🌱 Free Meals For Kids + Car Thefts Up 12% + Solid Ground Breaks Ground

Hello all. It's me, Brad K. Evans, your host of the Lakewood Daily — here to explain all the most important things happening in town. In today's issue, you'll find news about these stories and more...

• The Jefferson Center is building a 40-unit permanent housing project in Lakewood.
• State of Colorado launching e-bike rebate program aimed at low-income communities.
• Many students across the state will receive free meals at school next year.

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Wednesday's weather: Mostly cloudy. High: 48 Low: 25.

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Here are the top stories today in Lakewood:

1. Free meals are coming to most of Colorado's school districts. Next year, thanks to a state-wide voter approved measure, school districts across the state will be providing free lunches to their students. So far 16 have announced they will provide free meals next year, but several districts, including Denver and Douglas County, haven't decided if they are going to participate in the program. (CO Sun)
2. Colorado hopes to develop its own e-bike program catering to low-income communities. The state is launching a $10 million e-bike rebate program this spring. While the details have yet to be worked out, but the program will be available to state residents at a certain income threshold. (CPR)
3. Car thefts becoming more brazen, vehicles being used in other crimes. The Colorado Metropolitan Auto Theft Taskforce (C-MATT) estimates that around 42,000 cars will be stolen statewide this year in Colorado. That'll end up being a 12 percent increase from 2022. What's worse, is that suspects are using stolen cars to perpetuate other crimes including robbery and home invasions. (9News)
4. Lakewood planning a multi-million-dollar facility to help the unhoused. The Jefferson Center is building a 40-unit supportive housing complex on West Colfax. The project broke ground on Nov. 29 and is expected to be completed by spring 2024. The Solid Ground project will provide a fresh start for those without stable housing as part of the program's vision to provide "housing first." (Sentinel)
5. Fees for rebuilding reduced for victims of the Marshall and Calwood Fires. Boulder County Commissioners are hoping that by rebating some rebuilding fees, it will spur more construction in areas that were damaged by wildfires last year. So far, out of 250 homes that were destroyed in unincorporated Boulder County, only 23 housing permits have been issued. (FOX31)

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From our sponsor:

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Today in Lakewood:

• Let's Dance: Lakewood Library. (10:15 a.m.)
• Teen Advisory Board: Lakewood Library. (4 p.m.)
• ATD RMC Holiday Mixer: Ideation exchange. (5:30 p.m.)
• A Novel Bunch: "The Sentence" by Louise Erdrich. (6 p.m.)
• Intercambio: Spanish conversation table. (6:30 p.m.)

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From my notebook:

• Lakewood Police Department Update: Driver arrested in ambulance crash on Dec. 6. A Denver man has been arrested after he crashed a stolen vehicle into a West Metro Ambulance. Four people were injured. (Lakewood Police)
• Lakewood Economic Development News: for the Week of Dec. 5. (Lakewood)
• City of Lakewood's City Council is commissioning a citywide parking study. In response to parking-related complaints and conflicts that have occurred in Lakewood. Take a 5-minute survey to share your challenges. (Lakewood)

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Alrighty, you're all caught up for today. I'll be back in your inbox on Thursday morning with a brand-new update! — Brad K. Evans

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Lakewood Daily? Contact me at lakewoodpatch@gmail.com