Karen Gordey
Lakewood City Council - Ward 5
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About the Office
The City Legislature is the municipality's governing body, responsible for voting on ordinances and policies, and often is in charge of hiring a city manager.
Term Length
4 years
Election Date
Nov 4, 2025
About Me
Party
Independent
Occupation
self employed
Fun Fact
In my free time, I like to do anything outdoors whether it is riding my bicycle or kayaking on our nearby lakes. As well, I like to cook anything from scratch. I also enjoy spending time with my wife and our 2 dogs (a pit bull and a german shepherd/boxer mix).
Past Experience
I spent 20+ years in Corporate America working my way up from entry level to Executive Leadership. With that background, I gained invaluable leadership and communication skills. I became an entrepreneur about 6 years ago running my own interior / exterior painting company. I got involved in government several years ago when the City of Lakewood wanted to force one trash company onto the entire city. As a result of meeting with one of my city councilors, I enrolled in the Lakewood Citizens Planning Academy. This was a 6 week course that taught me the fundamentals of city planning. After that, I was on the Lakewood Advisory Commission (LAC) for 3 years. When I left I was the Vice Chair of the LAC. I wrote several articles earlier this year that were published in the Lakewood Informer that talked about "the Bend" project, the city councils voting records as well the proposed zoning changes.
My Top Issues
Promoting efficiency and accountability in government spending
I know firsthand what it means to face financial hardship, make tough decisions, and rebuild from the ground up. After exiting a former franchise business post-pandemic, I made the difficult but necessary choice to file for personal bankruptcy. It wasn’t easy; however it was honest, and it gave me the opportunity to start fresh and rebuild with integrity.
That experience didn’t just shape me, it sharpened me. I learned how to prioritize needs over wants, to scrutinize every line item, and to live within my means. These are lessons I carry into public service. I’ve lived through the consequences of poor financial management. That’s why I am fiercely committed to ensuring Lakewood taxpayers aren’t left footing the bill for wasteful spending or flashy vanity projects.
Unfortunately, we’ve seen troubling signs that fiscal discipline is missing at City Hall. Recent examples include:
Approving up to $500,000 to light up an RTD-owned bridge, a structure the city doesn’t even own.
Employing a full-time City Architect, only to hire an outside consulting firm to redesign Hayden Park.
With voters now allowing the city to retain all excess tax revenue under TABOR, strong oversight is needed to prevent unnecessary mill levy increases.
Balance development with neighborhood preservation
I bought my home in Lakewood in 2011 because of the access to open space, the absence of an HOA, and the unique balance between city convenience and mountain adventure. I fully understood that Lakewood would grow and change over time. Growth is inevitable, but how we manage it is a choice. I am not anti-growth; I support a common-sense approach that balances thoughtful development with the preservation of neighborhood character and property rights.
Citizen Voices
Citizen voices have been ignored for too long, it is time we go back to when they mattered.
Who I'm Running Against
Paula Nystrom (Democrat Party)
Doesn't know a lot about city government but pushes sustainability into everything. Democrat supposedly funding her own campaign. Has been in office for 2 years, up until June 2025 she voted right along with the rest of city council. I wrote an article about the council being a rubber stamp, then her voting habits changed.
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