and feeling unsupported by management, while state leaders promise reforms and better staffing at juvenile detention centers across Colorado.
📸 Around Lakewood
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Lakewood
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Lakewood Performing Arts Council
Slammers Bingo, 1884 S Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood
7:30 pm
Thursday December 25
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Intercambio Spanish Conversation Table / Intercambio: Mesa de Conversación en español
Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
6:00 pm - Family Time
Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
6:15 pm - Open for Visitors
Jefferson County, CO Calendar
8:00 am - Closed for Christmas
Jefferson County, CO Calendar
8:00 am - Toddler Time
Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
10:15 am - Family Time
Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
11:15 am - Cuentacuentos
Belmar Library , 555 South Allison Parkway , Lakewood
11:15 am
Tuesday December 23
Wednesday December 24
Thursday December 25
Friday December 26
Saturday December 27
📣 Lakewood Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Open for Visitors
Jefferson County, CO Calendar
8:00 am - Topic to Come!
Jeffco Fairgrounds , 15200 W 6th Ave , Golden
7:00 pm - Men's Basketball
Dakota Ridge High School - Large Gym, Dakota Ridge High School - Small Gym
7:30 am - Wedding Site Tours
Jefferson County, CO Calendar
10:00 am
Tuesday December 23
Thursday December 25
Sunday December 28
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)
🗞 Nearby News
Golden
- End of School Party at the Gem (goldentoday.com)
- Driver arrested road-rage shooting to enter plea Jan. 5 (clearcreekcourant.com)
- Dozens of Jeffco Public Schools employees to lose their jobs due to budget cuts (9news.com)
Littleton
- Littleton Elks donate $3,000 to Nourish Meals on Wheels (littletonindependent.net)
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!
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