Colorado : Safety by City
- Alamosa
- Arvada
- Aspen
- Aurora
- Boulder
- Breckenridge
- Cañon City
- Colorado Springs
- Denver
- Fort Collins
- Grand Junction
- Lakewood
- Loveland
- Montrose
- Pueblo
- Telluride
- Thornton
- Vail
Conveniently located in the Denver, Colorado metro and a short drive from the beautiful Rocky Mountains, Lakewood is a wonderful place to travel if you want to enjoy good food, great scenery, and easy access to a ton of different fun activities.
It’s also one of the healthiest cities in Colorado, boasting over 60 parks to visit if you’re looking to get active and have fun!
If you’re planning on traveling out that way, you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared for your trip and ensure you’ve kept all safety precautions in mind before you go.
From what to pack to the areas you should avoid (and flock to!) we’ve got you covered.
Warnings & Dangers in Lakewood
OVERALL RISK: HIGH
We have given Lakewood, Colorado an overall crime risk of "high". It is safer than only 2% of all U.S. cities, so when traveling here you want to make sure you know your risks and how to stay safe to avoid becoming a victim of theft or other types of crime.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
The most common transport service in Lakewood has become rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft, which we have given a low risk for crime. These are relatively safe services, but you always want to take proper precautions before ordering a ride. On your app, make sure you check the make and model of the vehicle picking you up as well as the license plate number and the image of the driver. Crossmatch these at the time of pickup to ensure you do not get into the wrong vehicle.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
The risk of being pickpocketed in Lakewood is medium. We have selected this rating due to the annual crime average of approximately 8,000 property crimes in Lakewood. Avoid becoming a statistic by wearing your backpack across the front of your body, carrying your wallet in your front pocket, keeping your purse zipped up at all times, and carrying minimal cash and cards.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Due to the location of Lakewood, the risk of natural disasters is low. There are very few blizzards that hit this area, no tornadoes or hurricanes, and wildfires generally stay north of the city and toward the mountains. Check the weather before flying in to make sure you aren't traveling during a potential blizzard or severe storm warning.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
The risk we have given mugging is medium due to the crime statistic rate in Lakewood. 1.4 robberies occur per 1,000 people in Lakewood, which is double that of the United States average. If this occurs, make sure you comply with the mugger. You can replace your property, but you cannot replace your life. This is why carrying minimal cash and valuables is important.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
The risk for terrorism in Lakewood is low. To date, there have been no terrorist activities reported in Lakewood, and there are no ports that have easy entry into the city. The only reported terrorist act in the area was the Columbine High School shooting, modeled after the OKC bombings. This occurred in 1999 and was an isolated incident.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
The scam risk in Lakewood is low. The only major things to watch for are potential phone scams, or people making false claims about needing money. If you feel called to donate to those less fortunate, the Denver Rescue Mission is located in Denver, Colorado, and accepts donations.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
The risk for women travelers in Lakewood is medium. We have given this rating because the rape statistic in Lakewood is twice the average for the United States as a whole. If you are a woman and traveling to Lakewood, it's important to practice situational awareness, do not leave bars with strangers, and make sure you have someone who knows your location at all times.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
Tap water risk in Lakewood is low. There is little to no risk with tap water in most cities in the United States (including Lakewood) thanks to regulatory agencies that check water quality and contaminants.
Safest Places to Visit in Lakewood
The safest areas in Lakewood are located to the west of Wadsworth Boulevard, with crime rates increase as you travel east of this main road.
In general, most bars, restaurants, and shopping centers are safe.
One of the most family-friendly restaurants, also a major feature on the hit adult cartoon series South Park, is Casa Bonita.
Every local will tell you you have to go once (and only once) to this themed restaurant.
It boasts cliff divers, subpar food, and tons of happy kids.
While it is located on Colfax Avenue (a more seedy street that runs through the Denver metro), it’s still a very safe place to visit.
Another safe place to visit is in nearby Golden, Colorado (home of Coors brewing!).
Shopping is fantastic at the Colorado Mills Mall, and it’s a very safe area with a low risk of crime.
Places to Avoid in Lakewood
As stated previously, east of Wadsworth Boulevard marks a very distinct crime rate change.
In general, the crime rate increases on this side of the road, and things can get a little seedy.
One major road that all locals know about (and try to avoid) is Colfax Avenue.
This area is home to a lot of crime, including muggings, rape, and prostitution.
Other than the family-friendly restaurant, Casa Bonita, there isn’t a whole lot of good to get up to around here.
Traveling too far east will put you in neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park, Cheeseman Park, and the Civic Center, which boast some of the Denver area’s highest crime rates.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Lakewood
No matter where you’re traveling in Lakewood, it’s important to keep these 10 things in mind before you set out on your next adventure.
- Know your location. You should always do a little investigation before you go anywhere, whether that’s online or by talking to the front desk at the hotel you’re staying at. This can help you to avoid areas that locals deem “dangerous”.
- Travel light. If you’re leaving your hotel and setting out to see the city, leave the valuables at home. If you are the unfortunate victim of a robbery, you won’t stand to lose quite as much. Carry only what cash you need and keep cards to a minimum.
- Have a travel buddy. Traveling alone (anywhere) is dangerous. Always travel with another person and, if you can’t, use an app to share your location with a trusted friend and family member.
- Don’t get too flashy. If you’re traveling in certain areas of Lakewood, you may come across people who are looking for someone who is a profitable target. For this reason, keep designer brands to a minimum and don’t flash any cash or other valuables.
- Know your ride. Uber and Lyft are two popular rideshare services in Lakewood and, while relatively safe, they can pose a risk. Crossreference your driver as well as the make, model, and license plate of the car before you get into any vehicle. This can easily be done on the Uber or Lyft app.
- For female travelers. If you’re headed out to the bars, make sure you are going with a trusted friend. In addition to this, never leave your drink unattended, and do not leave the bar with anyone you do not know.
- Hotel safety. Always make sure you deadbolt your door and do not give your hotel room key to anyone you don’t know. In addition to this, avoid telling strangers where you are staying as you do not know if they will use this information for crime-related purposes. Remember, the peephole is a safety measure as well, so anytime you hear a knock make sure you check that the person on the other side is supposed to be there!
- Know your surroundings. No matter where you are going, you should keep an eye out for anything suspicious. Situational awareness is a great crime prevention measure.
- Keep back-up cash. If you become a victim of theft, you want to make sure you aren’t going to be left stranded in Lakewood. Keep backup cash and cards in your hotel safe.
- Contact your bank. Your bank has a fraud department whose only job is to make sure that your money isn’t being used by other people. One of the things that they look for is unusual transactions. If you do not frequently travel to Lakewood, inform your bank that you will be in the Denver metro (and give them the dates of your travel). This helps to avoid them putting a hold on your card for suspicious activity.
So... How Safe Is Lakewood Really?
Lakewood is an interesting city, in that you can find very safe areas (on the west side of town) or more dangerous areas (on the east side of town).
Overall, it’s a relatively safe place to visit as long as you keep the safety tips above in mind.
It does have a higher than average crime rate, which is important for you to be aware of before choosing to travel here.
There are approximately 900 violent crimes and 8,000 property crimes per year.
That being said, there is still plenty to do and see in safe areas of town where you can minimize your risk of becoming a crime statistic.
How Does Lakewood Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Lakewood | 38 |
| Boston | 67 |
| Washington DC | 56 |
| New York City | 67 |
| Detroit | 56 |
| San Diego | 67 |
| Miami | 55 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
If you're traveling from out of the country, you will need a visa or passport to gain entry to any city in the United States (including Lakewood). You can apply for a nonimmigrant visa online.
Currency
The currency that is accepted in Lakewood is the US dollar (USD). You can have your country's currency transferred to US Dollars at the Denver International Airport, or any major bank that you are a member of.
Weather
Colorado is a beautiful state that boasts all four seasons. Summer and fall usually have great weather, but it can get very snowy in the winter and springtime.
Airports
The main airport near Lakewood is the Denver International Airport. Located just 30 miles away from Lakewood, DIA is the second largest airport in the world and has a lot of interesting facts and myths (many people believe that there is an underground bunker here and that a secret society built the airport). Keep watch for the blue mustang (locals call him "Bluecifer"). He has glowing orange eyes and is a controversial statue that actually fell on (and ultimately killed) its creator during construction.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is an often overlooked aspect for travelers, but it's very important. Most travel insurance can help you cover emergency medical care as well as any canceled trip costs.
Lakewood Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 7 | 8 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 27 | 30 | 29 | 25 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| Low °C | -7 | -6 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 2 | -3 | -7 |
| High °F | 45 | 46 | 54 | 61 | 68 | 81 | 86 | 84 | 77 | 64 | 52 | 45 |
| Low °F | 19 | 21 | 27 | 34 | 43 | 52 | 59 | 57 | 48 | 36 | 27 | 19 |
Colorado - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Alamosa | 85 |
| Arvada | 87 |
| Aspen | 91 |
| Aurora | 74 |
| Boulder | 85 |
| Breckenridge | 93 |
| Cañon City | 87 |
| Colorado Springs | 76 |
| Denver | 57 |
| Fort Collins | 80 |
| Grand Junction | 78 |
| Lakewood | 38 |
| Loveland | 86 |
| Montrose | 88 |
| Pueblo | 48 |
| Telluride | 87 |
| Thornton | 82 |
| Vail | 86 |
