JEFFERSON COUNTY
Foundation increases support of outdoor lab
A year after coordinating a community effort to save the Outdoor Lab School of Jefferson County, the Outdoor Lab Foundation continues to be a key supporter in the success of the Outdoor Lab program.
A separate 501(c)(3), the foundation raised $66,168.79 to support the capital maintenance needs of the two sites. The funds went to recertifying the fire systems and to putting a new roof on the Mount Evans astronomy lab.
A total of $255,613 went to local schools via the Lab Cards program to support tuition needs for students, with more than $190,000 still in reserves for future years.
Finally, the foundation brought more than $21,000 in in-kind and cash donations to the Lab School sites for much-needed projects and supplies.
“We are proud of the work we are doing for the Outdoor Lab program,” executive director Shannon Hancock said. “And we look forward to continuing to advocate for the labs helping to reach the goal of thriving and being self-sustaining.”
The Outdoor Lab Schools will host an open house Sept. 21. More details are available online at
LAKEWOOD
Help write Lakewood’s history with essay contest. The Lakewood Historical Society announces its second essay contest of this year.
In honor of Dennis Vanderhoof, who remembered the society in his will, the contest is now called the Dennis Vanderhoof Lakewood History Essay Contest. With this stipend, the society is able to offer much more generous prizes for quality essays, which help to research and preserve the many facets of Lakewood’s past.
This year, first and second prizes in the adult category (age 20 and older) are $700 and $600, respectively. Youth younger than 20 can win prizes of $400 and $300.
Deadline for submitting is Nov. 1. For more information and entry blanks, go to the society’s website at historiclakewood.com, or call 303-233-3050 to have an entry blank sent to you. Kay Byler, Lakewood Historical Society
Lakewood begins community discussion on comprehensive plan. The city of Lakewood is beginning a community discussion on how to update Lakewood’s Comprehensive Plan, an essential document that lays out the vision for the city’s future. The discussion will also include creating the city’s first Sustainability Plan, an important step in making Lakewood more sustainable.
Known as Lakewood 2025, the discussion will begin with a series of open houses this fall covering specific topics. The first open house will be “Moving Forward” from 5:30-8 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Lakewood Cultural Center, 470 S. Allison Parkway.
Residents, business owners and community members will be asked to offer their ideas on a variety of topics.
Guest speakers will be Teri Whitmore, director of regional planning and operations for the Denver Regional Council of Governments, and Christopher Duerksen, a land-use lawyer specializing in natural resources and protection of scenic areas.
The open houses will continue in October and November. For a complete schedule, visit lakewood .org/movingforward. City of Lakewood
