Healthcare has been a big driver of the economic recovery here in Colorado, and Lakewood is no exception. The biggest impact has been from the new St. Anthony's Hospital, located on land that was formerly part of the Denver Federal Center at Simms and Alameda, but downtown Lakewood has seen its share of growth too. Kaiser Permanente has plans to expand their Alameda and Carr St. location, while HealthOne will run the emergency medical center currently under construction at 260 S. Wadsworth (directly north of the downtown Lakewood Walgreens).
Why the boom? I've heard there are two factors. The first is the transition of the baby boom generation to retirement, medicare, and greater health care needs. The second is the huge expansion of medical care made possible by the Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare). More people with health insurance means more business for heath care providers, and that has meant more economic development for Lakewood.
