Lakewood Traffic Calming & School Zone Sign Requests

Transportation Colorado 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 21, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Residents and neighborhood groups in Lakewood, Colorado can request traffic calming devices and school zone signage to improve safety on local streets. Start by contacting Lakewood Public Works - Traffic Engineering to report speeding, collision history, or concerns about school crossing safety; Traffic Engineering screens requests and explains the evaluation process. Traffic Engineering[1] Requests are evaluated against measurable criteria such as traffic volume, speed, collision history, and proximity to schools.

How the request process works

The city generally follows a neighborhood traffic management approach: intake, data collection, engineering analysis, community notification, and implementation of low-cost devices or signing. Neighbors should document specific locations, times, and observable hazards when they contact the city. After intake, the city may place speed counters or perform observations and then prioritize projects based on engineering criteria and available funding.[1]

Start with Traffic Engineering to confirm whether a formal request or form is needed.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of speed limits and school zone restrictions in Lakewood is performed by the Lakewood Police Department; signage and engineering are provided by Public Works - Traffic Engineering. Specific monetary fines, escalation for repeat or continuing offences, and administrative penalties for improper installation or tampering with official signs are not specified on the cited municipal pages cited here. Lakewood Municipal Code[2]

  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page; see municipal code for traffic and signage offences.[2]
  • Enforcer: Lakewood Police Department handles speed enforcement and citations; Public Works enforces sign installation and maintenance.[3]
  • Appeals and reviews: procedure not specified on the cited page; appeals often follow administrative or court channels for citations and city council or public-works review for engineering decisions.[2]
  • Typical violations: speeding in posted zones, tampering with signs, failure to yield at crosswalks; penalties: not specified on the cited page.

Applications & Forms

The city publishes guidance through Public Works and Traffic Engineering about neighborhood requests, but a specific standardized traffic-calming or school-sign application form is not specified on the cited pages.[1] Contact Traffic Engineering for the current intake form, any fees, and submission instructions.

Implementation options

  • Engineering measures: speed cushions, traffic circles, curb extensions, or lane narrowing where feasible.
  • Signing: school zone advance signs, reduced speed plaques, and marked crosswalks.
  • Scheduling and budget: projects are prioritized and scheduled based on safety need and available funds; timelines vary.
Physical traffic calming often requires community coordination and funding prioritization.

Action steps for residents

  • Contact Traffic Engineering to start a request and ask for any intake form or checklist. Traffic Engineering[1]
  • Gather evidence: photos, dates/times, witness statements, and any crash reports.
  • Submit the request and participate in any required community feedback or meetings.
  • If enforcement is needed, contact Lakewood Police Department for patrols or citations. Lakewood Police Department[3]

FAQ

How do I request traffic calming in my Lakewood neighborhood?
Contact Lakewood Public Works - Traffic Engineering to start an intake and provide location details; the department will advise whether a formal form is required and begin evaluation. Traffic Engineering[1]
Can I request a school zone sign or reduced speed limit near a school?
Yes; requests for school-related signing are evaluated by Traffic Engineering in coordination with the school district and police for enforcement feasibility.[1]
How long does the evaluation take?
Timelines vary by data collection and city workload; specific timeframes are not specified on the cited pages and should be confirmed with Traffic Engineering.

How-To

  1. Document the location, times, and nature of the traffic concern.
  2. Contact Lakewood Public Works - Traffic Engineering and request an evaluation. Traffic Engineering[1]
  3. Provide any crash reports, photos, and petition support from neighbors.
  4. Participate in any community meetings and review proposed solutions.
  5. Follow up with Public Works for implementation timing or with Police for enforcement.

Key Takeaways

  • Start with Traffic Engineering to determine whether a formal request or form is needed.
  • Collect clear evidence and neighbor input to support requests.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Lakewood - Traffic Engineering
  2. [2] Lakewood Municipal Code - Code of Ordinances
  3. [3] City of Lakewood - Police Department

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