Park Rangers

Lakewood Park Rangers patrol the open space parks in the city utilizing trucks, foot, boats and bicycles. They provide regulation enforcement, environmental education, maintenance, and a variety of other services. Rangers also respond to a wide variety of emergency situations as first responders, providing first aid, rescue, wildland firefighting and wildlife rescue.

Rangers are on duty 7 days per week year-round. If you need to reach a ranger:

Emergency: 911

Non-emergency:

• Bear Creek Lake Park visitor center (9am-4pm daily) 303-697-6159
• Lakewood Police non-emergency: 303-980-7300

Rangers are primarily responsible for the following parks: Bear Creek Lake Park, WF Hayden Park, Bear Creek Greenbelt, Main Reservoir, Smith Reservoir and East Reservoir. 

Park Rules and Regulations

Lakewood Municipal Code

Park Rangers

Matthew

Matthew is the newest addition to the City of Lakewood Park Rangers. Matthew moved to Colorado in 2014 after earning his bachelor's degree in Environmental Science & Policy, from Florida State University. Matthew has served as an Animal Protection Officer and Park Ranger for several agencies across the Denver Metro Area over the last five years and is ecstatic to serve the City of Lakewood in his new role. Outside of work, Matthew can be found improving his archery skills and enjoying the multitude of outdoor recreational activities Colorado has to offer.

Garrett

Garrett grew up in Colorado and has bounced around the state, he developed a love for the outdoors on family camping trips, dirt bike trail rides, and fishing trips with his father. Garrett started his career as a ranger in Westminster at Standley Lake, he spent four summers there and also worked two winter seasons here at Bear Creek Lake Park. He then transferred to the Lakewood Police Department where he worked as an Animal Control Officer for five years. Recently, he came back to Bear Creek as a fulltime ranger and is looking forward to working alongside his old coworkers and helping to build the future of Bear Creek Lake Park.

Dave

Dave grew around Syracuse, NY and has lived in Colorado since 2018. Prior to becoming a Park Ranger for the city of Lakewood, Dave worked at Aurora Reservoir and Ridgway State Park. When he’s not working, Dave can usually be found hiking, snowshoeing, fishing, or picking up litter around his neighborhood, always with his Lhasa Apso, Trebek, at his side. 

Grace

Grace is our Park Ranger Naturalist here at Bear Creek Lake Park, overseeing our outdoor and environmental education programs. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, she grew up near by to the Cuyahoga valley National Park where she spent her youth hiking and camping as a Girl Scout. She got her B.S. in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from the University of Vermont. After spending several summers working at nature centers with a variety of animal ambassadors and people in New England, she moved to Colorado to pursue her career as a Naturalist.  She joined us in 2022 and loves backpacking and birding in her new home state.

Luke

Luke started his career as a seasonal park ranger right here at Bear Creek Lake Park back in 2013.  Originally from Arizona, he has been in Colorado since 2010.  He received his B.S. in Parks and Recreational Management from Northern Arizona University and has more than 10 years of experience along the Front Range. Luke has worked for other agencies such as Jefferson County Open Space, Denver, and the City of Lakewood.  Luke returned as a full time park ranger for the City of Lakewood back in 2016.  He enjoys outdoor activities such as fishing, visiting hot springs, sand volleyball, and taking full advantage of Colorado’s beautiful outdoor recreational opportunities.  Luke takes pride in protecting the City of Lakewood Parks and helping park visitors stay safe.   

Todd

Todd started in 1989 as a gate attendant, then became a seasonal ranger the following year while going to college. In 1996, he graduated college with a degree in Recreation and Park Administration and became a full time ranger. When not working at the park, he enjoys working with his livestock and cutting hay.