About Lakewood

Lakewood, Colorado, is located very near Denver, Colorado, which lies to its west.Lakewood, Co, was not incorporated until 1969, but it has a written history that dates back to the late 1800s. When the first Europeans arrived in the area in 1858 for the Colorado gold rush, they found an area that was already well known for its hunting. The first settler is believed to be Mariano Medina, who was a very successful hunter turned businessman. After Medina, came Charles Welch and W.A.H. Loveland who laid out the original plots for the city in 1889. Loveland had made his money in the railroad industry and was looking for a place to retire after a long and prosperous career in Golden. The city really began to grow with the building of the tramway, which connected Lakewood, Golden, and Denver by the Denver Tramway Corporation. Nearby farmers produced crops and used the Tramway to deliver them to their customers. Another nearby railroad connected Lakewood with Cheyenne, Wyoming. Farmers in the area produced flour and sugar. Many head of cattle were also raised in the area. The Tramway also brought with it a new kind of resident.

Denver's prosperous businessmen used Lakewood for their summer residences. Fast forward several years and Remington Arms Company established a large ammunition factory there receiving the largest federal government contract awarded in Colorado during that time.Lakewood, Colorado's coldest month is usually January with an average high of 47 degrees and an average low of sixteen degrees. The warmest month is normally July when the average high is normally 88 degrees. The highest temperature ever recorded in Lakewood was 103 degrees, which occurred twice. Once in June 2003 and once in July 2003. The wettest month is normally April, with just over 2 inches of rain typically.Each year on the first weekend in October, visitors and residents enjoy Cider Days in downtown historic Lakewood. Participants are encouraged to bring their apples to make apple cider. Residents also enjoy an apple baking contest and enjoy entertainment. Many vendors also sell arts and crafts at the event. Participants can also enjoy a hayride.

Written by Lyndsey Morgan