Lakewood Residents Left in the Cold as Heat System Fails

Residents in the city of Lakewood, located in the Denver metro area, were left without heat over the weekend as temperatures plummeted. Among those affected were residents of the Glenn at Lakewood apartment complex, where heating systems malfunctioned, causing residents to endure extremely cold temperatures.

Isabel, a resident of the Glenn at Lakewood, shared her frustrating experience with CBS News Colorado. She discovered on Saturday morning that her apartment was only 56 degrees, despite having the thermostat set to 70. Maintenance attempted to fix the issue but found that the pumps were not working properly. Numerous buildings in the complex were experiencing the same problem.

In order to keep warm, Isabel and her roommate resorted to creative measures such as turning on the stove and leaving it open at 350 degrees. They also used multiple blankets and a space heater to make their apartment more bearable. However, their attempts to contact the property management for assistance proved futile. Calls and emails went unanswered, leaving residents feeling ignored and frustrated.

As the situation continued to worsen, a pipe burst in their building, causing water to leak from the ceiling. Concerned about further damage, Isabel and her roommate decided to temporarily stay elsewhere, with one going to a hotel and the other staying with a friend. They took precautions to protect their belongings in case of another pipe burst.

It was not until Sunday evening that residents received communication from the property manager, claiming they were working to resolve the heating issue. However, the lack of heat remains a significant concern for residents, especially those with children and pets who do not have access to additional warmth. Isabel expressed her frustration, highlighting the challenging circumstances faced by many in the complex.

As of Monday, the property manager had not responded to inquiries for comments on the situation. However, Isabel received an email stating that heating and hot water had been restored in her building. The email advised residents to contact staff if this was not the case, though it remains to be seen if the issue has been fully resolved.