A city built in one generation
Lakewood didn’t incorporate until 1969, but most of its houses were already there by then. Neighborhoods like Lakewood’s east side, the streets around Belmar and the foothill neighborhoods toward Green Mountain are full of ranch, split-level and bi-level homes from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, with newer infill and townhomes mixed in.
Homes from that period are where you are most likely to find a panel that has outlived its parts supply, a few circuits of aluminum branch wiring, or a basement that was finished without a permit. Remodels in Lakewood often start with sorting out what is behind the walls.
Permits, power and practical notes
The City of Lakewood’s building division handles permits and inspections within the city; Xcel Energy supplies the power. For outages, call Xcel. For anything from the meter base into the house, call an electrician.
Split-levels and bi-levels have their own quirks: long circuits that wander between floors and garages fed from the lower-level panel. Careful tracing saves a lot of guesswork.
Lakewood questions
Asked in Lakewood.
Straight answers for Lakewood homeowners. More in our full electrical Q&A.
My Lakewood home may have aluminum wiring. Is that dangerous?
Aluminum branch wiring, used in some homes built roughly between 1965 and 1973, is not dangerous in itself, but its connections can loosen and overheat over time. Warm cover plates, flickering lights or a burning smell are warning signs.
The proven repairs are special connectors rated for joining aluminum to copper, installed by an electrician, or replacing the circuits. Ordinary push-in connectors and standard outlets are not a fix.
Should I have the electrical checked before a Lakewood remodel?
Yes. A remodel is the cheapest time to fix what is behind the walls, and in a 50- or 60-year-old house there is usually something. Knowing it at the start keeps it from becoming a change order in the middle.
Who issues electrical permits in Lakewood?
The City of Lakewood’s building division handles permits and inspections inside city limits. Your electrical contractor normally pulls the permit.