The Bear Creek Trail in Lakewood has been named the winner of the 2025 People’s Choice Starburst Award, following a statewide vote that saw nearly 13,000 ballots cast. The trail secured 2,069 votes, finishing just 13 votes ahead of its closest competitor.
This recognition comes after significant upgrades to the trail, which were supported by a $500,000 Conservation Trust Fund grant. The improvements included the addition of 12,000 feet of soft-surface trail parallel to the existing concrete path to help reduce congestion. Other enhancements involved new bridges, repairs to concrete sections, updated wayfinding signage, and rerouted areas designed to improve safety and accessibility while protecting local habitats.
As a result of these changes, visitors now have access to shaded areas, water features, and scenic viewpoints along the trail. The project also aimed to create a healthier environment for wildlife in the area. With these upgrades in place, annual visitation is projected to reach 600,000 people.
The competition for this year’s Starburst People’s Choice Award was close. Hanging Lake and Fort Lupton’s Community Park were among the top three finalists. “But the voices of Colorado have spoken: congratulations to the City of Lakewood on their 2025 People’s Choice win!”
