City of Lakewood and McKinstry Advance Sustainability Goals with Major Solar Investment

Ribbon Cutting Marks Completion of Renewable Energy Installation and City’s First Self-Owned Solar Arrays

LAKEWOOD, Colo. – [Jan. 26, 2026] – McKinstry and the City of Lakewood completed a renewable energy project ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center. The ceremony launched the city’s first self-owned solar arrays, celebrating a major milestone in the city’s long-term sustainability efforts.

Lakewood’s commitment to sustainability began in 2015 with the adoption of a citywide sustainability plan focused on energy, water, waste and renewable energy. At the time, city buildings and infrastructure accounted for approximately 44 percent of Lakewood’s total greenhouse gas emissions across both municipal and community facilities. During that period, energy use intensity across city facilities increased by 18 percent over three years.

In 2016, Lakewood selected McKinstry through a competitive process facilitated by the Colorado Energy Office to conduct a technical energy audit of four municipal facilities. The audit evaluated public buildings and recreation centers and identified a range of energy-saving measures to support the city’s 2025 sustainability goals.

That initial project recommended and implemented improvements including a comprehensive LED lighting retrofit, energy recovery ventilator replacement, boiler upgrades, water conservation measures and a citywide behavior-based energy efficiency program. The resulting $2.5 million investment delivered approximately $123,000 in annual savings while improving comfort and reliability across city facilities.

Building on the success of the energy performance contract, Lakewood continued its partnership with McKinstry through a solar feasibility study and, in 2024, selected McKinstry as its renewable energy development partner through a solar design-build process.

The most recent phase of work includes delivery of two solar arrays at the Charles Whitlock Recreation Center totaling approximately 500 kilowatts across rooftop and carport systems. The arrays are designed to offset up to 100 percent of the facility’s electricity use. In addition to generating renewable energy, the project provides shaded parking and long-term operational savings.

The Whitlock installation marks a significant milestone in its clean energy transition. The project was funded through a $931,700 grant from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, a 30 percent federal tax credit and a capital contribution from the city. Grant and incentive funding offset much of the project cost, making the installation a strong financial investment for Lakewood.

“Our partnership with Lakewood has grown steadily over the years, starting with energy efficiency and expanding into renewable energy,” said Brad Liljequist, director of zero-carbon solutions at McKinstry. “Reaching this milestone and celebrating it with a ribbon cutting highlights the impact of long-term collaboration.”

The Lakewood projects serve as a model for other Front Range municipalities with similar building portfolios, population sizes and energy goals, particularly communities within Xcel Energy territory seeking to reduce carbon emissions and expand renewable energy use.

“This project completes years of planning and investment from the City of Lakewood, allowing us to improve energy savings, showcase one of our key recreational facilities, and deliver our first City-owned on-site solar array for the community,” said Jeff Wong, Principal Sustainability Planner for the City of Lakewood. “This project with McKinstry and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs will make our Lakewood community stronger and more resilient for years to come.”

About McKinstry

McKinstry is a national leader in designing, constructing, operating and maintaining high-performing buildings. From new construction and ongoing operations to adaptive reuse and energy retrofits, the company provides a single point of accountability across the entire building lifecycle. McKinstry focuses on people and outcomes to ensure the built environment serves owners, operators and occupants alike. McKinstry is your trusted partner for the life of your building. Learn more at www.mckinstry.com.

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