The Lakewood city clerk swept aside legal challenges Monday to a growth-control initiative that likely will face voters in the west Denver metro suburb this fall, so the fight is on. And critics of the measure have come out swinging. Cassie Tanner of Lakewood United for Responsible Growth, which was organized to fight the initiative, issued a blistering press statement following the clerk’s decision:

“Whether or not this 14-page, 4,800-word ticking time bomb of unintended consequences can legally appear on the ballot is debatable question. But there is no debating the fact that this Boulder-style anti-growth ordinance will make it more expensive for working families and seniors to live in Lakewood. And it will be a bonanza for the lawyers and the lobbyists who will be needed to navigate the arcane new permitting system.

Tomorrow Lakewood United for Responsible Growth is launching a digital ad campaign against the anti-growth ballot measure, featuring Lakewood Mayor Adam Paul, public school teacher Christine Wiggins, WestFax Brewing’s Anthony Martuscello and others.

There is a rising wave of opposition to this measure, from across the community and across the political spectrum.”

Lakewood United certainly appears to have lined up its supporters and thought through its playbook. “Boulder-style”; “bonanza for the lawyers and the lobbyists”; “more expensive for working families and seniors” – all firecracker phrases sure to incite different segments of the local voter spectrum.

The group behind the initiative, Lakewood Strategic Growth Initiative, has carefully crafted its campaign lingo, too. Point person Cathy Kentner told the Denver Post: “The opposition is already filling the coffers of pro-development candidates, and I’m sure they will mount a high-dollar, high-pressure campaign to sell their unlimited growth stance.”

Both sides have slick websites and probably know how to wield them in a war of agit-prop. You know the drill. And each side has trained its sights on its respective bogeymen: developers vs. Boulder-style prosperity killers. Battle lines are drawn.

Now that initiative backers have gathered sufficient signatures – and legal efforts to halt the effort have been mooted by the clerk – the council will have a chance to approve the proposal or send it to the fall ballot. The latter option is more likely as Mayor Adam Paul and a majority on council oppose the initiative.

Thus, Lakewood, long regarded as a cross-section of Colorado’s electorate, will serve as the latest battleground for the unending battle over growth.