Sustainable Neighborhood Network

City of Lakewood Sustainable Neighborhoods Program

The City of Lakewood, Colorado Sustainable Neighborhoods Program gives residents the opportunity to become active partners in making Lakewood a vibrant and sustainable community. Neighborhoods participating in this unique certification program use guidance from City staff to organize workshops, projects and events that enhance the livability of their neighborhood and reduce residents' ecological footprint. Participating neighborhoods earn program credits for their efforts and, depending on the number of credits earned in a given year, they may receive City designation as a “Participating Sustainable Neighborhood” or an “Outstanding Sustainable Neighborhood” from the City.

Program participation can enhance the environmental and social strength of a neighborhood while demonstrating commitment to sustainability in Lakewood. In addition, the participation benefits may include recognition from City Council, neighborhood signage, education and an increased sense of community.

Sign up to receive monthly program updates HERE!

Apply for your neighborhood to become one of Lakewood's Sustainable Neighborhoods!

We are excited to open applications for new neighborhoods to apply to join Lakewood's Sustainable Neighborhoods program in 2026. We anticipate being able to add 2 new neighborhoods during this round of applications.

Important Dates:
- January 12 - An application guide (including a list of application questions) and a link to the online application form are available on this website (see below).
- January 27, 6-7:30 p.m. in the Orchard Room at Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, 801 W. Yarrow St - Informational Open House to learn more about the program, hear tips for your application, meet current Sustainable Neighborhood leaders, and ask questions. 
- March 2 - Applications are due.
- March 3-27 - Selection committee will review applications and determine which neighborhoods will be accepted. The committee will review applications and assess each according to the strength of the answers to each question in the application. 
- Early April - We will announce which neighborhoods are accepted into the program. 
- Earth Day 2026 - New neighborhood leadership teams will begin the launch process in their neighborhoods. 

Application
- View our application guide for information about the application and suggestions for applying.
- View the online application form. Apply using the online application form once you have gathered and prepared all of your materials. 

Selection Process
- A committee will review applications and assess each according to the strength of the answers to each question in the application.  

Frequently Asked Questions
1. When are applications due?
• All application materials are due by  Monday, March 2, 2026.   

2. How many neighborhoods will be added to the program? 
• We anticipate being able to add two new neighborhoods to the program in 2026.    

3. What constitutes a “neighborhood” for this program?
• We do not have firm requirements for boundaries of a sustainable neighborhood.  If you have an existing Homeowner’s Association or Neighborhood Association, that would be a great place to start, and might help you build a network of support.  (You can see registered Neighborhood Associations and Homeowner’s Associations on the city’s website:  www.lakewood.org/NeighborhoodOrganizations.) If you do not have an established neighborhood association, that is ok, just do your best to determine an area that you think would work, and if you are accepted to the program we can work with you to refine details and boundaries.  

4. Is there a size requirement for a neighborhood to apply and be a Sustainable Neighborhood?
• No- we currently have neighborhoods ranging from 75 homes to 4000 homes; we can have a variety of sizes of communities involved in the program.

5. What is your selection criteria?
Our committee will review and assess each of the answers to the application questions.  For example, the following information is on the application form and will be considered:

• Application team:  one of the foundations of the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program is the teamwork that makes it all happen. Successful neighborhoods will have several people who are interested in getting things started as a team, and the team will grow from there later on.

• Interest in and understanding of the Program. We want to hear why you want your neighborhood to be part of this program.

• Community support and investment in becoming a Sustainable Neighborhood (you can demonstrate this through your signature sheets).

• Initial project ideas and why those projects would be helpful, successful or useful specifically for your neighborhood (you’ll have space to include this in your application).

• We’re seeking neighborhoods where the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program will increase community cohesion, serve as a catalyst for community engagement, be inclusive in all projects and events, and encourage diversity of program participants. This includes neighborhoods that already have good things happening and helping make them great, or helping neighborhoods that are just getting started at building strong communities.

• We recommend you have a few people read through your answers to proofread and edit your application.

• Don’t let last-minute technical difficulties cause stress in your life—plan ahead and submit your online application on time!

6. What is the level of time commitment involved in being a Sustainable Neighborhood?
• It all depends on how much time YOU have available; the neighbors in existing Sustainable Neighborhoods commit varying levels of time to the program depending on their availability, interest, and what events are going on. The time commitment fits around the other areas of volunteers’ lives. Some current neighborhood volunteers and leaders work full-time jobs, some are retired, some work part-time, and some are stay-at-home parents.  
• Team Meetings: usually once a month or once a quarter.  
• Events: usually around one event a month or every other month.  
• Planning time for events and initiatives:  depends on the complexity of the events and activities—some can be pretty involved and some are very simple.
• Planning time for the team leaders: usually a few hours of administrative work each month (emailing, planning, coordinating, filling out online proposal and credit forms, etc.).

7. What do we get for being in the Sustainable Neighborhoods Program?
• Recognition from the City:  
o Neighborhoods earn credits for each activity, event, and initiative they plan.  When you earn 100 credits, your neighborhood receives certification as an Outstanding Sustainable Neighborhood, you’ll get signs posted in your neighborhood identifying the neighborhood as an Outstanding Sustainable Neighborhood, and your team will be recognized at a City Council meeting.
• Support from the City:
o We have resources, supplies and equipment you can borrow. We have a coordinator who is available to help answer questions, provide tips and suggestions, and help with planning and coordination of events. We also have volunteer appreciation events and an annual volunteer/leader retreat to share ideas, inspiration, and resources across all of the Sustainable Neighborhoods.
• Knowing You’re Making a Difference:  
o You can make a difference in your neighborhood and community (helping neighbors get to know each other, helping build a sense of belonging and community, etc.). 
o You can make a difference for the Earth (informing neighbors about and building a culture of sustainable practices and lifestyles).  
o Participants in the program report that the program has made a huge difference to them personally (meeting and getting to know new friends and neighbors, building leadership skills, learning new information, etc.).
• Be Part of a larger network of neighborhoods:
o Lakewood currently has 10 Sustainable Neighborhoods. 
o Lakewood is one of 4 cities that have Sustainable Neighborhoods Programs.

8. Is there funding available for projects?
• The City provides funding for mailings, office supplies, and can loan equipment like a projector, sound system, chalkboards, tables, reusable dish kit, and more.  
• We have limited funding available for programmatic needs.

9. I am a renter in a multi-family unit, can I submit an application?
• Yes, we are happy to have renters and home-owners involved in the program as well as residents of apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family homes. 

Questions? Email Christy Cerrone, Lakewood Sustainable Neighborhoods Program Coordinator at chrcer@lakewood.org. 

Lakewood Sustainable Neighborhoods Map