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Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

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Archives for 2024

November Library Events – Book clubs, LEGO program, scheduling change

By Harriet Halbig

The Monumental Bookworms evening book club will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 12. This club is sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Friends of the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD). This month’s selection is Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. All are welcome to attend.

The Monumental Readers book club will meet from 10:30 to 12:30 on Friday, Nov. 15. This month’s selection is Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt. This club is sponsored by the Friends of PPLD and all are welcome.

Patrons age 5 to 12 are welcome to attend the Monument Library Idea Lab: LEGO Build: Engineering your best LEGO creation. Completing LEGO challenges and producing LEGO art are only some of the possibilities at this open-ended LEGO program using PPLD’s LEGO resources.

Many virtual programs are also available through the library district. These include information about genealogy and author visits. See the website ppld.org under programs for further information.

Please note that all library facilities will close at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27 and remain closed all day on Nov. 28 for Thanksgiving. Libraries will be open regular hours on Friday, Nov. 29.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

Other Library articles

Palmer Lake Historical Society, Oct. 17 – How the star and Town Hall became historic places

By Marlene Brown

The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its monthly membership meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on Oct. 17. Longtime resident of the Palmer Divide area and friend of the PLHS Jack Anthony, and his wife Margo, explained how they were able to get the Palmer Lake Star and the Palmer Lake Town Hall placed on the Register of Historic Places on behalf of PLHS.

The Colorado State Register program is administered by the Office of Archeology and Historic preservation within History Colorado, which maintains the official list of historic properties. See historycolorado.org/Colorado-state-register-historic-properties.

The Palmer Lake Star

First they applied to have the Palmer Lake Star be accepted and then the Town Hall. The Town of Palmer Lake, the owner of the star, and Mayor Nikki McDonald consented to have Jack Anthony apply to History Colorado in October 2012, and the application was approved by the Review Board in January 2013.

The star was constructed in 1935. It took three months initially to build by several volunteers including Gilbert Wolf, Floyd Bellinger, George Sill, and Jesse Krueger and sons Orville, Kenny and Harry. After many tries and work-arounds with the technology of the day, the star was lit in mid-December 1935 and every year since from Dec. 1 to Jan. 1 and on special occasions.

The Krueger sons were tasked every year to hike up Sundance Mountain where the star resides and change burned-out lightbulbs. Later the Volunteer Fire Department took on the maintenance of the star and now holds a chili supper fundraiser the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Town Hall to raise money for replacing wires and poles as needed. The star has been viewed and enjoyed by travelers between Denver and Colorado Springs.

Palmer Lake Town Hall

Palmer Lake was established in 1883 and was a stop for the railroads to load with supplies and water for continuing on to Denver or Colorado Springs. The Town Hall was built in 1914 and has gone through some renovations to bring the electrical and plumbing to code over the years, but the town has kept the original design in place. It has been home to the Yule Log Celebration every year since 1933. The celebration has become a community tradition and keeps the history alive. See townofpalmerlake.com for this year’s information.

Jack Anthony applied May 31, 2019 to History Colorado have the Town Hall be placed on the Register of Historic Properties, and that was approved Sept. 25, 2019. See historycolorado.org/Colorado-state-register-historic-properties. Upon approval, the town became eligible to apply for grants for maintenance and upgrades.

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PLHS is a nonprofit 501C3 and holds regular meetings at the Town Hall, 42 Crescent Valley St., Palmer Lake, on the third Thursday of the month. Membership information and future presentations can found at palmerdividehistory.org.

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake Historical Society articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Let’s protect our forests, soil, and gardens

By Janet Sellers

Trail markers, aka trail blazes

We will soon see some newer trail markers on trees in Fox Run Regional Park. Volunteers with the Friends of Fox Run Park made great efforts recently to put up new, silver-colored markers safely tacked to pine tree bark, (older versions were blue), but the markers have been disappearing for unknown reasons. These are traditional trail markers, especially useful and necessary in snowy, icy weather when we cannot see the actual trail.

Our high desert forest clime is dependent on its skin of soil and plants to survive. When we honor this part of the forest we cannot see, the part we can see has a better chance to thrive amid us humans, the invasive species. The trail markers thereby help protect the delicate forest ecosystem because we can stay on the trail and not damage the ecosystem underneath our big, human, heavily shod feet or the bicycles people ride. Please respect the forest floor, the “soul of the forest” and only step on trail areas. The trees will thank you by living longer and we can enjoy each other for a long, long time.

Above: Example of a trail marker.

Berry propagation

When the berry canes go dormant, it’s the perfect time to snip up some of the canes and root them. That’s one way to get a lot of berry plants. The primary canes are the new growth. They don’t make berries in their first year. There are many ways to root berry canes from the primary canes. Some gardeners say to snip the canes to 8 inches and store them until spring, others say to snip the canes and immediately set them to root in a rooting medium and care for them until spring planting.

Blindfold the Xmas cactus for blooms

Now is the time to cover the holiday cacti to force blooms in six weeks. They need 12 hours of darkness a day at about 55 degrees, so a cool spot is vital. With this 12-hour darkness trick, you can get Christmas cactus to bloom several times a year. Bring them out to enjoy when buds form. If the buds fall off, that could be due to a draft, too much sunlight, water or warmth. They thrive with these tips that seem like neglect.

November is also a good time to protect your garden plants and soils with some pine mulch. Six to 8 inches deep help keep them protected over the winter, letting in moisture, protecting the ecologically vital microbiome and even the insects birds need.

Above: Thanks to volunteers gifting tomato plants in spring, hundreds of tomatoes have been harvested at the Tri-Lakes Cares food garden. Young volunteers have been helping to plant, care for and harvest the crops. The green tomatoes harvested before a freeze and can be eaten cooked -or frozen as is – and used in any tomato recipe or replace tomatillos for salsa. Frozen green tomatoes can be used over the course of a year. If you have garden seeds or plants to share, please donate them to Tri-Lakes Cares for the food garden. Madeline and Audrey help Janet Sellers in the food garden to harvest green tomatoes. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Janet Sellers is an avid lazy gardener, letting Mother Nature show the way to enjoy gardening, harvests, and flowers. Please send your handy hints to JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Gardening articles

On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Enjoy being outdoors, but be prepared

By Steve Pate

On a hike up the Palmer Lake Reservoir trail Oct. 22, I took one of my favorite loops, the Ice Cave Creek trail to connect with the Swank trail and then back by the upper reservoir. I found only a few patches of color left, but the pine, fir, and spruce forest was still beautiful.

I encourage those who are able to explore our wonderful outdoor opportunities in the Tri-Lakes area—mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding—but please be prepared from now through April for challenging conditions.

While it was 70 degrees on my hike, the abnormally warm temperatures may cause one to forget to include important items in your pack, especially if you go off the grid in remote areas. Include plenty of water, warm clothing (hat, gloves, and extra clothing), first aid kit, micro-spikes for icy conditions, snacks, and a satellite communication device if you expect to be in remote areas where cell phones do not work.

Being prepared allows you to truly enjoy your surroundings, disconnect from daily hassles, and become part of a natural environment.

I am nearing the end of my ability to hike in difficult conditions and will probably turn this column over to a younger outdoors person. I do intend to continue volunteering with Our Community News and will do what I can to occasionally contribute. One thing that I intend to continue to follow is the investigation of Tim Watkins’s murder. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has renewed efforts to solve this awful crime from September 2017. Again, as we suggested in OCN last month, if you have any information that might help with the investigation, please contact Jennifer Bucholtz, criminal investigator with the Sheriff’s Office, at 719-520-7227.

Above: Upper Palmer Lake Reservoir, Oct. 22. Photo by Steve Pate.

Steve Pate may be contacted at stevepate@ocn.me.

Other Trail articles

Art Matters – It’s not just decor: Art creates a space and creates our sense of place

By Janet Sellers

We walk through rooms or sit on furniture, but we take in and look at wall art, sculptures, and vases for respite, for rest, for reliance. In finalizing room design for setting the tone of where we are, we are impacted by many things, and a need for self in safety comes into play. Art can change the way a space feels to us. It is the art that defines and creates a space as it puts in the feeling and ambience where we live, work and socialize. When we think of it, art reminds us of many things that we relate with and react to, but often don’t talk about. Art is subtle and powerful.

Calm, restful art and colors support us to relax. Landscapes make a room feel larger and offer the feel of a window to the outdoors, while portraits silently make us feel watched and protected—or assaulted. Active, even strident, images or colors enliven a space for action. Words as art can dictate how one should feel. Still life artworks bring objects into the room’s experience. Even abstract art is neutral but never boring.

Spotlight on our shops, artists, and originality

November is a great month to collect art, and Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30) in our town should have some impressive options in view—so keep your eyes open for them! Our local artists, art groups, and art venues offer us ways to have art and its pleasures every day. This month, connect with them and enjoy their art, buy some art, and support the arts in your own inimitable way. Be original! Original art lets us feel alive and authentic, and we can change art around our rooms in any change of seasons or spaces.

Our beloved art gallery and frame shop, Bella Art and Frame Gallery, will close in November after 27 years in our community. Famed for supporting our local art scene with art shows, art events, artists, and framing the art we all hold dear, owner Ethan Ahlstrom sent out the message recently to the artists. He explained that for health reasons, he has the business up for sale. Friends, if anyone you know wants to secure this established and treasured local art venue, urge them to do so. You know, it could be a single owner or a group effort.

Maggie Williamson, the previous owner, has been holding down the fort for the past year. She recently shared that she will be enjoying her retirement here in town. When you see her, do say hello and offer your thanks for her stalwart and loving support of the arts all these years!

Above: On Oct. 4, the last Art Hop of the season saw the Palmer Lake Art Group open its annual Small Works show at Bella Art and Frame Gallery; this show ran through Oct. 31. Special prizes were awarded to artists for their works, and the public was invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award ribbons, which were a tie and conferred to artists Judy Martin, left, and Ermi Knoth, right. PLAG will continue its scholarship fundraising tradition of selling artist-made holiday ornaments this year at Lolley’s Tasting Room at 174 Washington St., Monument. Photo by Janet Sellers.

Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, and speaker, sharing art, design, and innovation for optimal living at every range of interest. Contact her at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Art Matters articles

Snapshots of Our Community

Paint Drop-Off, Sep. 12

Above: Area residents got rid of thousands of gallons of old paint at the free PaintCare drop-off in Monument on Sept. 12. An estimated 19,200 pounds of latex paint and an estimated 1,600 pounds of oil-based paint were collected. Twenty-two gallons of latex and oil-based paint in good condition were given away. Photo courtesy of PaintCare.

Cemetery history, Oct. 3

Above: The Monument Homemakers hosted a talk on the history of Monument Cemetery at their monthly meeting Oct. 3. Among the topics covered by Michael Weinfeld, right, and John Howe were stories behind the deceased, some unusual causes of death, and the connection between the cemetery and the country’s most infamous prisons. The topics are included in Weinfeld and Howe’s upcoming book, Shootouts, Killings, and War Heroes, the History Hidden in Monument Cemetery. It wll be released on Nov. 30, the same day Howe and Weinfeld will be signing copies at Covered Treasures Bookstore in Monument from 1-3 p.m. The Monument Homemakers is in its 114th year, making it the oldest group still in existence in the Tri-Lakes area. The group meets on the first Thursday of the month at the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce building in Monument. Photo by Tia M. Mayer.

Above: Michael Weinfeld and John Howe speak to the Monument Homemakers about Monument Cemetery

Chamber wins awards, Oct. 4

Above: The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce earned three awards at the Colorado Chamber Alliance Signature Annual Conference on Oct. 4. The chamber came in second place for Highest Increase in Membership Dues Revenue. It got third place awards for both Highest Increase in Membership and Highest Membership Retention at the ceremony in Colorado Springs. The Tri-Lakes Chamber competed against more than 80 chambers from around the state. From left are Nathan Wessells, Tri-Lakes Chamber director of Membership, Terri Hayes, president and CEO, and Abigail Léger, event planner. Photo courtesy of Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce.

Empty Bowls Fundraiser, Oct. 3

Above: On Oct. 3, the Monument Hills Kiwanis Club hosted its annual Empty Bowls event at Lewis-Palmer High School. Hundreds of people attended, raising thousands of dollars for Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC). The event starts with the selection of a local artist’s bowl, then a silent auction and food served by D38 staff and board members and is accompanied by local musicians and staffed by volunteers. (Inset: Bear Creek Elementary Principal Donnell Potter and Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Bridget O’Connor) The Kiwanis’ mission is to make a positive difference for youth and our community. For more information, visit www.monumenthillkiwanis.org or call719-488-2327. TLC is a community-based, volunteer-supported resource center whose mission is to empower families and individual neighbors to reach toward a better tomorrow. TLC helps with utilities, housing, transportation, and medical costs and runs the only food pantry in Northern El Paso County. It relies on donations and volunteers to operate. For more information, visit www.tri-lakescares.org or call 719-481-4864. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Amphitheater update, Oct. 5

Above: On Oct. 5, organizers of the Ford Amphitheater (VENU) in Colorado Springs hosted a presentation at the venue for about 100 neighbors, providing a season recap and detailing sound mitigation plans. Despite third-party verification of sound compliance, the team acknowledged concerns and outlined efforts to expand sound barriers, adjust speaker configurations, and refine show hours to address community feedback.
Above: Outside the Oct. 5 presentation, 12 protesters gathered to express opposition to the development of the Ford Amphitheater (VENU). In response to ongoing community concerns, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade released a public letter on Oct. 25 affirming the city’s commitment to addressing noise issues. Mobolade praised VENU’s mitigation efforts and announced plans for an independent noise study, pledging to hold a neighborhood meeting before year’s end to ensure residents’ voices continue to be heard. Photos by Chris Jeub.

Northern Lights, Oct. 10

Above: A storm 93 million miles away lit up the sky in our area on Oct. 10. The strong geomagnetic storm on the sun caused the sky to glow purple, green and blue, the sort of aurora borealis you can usually see only in places like Iceland, Greenland, or Alaska. Most people in our area couldn’t see it just by looking up. It could only be captured with a camera or cellphone set with a slow shutter speed. The type of gas in the atmosphere determined what colors you saw. Nitrogen caused the blue and purple glow; oxygen created the greens and reds. This photo was taken with an iPhone14 Pro, shutter speed of 3, looking west at a grove of cottonwoods and ponderosa pines with the foothills in the background. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

MFD Station 4 remodel, Oct. 12

Above: From left, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Leanne Hemenway, El Paso County Commissioner Holly Williams, Battalion Chief Kris Mola, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner (cutting the ribbon), Director Mark Gunderman, Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley, Vice President John Hildebrandt, Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind are pictured at the Monument Fire District Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting on Oct. 12. Kovacs said the property built in 1997 was in need of an upgrade and he thanked Bumgarner, Logistics Officer Lt. Curt Leonhardt, and Fire Technician Joe Valdez, the district’s remodel design team, Kevin Schaffer of OZ Architecture, the Flintco Inc. construction team, and John Sattler of NV5 Inc., the owner’s representative services responsible for liaison and management of the project. Kovacs also thanked the Board of Directors, Williams, LaKind, several council members, and Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek for their continued support and the residents for approving the mill levy that improves the quality of life for the firefighters. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Pumpkin Giveaway, Oct. 19

Above: From left are Luke Brown, Sparky the Dog, and Connor Brown at the Seventh Annual Monument Local 4319 Pumpkin Giveaway at the Monument Market Place Clocktower on Oct. 19. Dianna Goodfellow of Mutual Security Mortgage Ltd., an Erie resident, organizes and sponsors the free event, traveling to Cooksey Farms in Roggen with a few firefighters and their families to hand cut and gather the donated pumpkins. The group delivered 600 pumpkins to the Clocktower steps, and with the help of other Local 4319 members, the pumpkins were positioned for the event. Attendees voted for their favorite carved/decorated pumpkin in the Fourth Annual Monument Fire District firefighter pumpkin decorating competition. Food donations were collected for the Tri-Lakes Cares food pantry. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Monument Lake Snake

Above: Even those with ophidiophobia (fear of snakes) can enjoy the Monument Lake snake. It was created last year with a few painted rocks and has now grown to more than 60. One rock in memory of someone’s pet Leyla has a collar wrapped around it. A black rock honors Air Force Special Warfare. There’s also a rock painted with a dinosaur and snake warming themselves by a fire. The rocks can be found in the northeast corner of Monument Lake across from the new pier. There’s an official-looking sign next to it that says “Monument Lake Snake, Est 2023.” Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: A snake made of painted rocks in in the northeast corner of Monument Lake

Limbach Park playground, Oct. 12

Above: Limbach Park was filled with the sounds of happy children Oct. 12 when a new playground was officially opened. The new playground replaces the old metal equipment with safer, plastic equipment colored bright blue and green. There is now a climbing structure with ropes, spinners, a merry-go-round, swings, (in photo) and a place for kids to create music. The floor is cushy and soft unlike the previous playground’s hard surface. Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek told the crowd she’d been dreaming of rebuilding the town’s parks since she was first hired 11 years ago. She thanked residents for shopping in Monument because the tax dollars helped pay for the playground that cost about $400,000. The old merry-go-round, rocking animals, and framing equipment were auctioned off by the Schur Success Group. A couple from Colorado Springs bought them for $522. Photo by Michael Weinfeld.

Above: Kids climb at new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids have fun on the merry-go-round at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids play with a spinner at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids enjoy the swings at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: The ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the new Limbach Park playground

Above: Kids enjoy the slide at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids create music at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Kids play music at the new Limbach Park playground.

Above: Monument Mayor Mitch LaKind says the playground is a big improvement.

Above: Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek says the playground was paid for by the parks budget.

Girls on the Ridge, Oct. 16

Above: Girls on the Ridge Athletics earned the 100+ Women Who Care’s bi-annual donation on Oct. 16. Girls on the Ridge supports the young women who compete in Palmer Ridge High School sports. 100+ Women Who Care members each commit to contributing $100 to Tri-Lakes charities every April and October. The group picked Girls on the Ridge because it says it believes “sports have the power to teach important life skills, build confidence, and create a sense of community.” Tri-Lakes Cares and the Lewis-Palmer D38 Education Foundation were also in the running for the donation. From left are Girls on the Ridge representatives Kevin Dreher, Heidi Dreher, Holly Dreher, Zoya Scholsser, and Jennica Mabe. Photo by Cathy Wilcox.

WMMI Pumpkin Patch, Oct. 19

Above: Jordan and Mia Baez of Colorado Springs were among the over 4,000 attendees of the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) Miners’ Pumpkin Patch. The patch was open every Saturday during October. On Oct. 19, many of the attendees selected a pumpkin or two to take home for their Halloween festivities just like the Baez sisters. Attendees also enjoyed a magician act, a ride in a barrel train, a variety of oversize games like Connect-4 and Jenga, and other outdoor activities. Information on upcoming events at the museum is at www.wmmi.org. Photo by David Futey.

Other Snapshots of Our Community

Our Community Notices

By Janet Sellers

Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the information number for that event. Please notify us if your event listing needs to be updated.

Do not remove trail blazes/markers

You will be seeing some trail markers in Fox Run Regional Park on trees. The trail markers help protect the delicate forest ecosystem because we can stay on the trail and not damage the ecosystem underneath our feet or with bicycles or horses, etc. These are traditional trail markers, especially useful and necessary in snowy, icy weather when we cannot see the actual trail. Our high desert forest clime is dependent on its skin of soil and plants to survive. When we honor this part of the forest we cannot see, the part we can see has a better chance to thrive amid us humans, the invasive species. Please be a good citizen and help us to protect our park from unnecessary erosion. Fox Run Regional Park is heavily used and is located in a fragile ecosystem vulnerable to serious erosion when the forest duff is disturbed. Please respect and protect the park for everyone’s enjoyment by staying on marked and well established trails. A very obvious trail in the summer becomes surprisingly invisible after a moderate snowfall. In winter, a wrong turn taken by the first visitor after a snowstorm can quickly become a misleading scar on the landscape. The silver and light blue rectangles that you see attached to trees serve to identify the only trails to use in the park. Please don’t tamper with or remove trail blazes/markers as they are placed on the trees to identify and distinguish trails and help locate the trails after a snowstorm.The main loop trail uses light blue and silver rectangles. Sub-loops will eventually be marked in different colors to help visitors unfamiliar with the park to find their way and recognize which loop they are on.

Fox Run Regional Park closures

The Oak Meadows and Pine Meadows restrooms at Fox Run Regional Park are being remodeled. Both restrooms will be closed through November to undergo renovations that will include the installation of ADA-compliant fixtures, sinks, and wastewater systems. Additionally, the parking lots and sidewalks will be upgraded to ensure full compliance with ADA standards. During construction, both restrooms and the sand volleyball court will be fenced off and closed. Portable restrooms will be available in both parking lots.

Be “bear smart” and do your part

Secure trash in a garage, shed or other secure structure. Trash bins should only be outside of the secure structure on trash collection days from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The majority of homes will already meet this requirement with standard practices. For those who cannot store their trash in a secured structure, they will need to obtain a bear-resistant trash can. Certified bear-resistant waste containers can be provided by your trash collection company, or you can purchase bear resistant devices such as locks, ratchet straps, and more including bear resistant trash cans, that also deter other animals like racoons and dogs. Here is a link from Alaska Dept. of Wildlife video to attach a ratchet strap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmnnwkL7T5Y . Trash can ratchet locks are available for as little as under $20. “Bears are smart and they learn quickly that garbage is an abundant and reliable food source,” said Frank McGee, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “But a diet of garbage is terrible for bears and brings them into close proximity to people, which is dangerous for them and us. “By securing our trash, we deny bears easy meals and discourage them from coming into town. We help keep them wild and alive in the forest, where they belong, not in someone’s garage or the path of a car — behaviors that can get them killed.”

Deer rutting season warning

The rutting season for deer is typically in the last seven to 10 days of October and into early November. When walking in our area or hiking during deer (and elk) rutting season, it’s important to keep your distance from deer and avoid disturbing their natural behavior. Here are some tips for staying safe around deer during rutting season: Keep your distance: Keep at least 50 meters away from deer. Don’t wave food or phones: Avoid waving food or phones in front of deer. Be aware of hazards: Holiday lights and decorations can be dangerous for deer, especially if they’re wrapped around trees or shrubs. Make sure lights are at least eight feet off the ground and securely attached. Slow down: Be aware of deer on the road, especially as they migrate to their winter range.Keep dogs on a leash: Keep dogs leashed and away from deer. Don’t let dogs chase deer: Don’t allow dogs to chase deer or other wildlife. Check your yard: Check your yard before letting your dog outside. Don’t leave food outside: Don’t leave food outside that could attract wildlife. Tell children to stay away: Tell children to stay away from deer and other wildlife.

Driver’s License Renewal By Seniors

With the implementation of the Driver’s License Electronic Renewal By Seniors Act (HB21-1139), Colorado seniors now have the permanent ability to renew their driver license or identification card online. Information is online via mycolorado.gov. Some restrictions apply to ages 21-80; drivers over age 80 require a special doctor statement. Coloradans who are concerned about an elderly family member’s ability to drive should email dor_mvhelpdesk@state.co.us.

Black Forest Log School needs your help

Please help preserve the historic school for another 103 years! New exterior damage was discovered. It has exceeded the budget renovation funds. Friends of the Black Forest Log School, a 501c3 corporation, appreciates your donation. Please send a check or bring cash to Black Forest Community Foundation, 6770 Shoup Rd, Black Forest Colorado 90808. www.bflogschool.com

Highway 105A Update

El Paso county construction is expected to continue into spring 2025. The project extends the four-lane section of Highway 105 just east of Jackson Creek Parkway to Lake Woodmoor Drive providing greater mobility by accommodating more traffic. The new configuration will be two lanes in each direction with left and right turn lines; the project also includes multi-use shoulders and pedestrian improvements, sidewalk connectivity, replacement of the traffic signal at Norwood Boulevard, a new underground drainage system and water quality pond, and a new roundabout at the Knollwood /Village Ridge Point intersection. The new roundabout, constructed by Monument Academy, is designed to keep traffic moving and reduce the traffic backups on Highway 105 that previously occurred in this area.

Monument Academy traffic

To ensure a smoother experience for non-school traffic, it is recommended finding an alternate route if possible that avoids this area during the school drop off pick up timesMondays through Thursday 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. And 2:45 to 4:00 p.m.Friday’s 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. And 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.

Donate any unused books for the Children’s Hospital in Colorado Springs. Any unused book donation is welcome. Kate Ulmer, a senior at Palmer Ridge High School, is working on a service project to collect new/unused books for Children’s Hospital. Drop off books or cash donations at Covered Treasures (105 2nd Street) or email Katiebugu@icloud.com for pick up!

WMMI needs volunteers

The Museum of Mining and Industry is currently recruiting for Visitor Services Associates and Guides. Please consider sharing your time and expertise. Volunteers must be 18 and older and pass a background check. For information about volunteer opportunities, please call 719-488-0880 or email at volunteer@wmmi.org.

Community volunteers

Many students need volunteer hours for scouting, civics classes, clubs, or would just like to volunteer for the good of it. Friends of Fox Run Park will have some openings for student volunteers (and grownups, too) most of the year for various tasks. Besides tasks, the group offers information and skills demonstrations for each 2-3 hour session, and celebrates volunteers at the park with annual community events. The Tri Lakes Cares on-site garden in Monument also needs volunteers in Fall, Spring and Summer. Gardening tasks include preparing garden beds, weeding, sowing seeds, and developing the compost. Bring gardening gloves, some tools will be provided on the workdays. Contact Janet Sellers at JanetSellers@ocn.me or Marlene Brown at MarleneBrown@ocn.me for more information.

Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center

Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center, formerly known as the Tri-Lakes Silver Alliance Senior Center, has been providing exciting programs and activities to area seniors who have a zest for fun and learning. As the older adult population is growing, our services are in high demand. Volunteers are needed for companionship, drivers, thrift store, food pantry and more. 719-884-2300 66 Jefferson St, Monument. See ad on page < 2 >.

Need PC help?

Make It Work Clinic for PCs, FREE. Donations appreciated. We are gauging interest in helping community members with their PCs, please email us if interested. enable@monumentalimpact.org. 55 Adams St in Downtown Monument. Monumental Impact info: https://monumentalimpact.org.

MVEA outage notifications

Please add your phone number to your MVEA account to streamline outage reporting and restoration notifications. To report an outage please call or text “OUT” to (800) 388-9881. Visit MVEA’s Outage Center before the storm. There is information about preparing for outages, electrical safety, outage reporting, a link to the outage map, and more.

Can you volunteer today?

  • Links to local organizations with an immediate need for volunteers are listed on the county’s website, www.elpasocountyhealth.org/volunteering-and-donations, for groups like Care and Share, Crossfire Ministries, blood donations, Early Connections (volunteer from home opportunity), foster an animal, Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County, Salvation Army, Silver Key, and United Way (ongoing opportunities).
  • The Colorado State University Extension office in El Paso County has several opportunities for individuals interested in volunteering. https://elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/volunteer-opportunities/
  • El Paso County volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations rely on the hard work of individuals like you. Find out how you can play a part by becoming a volunteer in El Paso County. Get involved in El Paso County volunteering non-profits and organizations! https://www.americantowns.com/el-paso-county-co/volunteer-organizations/.
  • The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Program is composed of a collective citizens group with a true and common desire to partner with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office by volunteering their services while learning more about the internal workings of the law enforcement community. https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/volunteer-program-0.
  • The El Paso County Volunteer Program is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to learn about the various functions of county government as well as give back to the community. The County’s numerous boards and commissions need your experience, talents and time. https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer.

Other Community Notices

Our Community Calendar

By Janet Sellers

Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the info number for that event. Please contact calendar@ocn.me with changes and additions.

GOVERNMENTAL BODIES

  • Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines Metropolitan Districts 1, 2 & 3 board meetings, usually meets quarterly on the first Mon., at 4 p.m., via teleconference only. For dial in access and updates, visit www.forestlakesmetrodistrict.com.
  • El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting, usually every Tue., 9 am. View agendas and meetings at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Meetings are held at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Info: 719-520-643. BOCC land use meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (as needed) at 1pm Centennial Hall.
  • Monument Town Council meeting, Mon., Nov. 4 & 18, 6:30 pm, Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Normally meets first and third Mon. Info: 719-884-801, www.townofmonument.org/260/Board-of-Trustees for remote attendance links.
  • Palmer Lake Board of Adjustments meeting, Tue. Nov. 5, 5 pm, 28 Valley Crescent St., Palmer Lake. Normally meets first Tue., as needed.
  • El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, Thu., Nov. 7 & 21, 9 am. Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colo. Springs. Meetings are live-streamed on the El Paso County News & Information Channel at www.elpasoco.com/news-information-channel. Normally meets first & third Thu. (as required). Info: 719-520-6300, planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/planning-community-development/2024-hearings-schedule/
  • Woodmoor Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Mon., Nov. 11, 1 pm, 1845 Woodmoor Dr., Monument. Normally meets second Mon. Info: 719-488-2525, www.woodmoorwater.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Wastewater Facility Joint Use Committee meeting, Tue., Nov. 12, 10 am , 16510 Mitchell Ave. Meets second Tue. Info: See tlwastewater.com/index.html.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (now PCAC, formerly DAAC), Tue., Nov. 12, Monument Academy East Campus, 4303 Pinehurst Circle, Colorado Springs. . Meets six times a year. Usually meets monthly, second Tue., They will meet in October, November, January, February and April. Contact info: tmckee@lewispalmer.org.
  • Monument Fire District board meeting, in person or via Microsoft Teams. Special meeting Wed., Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, Monument. Usually meets fourth Wed. Visit http://www.monumentfire.org, for updates and the agenda listing the Microsoft Teams joining codes or contact 719-488-0911.
  • Palmer Lake Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Nov. 13, 9 am, call-in only: 650-479-3208, Access Code 76439078, 120 Middle Glenway. Meets second Wed. Info: 719-481-2732. www.plsd.org.
  • Monument Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Nov. 13, 6 pm Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Usually meets the second Wed. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit www.townofmonument.org/263/Planning-Commission-Board-of-Adjustment. Info: 719-884-8028. www.townofmonument.org.
  • Palmer Lake Board of Trustees meeting, Thu., Nov. 14, 6 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Usually meets second and fourth Thu. Info: 719-481-2953. www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Monument Academy School Board meeting, Thu. Nov. 14, 6:30 pm, East Campus gym, 4303 Pinehurst Circle. Usually meets the second Thu. Info: 719-431-8001, www.monumentacademy.net/school-board.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 board, Mon., Nov. 18, 6-10 pm, 146 N Jefferson St, Monument. Meets during the school year on third Mon. The Board of Education meeting will be live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/LPSDCommunity, agenda, and supporting documents at https://go.boarddocs.com/co/lewispalmer/Board.nsf/vpublic. Contact Vicki Wood. Phone: 719.481.9546 Email: vwood@lewispalmer.org Website: www.lewispalmer.org.
  • Monument Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Nov. 20, 9 am, 130 Second St. Zoom meeting. Find joining instructions on the website. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-4886, www.colorado.gov/msd.
  • Academy Water and Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Nov. 20, 6 pm. Usually meets third Wed. Public can join the Skype meeting: join.skype.com/PAcujKTn7Nrh. Check the website for a link: academywsd.colorado.gov/notices-and-alerts. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-071119academywsd.colorado.gov.
  • Palmer Lake Town Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Nov. 20, 6 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-2953, www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Woodmoor Improvement Association Board Meeting, Wed., Nov. 20, 7 pm, Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. Usually meets fourth Wed. Info: 719-488-2693, www.woodmoor.org.
  • Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District board meeting in person or via Zoom. Regular meeting is scheduled for Wed., Nov. 20, 7 pm. Usually meets third Wed., Visit http://www.bffire.org for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes or contact 719-494-4300.
  • El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority meeting, Thu., Nov. 21, 9 am, Monument Town Hall Boardroom, 645 Beacon Lite Rd. Normally meets third Thu. Info: 719-488-3603. www.loopwater.org.
  • Donala Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Thu., Nov. 21, 1:30 pm, 15850 Holbein Dr. In 2023, meets third Thu., Check the website for the access code for the electronic meeting. Info: 719-488-3603, www.donalawater.org.
  • Triview Metropolitan District board meeting, in person or via Zoom. Thu., Nov. 21, 5:30 p.m.,16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302, Monument. Usually meets third Thu. Visit www.triviewmetro.com for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes, or contact 719-488-6868.
  • Donald Wescott Fire Protection District board meeting, in person or via Zoom. Final meeting Wed., Dec. 4, 2:30 p.m., Station 1, 18650 Highway 105 For up-to-date meeting information, visit www.monumentfire.org for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes, or contact 719-488-0911.

WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS

  • AARP Black Forest #1100, second Wed., noon. In-person Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Rd. All ages welcome. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weekly.com.
  • AARP Local Senior Social, fourth Wed. In-person Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Rd. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weekly.com.
  • A.A. Big Book Study, every Thu., 7 pm, Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd. Call 425-436-6200, access code 575176#.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org.
  • Al-Anon for family and friends of alcoholics, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org.
  • Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9-10 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309.
  • Al-Anon meeting: Letting Go, every Thu., 9-10:15 am at Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. For additional information go to www.al-anon-co.org.
  • Al-anon Meeting: Monument, every Thu., 7-8 pm, Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. Info: MonumentSerenity@gmail.com.
  • Amateur Ham Radio WØTLM (Tri-Lakes Monument ham radio Association), third Mon. (except December). All amateur ham radio operators or those interested in becoming one are we, lcome. Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Building, 166 2nd Street, Monument. For details, contact Bob Witte, bob@k0nr.com or www.W0TLM.com.
  • American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11, second Wed., 6:30pm, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Community Meeting House, 300 CO Hwy 105, Monument. New members welcome. Info: Visit website at www.trilakespost9-11.org.
  • Art: Open Studio painting, first Wed., 9:30-noon. Donations welcome, Tri Lakes Senior Center, 66 Jefferson St., Monument.
  • Benet Hill Monastery: Let us pray with you, walk in the forest, walk the labyrinth, come and visit prayer sites, Group retreats. Sun. 10:15 am worship service, 3190 Benet Lane, 80921.
  • Bingo night, American Legion post 9-11 Tri-Lakes, Palmer Lake EcoSpa, 2nd and 4th Sat., 350 CO Hwy 105, Palmer Lake.
  • Black Forest Community Church, Centering Prayer Group, first Sat., 8:30-10 am The Old Log Church. Centering prayer opens and closes the meetings with discussion and fellowship in between; open to all.
  • Children’s Literacy Center, every Mon. & Wed., 5:30-6:30 pm. Provides free one-on-one literacy tutoring to Tri-Lakes children in grades 1-6 who are reading below grade level. Tutoring is at Grace Best Education Center, 66 Jefferson St. Monument. For more information, to become a volunteer tutor, or to enroll your child, visit www.childrensliteracycenter.org or contact Rachel Morin, Tri-Lakes Senior Center Coordinator, CLC 610-246-1047 (cell).
  • Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild Listening Club, third Wed. Free virtual event. Maestro Wilson will conduct monthly hour-long programs. RSVP at www.cspguild.org.
  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group, second Sat., 9:45-11:15 am. Meets in-person, First National Bank Monument ( 581 Highway 105, Monument, CO 80132). Meets monthly, 2nd Sat. Contact: Registration is required, call 800-272-3900 or email khare@alz.org to register.
  • Essential Tremor Support Group. Meets quarterly at Colorado Springs Public Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920. For details, contact: Jim Sanchez, 719-660-7275; jimdjs22@gmail.com.
  • Fellowship of Christ Church, every Sun., 9 am. Monument Academy East Campus, 4303 Pinehurst Circle 80908.
  • Friends of Fox Run Park, Zoom meeting, fourth Thu., 7 pm, email friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com, they will email you the link the day of the meeting. Join the growing group to learn about volunteering and supporting the park for forest safety, trails, trees, education, special events, and more. Special events and more, stay tuned! Info: friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com.
  • Fuel Church Sunday Service, every Sun. Service times, 10:45 am live service, streaming service at www.fuelchurch.org at 11 am. Mountain Community Mennonite Church, 643 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. Nursery and kids’ service. Non-denominational, spirit-filled. Need prayer? Email us at info@fuel.org. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Genealogical Society meeting, Wed., Nov. 13, 7 pm. Meets monthly, second Wed. Members can log in and get the monthly meeting Zoom link. Guests are welcome to attend, please request an invitation from the PPGS president at www.PPGS.org.
  • Gleneagle Sertoma, first and third Wed., 11:45 am to 1 pm. Gleneagle Sertoma is the longest continuously active civic service organization in northern El Paso County. Our regular program presenters address local topics of interest to include local developments, community planning and projects, as well as opportunities to serve your community. Contact Harvey LeCato for meeting location and club information at mbca@comcast.net or 719-331-1212.
  • Gleneagle Women’s Club, membership luncheon, third Fri., (Sep.-June), various venues, 12 activity groups, i.e., hiking, bridge, etc. Guests welcome. For information contact Bev Selby, 719-600-1451.
  • La Leche League breastfeeding support group, second Thu., 12:30 pm. Partners and helpers welcome (and babies and kids, too) so we can meet our breastfeeding goals together. Homestead Direct Primary Care Clinic, 15455 Gleneagle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. For more information, contact RachelKLangley@gmail.com.
  • Lions Club Bingo, every Sat. (except the first Sat.), 8:30 am-1 pm and first Mon., 5:30-10 pm Tri-Lakes Lions Club’s portion of the proceeds benefit those in need in the Tri-Lakes community. Updated info and location: Jim Naylor, 719-481-8741 or www.trilakeslionsclub.org.
  • Monument Hill Kiwanis Club meeting, every Sat., 8 am. www.MHKiwanis.org, MonumentHillKiwanis@gmail.com for details, guests are welcome. Service leadership clubs, Key clubs, Builders Club, and K-kids at D38 schools. Memberships are open to the public. Info: RF Smith, 719-210-4987, www.MHKiwanis.org.
  • Monument Life Recovery Group, every Mon., 6:30-7:30 pm, The Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd. This faith-based support group is for those seeking freedom from all hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Daycare for children under age 11. Info: 303-946-2659, www.liferecoverygroups.com/meetings/life-recovery-group-3/.
  • Neighborhood Net Ham Radio, every Sat., 10 am. Amateur ham radio operators practice for emergencies on weekly repeater nets so neighbors can help neighbors. Sign up at www.mereowx.org/neighborhood-net or contactus@mereowx.org.
  • Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Sat., Nov. 9, 10 am–12 pm., Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. Members of local HOAs are welcome. Usually meets bi-monthly (Jan., Mar., June, July, Sep., Nov.) on the second Sat. of the month. www.nepco.org.
  • Palmer Divide Quiltmakers, first Thu., 6:30-8:30 pm at Monument Chamber of Commerce building, 166 2nd St, Monument, CO.
  • Palmer Lake Art Group, second Sat. A variety of art programs are offered after the social gathering and business meetings. Guests welcome. 300 Hwy 105, NE corner of I-25 and 105. 9:30 am. Info: 719-460-4179, www.palmerlakeartgroup.co.
  • Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., Nov. 21, 7 pm; (doors open at 6:30 pm), Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent St. Usually meets third Thu. Contact: Kokesdm@yahoo.com, palmerdividehistory.org.
  • Paper Tigers Origami Classes! Monument Library. Third Fri. 4:15-5:30. All ages – under 12 with an adult. Limit 12 people. Free – all materials provided! Contact: connie.stanton@netzero.com. 719-488-4707.
  • Pikes Peak Genealogy Society meeting, Wed., Nov. 13. 6:30 pm: Zoom hangout; 7 pm, meeting starts. Program: attorney Judy Russell will talk about genealogy and the law. For zoom meeting details contact: PPGS President@PPGS.org.
  • Ridgeview Baptist Church, every Sun., 10:30 am, temporarily meeting at 9130 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, 80920. Info: 719-357-6515 or www.ridgeviewcolorado.org. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Senior Bingo, third Wed. Silver Key Senior Services, Space is limited to 16. participants. RSVP & info: info@silverkey.org
  • Senior Book Club, second Fri., 11 am-noon, Silver Key Senior Services, all are welcome. Coffee & snacks. RSVP & info: info@silverkey.org
  • Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, every Sun., Contemporary 9 am; Traditional 10:30 am. A live stream is available at www.tlumc.org/live. Watch live or replay: www.facebook.com/tlumc, www.youtube.com/tlumc.org. Info: 719-488-1365, www.tlumc.org. 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument.
  • Tri-Lakes Church of Christ Wednesday night fellowship classes, every Wed., 6-7:30 pm, 20450 Beacon Lite Road, Monument (corner of Beacon Lite & County Line Roads). Info: 719-488-9613, gregsmith@trilakeschurch.org, www.trilakeschurch.org.
  • Tri-Lakes Cruisers, first Wed., 7 pm. A nonprofit car club. Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, with numerous activities and events each month. Club membership applications are now being accepted and are available on the website: tl-cruisers.weebly.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Networking breakfast, first and third Thu., in person or via Zoom 166 2nd Street Monument 7:30-9 am free registration at www.TriLakeschamber.com .
  • Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary Club meeting, monthly first and third Thu. 6 pm-8 pm. First Thursday via zoom and third Thursday in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 166 2nd St., Monument. Details: www.tlrotary.com, Trilakesdynamicrotary@gmail.com. Guests welcome. We are a service club serving Tri-Lakes. Memberships open to the public. Info: www.tlrotary.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, third Sat., 10 am-noon, Monument Community Presbyterian Church, 238 Third St., Monument. Info: Syble Krafft, 719-488-2669; Barry (group president), 719-351-9485. If you need any help, please call Syble or Barry.
  • Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) monthly meeting, third Fri., 11:30 am. Eisenhower Golf Club, USAFA. To become a member, or learn about the club, visit our website at www.tlwc.net Contact Info: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club membership@tlwc.net.
  • Women’s A. A. Step Study, every Mon., 6:30 pm, meeting remotely, check for details. Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 Baptist Rd. Park in the west lot. Info: 866-641-9190. Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9:00 – 10:00 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309.
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7829, third Wed., 7 pm, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, 166 2nd St., Monument. New members welcome. Info: Post Commander and POC Bruce Beyerly, Bruce.Beyerly@gmail.com.
  • VFW Auxiliary to Post 7829, third Wed., 7 p.m. Meets at Victory Baptist Church, 325 2nd Street, Suite X, Monument. Guests are welcome to join; if you are a relative of a veteran who served on foreign soil during war or other military actions, you June be eligible. For more information please contact Kathy Carlson, 719-488-1902, carlsonmkc@gmail.com or Linda Lyons, 303-579-8114, lindalyons7829@gmail.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • VOLUNTEER TODAY! Our Community News: volunteer mailing days, Thu., Dec. 5, approx. 7-8:30 am. We are all volunteers at OCN and need YOUR help, even for an hour or two, getting the papers ready to mail. Contact AllenAlchian@ocn.me or (719) 488-3455.
  • Downtown Monument Shop Local events: Holiday Open House, Nov. 2, 11-4 pm, Black Friday Nov. 29, 10-5 pm; Small Business Saturday Nov. 30, 1-5 pm. Special offers for Dec.: Small Town Christmas, Sat Dec. 7, 10 – 4 pm; Sunday with Santa, Sun., Dec. 15, 11-4 pm. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Covered Treasures Bookstore booksignings, Sat., 1-3 pm, Nov. 2: Ann Claire, A Cyclist’s Guide to Crime and Croissants; Shelley Read, Go As A River. Nov. 9: Jamie Siebrase, Exploring Colorado with Kids; Heidi Wigand-Nicely, Energy at Sacred Sites. Nov. 16: Reggie Brick, Big Rock; Gina Gallaun, Embrace Your Brave in 30 Days. Nov. 23: Julie Bell, Colorado Women of the Gold Rush Era; Linda Duvall, The Lightkeeper; Nov. 30: Recbecca Boyle, Our Moon: How Earth’s Celestial Companion Transformed the Planet, Guided Evolution and Made Us Who We Are; John Howe and Michael Weinfeld, Shootouts, Killings, and War Heroes, the History Hidden in Monument Cemetery. 105 Second Street, Monument.
  • The Christmas Shoppe at the Monastery, Sisters of Benet Hill Monastery. Nov. 3-Dec. 6, Tues.-Sat., 1-4 pm. Sun., 11:15 am-12:45 pm. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Kiwanis North Pole at Tri-Lakes Craft Show, Sat Dec., 7, 9-4 pm. See ad on page < 10 >.
  • MVEA: youth leadership trip contest deadline, Thu., Nov. 7. Info: www.mvea.coop/trip contest.
  • Monument Homemakers, bring a dish to share and your own table service, meet at Chamber of Commerce building, Thu. Nov. 7, noon. 166 2nd St. Monument. Info and more about the club: Linda Case, 719-354-6575 for reservations.
  • Tri-Lakes Women’s Club Joys of the Season Holiday Home Tour, Fri.-Sat., Nov. 22-23; 10-4 pm, presented by Tri-Lakes Women’s Club and the Fletcher Team. Ticket proceeds go to TLWC grant programs and are available at www.joysoftheseason.org. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Fuel Church Thanksgiving Sunday, Sun., Nov. 24, 11:00 a.m. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • STEAM Camp full and half day options 3-5th grades. Tue., Nov. 26. Western museum of mining and industry. See ad on page < 12 >.
  • YMCA 5K race series. Turkey trot, Thu., Nov. 28; Jingle Jog, Sat. Dec. 14. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Christmas with Bing by Eric Elison, Sat., Nov. 23, 2-4 pm. Tri Lakes Center for the Arts and Sat., Dec. 14, 7-9 pm, Black Forest Community Club. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza, Sat.-Sun., Nov. 30-Dec. 1, Black Forest Community Club. See ad on page < 11 >.
  • Thrivent financial advisors, special workshop, Dec. 5, 6 p.m. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Affordable Flooring Connection, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Borders Decks, special offers for November. See ad on page < 9 >.
  • Cool Rides Auto Sales, special offers, see ad on page < 10 >.
  • Eagle Wine & Spirits, special offers. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Mesa Health and Aesthetics, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Monumental Med Spa, November specials See ad on page < 7 >. Monumental med spa Black Friday specials Nov. 29, 9:30 an-6 pm. See ad on page < 9 >.
  • Monument Cleaners, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Mountain View Pella Windows, special offers. See ad on page < 24 >.
  • Noel Relief Centers, special offers. See ad on page < 7 >.
  • PeakView Windows, special offers. See ad on page < 24 >.
  • Plumb Smart plumbing services, special offers. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Soot busters, chimney sweeps, special offers. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Stubby’s dog wash and grooming salon, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • The Living Room Plants, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Restyle Your Furs special event. See ad on page < 8 >.
  • Tri-Lakes Collision and Auto Service Center, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Windows Well Covered, custom window well covers, special offers. See ad on page < 7 >.

Our community calendar carries listings on a space-available basis for Tri-Lakes events that are sponsored by local governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. We include events that are open to the general public and are not religious or self-promotional in nature. If space is available, complimentary calendar listings are included, when requested, for events advertised in the current issue. To have your event listed at no charge in Our Community Calendar, please send the information to calendar@ocn.me or Our Community News, P.O. Box 1742, Monument, Colorado 80132.

Other Calendar articles

Monument Town Council, Sept. 3 and 16 – Council discusses budget deficits, strategic spending, future priorities

By Chris Jeub

The Monument Town Council met on Sept. 3 and 16 where various financial concerns were brought to light, including shortfalls in the General Fund, Police Fund, and Water Fund. The council worked to identify potential areas for spending adjustments while also tackling issues related to project prioritization, police retention, and councilmember compensation.

2025 budget review

On Sept. 3, Senior Accountant Steve Murray presented the budget outlook, which raised concerns due to projected deficits in some of the town’s primary funds. The General Fund was forecasted to run a deficit of $2.663 million, with revenues projected at $11.672 million and expenditures totaling $14.335 million. Despite this, the fund would maintain a balance of $424,355 in unreserved funds by the end of 2025. The 2F Police Fund was also projected to face a shortfall of $65,358, though it would retain a healthy reserve of $667,741 due to a strong beginning balance. Meanwhile, the Water Fund faced a larger deficit of $4.639 million, leaving only $146,335 in unreserved funds. The 2A Water Fund, however, was in a stronger position, with a deficit of $407,801 but set to end the year with a much larger reserve of $7.04 million.

The conversation focused on finding ways to tighten spending and potentially defer certain projects. Mayor Mitch LaKind highlighted the discrepancy between revenue and expenditure, noting that “there’s quite a bit in the hole … more expenditure than revenue.” Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek advised the council to provide guidance on which projects could be deferred until 2026, considering the town’s reserves of only 2.6%. VanDenHoek also proposed delaying some parks development to 2026, pending council input. Mayor Pro Tem Steve King questioned the $200,000 cost for implementing new tax collection software, which VanDenHoek clarified would help the town better audit businesses and track collections.

In the follow-up meeting on Sept. 16, Murray provided an updated presentation after identifying additional reserves. The General Fund shortfall was revised to $2.099 million, with a beginning balance of $5.541 million and an unreserved fund balance of $1.156 million (8.43%) by the end of 2025. Adjustments included an additional $150,000 coming from the Police Department’s unreserved balance. The Capital Projects Fund faced a deeper deficit, with an unreserved balance of $4.235 million, largely due to a $9 million allocation for the Jackson Creek Parkway development. Adjustments in the Water Fund improved its outlook, leaving it with $2.614 million in unreserved funds at the year’s end.

During this meeting, the council focused on prioritizing projects, particularly around Jackson Creek Parkway. Councilmember Ken Kimple raised concerns about the implications of not funding supplemental projects, asking for clarity on their order of importance. Police Chief Patrick Regan emphasized the need to retain police officers, particularly in light of the rising cost of living. Kimple also stressed the importance of maintaining fiscal balance amid growing demands, while LaKind called for the council to make some tough decisions moving forward.

Compensation for councilmembers sparks debate

An ongoing topic of discussion throughout recent months resurfaced at the Sept. 16 meeting, with Councilmember Laura Kronick leading the charge on whether councilmembers should receive compensation for their time and effort. Kronick has been advocating for a $500 per month stipend, arguing that it would encourage more community members from diverse backgrounds to engage in public service. She emphasized that serving on the council requires significant time and effort and that compensation would make this role more accessible to those who might not otherwise be able to afford the time commitment. Councilmembers Jim Romanello and Marco Fiorito expressed their agreement, with Romanello thanking Kronick for bringing the issue forward.

However, Kimple strongly opposed the idea, insisting that the town’s limited resources should be directed toward staff and police force needs rather than council compensation, particularly during budget shortfalls. He suggested that if compensation were to be considered, it should be presented to voters as a ballot measure, arguing that the proposal appeared self-serving. Kronick disagreed, countering that putting every small decision to the voters would undermine the council’s effectiveness. King expressed mixed feelings, acknowledging that while compensation could open the door to broader participation, it might also present negative optics given the town’s current financial challenges. Despite the debate, the council ultimately left the issue unresolved.

Sales tax self-collection system update

During the Sept. 16 meeting, Sophia Hassman, sales tax consultant and owner of CoSALT Consulting Ltd., provided an update on the Sales Tax Self-Collection System implementation. Hassman reported that $37,000 had already been collected during the software implementation phase. The go-live date, originally set for Oct. 1, 2024, was pushed to Jan. 1, 2025, to better align with state records and compliance requirements. The system will allow businesses more time to adjust to the new processes, with the first tax returns due in February 2025. Future phases of the project include initiating audits, ensuring compliance, and addressing short-term rental (STR) tax compliance.

Final approval granted for Ziggi’s Coffee drive-through

Also at the Sept. 16 meeting, the council approved Ordinance No. 18-2024, granting final approval for a new Ziggi’s Coffee at 16529 Cinematic View in Monument Marketplace North. Planning Director Dan Ungerleider presented the ordinance, while concerns were raised about traffic and water drainage related to the development. LaKind acknowledged that traffic issues in the area had become problematic, a concern shared by Kronick and Kimple, who noted that traffic had significantly increased since the 2022 traffic study. The council voted 7-0 in favor of the ordinance, with Kimple urging caution to ensure that traffic does not become a “debacle.”

Looking ahead to the Nov. election

Town Clerk Tina Erickson conducted a lot drawing to determine the order of candidate names on the upcoming ballot. For the At-Large position, Romanello will appear first, followed by Chad Smith. In Residential District 2, Kimple will appear first, followed by Fiorito. Residential District 1 remains uncontested, represented by Kronick.

**********

The Monument Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next two regular meetings are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 7 and Monday, Oct. 21. Call 719-884-8014 or see www.townofmonument.org for information. To see upcoming agendas and complete board packets or to download audio recordings of past meetings, see http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on Town Council.

Chris Jeub can be reached at chrisjeub@ocn.me.

Other Monument Town Council articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Sept. 19 – Northern Delivery System fully operational; resident raises traffic concerns

By Natalie Barszcz

Post-publication Update

The next regular meeting of the Triview Metropolitan District board of directors has been changed from October 17 to October 24.

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Sept. 19, the board heard about the Northern Delivery System (NDS) delivering district water via Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) and the pumping capabilities of the NDS pump station, dangerous traffic concerns for students within the district, and approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between Chaffee County and the district. The board held an executive session to discuss water and land acquisitions, and potential development incentives and IGAs.

Director Amanda Carlton attended via Zoom.

Northern Delivery System running effectively

District Manager James McGrady said the NDS pump station began running on Aug. 29, and since Sept. 11 the district has reduced the outflow from the wells dramatically. Its customers are receiving district water conveyed, treated and delivered via CSU. A tiny bit of usage occurred on Sept. 18 to keep up the chlorine levels in the filters and to exercise the wells by pumping about 96,000 gallons. The rest of the district’s water, 92 acre-feet, was pumped through the NDS pump station. The district will use the 490-acre-feet lease-purchased water from Pueblo through March, and then the district will use its stored water in Pueblo Reservoir. Then run-off season begins and the district will add water back to its portfolio. It is working as expected, said McGrady.

Water Utilities Superintendent Gary Potter said the wells will be run once a week, just enough to turn over the clear well in the plant, or about 90,000 gallons, to keep chlorine residual in the clear well and keep some of the filters available if needed, rotating through at a minimum pace before putting it into the tank and then the distribution system.

McGrady said the pump station was tested with two pumps running (it was installed with three) designed to run with two at 1,500 pounds each, pumping 3,000 gallons a minute, running for six hours. It was proof that the pump station can maintain what it was designed to do, he said. The district has pumped 290-acre-feet so far, and the tank filled up quickly, said McGrady.

Potter said the NDS has delivered over 16 million gallons to the district, and the highest daily production was 2.7 million gallons. Start up and training on the NDS has been the primary focus of the TMD Water Department over the past month, said Potter.

Speeding concerns on Gleneagle Drive

Promontory Pointe Resident Anissa Prickett said motorists are traveling from Sanctuary Pointe down Gleneagle Drive through Promontory Pointe to Baptist Road exceeding the posted speed signs of 25 and 30 miles per hour, but many motorists are speeding at 50-60 miles per hour. She said her son was hit once while riding his bike to school and crossing Leather Chaps Drive. He has almost been hit twice crossing the road from the bus, she said. She was almost hit for a fourth time dropping her daughter at the bus stop, having to pick up her daughter and run the crosswalk several times. Prickett said the D38 bus driver is beside himself because motorists ignore the stationary bus with the stop signs out and travel around the bus as the driver honks his horn.

President Mark Melville said the district does not provide law enforcement and it installed the speed signs. Speeding has been an issue since buildout on Gleneagle Drive, he said.

Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart said he has seen the same problems with speeding motorists ignoring school bus stop signs on Sanctuary Rim Drive.

Prickett said she recorded some license plates, called and left messages with Monument Police Department (MPD), but the recorded message states they may or may not return calls in 24 hours, and calls were not returned.

Carlton said the bus stops should not be on Gleneagle Drive for safety reasons, and rather be located on the side streets.

McGrady said he would reach out to MPD to request increased monitoring.

Melville said he would reach out to the D38 superintendent regarding the location of the pickup stops and suggest a camera for the school bus.

Chaffee County intergovernmental agreement

McGrady said the IGA was approved by the Chaffee County Commissioners, avoiding a lengthy, expensive process to obtain a 1041 permit. The IGA will allow the district to begin construction projects such as the ponds and diversion stations. He requested the board review and consider approving the IGA between Chaffee County and TMD regarding ditch changes and construction projects associated with the Arkansas Valley Irrigation Canal Co.’s Ditch and Bale Ditch 1 and 2.

The board unanimously approved the IGA, with authorization for McGrady to sign the IGA on behalf of the district.

Water utilities update

Potter said the district produced about 45.374 million gallons (MG) of water in August 2024, with 42.291 MG billed to customers (water pumped in August 2023 was 45.900 MG with 38.908 MG billed). Unbilled water represents a 7% loss for August 2024; it was 15% in Aug. 2023, but the district’s water loss is a low number compared with the 40% monthly loss at the district where he was previously employed, said Potter.

District Administrator Sara Lamb said some of the water loss was generated by Monument Fire Department conducting two-day hose drills in Monument Marketplace.

McGrady said it was an obscene amount shooting into the air, but now that the district is being billed by CSU for water conveyance, treatment, and delivery, the water for fire department drills will not be free in the future, he said.

Financial update

The board unanimously approved the August financial report as presented and 21 checks over $5,000 totaling about $1.764 million. Of note was the 5% retainage payment of almost $1.3 million to Kiewit Infrastructure Co. for the construction of the NDS pipeline.

Mountain View Electric Association rebates

McGrady said he attended the Mountain View Electric Association (MVEA) key customer gathering on Sept. 18. The executive director, engineering staff, and account managers were available to receive input from the key customers and major users, such as the area water and wastewater districts. Attendees were informed of the substantial rebates available for each installed Variable Frequency Drive (VFD). The district installed VFDs on every pump at each plant, including the NDS pump station. The VFDs pump up and ramp down to run different speeds and avoid high use charges. MVEA is also considering “time of day” use rates for commercial users. The district can afford to be off-line during peak times with the pumping capability of the NDS, allowing the district to catch up off-peak to save money on power usage, said McGrady.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 7:29 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(a) for the purpose of acquisition of water/land, and 24-6-402(4)(b) for the purpose of determining the positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiators as it relates to potential development incentives and intergovernmental agreements.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield confirmed that after the meeting returned to the regular session at 8:50 p.m., no action was taken. A brief discussion resumed about the traffic issues on Gleneagle Drive.

The meeting adjourned at 9:02 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Triview Metropolitan District articles

Monument Planning Commission – September meeting canceled

By Janet Sellers

The Monument Planning Commission canceled its regular monthly meeting scheduled for Sept. 11. The Planning Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. in the Town Council chambers at 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument.

The Planning Commission usually meets on the second Wednesday of each month. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit www.townofmonument.org/263/planning-commission-board-of-adjustment. Information 719-884-8028 or www.townofmonument.org.

Janet Sellers can be reached at Janet Sellers@ocn.me

Other Monument Planning Commission articles

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Sept. 12 and 26 – Board considers church’s request to use Elephant Rock property

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its board meetings in September, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) considered a request to hold a large church picnic at the town’s Elephant Rock property. The board authorized Mayor Glant Havenar and Reid Wiecks, chair of the Parks and Trails Commission, to sign a letter of intent with the Palmer Divide Soccer Club. Town Administrator Dawn Collins proposed reallocating money for the Palmer Lake Elementary School construction project between funds in the town’s budget.

The board passed three ordinances and a resolution, and discussed how to handle an unofficial stop sign at the intersection of Commercial Lane and Circle Road. The board heard administrative reports and a presentation from Stacy Delozier, the town’s Public Works supervisor. Havenar read a proclamation concerning the 11th annual Creek Week cleanup effort.

Both meetings included executive sessions, after which no actions were taken.

Proposed picnic raises questions

Collins told the board she had received a request from a church wishing to hold a picnic for up to 700 attendees at the Elephant Rock property in summer 2025. Collins said she did not know how to respond and wanted the board to determine how the property could be used by the public, adding she wanted to be careful about setting precedent. Collins said the town would need to spend money to develop the property for use by the public.

In her summary of the issue in the board packet, she mentioned that the property would need to be brought into compliance with building codes as well as regulations regarding roadways and drainage before it could be used by the public. Some aspects of the infrastructure would need repair, she said. The town was spending about $10,000 per year on the property, and projects such as asbestos removal were in addition to that amount, she said.

Resident Atis Jurka said he had concerns about opening the property.

The board took no action following Collins’ remarks.

Soccer club seeks support

Collins asked the board to consider a Letter of Intent (LOI) to enter into an agreement with the Palmer Divide Soccer Club. The LOI, which precedes a Memo of Understanding, is necessary to allow the club to pursue grant funds.

Julian Drummond, a founder of the club, said the goal was to develop the south end of the lake as a soccer field with artificial turf and amenities such as bleachers.

According to the LOI, the club would have first right of refusal for scheduling practice and game times.

The board voted unanimously to approve the LOI.

Direction sought on funds for Palmer Lake Elementary School roadwork

Collins told the board that the water line replacement that was required as part of the improvements to roads near Palmer Lake Elementary School was nearly complete. She asked the board to consider altering where the funds to replace the water line were allocated in the town’s budget.

Collins proposed reallocating revenue and expenses from the General Fund to the Water Fund, resulting in a reduction in the fund balance for the General Fund of $194,959.

Collins said if the board agreed to the reallocation, she would bring back a formal amendment to the budget in November. The board gave Collins the go-ahead.

Ordinances and resolution

The board passed three ordinances and a resolution:

  • Ordinance 11-2024, which amends the town’s municipal code to include the fee for littering in the town’s Master Fee schedule.
  • Ordinance 12-2024, which moves the rules regarding parks to section 12.12.060 of the town’s municipal code.
  • Ordinance 13-2024, which gives the town clerk the authority to approve applications for liquor sales at special events.
  • Resolution 49-2024, which revises the town’s policy for lighting its star to include lighting the star for one day in remembrance of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

Stop sign to be official

Collins said that, as part of Alpine Essentials transition from a wholesale to a retail marijuana business, an unofficial stop sign had been installed by a tenant at the intersection of Commercial Lane and Circle Road.

According to a memo included in the board packet, Police Sgt. Eugene Ramirez and Interim Chief of Police Adam Lundy reviewed the situation and found that police officers could not issue valid citations for failure to stop at the unofficial sign. They said they had received several complaints from residents regarding failure to observe the sign.

The board voted to replace the unofficial sign with a sign owned by the town, which would enable police officers to write valid citations.

Administrative reports, Public Works presentation

Collins gave administrative reports at both board meetings. She said budget meetings were taking place internally. She reported only one volunteer had come forward asking to serve on the advisory committee formed to develop a financial plan for the Elephant Rock property and suggested that the board postpone the deadline for requests to serve on the committee.

At the Sept. 26 meeting, Collins said recruitment continues for the water operator and accounting clerk positions of the town’s staff. Job offers had been made for the public works maintenance and code compliance positions. Four interviews have been scheduled with applicants for the chief of police position.

Collins reported that the town’s insurance costs had risen by 12.6%. Asbestos abatement in the cabins at the Elephant Rock property was halfway completed and the pickleball courts at the lake are open.

Stacy DeLozier, recently hired as the town’s Public Works supervisor, told the board the mission of the Public Works Department was to provide responsible, efficient, cost-effective services and public works to the residents of the town. The department’s vision was to enhance the quality of life of the residents, to maintain parks and keep roads safe, consistent with the goals of the board. He said the department was short-handed.

Creek Week proclamation

Havenar read a proclamation declaring Sept. 28 to Oct. 6 to be the 11th Annual Creek Week of 2024. She presented a certificate to Alli Schuch, executive director of the Fountain Creek Watershed District. Schuch said volunteers had removed 150 tons of trash from the Fountain Creek watershed. Wiecks said that on Sept. 28 volunteers would gather at the Glen Park tennis courts at 9 a.m. to remove trash from Monument Creek.

Executive sessions

The Sept. 12 board meeting was preceded by an executive session to discuss leasing a portion of the Elephant Rock property, a possible annexation, conveying and obtaining property, accounting for certain funds in the General Fund or the Water Enterprise Fund, addressing issues involved in the Petition to Disconnect filed by the United Congregational Church, and evaluating the town administrator. No votes were taken after the executive session.

The Sept. 26 meeting was followed by an executive session to evaluate the town administrator.

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The next regular board meetings are scheduled for Oct. 10 and 24. Meetings are held at the Town Hall. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake Board of Trustees articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 16 – Board hears financial and operational report

By James Howald

At its September meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board introduced its newly hired district engineer. It heard financial and operational reports from board Treasurer Roy Martinez, District Manager Jessie Shaffer, and Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine. The meeting ended with an executive session, after which no actions were taken.

Cydney Saelens joins staff

Shaffer introduced Cydney Saelens, who replaces Ariel Hacker as district engineer. Saelens graduated from Colorado State University in 2020 and spent four years at RICK, an engineering, planning and design firm where she did land development and drainage design.

Financial reports made user-friendly

Martinez told the board Office Manager Cory Lynch and Shaffer had worked with a consultant to redesign the district’s financial reports, making them easier to understand and closer to what the board members are used to seeing. He said additional changes would be made to the reports.

Martinez explained the balance sheet had been split into two pages, the first detailing assets and the second liabilities and stockholders’ equity. He said only minor changes had been made to the line items within those larger categories.

The statement of revenues had also been expanded into two pages, Martinez said, adding the excess water sale line item was renamed supplemental water service to make plain that water rights were not being sold.

The budget worksheet, published in board packets and used to track the district’s finances on a monthly basis, had also been updated, Martinez said.

Directors Tom Roddham and Bill Clewe said they liked the additional detail the new reports provided.

Operational reports

Clewe, who serves as the district’s liaison with the Joint Use Committee (JUC) that manages the waste treatment plant WWSD shares with the Towns of Palmer Lake and Monument, told the board he had reviewed the JUC’s 2025 budget, which will increase from $1.9 million in 2024 to $2.7 million. Clewe said increases to construction, operation, insurance and engineering costs all contributed to the larger budget. WWSD is responsible for about 29% of the cost of operating the treatment plant, he said, and the Towns of Palmer Lake and Monument were each responsible for 35%.

In his Manager’s Report, Shaffer told the board he was vetting different methods the district might use to finance its portion of the Loop water re-use project. He was discussing this with Andrew Rheem of Raftelis, the consulting firm that helps the district set rates for its water and sewer services. Shaffer said fee increases and General Obligation bonds were being considered. He noted a presentation by Magellan Consulting Group that he attended which focused on presenting requests for bonds to voters. Shaffer said he would present financing options to the board at its November meeting.

Shaffer reported progress on the effort to build a new 650,000-gallon concrete storage tank and said he expected construction to begin in 2025. There are only two manufacturers of concrete storage tanks in the United States, he said, so scheduling the construction was difficult.

LaFontaine reported one shear and two services failures for the previous month. He said he is continuing to examine the meters at the district’s treatment plants and replace or repair them as needed.

LaFontaine noted that a high level of manganese in the water delivered to customers prompted a return to 100% surface water from a blend of surface and ground water. The level of manganese did not represent a health risk to customers, he said.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to discuss negotiating positions regarding the district’s participation in the Loop water reuse project and discussions with Classic Homes. No action was taken following the executive session.

Correction

In last month’s article, Dan LaFontaine was incorrectly referred to as operations supervisor. His correct job title is operations superintendent.

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The next meeting has been moved to Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; the September meeting is delayed by a week. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Monument Sanitation District, Sept. 18 – Board reviews rate study

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

At its September meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard a report on a rate study performed by GMS Inc. and an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker. The board discussed the three board seats that will be open in the next election cycle.

Dannah Koeniger, a project engineer, and Erica Countryman, a staff engineer, both with GMS, presented to the board their study of the district’s rates. Koeniger said the purpose of the study was to ensure that the district would have adequate revenue to cover planned operational expenditures. Capital projects were not included in the study. Rates should be fair, reasonable and justifiable, she said.

At present, the residential rate is $40 per month and the commercial rate is $40 per month for the first 5,000 gallons of wastewater and $5.10 for each 1,000 gallons thereafter, Koeninger said. The late fee is 5% of the unpaid balance. The district has 1,635 residential accounts and 135 commercial accounts. The study used a five-year review period from 2025 to 2029 and assumed an annual growth of 10 residential accounts per year during that period. Expenditures were projected to increase 4% per year due to inflation, and the study assumed $59,700 per year in revenue from interest, rental of part of the headquarters building, and other sources.

Koeniger said rates should generate $50,000 per year beyond operating costs so the district can build its reserves. The district could consider one large increase during the review period or smaller annual increases to meet this goal, she said. Koeniger noted the district had last raised its rates in 2020.

Countryman noted a big jump in the district’s expenses between 2021 and 2023 and said she expected 2024 “to come in negative.” She said the costs of salaries and benefits have increased in every community between 2021 and 2023 and she wanted to make sure the district could keep qualified staff. The cost of electricity has increased, which affects the cost of operating lift stations, she said.

Koeniger pointed out that newly published standards for wastewater treatment, such as the standards for PFAS chemicals, would also increase the district’s expenses.

Parker said the board would discuss the future of its rates at the November board meeting,

Manager’s report

In his manager’s report, Parker said the lift stations were working well, there were no issues with the tenants renting space in the district’s building, and improvements to the district’s supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) were on budget but taking longer than expected as issues with upgrades to the radios not yet resolved.

Parker asked the board to approve Resolution 09182024-1, which specifies the MSD office is open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and closed on Fridays. The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution.

Parker said MSD’s old website was not automatically forwarding to the new website, but that problem has been fixed.

Three board seats to be vacant

Director John Howe pointed out that three directors would need to be elected in 2025. Parker explained that board President Dan Hamilton and Howe have both served two terms and are term limited, but Director Skip Morgan could run for a second term.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16. See https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 19 – Board postpones non-disclosure agreements

By James Howald

The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met briefly in September to hear a progress report from John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co., who serves as the Loop’s workflow manager. Board President Jessie Shaffer gave a financial report. The meeting ended with an executive session after which no action was taken.

Madeline Vandenhoek, the interim town manager for the Town of Monument, replaced the previous Town Manager Mike Foreman. The Cherokee Metropolitan District did not have a representative at the meeting.

Progress report

Kuosman told the board he had sent a letter to Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) asking for its timeline on allowing the Loop to use the Southern Delivery System pipeline to convey the Loop’s water and to use the Edward W. Bailey Water Treatment Plant to treat its water. The Loop has been trying to negotiate the use of CSU’s infrastructure for several months without reaching an agreement. Kuosman said he thought CSU could be open to sharing resources with the Loop at the end of 2025.

Kuosman said three of the Loop’s providers—EPCOR, a financing company, Vidler Water Company Inc., which develops water supplies, and Tallgrass Water, a water infrastructure company—had requested the Loop board sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with them to protect their financial estimates. Kuosman said he and Nicole R. Peykov, the Loop’s attorney, recommended waiting before signing the NDAs provided in the board packet for the meeting. In response to Kuosman’s recommendation, the board tabled its vote on the NDAs.

Financial report

Shaffer listed five invoices the Loop had received in the last month from providers:

  • Fromm & Co., $592.
  • JVA Inc., $5,268.
  • Kimley Horn, $1,780.
  • American Co., $12,010.
  • Spencer Fane, $4,204.

The board voted unanimously to approve paying the invoices.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice from the Loop’s attorney on negotiating positions regarding the use of the funds remaining from the $4 million American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) grant the Loop received from the Biden administration via the El Paso Board of County Commissioners. No votes were taken after the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 17 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other LOOP articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 19- -Board continues term limit debate

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its September meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board continued its discussion of waiving its current policy which allows directors to serve a maximum of two four-year terms. The board heard financial and operational reports.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere was excused from the meeting. Board Vice President Bill George facilitated the meeting.

Lawyer explains constraints on term limits

General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that he had received a memo from Linda Glesne of CEGR Law, the district’s legal team, addressing the district’s discussion about extending the terms of incumbent directors or allowing them to serve more than two consecutive four-year terms. The issue was discussed at the board’s August meeting. Glesne wrote that the board does not have the authority to extend terms or waive term limits, but it can call an election to ask the voters to do so. Voter approval must be obtained before the Feb. 28, 2025 deadline for submitting candidate nomination forms for the May 2025 election. She said incumbent board members would not need to recuse themselves on a vote calling for an election.

Hodge said the current policy on term limits made it difficult to maintain continuity regarding long-term projects such as the Loop water re-use effort. George used himself as an example, pointing out that after his first two terms he was “beginning to get smart.” He was then required to leave the board for four years before running for another term. Director Ed Miller said, as a general principle, he was in favor of term limits.

The board took no action following the discussion, but there was a consensus to consider putting the issue before the voters at a future time.

Financial report

In his summary of district finances, Hodge said he believed DWSD was on track to collect the $650,000 in water revenue for which the district had budgeted. Revenue from property taxes was also on track. Hodge estimated the impact of the changes to property taxes enacted in the special session of the Legislature to be a reduction of about $23 per year for each $500,000 of home value. “This isn’t going to shut us down,” he said.

In terms of expenditures, Hodge said there was nothing unusual except the cost of a water main break adjacent to Baptist Creek Road. He said the district had saved money by making sparing use of its water from Willow Creek Ranch that it pays Colorado Springs Utilities to convey, treat, and deliver. That water is expensive, Hodge said.

Operational reports

In his manager’s report, Hodge noted the impact of the water line break that Water Operator Joe Lopez discovered on the Friday morning preceding the Labor Day weekend. The water line was PVC pipe that was installed directly on top of solid rock. Lack of proper space under the pipe caused it to push against the rock each time a pump started, causing a 20-foot section of the pipe to split. Hodge estimated repairing the line cost the district between $50,000 and $60,000.

Hodge said about two miles of the pipe were installed on rock and it was likely there would be further breaks in the future. He said that rather than repairing the entire two-mile portion, the district’s money would be better spent on wells 4A and 11D, which could supply water to the Holbein Treatment Plant without using the pipe in question.

Water Operator Ronny Wright gave the board an update on the work being done to rehabilitate the district’s two water storage tanks. Wright said the walls of the West Tank were in good shape but the structural elements at the top of the tank needed more repairs than expected. The West Tank is 45 years old, he said, and the I-beam that provides the center of support “is shot.” Hodge said a cost estimate was needed before repairs could proceed.

Wright had better news about the East Tank, saying its rehabilitation was complete and it was back in service, with a small leak that was being repaired by divers.

Hodge told the board that Well 1A, which has been an important water source for the last 3½ years, is offline and LRE Water has been engaged to diagnose and repair it. Well 16A, the district’s newest well, is now fully online and is filling the gap resulting from Well 1A’s problems, he said.

Hodge commended Water Operator Ross Robinson for the presentation he gave on DWSD’s radium mitigation efforts, along with Mathieu Medina of Corona Environmental Consulting, at a recent wastewater conference. Hodge said it can be hard to be the first to address a problem, but “you get to write your own rules.”

Above: On Aug. 30, the Friday before Labor Day, Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) Water Operator Joe Lopez noticed water running down Baptist Road. At the same time, equipment was measuring a drop in water in one of Donala’s water tanks. Lopez diagnosed the problem as a water main break on Baptist Road near Fox Run Regional Park. The PVC pipe, installed many years before directly on bedrock, was stressed each time a pump turned until a 20-foot split occurred. General Manager Jeff Hodge estimated the repair cost to be between $50,000 and $60,000. He said the district would focus on repairing other wells that feed its water treatment plant directly and removing dependence on the old pipeline. Photo courtesy of Donala Water and Sanitation District.
Above: At its Sept. 19 board meeting, Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) heard from Water Operator Ronny Wright that one of the two tanks the district is rehabilitating needs more work than anticipated. Wright said the West Tank, which is 45 years old, has extensive issues with the I-beams supporting the top of the tank, and the district was obtaining a cost estimate before proceeding with the repair. The East Tank, he noted, is back in service. Photo courtesy of Donala Water and Sanitation District.

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The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 17 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Sept. 5 and 18 – Interim fire chief on board; live fire training suspended

By Natalie Barszcz

The Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) Board of Directors held a “special meeting” on Sept. 5 to receive legal advice from attorney Dakota Spence-Zurek of Cockrel Ela Glesne Greher & Ruhland, P.C. (CEGR) Law regarding the hiring of an interim fire chief and to receive legal advice regarding the departure of former Fire Chief PJ Langmaid. The board approved the hiring of Battalion Chief Josh Bartlett as the interim fire chief.

At its regular board meeting on Sept. 18, the board heard the “live fire” training drill grounds were out of compliance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. The board received the 2023 audit presentation with a “clean opinion,” and received a petition to exclude 128 platted homes.

The board held an executive session to receive legal advice from CEGR Law regarding personnel matters relating to the second investigation into the allegations brought against Deputy Chief of Operations Chris Piepenburg and Training Capt. Michael Torres during the investigation of the former fire chief. The meeting was preceded by the annual Volunteer Pension Board of Trustees meeting.

Special meeting executive session

At the Sept. 5 “special meeting,” the board promptly moved into executive session at 7:11 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4), (b) to receive legal advice on the departure of the fire chief and the appointment of an interim fire chief. See wp.ocn.me/v24n8bffrpd/

When the board returned to the regular session at 8:13 p.m., Chair Nate Dowden said the district needs an interim fire chief until the board conducts a search for a permanent fire chief. The interim appointment will help the department organize and return to normal operations, he said.

The board unanimously appointed Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Battalion Chief Bartlett to the position of interim fire chief.

Bartlett will continue to maintain his career with CSFD during his temporary interim fire chief role. He has the necessary background and skills to provide the expertise needed for the department to regain its footing and is willing to take on the role, said Dowden.

The special meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

Note: The district ratified an agreement with CSFD for the provision of interim Battalion Chiefs Bartlett and David Rocco to share the operational duties of the district from Aug. 1. The district is paying for both part-time employees.

Secondary investigation continues

The board moved into executive session at 7:52 p.m. on Sept. 18, pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4)(b), to receive legal advice regarding personnel matters that have been subject to investigation.

When the board returned to the regular session at 9:06 p.m., the following action was taken:

Vice Chair Kiersten Tarvainen made a motion to authorize Dowden to execute the terms of the separation agreement with Langmaid as presented by legal counsel. See https://krdo.com/news/2024/09/09/documents-claim-black-forest-fire-chief-choked-out-firefighters-fostered-fears-of-retaliation/

The board unanimously accepted the motion.

Dowden said the board was briefed by legal counsel on the status of the ongoing investigation, and the investigator is still working diligently and expeditiously to wrap up the investigations. It is a process, and everyone’s patience is appreciated as the district works through the investigations, he said. Legal counsel will apprise the individuals of the current status of the investigation, Dowden said.

Note: At the Aug. 21 board meeting, the board approved a second investigation into the allegations brought against Piepenburg and Torres during the initial investigation into allegations made against Langmaid. Piepenburg and Torres remain on paid administrative leave.

Fire Drill Grounds deemed unsafe

Dowden said that when the district retained Bartlett, the board asked him to examine the department’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT), and he identified some issues with the Fire Drill Grounds. All of the directors have walked the training grounds with the chief except Director James Abendshcan, but a time will be scheduled to examine the grounds together. He asked Bartlett to explain the NFPA standard and what that means for the board representing the district.

Bartlett said the NFPA has standards “best practices for the industry” unlike Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards, that are not mandated across the board, and said:

• The district has the ability to take on the NFPA standard or be compliant at the same level, backed up by a standard operating procedure or a standard operating guide to the same standard.

• After walking through the training grounds looking for compliance with the 2018 NFPA standard 1403, that relates to live fire props and burns, setting fires using wood and straw to create a realistic atmosphere for training, he found the grounds were outside the regulation, and the district would need to accept that liability.

• Training grounds come with a lot of liability, and one firefighter is on limited duty due to a recent injury on the training ground. It happens within the fire service, but the liability should always be reduced where possible while still maintaining realistic training grounds.

• He walked the training grounds with the acting captains and lieutenants, trying to find out about previous training experiences and how the district uses the training grounds, to determine if the district complies and whether the department can reduce the liability.

• Some challenges can be cleaned up, but the district is not in compliance with the 2018 NFPA 1403 standards.

Dowden said it sounds like the board and staff have a task to identify where the district goes, what we are doing, and what the district is doing as the jurisdiction accepting liability.

Bartlett said that as the district moves toward a permanent chief, he recommended implementing one-year, five-year and 10-year plans, with an initial cleanup to bring the training grounds into compliance, but it will take funding. Multiple departments use the training facility, and Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) runs a 16-week training academy at the facility.

Dowden asked if the district is still partnered to jointly host the academy with Monument Fire District (MFD) and PPSC to run a course.

Bartlett said the PPSC Firefighter Academy course is scheduled to begin January 2025, with candidates identified by the college and MFD, but the district is unsure if the budget will allow for firefighter trainees.

Dowden said that bringing the training grounds into compliance will require some budget needs for the fire academy between now and January, before the classes begin.

Bartlett said the district must be as compliant as it can be if it is to host training and ensure that everything has been done to reduce liability as much as possible before the classes begin. As of Sept. 18, live fire training at the district’s training facility is suspended until the modifications can be made to the fire drill grounds, and certified 1403 live fire instructors and safety officers are in place, said Bartlett.

Bartlett said the SWOT analysis of the department as a whole would hopefully be provided to the board in October. He continues to be employed with CSFD and is working part time for BFFRPD, and sharing duties with Rocco, he said.

Dowden said the board appreciates the continued support from both battalion chiefs.

Aspen Meadows development exclusion petition

Logistics Officer Rachel Dunn presented the board with a petition for exclusion for 128 platted properties in subdivision filing 4 in a development between Forest Meadows Avenue and Cowpoke Road.

Treasurer Jack Hinton said the district has not begun to receive property taxes for the development, and the exclusion would not take place until next year, but the district is dual responding with CSFD. The petition for exclusion is not part of the 2018 ongoing exclusion process of about 2,200 homes bordering the southern portion of Black Forest subject to dual taxation. If it takes that long to go through the court process, the district will receive revenue for the homes when they are built, he said.

Note: After the district approved the exclusion process in 2018, the process was slow until a number of residents questioned the delay in 2020. About 700 homes out of 2,200 homes were excluded at the end of 2021, and about 952 properties are pending exclusion as of December 2023. In August 2013, CSFD opened Station 21 to provide services in the area subject to dual taxation. The exclusion process was implemented incrementally, as agreed upon by all governing parties, to avoid losing about a third of the district’s property tax revenue all at once. See wp.ocn.me/v24n1bffrpd/.

2023 audit presentation

Auditor Tom Sistere thanked the executive staff and the Board of Directors for hiring Hoelting & Sons to conduct the 2023 audit and said the district’s financial condition is strong and the financial statements are presented fairly in all material respects. The audit result is an unmodified or a “clean opinion.” The audit gives two presentations, government-wide financial statements and fund financial statements, and Sistere said:

  • In the government-wide statement of net position, the overall cash and investments were up by about 26%.
  • Capital assets were down $147,000 as depreciation exceeded capital outlay.
  • Liabilities were up just $76,000 as the net pension liability was up $198,000. It was reduced by accounts payable and other liabilities being down by about $80,000.
  • The Firefighters Police Pension Association (FPPA) membership is a lot healthier than the Public Employees Retirement Association pension. The FPPA over the years has been more financially responsible in managing the pension funds.
  • The overall equity position was up $394,000.
  • The General Fund ratio of unassigned fund balance to expenditures has consistently landed over the past couple of years as having about 110-160 days’ worth of fund balance coverage. (The district needs to cover about three months into the next calendar year until property tax revenue is received in March).
  • Revenues were up about $54,000 (about 1%) due to additional tax revenues.
  • Expenditures were down due to less capital outlay.
  • Recommendations were made for the internal controls, but there were no negative findings.

Sistere said it was good first-year audit, and he thanked the staff for their help, noting the audit had already been submitted to the state

The board unanimously accepted the 2023 audit as presented.

Financial report

Hinton said that as of Aug. 31, the district had about $3.392 million in the General Operations checking account. It is about 7% under the anticipated budget for 2024, and it will add the unspent funds from the 2024 budget to next year’s budget.

The board unanimously accepted the financial report as presented.

District Administrator Lisa Emry said the district had received $25,406 in ambulance revenue and received in total tax revenue of $47,790. The notable expenses were the following:

  • Painting of the new brush truck for $5,000.
  • Repairs to the Type 3 Engine for $15,596.
  • Annual renewal of contract with Stryker $7,123.

Logistics Officer Rachel Dunn said the district sold the Vermeer Skid Steer for about $12,577, and district mechanic Gavin Smith is building out the Type 6 brush truck and diagnosing the electrical issues on Engine 713.

The financial and department report can be found at www.bffire.org.

Impact fee study

Dowden said the department needs to be mindful of implementing impact fees, and he recommended the board begin formulating a request for proposal to find a consultant to conduct the impact fee study in October. He will request an update from Glesne for the October meeting, he said.

The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Volunteer Pension Board of Trustees

Volunteer Pension Board Trustee Lisa Montijo was excused.

The board approved the minutes of the meeting held on Sept. 20, 2023.

Hinton reviewed the financial records for the volunteer pension fund and said:

  • The beginning balance six months ending June 30, 2024 was about $1.379 million in the FPPA volunteer pension fund.
  • Allocated income and expenses were about $66,991.
  • The ending balance was about $1.419 million.

The accountants find the fund over capitalized annually, but the district will continue to contribute $10,000 annually to the fund to gain the state contribution of $9,000.

The financial report was accepted as presented, 6-0.

Dowden asked board Secretary Donna Arkowski about the continued growth of the pension fund and questioned if the board should re-evaluate the district’s contributions.

Arkowski said the board has the latest actuarial report (generated every two years) stating the volunteer pension fund is overfunded, but the recommendation is for the district to continue funding to maintain the fund that has 20 volunteer pensioners and two spouse survivors receiving a monthly pension. It does not take much to go from overfunded to an “oops” situation, she said. The fund pays out about $37,000 monthly and when the last pensioner passes, the district will receive the remaining balance, said Arkowski.

Dowden said the advice for the board is to read the actuarial report carefully before making any changes.

The next annual meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2025.

Arkowski and the board members thanked former Paramedic/Captain John Strupp for his volunteer service from 1993-2005. Strupp serves as a Volunteer Pension Board trustee.

The Volunteer Pension Board meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

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Correction

In the September edition, the BFFRPD article should have stated “Acting Capt./Lt. Michael Alverado.” OCN regrets the error.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. For joining instructions, updates, agendas, minutes, and reports, visit https://bffire.org or contact the Administrative Office at admin@bffire.org or call 719-495-4300.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District articles

Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Sept. 25 – Meeting postponed due to board member’s absence

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on Sept. 25, the board was set to approve three notices of termination for mutual aid to partner agencies and approve an assignment and assumption agreement for vehicle storage at the property on Sun Hills Drive (former fire Station 3). But the meeting was postponed until a date in October due to the absence of Director Mike Forsythe. An update was announced on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD).

District merger update

Attorney Emily Powell of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm, attending via Zoom, said the district court hearing on the dissolution of the DWFPD occurred on Sept. 20, approving the action for Dec, 31, 2024. See wp.ocn.me/v24n8dwfpd/.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday of the month. A “special meeting” to conduct the business postponed from the September regular meeting be held Tue., Oct. 8, 2:30 pm. See the MFD website for updates. The final regular meeting is scheduled for Tue., Dec. 4 at 4:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Zoom joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Donald Wescott Fire Protection District articles

Monument Fire District, Sept. 25 – Meeting postponed due to lack of quorum

By Natalie Barszcz

The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Sept. 25 was postponed after 15 minutes when the participants realized a quorum could not be reached. A “special meeting” will be scheduled in early October to allow the board to receive the first presentation of the 2025 budget, updates on the Station 1 training center, the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) merger process, the Station 3 rebuild design, and the land purchase for a future Station 6. The board will also be presented with a petition for inclusion of real property.

President Michael Smaldino, Vice President John Hildebrandt, Secretary Jason Buckingham were excused. Directors Randall Estes and Duane Garrett did not attend the meeting.

Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting celebration

The public is invited to celebrate the completion of the Station 4 remodel ribbon cutting on Saturday, Oct. 13 at 10 a.m. at the station, 15415 Gleneagle Drive.

Annual Pumpkin Giveaway!

The L4319 Monument Professional Firefighters will hold the Annual Pumpkin Giveaway on Oct. 19 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Monument Marketplace Clock Tower, 15986 Jackson Creek Parkway. The firefighters are accepting non-perishable food items to donate to the annual food drive for Tri-Lakes Cares.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. A “special meeting” to cover the agenda items for the postponed regular September meeting will be held on Oct. 8 at 6:30 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Monument Fire District articles

D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 10 – Committee discusses strategic plan, assessment results, bylaws change

By Harriet Halbig

The first meeting of the Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) was held at the district learning center on Sept. 10. Presenters included the Assessment and Accountability coordinator, the district’s assistant superintendent, and new Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri.

Welcome and goal statement

Co-Chair Kirsten Zook welcomed committee members to the new school year and said the group would continue to stress its responsibility as an advisory committee by engaging all members to communicate on specific topics. She said she appreciates the scope of membership, which includes parents, teachers, staff, and community members, and said that training on the state’s School Finance Act and the district budget would be provided. She also thanked members from Monument Academy for their participation.

At future meetings, members would be encouraged to interact with members from other schools, and there will be reports from a variety of subcommittees each month. These groups had yet to have their first meeting of the school year.

Superintendent Forum

Superintendent Datteri introduced herself to the committee and thanked the members for their participation. She stressed that she welcomed two-way communication with district residents. She has attended a number of other committees since the beginning of the year.

Datteri said that one of the things that attracted her to the district was the fact that it had a strategic plan in place that was created recently and encouraged a three-year action format.

In this context, she wants to know whether residents feel that the district is doing the right things to apply the plan.

She enumerated the six parts of the plan:

  • Safe and healthy schools to ensure that students feel safe to learn and grow. Staff feels confident and equipped, and there is a culture to support students and staff.
  • Academic excellence to provide an exceptional education with a focus on achievement and growth through instruction, intervention, and enrichment opportunities.
  • Valuing our people by displaying care and respect for all, acknowledging and appreciating efforts of district staff.
  • Operations and facilities planning to provide clean, safe, and functional facilities with attention to infrastructure and physical assets which are well designed, and access to healthy meals and reliable transportation.
  • Fiscal stewardship to provide responsible management and oversight of resources through transparent financial practices with attention to legal and regulatory
  • requirements and taking care to identify and mitigate financial risks
  • Relationships and communication through building and maintaining beneficial relationships and creating an environment for clear and open two-way communication.

Datteri then distributed file cards to all members and assigned aspects of the strategic plan to each table for discussion for a few minutes. Each table then reported back on its discussions.

Board of Education update

Board President and liaison Tiffiney Upchurch introduced Dr. Patti Shank, the board member who will represent the board at future PCAC meetings.

The primary subject of Upchurch’s report was HB24-1001, which addresses property taxes in an effort to avoid rapid annual increases in real estate tax. The bill creates systems for use by school districts and other local government entities to levy taxes with a cap on annual increases. The cap for the 2023 tax year is 6%.

In exchange for passage of this bill, two others were withdrawn from November’s ballot.

Upchurch said this legislation will not affect the per pupil operating revenue this year, but it is impossible to predict the future impact.

Upchurch also reported on progress of the new Career and Innovation Center, which is due to open for the 2025-26 school year. It was funded by passage of SB 24-017, which made available slightly over $8 million by equalizing the distribution of tax revenue throughout the year. There have been meetings with community members, staff, and business owners regarding the types of training which would be made available, and it would make it unnecessary for students to leave the area for part of their school day to receive such training.

The center will prepare students for alternative post-secondary education in technology, healthcare, and skilled trades such as construction. The district is partnering with industry to develop the program.

Accreditation and District Unified Improvement Plan

Assessment and Accountability Coordinator Dr. Michael Brom reported on results of the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) and ACT and SAT testing from the spring.

Brom reported that the district was accredited with distinction for the 15th year in a row. The district was rated 74.5 out of 100. It is one of 17 districts in the state which are so accredited. The district’s score has been gradually declining over the past few years.

Brom commented that some reasons for the decline may include suspension of the testing during the pandemic and the addition of science at the high school level in the testing. Another possible factor is the difference between the use of online testing and paper and pencil, and the introduction of many new teachers with relatively little experience.

Some weak spots in the results included English language arts and math on the middle school level and inadequate math growth at the middle school level and at some elementary schools. Growth measures whether a student achieves grade level proficiency from one year to the next.

Some possible solutions include the addition of interventions in math instruction at the secondary level and increased stress on reading in elementary school.

One committee member commented that some students were at a critical age to learn reading during the pandemic and interventions are appropriate to accommodate for that. Another member commented that lack of participation in the testing due to opting out deprives the schools of important data.

To view the presentation, please see the district website lewispalmer.org, family resources, parent and community advisory committee, meeting materials.

Charter school application

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine reported on progress in consideration of an application for a new charter school, World Compass Academy.

The application was later withdrawn due to lack of enrollment.

Bylaws change

The committee voted to change the bylaws to allow an individual who is a chair of a Building Advisory Committee to also serve as a co-chair of PCAC.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee meets six times a year on the second Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. The next meeting will be on Oct. 8 at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School, 1315 Lake Woodmoor Drive. A tour of the school will be offered at 5:30. For information, please contact tmckee@lewispalmer.org.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee articles

Monument Academy School Board, Sept. 12 – Board discusses parental review of library materials, adopts management system

By Jackie Burhans

The Monument Academy (MA) board met on Sept. 12 to discuss its library materials parental review policy and adopt a new board management system. The board also heard a citizen comment on discipline, updated several policies, and spotlighted a teacher for her engaging and innovative lessons.

Library materials parental review policy

The board returned to discussing its policy KECL on parental review of library materials. Board member Karen Hoida said the Governance Committee had made some changes and wanted to discuss some new proposals that would allow more books to stay on shelves. She noted that the committee had received a lot of public comments, and many of the changes were related to those. Board member Jilinda Dygert said the review form and process were not yet available.

Board President Ryan Graham asked what a reasonable amount of time it would take for the Review Committee to review a book that a parent suggested. Dygert said it would depend on how often the committee meets. Executive Director Collin Vinchattle said the length would depend on how many books were submitted for review.

Dygert said that parents could volunteer for a two-year term on the Review Committee without a specified term limit as long as their kids were in school. Graham noted that the policy says parent members are appointed by Vinchattle, asking if they would have to be re-approved for an additional term. Vinchattle noted that many people are interested in the committee, saying he would have to work out the process.

Dygert added that the Governance Committee had removed item 22 because the library system cannot notify parents as their child checks out books. She said the librarian can show parents how to access the system and see their child’s checkout history. The librarian can also add a note if the parent prefers their child not access the library.

Graham said he wanted a summary of the parental feedback before approving the policy. He expressed concern that a book could not be challenged for five years and that limiting the number of books parents could challenge would limit their voice. He proposed that the board delay this approval until next month and have the opportunity to react to a redline version of the policy that shows its changes. Hoida and Dygert agreed to the delay with Hoida specifying that MA has a wonderful librarian, and she does not anticipate a large influx of books to review.

New board management system

Vinchattle and Vice President Lindsay Clinton reported that they had reviewed three options and preferred Simbli Board Management Software to help manage meetings, policies, and board documents. Vinchattle said all this information is currently on the board website but is not very well organized or easy to manage. Simbli would also host other essential documents, such as MA’s original charter and its latest charter agreement with the district. Clinton cited its security, organization, and efficiency, saying that staff and parents could find everything in one spot.

Vinchattle said that the software has different modules with different pricing. The company would prorate the costs and offer a 25% discount if purchased in September. He suggested using available funds for board professional development for this purchase.

Chief Financial Officer Glenn Gustafson confirmed that funds were available for professional development and technology. He said he came from an environment with a robust board management system and felt this was a great investment.

The board unanimously approved purchasing the Simbli meetings, policies, and documents modules. For more information on Simbli, see www.eboardsolutions.com.

Citizen comment on discipline

A parent spoke, first thanking the board and school for their efforts, about a growing concern with school discipline, especially the difference between West and East Campus. He said parents were aware of physical altercations involving teachers, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers. He noted that children knew the limits of discipline and consequences of breaking the rules and that he knew certain teachers who felt helpless.

He said that as a parent, it’s unnerving to know that children may be entering situations where adult intervention does not solve the problem. He said he wasn’t looking for strictness or authoritarianism, but if there was any decision-maker concerned about the impact on budgets or lawsuits, the school should know it had the support of parents whose kids wanted to attend the school.

He pointed out that losing one child because of discipline meant the loss of one child’s funding, but not defending the other children could result in losing the other 22 students. He noted that homeschooling had become much easier since COVID-19 but asked what parents could do better in their homes to align with classroom expectations.

Graham said he would share the parent’s email with Vinchattle to follow up.

Policy updates

The MA board unanimously adopted and updated several policies at the regular meeting. Vinchattle said new policies were adopted so they could be modified to fit MA. Hoida said any legal questions were brought to counsel for review. She said the Governance Committee would bring five policies to each monthly board meeting:

  • GBEB-MA Staff Conduct – new policy concerning rules of conduct.
  • GBGA-MA Staff Heath – speaks to how MA would cover the cost of required special physical exams.
  • GBGA-R-MA Staff Health regulation – placeholder in case MA wants to vary from the district policy.
  • GDE/GDF-MA Support Staff Recruiting/Hiring – minor edit on hiring guidelines such as non-discrimination and finalization.
  • GDE/GDF-R-MA Support Staff Recruiting/Hiring regulation – covers procedures for hiring, including background checks, credit reports, fingerprinting, and state reporting.

Board policies can be found on the MA website at http://bit.ly/ma-boe by selecting Board Policies.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Board member Craig Carle spotlighted eighth-grade history teacher Casey Heinbuch for creating engaging lessons and finding an opportunity to work with the El Paso County judicial system for students to participate in a mock trial.
  • Vinchattle said he had received the school performance framework for both schools and congratulated principals and teachers for increasing the schools’ ratings.
  • Vinchattle read a letter that was sent out to parents kicking off fundraising for a new field with a track to enhance students’ athletic experience. Families are invited to participate in fundraising; the initial goal is $100,000 to win a matching grant from the Daniels Fund. The initial bid totals $3.5 million broken out as $1.5 million for the field, $500,000 for the track and another $1.5 million for concessions, lights, and stands.
  • The board unanimously approved awarding a contract to Abacas LLC for accounts payable processing as requested by Gustafson, who noted that MA’s business manager would be retiring at the end of the month.
  • Vinchattle asked the board if there was additional information it wanted to ask in the Student Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC) surveys. Vice President Lindsay Clinton suggested asking how parents feel about fundraising efforts and how they prefer to give.
  • Dygert suggested a combined presentation to East and West Campus SAACs on the Unified Improvement Plan (UIP). She said the two SAACs could review their bylaws separately and come together to make modifications, or they could do that in the reverse order.
  • The board unanimously agreed to revise the staff handbook to specify that classroom displays and decorations must have a connection to the curriculum or content of the coursework being taught. Any potentially divisive material must have a curricular purpose, be balanced, and be approved by an administrator in advance.
  • Vinchattle asked the board to perform its yearly review of the Emergency Operating Procedures and provide feedback, noting that it had minor modifications around school resource officers and the Fire Department.
  • The board approved a special meeting on Oct. 24 at 6:30 p.m. to have consultant Lis Richard of Helping Schools Thrive present to the board.
  • The board held a short executive session to discuss specialized details of security arrangements and returned without acting.
Above: At the Sept. 12 MA board meeting, board member Craig Carle, right, spotlighted eighth-grade history teacher Casey Heinbuch for her engaging and innovative teaching methods. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month. The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Monument Academy articles

Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Sept.16 – District performance framework, bullying policy revision

By Harriet Halbig

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education discussed its district performance framework and a revised bullying policy at its Sept. 16 meeting.

District performance framework

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) accredits school districts which in turn accredit individual schools based on the results of testing in the spring. District 38 was accredited with distinction for its 2023-24 school year, one of 17 or 9% of districts to receive this rating. The district rated 74.5 of 100 points based on consideration of academic achievement, student growth, post-secondary readiness, and workforce readiness. This final category includes dropout and graduation rates and matriculation rates, meaning registration in a two- or four-year institute of learning or the military immediately after graduation.

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine explained the results in a presentation which may be viewed on boarddocs under the lewispalmer.org website board of education, boarddocs by meeting date.

Some highlights of the presentation included the fact that the district generally did well in terms of academic performance, had some weak spots in terms of growth, and did well in post-secondary and workforce readiness. To determine growth, students are assessed on the basis of all of their peers in the state to determine whether they grow a year in progress for each school year. This is important because each category of students (free/reduced lunch, minority, and students with disabilities) is also rated among their peers throughout the state.

Whetstine pointed out that the post-secondary and workforce readiness did not account for the fact that some students attended college classes while in high school. She also commented that some students take a gap year before starting college or do missionary work during the year following graduation.

When asked whether military dependents who enter the district during the school year have a disadvantage, Whetstine replied that the district accepts all students. Board President Tiffiney Upchurch said that the Colorado Association of School Boards is considering counting those who receive a GED (graduate equivalency degree) to be counted as graduates if they achieve it within the four years allowed for high school.

Whetstine reported that the district and all schools within it qualified for performance plans this year. Last year, some schools received improvement plans due to lack of participation in testing and insufficient academic achievement.

Whetstine also commented that the overall score for the district has been declining slightly over the past three years and that school officials are addressing that fact. Board Treasurer Ron Schwarz asked whether this decline is an anomaly or a trend. Whetstine replied that there was no data reported during the two years of the pandemic and this is the first year when science test scores have been included in the scores. She assured Schwarz that district officials are aware of the decline and plan to address it. She said that the district is concentrating on finding the root causes of the problem.

For example, there is weak performance in math at the middle school level. It needs to be determined whether the issue is the curriculum, the amount of time spent per week on the subject, or the need for additional professional development.

Schwarz commented that the performance of operating schools in the district is good or excellent, but in some areas Monument Academy is falling behind. He asked whether there is interchange to improve Monument Academy’s results.

Whetstine responded that there is sharing of best practices and other information with Monument Academy.

Board Secretary Dr. Patti Shank commented that the Parent and Community Advisory Committee discussed this subject at a recent meeting focusing on improvement and how to achieve it.

To view the discussion of this subject by the Parent and Community Advisory Committee, please see page < 14 > of this issue.

The board passed a motion to accredit all schools in District 38.

Revised bullying policy

The board approved the proposed changes to board policy JICDE, bullying prevention and education.

The changes had their first reading at the board’s Aug. 19 meeting. To view a redlined edition of the policy, please see boarddocs. The policy addresses bullying, retaliation against those reporting bullying, and making knowingly false accusations of bullying

The policy includes definitions, prevention, intervention, and reporting.

Student and alumni recognition

Above: At the Sept. 16 D38 board meeting, the board recognized Shaeya Johnson. As a sophomore at Lewis-Palmer High School during the 2023-24 school year, Johnson won many state and regional trampoline and tumbling competitions, culminating in winning the Double Mini Level 10 national championship in July 2024. Johnson’s coach Terri Devries from Stars Gymnastics in North Colorado Springs discussed Johnson’s mental strength, noting that her parents, Davonne and Mark Johnson, had additional children coming up in the sport. Davonne Johnson is the principal at Lewis-Palmer Elementary School. From left, in front, are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, board member Dr. Patti Shank, Johnson, and Devries. From left, in rear, are board members Ron Schwarz, Todd Brown, Kris Norris, Superintendent Stacey Datteri, and parents Davonne and Mark Johnson. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

The board recognized Lewis-Palmer junior Shaeya Johnson for winning the national championship in double mini level 10 trampoline and tumbling in July.

Johnson had previously won various state and regional competitions and also competes in synchronized trampoline.

Johnson’s coach Terri DeVries from Star Gymnastics presented a brief video of Shaeya during her competition and said that her sport is administered under USA Gymnastics.

In her superintendent’s update, Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri recognized four district students who were honored as National Merit Semifinalists. They are Jaithan McEchron and Kai Jones of Lewis-Palmer High School, Charlotte Weitzel of Monument Academy, and Connick Goodwin of Palmer Ridge High School. Semifinalists represent less than 1% of those juniors taking the exam. They can now go on to apply for scholarships.

Datteri also recognized two Lewis-Palmer High School graduates who have gone on to achieve in athletics. Billy Cook is now playing baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Matthew Ragsdale is playing professional basketball in Germany.

Datteri also announced that the World Compass Academy charter school has withdrawn its application due to lack of enrollment.

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The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education usually meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the district’s learning center, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be on Oct. 21. For information, contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Board or Education articles

El Paso Board of County Commissioners, Sept. 12, 24, and 26 – Development approvals for Black Forest and Palmer Lake projects

By Helen Walklett

During September, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a request to extend the Cathedral Pines subdivision in Black Forest, adding eight residential lots. The commissioners also approved land use applications for a Black Forest and a property in the unincorporated county near Palmer Lake.

The Estates at Cathedral Pines

At the Sept. 12 BOCC land use meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to approve an application by Villagree Development LLC which will extend the Cathedral Pines subdivision, adding eight residential lots in a gated community to be known as The Estates at Cathedral Pines.

The application included a request to rezone 35.09 acres from RR-5 (residential rural) to PUD (planned unit development) and approve a preliminary plan for eight single-family residential lots with open space provision. The currently vacant property is on the west side of Winslow Drive, about 1 mile northwest of the intersection of Shoup and Milam Roads.

The applicant also sought a finding of water sufficiency with regards to water quality, quantity, and dependability. Approval of the preliminary plan with such a finding means subsequent final plats may be approved administratively, i.e. without public hearings.

The application was heard as a consent item, meaning there was no discussion. It came from the Aug. 15 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting with a unanimous recommendation for approval.

Minor subdivision near Palmer Lake

At the Sept. 26 BOCC land use meeting, the commissioners approved a request by Clifford Joyner to replat two existing lots as four single-family lots. The 3-acre property is zoned RR-0.5 (rural residential) and is located on Cloven Hoof Drive, off Highway 105, near Palmer Lake. The subdivision will be known as Ponderosa Pine Estates.

The application came from the Planning Commission’s Sept. 5 meeting with a unanimous recommendation for approval. A member of the public had stated that they wished to call in to that meeting remotely to comment but staff were unable to contact them.

At the BOCC hearing, adjacent neighbors Kimberly and Christopher Heydlauff voiced concerns about whether the new homes would be private or rental properties, a matter which was unclear from the documentation. They also stated that Joyner intended to use an existing easement on their property to access the two southern lots. The Heydlauffs were unable to attend the Planning Commission hearing but had submitted comments that are part of the official record. Ryan Howser, senior planner, Planning and Community Development, stated, “The request does not contemplate whether or not the lots will be owner occupied or rental occupied. That’s not criteria that we can consider with a replat.”

Lori Seago, senior assistant county attorney, told the commissioners that a criterion for subdivision approval is that the lots have legal access and that it was her opinion that they did in this case via the existing easement on the Heydlauffs’ property. She added that this could be challenged in court.

The commissioners agreed that the points raised by the Heydlauffs were not related to any of the criteria to be considered during the hearing and therefore decided not to elevate the application to a full hearing. They encouraged them to work with Joyner to reach a way forward. They voted to unanimously approve the application.

Center Ice View minor subdivision

Also at the Sept. 26 meeting, the commissioners unanimously approved an application by Andrew Alm for a final plat to create two single-family residential lots on a 12.72-acre property zoned RR-5 (residential rural), a quarter-mile north of Hay Creek Road.

The property was created through an illegal subdivision of land in 2002 with the property previously being part of a 70-acre parcel to the west. The final plat application legalizes the existing unplatted lot and plats the property into two new lots of 7.71 and 5 acres to be known as Driftwood Estates. A private water supply well and wastewater septic tank will be installed to serve the lots.

At the Sept. 5 Planning Commission meeting, a nearby property owner raised concerns about adding a well to the neighborhood. He said, “This area, if we use average flows out of the aquifer, from this area we should get 15 gallons a minute. No one gets 15 gallons a minute in that area. I get about a quart a minute so I’m naturally a little bit concerned about adding even more wells to an area where most people already buy water and have it hauled.”

Commissioner Tim Trowbridge responded, “We have very limited control over the water. That’s controlled by the state.” He added, “El Paso County does have a more stringent 300-year requirement that that water supply must be good for whereas the state only mandates 100 so we try and do what we can.”

The application came to the BOCC from the Planning Commission meeting with a unanimous recommendation for approval. Both hearings heard the application as a consent item, meaning there was no further discussion.

Fox Run Nature Center Canopy Walk

Also in September, the commissioners voted to approve a grant submittal to Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) for the Fox Run Canopy Walk project. The project is one component of the Nature Center at Fox Run Regional Park. The Canopy Walk is intended to be an educational hub. It will start with an observation tower that will allow access to the forest canopy.

The Canopy Walk is estimated to cost $3 million. Parks and Community Services has committed $1.75 million to the project and is currently completing a capital fundraising campaign to complement this commitment. A successful application for $1.25 million from the LWCF would see the project fully funded. Final design and cost estimates for this part of the nature center project are due at the end of the year. Construction is estimated to begin in late 2025 with opening in 2026.

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The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) usually meets every Tuesday at 9 am at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Agendas and meetings can be viewed at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Information is available at 719-520-643. BOCC land use meetings are normally held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (as needed) at 1 pm in Centennial Hall.

Helen Walklett can be reached at helenwalklett@ocn.me.

Other El Paso Board of County Commissioners articles

Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – NEPCO gets an update on county planning and code enforcement

By Marlene Brown

NEPCO held its bi-monthly meeting Sept. 14 at the Woodmoor Barn. NEPCO is an association of homeowner associations in northern El Paso County. With over 50 member associations in the Tri-Lakes and Black Forest area, NEPCO represents over 22,000 voters. It works to inform residents of Land Use and Transportation issues as well as keep up with the new laws that have been passed to govern homeowners associations.

One of NEPCO’s main purposes is to provide support for growth management in the area. Construction of a number of homes, apartments, and new businesses continues to rise. NEPCO continues to be involved with planning commissions, such as the Town of Monument Planning Commission and the El Paso County Planning Commission, on new projects being considered.

The Land Use and Transportation Committee is looking for a new committee chairman. Anyone who’s in an HOA and is a member of NEPCO can join the committee and help keep it informed of any new projects being considered or that has been approved. Belinda Warren is a volunteer for NEPCO. She will be working with the county Land Development Code Support Group. Mike Pipkin, of Cherry Creek HOA, has joined the NEPCO board. Members of the board will be voted for at the Annual Membership Meeting in November, then the positions will be assigned by the sitting board. For more information, email Bob Swedenburg at vicepresident@nepco.org.

Guest speakers

Meggan Herington, executive director of the county Planning and Community Development Department, spoke to the membership. Herrington was named executive director in 2022. She has lived in the area for the last 20 years and has held several management positions in the county, including previous work in land use and comprehensive planning. She also worked as the planning director for the Town of Monument in 2021.

The county Planning Department staff oversees all land use applications, works with the developer to be sure that any application complies with Colorado statutes and the county Master Plan and Land Development Code. After all agencies involved (189 agencies receive referrals from the county Planning Department) and comments have been reviewed, the Planning Commission votes to approve the application and then it moves on to the Board of County Commissioners for final review and approval. This process could take two to six months or more. Any questions regarding a specific land use project should be submitted online at epcdevplanreview.com.

Josh Palmer, county engineer of Code Enforcement, stated that he started working for the county Department of Public Works as Capital Engineering supervisor in 2020. Palmer is responsible for revising and updating the county Engineering Criteria Manual, which is now electronic and searchable at https://library.municode.com/co/el_paso_county/codes/engineering_criteria_manual_

Any questions or requests for road and infrastructure repairs should be submitted to the newly updated Citizen Connect portal https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com. You will then be able to follow the progress of your request.

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NEPCO’s next meeting is scheduled to be the Annual Membership Meeting, with guest speakers County Commissioner Holly Williams and the District 3 Commissioner on Saturday, Nov. 9 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. For more information regarding NEPCO, go to nepco.org.

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

Other Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations articles

Gleneagle Civic Association, Sept. 19 – GCA annual meeting date moved

By David Futey

The Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) Zoom meeting began Sept. 19 with a quorum of board representation. The attending board members were Shawna Uehling, board vice president and Architectural Control chair, Glen Leimbach, board member at-large and Ray Berg Open Space manager, Mark Connell, board member at-large and Roads, Signs and Ditches chair, and Glenn Gutnayer, board member at-large and representative on the Architectural Control Committee (ARC). Gordon Streich, board president and Covenants Control chair, was unavailable for the meeting.

The meeting was moderated by Warren Management representative Howie Feller. He introduced himself as the new representative for Warren Management as Josh Gregory, the previous representative, had left the company. Feller noted that he works with three homeowners associations at this time.

After the prior meeting minutes were approved without modification, Feller proceeded through the Financial and Manager’s Reports. The August financial report, available in full through the portal at portal.warrenmgmt.com, showed the GCA as of Aug. 31 with $233,806 in total assets, $7,397 in total liabilities, total unallocated reserves of $179,899, and total equity of $36,509. Feller noted that most expense categories went over budget for the August reporting period including professional fees, administrative, and committees. During the manager’s report, Feller stated that two board member positions will be up for re-election and the Warren Management renewal is scheduled for December.

During the Roads, Signs, and Ditches Committee report, Connell stated that temporary street signs have been placed on Huntington Beach and Pauma Valley. He will buy wooden posts in quantities of 10 for those and other signpost repairs and convert existing metal signposts to wood.

In the ARC report, Gutnayer said the process is continuing to convert GCA members over to the Warren Management portal from the GCA website for request submittals. The ARC has the Architectural Control approval process and variance policy and form pdfs available on the portal. Gutnayer said three or four ARC requests were awaiting a response at this time.

Violations reported

Leimbach presented for the Covenant Control Committee. He said there are six to eight violations being pursued, most related to trailers and recreational vehicles parked in yards and driveways. One resident has an “unkempt” yard. Residents in violation receive a first notice sent by registered mail. If not resolved, a second notice will be sent registered mail

Leimbach also presented on Common Elements and the Ray Berg Open Space. He said 100 cubic yards of fill were used to move the trail between the 13th and 14th fairways. A new culvert was installed as part of the trail move.

He said an elderly gentleman was walking in the open space, fell and required assistance. The Monument Fire Department could not reach him as they could not determine how to enter the open space. Leimbach has since provided a map with access points to Jonathan Bradley, Monument Fire Division chief of Community Risk Reduction. The map will be incorporated into the department’s vehicles online map system.

New annual meeting date

During the new business portion of the meeting, Feller said the annual meeting needs to be moved from Oct. 9 to formally set it up. Feller needs a meeting budget from the board, to send out the call for candidates to the community, the printing and mailing of the 701 pamphlets to each community member, and a required 15-30 days’ notice of the meeting. A tentative date of Nov. 6 at 6:30 p.m. at Antelope Trails Elementary School cafeteria was settled on. It was stated that seven community members attended the 2023 membership meeting.

Leimbach led a discussion regarding the creation of a sign and flag policy. The policy and related discussion resulted from a situation where “two GCA neighbors became at odds over religious rights and the posting of a sign.” The sign in question was posted near the property line, facing the neighbor. A lawyer, consulted by the board, said the GCA needs to establish a uniform way to protect the rights of all parties.

The policy draft sets sign dimensions at 24 by 18 inches, the sign is placed in the front yard of the property, close to and visible from the street and not directed toward a neighbor. This policy draft also stipulates a flag size no larger than 3 by 5 feet. It was stated that a political flag possibly exceeds that dimension. When approved, all flags would fall under this policy.

The discussion involved the flag size being changed to no greater than 4 by 6 feet and establishing a time frame for a displayed sign to be posted was not stipulated in the policy draft. The board decided to table a vote on the policy to resolve the flag size and the duration for displaying a sign. A GCA member on the call brought up Colorado HB21-1310: HOA Regulation of Flags and Signs, which was passed into law in July 2021. It broadens homeowner protections regarding the display of flags and signs relative to HOA policies.

Member comments

The GCA member comments portion of the meeting included discussions on benches, Airbnbs in the community, noise from the Ford Amphitheatre, and loose dogs in the open space. A GCA member requested a bench be placed along the new 14th fairway access trail. Leimbach said bench material (expanded metal), dipped in a rubberized compound, set in concrete would cost about $600 each. The board is seeking community members to donate for the bench and board members would install it. No board monies are presently allocated.

It was also suggested that the board get a post hole digger for the GCA-owned tractor for signpost installation. Connell priced a post hole digger rental at Home Depot at $150 for four hours. The rental option is only supported currently and until it becomes cost effective to purchase one and store it. The GCA does not have a storage facility. A storage facility is needed because equipment is presently left outside, a board member said.

GCA members living on Doral Way asked what the policy is regarding Airbnb properties. The homeowners have been subjected to unattended fire pits left burning overnight, outdoor music, noise, and trash from an Airbnb next door. A lengthy discussion ensued that brought up the issues of absentee landlords, not wanting to limit long-term rentals, a number of related Colorado Revised Statutes found under Title 38, Article 33.3 (Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act), the difficulty in organizing a membership vote to pass a declaration, and the enforceability to restrict Airbnbs. It was suggested to have covenant violations accumulate for the owner to address the situation.

A Candlewood Court GCA community member asked if the board could raise the issue of noise from the Ford Amphitheatre as it is affecting GCA members. The community member noted that the Sun Hills board presented to the Colorado Springs City Council on the impact of noise being experienced by its members. It was suggested that a GCA citizens’ committee needs to be formed to gather information on the issue, bring it up at the annual meeting to assess the impact, and determine further action.

A 30-year GCA community member, whose backyard abuts the open space, said that dogs off leash in the open space has become an issue. The member believes the off-leash dogs occur in part from dog owners who live outside the community using the open space as a dog park. The community member has observed cars being parked on the street and dog(s) subsequently let loose in the open space. They have witnessed dog fights caused by off-leash dogs and have concern for children riding on bikes being attacked. They have also limited their own dog walking in the open space as well for safety concerns. They noted it is posted that dogs must be on a leash and questioned who enforces it. Leimbach said it is difficult to enforce due to limited resources. It was suggested to report instances to Animal Control or the Humane Society.

The meeting adjourned at 5:26 p.m.

David Futey can be reached at davidfutey@ocn.me.

Other Gleneagle Civic Association articles

Woodmoor Improvement Association, Sept. 25 – Board seeks community support for wildfire mitigation grant

By Jackie Burhans

At its regular board meeting on Sept. 25, the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board called for residents to express their interest to qualify for a fire mitigation grant and approved the Waterside development governing documents.

The board also heard from residents about the prairie dog removal and heard director reports. Treasurer Pete Giusti and Forestry Director Cindy Thrush were absent.

Residents asked to help qualify for possible mitigation grant

President Brian Bush asked that residents interested in participating in a 50/50 matching forestry grant email their name, address, and contact information to forestrygrant@woodmoor.org by Oct. 7. WIA is currently applying for a new fire fuel reduction grant for 2025 and must demonstrate community interest to improve its chances of being awarded it. The grant would improve forest health and protect life and property during a devastating wildfire.

Waterside governing documents approved

Bush spoke to representatives of La Plata, who are working on the proposed Waterside development, noting some concerns about their governing documents. The development consists of 7.531 acres between The Barn and The Cove along Woodmoor Drive and Deer Creek Road. It is currently planned for four single-family homes and 40 multi-family, according to an agreement with the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District regarding a supplemental water agreement. See https://wp.ocn.me/v24n9wwsd.

Bush expressed concerns about the declaration’s consistency with Colorado law and was concerned that a management company was required during the first three years of the development’s homeowners association (HOA). He said the board would approve the documents with the condition that La Plata put a restrictive covenant on the property behind The Barn down to the lake. A representative for La Plata said that the restriction was part of the plat and noted that the management company would be in place during the buildout before it is turned over to residents.

Director of Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) Brad Gleason raised concerns about allowing street parking. He said the roads are 24 feet wide, and with cars permitted on either side, it might impinge on the Fire Department’s requirement for 20-foot unrestricted streets. He strongly recommended that La Plata not allow street parking. A La Plata representative agreed, noting plenty of off-street parking was available.

Residents thank board for handling prairie dog infestation

Two residents returned to the board to cautiously thank the board for beginning prairie dog mitigation in the South Woodmoor Preserve. While the job was not done, they expressed concerns about communication. They said they looked forward to working with the mitigation company on their properties.

Bush noted that the board had spent double what it had initially planned by switching from aluminum phosphide to carbon monoxide. He reminded the residents that the board has a fiduciary responsibility to all Woodmoor residents and that funds are limited.

Board highlights

  • Bush reported on behalf of Giusti that there have been both unexpected expenses and income and that WIA is analyzing whether it will end up evening out. HOA Administrator Denise Cagliaro reported there were 79 lots with outstanding dues, 47 of which had liens and 26 of which would have liens filed shortly.
  • Director of Covenants Sue Leggiero reported 138 covenant-related items for August, with four violations issued. There were 11 HOA checks and no covenant hearings in August, September, or October. She reminded residents to stow trash cans quickly after pickup, cut down tall grass, and move trailers and RVs after 72 hours or obtain a variance from the office.
  • Gleason noted that fire danger is still high, kids are in school, and the sun is coming up later and going down earlier, urging residents to be safe.
  • Director of Architectural Control Ed Miller reported that 76 projects were submitted in the office for approval by the administrator or the Architectural Control Committee. There was a year-to-date increase of 8.4%, with an approval rate of 99.8%.
  • Covenants and Forestry Administrator Justin Gates reported in lieu of Thrush that there were 11 forestry visits in August. He said it was the perfect time to check for and remove trees infested with mountain pine beetles.
  • Director of Common Areas Steve Cutler reported that WIA is soliciting bids for scrub oak mitigation at Lake Woodmoor. He said several dead trees would be removed at the same time. WIA will put up a snow fence to block off dangerous areas on Toboggan Hill, and WPS is authorized to remove anyone seen violating this and other safety features that have been added, he said.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in The Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on Oct. 23.

The WIA calendar can be found at www.woodmoor.org/wia-calendar/. WIA board meeting minutes will be posted at www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Improvement Association articles

September Weather Wrap

By Bill Kappel

Temperatures were well above normal most of the month, with plenty of sunny and warm days interrupted by just a few days with rainfall. Precipitation ended right below normal overall. Unfortunately, we have transitioned into a strong La Niña pattern, which usually means drier than normal conditions for us during fall and winter. This also can lead to some Arctic air intrusions during the winter as cold conditions develop through the northern Plains and southern Canada. So hopefully you enjoyed the warm September.

Temperatures started off warmer than normal over the first week of the month, but this period included some heavy rainfall. Strong thunderstorms developed the afternoon and evening of the 4th and continued into the early morning of the 5th. This was accompanied by gusty winds and areas of severe weather in the region. Temperatures cooled after this storm moved through, enough to bring a dusting of snow to the higher elevations above tree line.

After a dry and partly cloudy day on the 5th, scattered thunderstorms with brief rain showers developed each afternoon on the 7th and 8th. Temperatures warmed back above normal over the next week with highs consistently in the low to mid-80s from the 8th through the 12th. And with the exception of a quick shower on the afternoon of the 11th, dry conditions prevailed. This continued through the 15th with temperatures continuing above normal.

During the last week of summer, temperatures cooled only slightly into the upper 70s, but this was still above normal for mid-September. This quiet period was only interrupted by a few thunderstorms and rain showers on the afternoon of the 17th. Then just in time for the start of fall, our coolest weather of the month moved in. This produced rain starting during the early evening of the 21st which continued into the 22nd. Temperatures continued to cool as well. By the next morning, temperatures were in the upper 30s with rain, a definite sign that winter isn’t too far away. In the mountains, this wet and cold weather meant the first widespread snowfall.

After this system departed, the rest of the month was quiet and warm. Sunshine was the rule, with just scattered afternoon clouds. Temperatures remained well above normal for the rest of the month, with cool mornings. The good outcome from this was a nice progression into fall with leaves starting to change.

A look ahead

October can be an active weather month for the region with our first snowy conditions often experienced. Most years, we seem to get a good snowfall around Halloween, and after a warm and dry September, we could use a wet and cold October. Snow can be heavy at times during any part of October. For example, over 20 inches of snow fell from Oct. 9-10 in 2005 and 2006 saw over 24 inches of snow fall in less than 24 hours on Oct. 26. Of course, the big storm some of us remember occurred around during October 1997, when nearly 4 feet of snow and blizzard conditions shut everything down for several days. But we are just as likely to get mild and sunny conditions, and any snow that falls generally melts quickly, so enjoy those sunny days when you can.

September 2024 Weather Statistics

Average High 77.0° (+6.1); 100-year return frequency value max 77.5° min 63.5°

Average Low 46.1° (+4.9); 100-year return frequency value max 46.7° min 36.1°

Monthly Precipitation 1.07” (-0.73”), (60% below normal); 100-year return frequency value max 4.34” min 0.40”

Monthly Snowfall 0.0” (-0.4”)

Highest Temperature 85° on the 3rd

Lowest Temperature 35° on the 23rd

Season to Date Snow 0.0” (-0.4”), (100% below normal) (the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)

Season to Date Precip. 12.45” (-7.32”), (37% below normal); (the precip season is from Jan 1 to Dec 31)

Heating Degree Days 201 (-167)

Cooling Degree Days 87 (+64)

Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.

Other Weather articles

Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Book series for children and young adults

By the staff at Covered Treasures

“Let children read whatever they want and then talk about it with them. If parents and kids can talk together, we won’t have as much censorship because we won’t have as much fear.”—Judy Blume

These series books for children and young adults are a fun way to settle into the fall season and cooler temperatures.

Henry Hecklebeck and Heidi Hecklebeck series

By Wanda Coven (Simon & Schuster) $5.99

With easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page, these two separate series of chapter books are perfect for beginning readers. Written by Colorado Springs author Wanda Coven, the Hecklebeck siblings find themselves in situations familiar to most first- and second-graders: playing soccer, camping, keeping a secret (or not!) with a little help from a magic spell from Heidi thrown in here and there.

Unicorn & Yeti

By Heather Ayris Burnell (Scholastic) $6

This series is part of Scholastic’s early reader line, Acorn, aimed at children who are learning to read. With easy-to-read text, a short-story format, plenty of humor, and full-color artwork on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and fluency.

Princess Truly

By Kelly Greenawalt (Scholastic) $5

These funny and empowering short stories of a lively, curious little girl promote believing in yourself, building confidence, and having a positive self-image. The target age group is 4-6. Each book features a “You Can Draw” page that provides an opportunity to learn how to draw a variety of items.

Mia Mayhem

By Kara West (Little Simon) $7

The Mia Mayhem chapter books are a witty, action-packed series about a regular girl who has a super-secret; she is a superhero-in-training who goes on adventures, and mishaps follow. This series is perfect for emerging readers (suitable for ages 5-9). Each page has easy-to-read language and graphic novel-style illustrations.

The Secret Explorers

By SJ King (Dorling Kindersley) $6.99

Each story in this fast-paced and fact-filled series is perfect for children age 7-9 who are into nature, science, technology, and adventure. The Secret Explorers—a band of brainiac kids from all around the world—take young readers on a series of fact-filled fictional adventures! From a moon mission to lost whales, each story ends with mission notes: facts about the mission, a short quiz, and a glossary of terms.

Island Trilogy

By Gordon Korman (Scholastic, Inc.) $8

Luke, J.J., Will, Lyssa, Charla, and Ian didn’t want to be on the boat in the first place. They didn’t want to be stuck at sea with a bunch of strangers. But when you’re in the middle of the deepest part of the Pacific Ocean, there’s no easy way out. And when a terrifying storm hits, it’s all about survival. But landing on an island isn’t as safe as one would think.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder

By Holly Jackson (Ember) $14

A pretty and popular high school senior was murdered by her boyfriend, Sal, who then killed himself. But Pip can’t shake the feeling that there was more to what happened that day. Now a senior herself, Pip decides to re-examine the closed case for her final project, at first just to cast doubt on the original investigation. But soon she discovers a trail of dark secrets that might actually prove Sal innocent. This series is suitable for ages 14 and up.

Skandar

By A F Steadman (Simon & Schuster Book for Young Readers) $19

Skandar Smith has spent years studying for the annual test that selects a handful of Mainlander 13-year-olds to train to become unicorn riders. But on the day of Skandar’s exam, things go horribly wrong, and his hopes are shattered—until a mysterious figure knocks on his door at midnight, bearing a message. Skandar is thrust into a world of epic sky battles, dangerous clashes with wild unicorns, and rumors of a shadowy villain amassing a unicorn army.

The Tripods

By John Christopher (Aladdin) $9

As his 13th birthday approaches, Will Parker expects to attend his capping ceremony and become connected to the Tripods—huge, three-legged machines that control all of Earth. But after an encounter with a strange homeless man, Will sets out for the White Mountains, where people are said to be free from the control of the Tripods. A classic alien trilogy targeted at ages 9-13.

Until next month, happy reading.

The staff at Covered Treasures can be reached at books@ocn.me.

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October Library Events – Discussion group, book clubs, fall book sale, scrap exchange

By Harriet Halbig

Every Tuesday from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Monument Library, join Socrates Café, an adult discussion group which discusses such subjects as philosophy, religion, politics, morality, and the common threads among humanity. All are welcome to attend this well-moderated group.

The Monumental Bookworms, an evening book club sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Friends of Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD), will meet from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 8 to discuss When the Stars Go Dark by Paula McLain. All are welcome to attend.

Oct. 12 and 13 will feature the East Library Friends of the Library Fall Book Sale. The library, at 5550 N. Union Blvd. in Colorado Springs, will offer boxes or bags full of books for affordable prices. Friday evening from 4 to 7 is for members only with membership available at the door. Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. is open to all. Sunday from 11 to 3 is bag day where books are priced by the bag, open to all. Sales tax will be charged. If you are tax-exempt, please bring your certificate to avoid paying sales tax on your purchase. Also included in the sale are DVDs and CDs.

Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 2 to 5 at the Monument Library will be Community Resources open hours with a Community Resources specialist to familiarize you with resources you might need in El Paso County. Resources offered can be used to address food insecurity, shelter, housing, education, and workforce development.

The Monumental Readers morning book club, sponsored by the Tri-Lakes Friends of the Library, will meet from 10:30 to 12:30 on Friday, Oct. 18. The October selection is Once Upon Another Time by Diane Sawatzki.

Friday’s children’s program on Oct. 18 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. is Idea Lab: Lego Build: Engineering. Your best LEGO creation, completing LEGO challenges, and producing LEGO art are only some of the possibilities at this open-ended program using PPLD’s LEGO resources. Join us for the fun! Open to ages 5 to 12.

Come to the Scrap Exchange with Who Gives a Scrap on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 1 to 4 p.m. In collaboration with Who Gives a Scrap Creative Reuse Center, we are holding an arts, craft, and hobby material exchange. Bring in your new, clean/gently used, and unwanted craft materials and exchange them for “tickets” to purchase/exchange new-to-you craft supplies. Please refrain from bringing items that can be recycled, bedding, and building waste. For a list of acceptable items, go to whogivesascrapcolorado.com/donations/.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Sep. 19 – Author focuses on Old West

 By Marlene Brown

The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) monthly membership meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on Sept. 19 featured guest speaker Mike Torreano, presenting an author’s talk titled Cowboy Stories. Torreano has a military background, and his focus is on American history and the Old West. His most recent book, Fireflies at Dusk, was released in November 2023 and is set during the Civil War era—a time when the Old West did not have any laws, just the Code of the West.

Torreano has won two Firebird Book awards for Western fiction and historical fiction. He has taught journalism and English at the Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado.

His traditional Western style is inspired by Zane Grey’s books that he began reading in the fifth grade. He said he has always loved the cowboy life. He tries to write his stories with the Code of the West in mind. Some of the code values are:

  • Doing what’s right.
  • Taking responsibility for one’s actions.
  • Working hard.
  • Showing respect.

The Old West is a culture. As Tom Mix, a silent-film actor from the early 1900s, said, “The Old West is not a certain place, in a certain time, it’s a state of mind. It’s whatever you want it to be.” Learning to live a life according to the Code of the West can surely help many learn that there are consequences to one’s actions.

There was a lively discussion of the TV shows, films, books, and songs that have come from the Old West with a question at the end: What can you do to keep the values of the Old West alive?

Above: Mike Torreano, winner of two Firebird Book awards for Western fiction and historical fiction , gives a talk at a Palmer Lake Historical Society meeting. He has taught English and journalism at the Air Force Academy and the University of Colorado. Photo by Marlene Brown.

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The Palmer Lake Historical Society is a nonprofit 501C3 and holds regular meetings on the third Thursday of the month. Membership information and future presentations can be found at palmerdividehistory.org

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake Historical Society articles

High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – The garden as investment: gardening is like banking

By Janet Sellers

Our high-desert forest clime relies on its natural system of growth and decay to thrive. When we vandalize that system, we are the robbers of the soil and the forest, and also our gardens if we choose to have those. We have to create our garden soil for the plant life we wish to have that also tolerates our crazy weather changes and cold winters.

Gardening is like banking. If you invest in the soil, you will be able to have produce and flowers, but continual reinvestment is vital. If you’re constantly taking from the soil and not putting things back such as taking the pine needles off the soil but not putting those back for the soil for the trees, your deficit, your debt to the tree, will cause the tree and the forest to die. That is why many slash and mulch sites that support fire mitigation do not accept the pine needles. Pine needles are a proven mulch that keeps the soil healthy underneath, and even if we have prepared that soil for crops we’d like to grow, the pine needles do their job.

We planted a lot of beans last year in the Tri-Lakes Cares garden because beans fix nitrogen into the soil. Then we took the beans out and it’s ideal to leave the roots in and just cut the tops off after they finished flowering. Those wonderful bean roots will feed the worms and this year’s microbes will create rich soil that will support our plants. This is garden investing at its finest.

In October, we have sunny days and cool to cold nights. Cold weather brassicas will still do well and even overwinter, especially with frost cloth on hoops or in the greenhouse. At the Tri-Lakes Cares food garden, we are still getting tomatoes due to the protective fence and the brick building keeping things warm and deer-proof. I let several of the different plants go to seed (even one plant offers thousands of seeds) to save for next year. These seeds are acclimated to our area from this year, so the hope is they’ll make strong and viable plants next year.

Zombie vegetables

The garlic and onions release components when cut/injured to ensure animals don’t eat them. That’s why onions release the components that make you cry and taste super spicy if you cut them first at the root end. Cut them at the stem end and they stay sweeter and tastier. We can leave the bottom 1 inch of the root part and it will regrow in water or soil and make tasty green shoots. Try putting different things to root in some water about an inch or two deep in a glass or bowl. Lettuce, celery, onions, scallions, leeks, fennel, and garlic grow easily indoors in pots.

Janet Sellers is a dauntless lazy gardener letting Mother Nature lead the way for low water gardening, using our natural forests’ wisdom as the guide to success. Send your garden tips to JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Gardening articles

Art Matters – October is Arts Month, aka Artober

By Janet Sellers

We just finished our summer-long local art festival, Art Hop, held on the last Friday of each month from May through September. Now we’re in October, which is National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM).

The White House and Congress, as well as many arts and cultural organizations, have recognized October as NAHM for more than 20 years. The month is celebrated with events, celebrations, and programming that highlight the arts and humanities in everyday life. Some activities involve making art; all involve enjoying art. It’s a delightful way to embrace the change of seasons and usher in holiday celebrations. For art makers of all kinds, it is the beginning of an arts season to share and sell their art and create relationships with others.

We can be creative and take a walk in the fall colors with family and friends, take photographs, or draw and paint at these times for pleasant memories we can revisit over and over. I recently was the guest artist at the Jefferson Studios’ new gallery space, the Chapel Gallery. Art Hop visitors came and went all throughout Downtown Monument. People came into the gallery, and we chatted about local art, nature, life, and more. It was delightful.

Amazingly, art can lift our spirits and create community just by being around the artworks, the artists, and sharing ideas. We create our art experiences together, and I feel strongly that we can make more of these to enjoy and benefit from throughout the year and be a reliable source of creative relationships.

In his book, Making it in the Art World, Brainard Carey explains how some artists have created their own art cycles and circles, and create wealth in the process. What is the secret the artists are doing? One of the big pieces is like any wealth creation: the reliability of the commerce relationships and the upward movement of the value as a sure thing. People like to invest or access relationships that are as positive as possible. It is as simple as creating a community around mutual kindness and thoughtfulness, which we feel with the arts. We need to continue to create and support the arts and artists so our area thrives. Art is like the flowers of a community: It brightens our days and helps us feel better.

In Colorado Springs, Arts Month is celebrated from Oct. 1-31, and of course our Tri-Lakes area is included in the Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region, which has a campaign for Arts Month that encourages people to “Open your world with the arts.” We can take part in local arts and art events in October. Just take a look at the Our Community News calendar in this issue for events to attend and enjoy. Local clubs and businesses can invite artists to speak and share their art and knowledge, too.

Janet Sellers is an artist, writer, and speaker with talks on art making and collecting and creative strategies for artists, exhibits, and funding with community businesses and other sources. Contact her for more: JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Arts articles

Snapshots of Our Community

Cruisers’ car show raises $7,500

Above: Antique cars filled Monument’s downtown area for the Tri-Lakes Cruisers’ 21st annual benefit car show on Aug. 18. The event raised $7,500 for Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC). A check was presented to the group on Sept. 11. In the photo, from left, are Cruisers Vice President Andy Houck, Cruisers Secretary Glenn Whiteside, TLC Director of Operations Julie Keim, TLC Development Specialist Christine Bucher, Cruisers President David Whitlock, TLC Director of Development and Planning Bill Lyons, and past Cruisers President Jim Nab.
Above: A 1929 Ford Model A truck. Photos provided by Andy Houck.

PL Farmers Market opened, Sep. 1

Above: On Sunday, Sept. 1, the new Palmer Lake Farmers Market opened in the back parking lot of the building where Calvert’s Mini Market is located at 4 Highway 105. The first market showcased a handful of local vendors offering produce, baked and canned goods, and handmade crafts. Calvert’s booth had salsas and snacks. The market has added many vendors and offerings each weekend since. The market will run on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. until Oct. 6.
Above: From left are Suan Calvert, owner Stephanie Calvert, Marc Calvert, and Tyler Calvert talking to a customer. Photos by Jackie Burhans.

9-11 Remembrance

Above: Members of The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD), Monument Police Department and American Legion Post 9-11 took part in a ceremony remembering the victims of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and those who died when a hijacked plane crashed in Shanksville, Penn. The ceremony took place at TLMFPD Station 1 on Highway 105 in Monument. Those in the photo include Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek, Monument Police Chief Patrick Regan, Monument Police Commander John Lupton, Monument Police Sgt. Sam Yanez, Arleen Kinder, Ruby Taylor, American Legion Post 9-11 members Randy Fritz, Tony VanBeek, Jim Bergeron, Mike Christensen, Mike Pietsch, Bill Miller, Mike Schwamberger, and Ray Kinder, Monument Mayor Pro Tem Steve King, Monument Police Commander Tim Johnson, Monument Police Sgt. Mike Case, Monument Police Officer Demmaje Brown-Franklin, Monument Police Officer Paul Nyman, and Monument Police Officer Cory Yarbrough. Photo by retired Lt. Col. Chip Scharff.

Fox Run Park Accessibility Day

Above: Fox Run Regional Park had its first Outdoor Accessibility Day, Saturday Sept. 7. Parks in El Paso County are becoming ADA (American with Disabilities Act) compliant and are providing more resources to people with disabilities. A Terrain Hopper was test-driven by Mike Titera (shown in photo), who has Parkinson’s. He commented that he not been able to take a walk or hike on the trails for about five years. He was able to go on the trails and test drive the Terrain Hopper for about 30 minutes. Terrain Hoppers can traverse mud, sand, snow, rocks, and steep hills. Contact Bear Creek Regional Park at 719-520-7529 to make a reservation for a guided hike using a mobility-aided device. Photo by Marlene Brown.

Monument mixed use development

Above: As seen Sep. 18, construction is moving forward on a mixed-use development at the corner of Second and Front Streets in Downtown Monument. The project will cover 1.15 acres with 15 lots featuring residential and commercial retail spaces. Photo by Chris Jeub.

Palmer Lake Wine Festival, Sep. 14

Above: This year’s Palmer Lake Wine Festival was much warmer (hotter) than last year’s festival. It was held near the gazebo west of the lake on Sept. 14 and featured Colorado wines, food trucks, and music. Funds raised by the festival benefit Tri-Lakes Cares. Photo by Steve Pate.

Residents invest in fire protection

Above: A Monument Fire District (MFD) firefighter demonstrates hydrant capability on East Palmer Divide Avenue/County Road 404 on Sept. 18. About 133 homeowners from the Wissler Ranch development contributed funds to expand to a 45,000-gallon cistern with a hydrant for a total of $400,000. The system is capable of supplying 40 fire engines by hooking up a supply hose to the hydrant/tank system and will be invaluable for fighting wildland and house fires in the area. MFD is working with a few other neighborhoods to install a similar system.
Above: Division Chief of Community Risk Reduction Jonathan Bradley addresses homeowners from the Wissler Ranch development Photos courtesy of MFD.

New Limbach Park playground

Above: Exciting things are happening in Limbach Park! A new playground is on the way. There will be a ribbon cutting at the new playground Oct. 12. Photo by Chris Jeub.

PL pickleball courts are open

Above: As seen Sep. 27, the new pickleball courts are open in Palmer Lake, offering residents stunning mountain views while enjoying the popular sport. Photo by Chris Jeub.

Santa Fe Open Space Fall colors

Above: Fall colors have just started in the Santa Fe Open Space off the Santa Fe Regional Trail near Palmer Lake on Sept. 27. Photo by Steve Pate.

Palmer Lake 0.5K “Race”

Above and Below: About 1,500 people, assorted cartoon characters, and some dogs turned out for the 10th annual .5 (Point 5) K “Race” in Palmer Lake on Sept. 29. Donuts were available to re-energize “runners” at the halfway point and either a beer or soft drink was available at O’Malley’s for those who finished the jaunt. A bagpiper encouraged “runners” just before the donut break, and Palmer Ridge cheerleaders pictured below encouraged participants just before crossing the bridge to the finish line. The event is sponsored by Awake Palmer Lake and funds generated from entry fees and T-shirt sales go toward enhancing parks and maintaining other attractions around town. Photos by Steve Pate.

Other Snapshots of Our Community

Our Community Notices

By Janet Sellers

Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the information number for that event. Please notify us if your event listing needs to be updated.

Be “bear smart” and do your part

Secure trash in a garage, shed or other secure structure. Trash bins should only be outside of the secure structure on trash collection days from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. The majority of homes will already meet this requirement with standard practices. For those who cannot store their trash in a secured structure, they will need to obtain a bear-resistant trash can. Certified bear-resistant waste containers can be provided by your trash collection company, or you can purchase bear resistant devices such as locks, ratchet straps, and more including bear resistant trash cans, that also deter other animals like racoons and dogs. Here is a link from Alaska Dept. of Wildlife video to attach a ratchet strap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmnnwkL7T5Y . Trash can ratchet locks are available for as little as under $20. “Bears are smart and they learn quickly that garbage is an abundant and reliable food source,” said Frank McGee, Area Wildlife Manager for Colorado Parks and Wildlife. “But a diet of garbage is terrible for bears and brings them into close proximity to people, which is dangerous for them and us. “By securing our trash, we deny bears easy meals and discourage them from coming into town. We help keep them wild and alive in the forest, where they belong, not in someone’s garage or the path of a car — behaviors that can get them killed.”

Deer rutting season warning

The rutting season for deer is typically in the last seven to 10 days of October and into early November. When walking in our area or hiking during deer (and elk) rutting season, it’s important to keep your distance from deer and avoid disturbing their natural behavior. Here are some tips for staying safe around deer during rutting season: Keep your distance: Keep at least 50 meters away from deer. Don’t wave food or phones: Avoid waving food or phones in front of deer. Be aware of hazards: Holiday lights and decorations can be dangerous for deer, especially if they’re wrapped around trees or shrubs. Make sure lights are at least eight feet off the ground and securely attached. Slow down: Be aware of deer on the road, especially as they migrate to their winter range.Keep dogs on a leash: Keep dogs leashed and away from deer. Don’t let dogs chase deer: Don’t allow dogs to chase deer or other wildlife. Check your yard: Check your yard before letting your dog outside. Don’t leave food outside: Don’t leave food outside that could attract wildlife. Tell children to stay away: Tell children to stay away from deer and other wildlife.

Black Forest Log School needs your help

Please help preserve the historic school for another 103 years! New exterior damage was discovered. It has exceeded the budget renovation funds. Friends of the Black Forest Log School, a 501c3 corporation, appreciates your donation. Please send a check or bring cash to Black Forest Community Foundation, 6770 Shoup Rd, Black Forest Colorado 90808. www.bflogschool.com

Fox Run Regional Park closures

The Oak Meadows and Pine Meadows restrooms at Fox Run Regional Park are getting remodeled. Both restrooms will be closed through November to undergo renovations that will include the installation of ADA-compliant fixtures, sinks, and wastewater systems. Additionally, the parking lots and sidewalks will be upgraded to ensure full compliance with ADA standards. During construction, both restrooms and the sand volleyball court will be fenced off and closed. Portable restrooms will be available in both parking lots.

Traffic Projects

Highway 105A Construction is expected to continue into spring 2025. The project extends the 4-lane section of Highway 105 just east of Jackson Creek Parkway to Lake Woodmoor Drive, providing greater mobility by accommodating more traffic. The new roundabout, coupled with new queuing lanes constructed by Monument Academy, are designed to keep traffic moving and reduce the traffic backups on Highway 105 that have previously occurred in this area. To stay informed, a recorded message is at 719-423-8100 or you can sign up for project updates by sending an email to: Hwy105Aconstruction@mail.com and JacksonCreekPkwy@gmail.com.

Monument Academy traffic

To ensure a smoother experience for non-school traffic, it is recommended finding an alternate route if possible that avoids this area during the school drop off pick up timesMondays through Thursday 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. And 2:45 to 4:00 p.m.Friday’s 7:00 to 8:30 a.m. And 11:30 a.m to 1:00 p.m.

Donate books to Children’s Hospital

Donate any unused books for the Children’s Hospital in Colorado Springs. Any unused book donation is welcome. Kate Ulmer, a senior at Palmer Ridge High School, is working on a service project to collect new/unused books for Children’s Hospital. Drop off books or cash donations at Covered Treasures (105 2nd Street) or email Katiebugu@icloud.com for pick up!

D38 seeks volunteers

Lewis-Palmer School District 38 seeks volunteers now to help with summer gardening and painting projects at Palmer Lake Elementary and Palmer Ridge High School. Contact Kelly Bryant at kbryant@lewispalmer.org for more information.

WMMI needs volunteers

The Museum of Mining and Industry is currently recruiting for Visitor Services Associates and Guides. Please consider sharing your time and expertise. Volunteers must be 18 and older and pass a background check. For information about volunteer opportunities, please call 719-488-0880 or email at volunteer@wmmi.org.

Looking for something fun to do?

Space Foundation Discovery Center: www.discover space.org. See ad on page < 12 >.

Community volunteers

Many students need volunteer hours for scouting, civics classes, clubs, or would just like to volunteer for the good of it. Friends of Fox Run Park will have some openings for student volunteers (and grownups, too) most of the year for various tasks. Besides tasks, the group offers information and skills demonstrations for each 2-3 hour session, and celebrates volunteers at the park with annual community events. The Tri Lakes Cares on-site garden in Monument also needs volunteers in Fall, Spring and Summer. Gardening tasks include preparing garden beds, weeding, sowing seeds, and developing the compost. Bring gardening gloves, some tools will be provided on the workdays. Contact Janet Sellers at JanetSellers@ocn.me or Marlene Brown at MarleneBrown@ocn.me for more information.

Tri-Lakes Cares needs your support

Tri-Lakes Cares is the only food pantry and human services organization serving northern El Paso County through emergency relief and self-sufficiency programs. The community-based, volunteer-supported center is a critical resource for our neighbors in need. The best way to help support Tri-Lakes Cares is to donate. Visit https://tri-lakescares.org/donate to learn how to donate money, medical items, personal supplies, or food. Please check the web for current needs in our food pantry at https://tri-lakescares.org/donate/current-needs. Donation drop-off hours are Mon.-Thu., 9 am-4 pm. For more information about Tri-Lakes Cares or how you can help, contact Tri-Lakes Cares at 719-481-4864 or info@tri-lakescares.org.

Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center

Silver Key at Tri-Lakes Senior Center, formerly known as the Tri-Lakes Silver Alliance Senior Center, has been providing exciting programs and activities to area seniors who have a zest for fun and learning. As the older adult population is growing, our services are in high demand. Volunteers are needed for companionship, drivers, thrift store, food pantry and more. 719-884-2300 66 Jefferson St, Monument. See ad on page < 2 >.

Need PC help?

Make It Work Clinic for PCs, FREE. Donations appreciated. We are gauging interest in helping community members with their PCs, please email us if interested. enable@monumentalimpact.org. 55 Adams St in Downtown Monument. Monumental Impact info: https://monumentalimpact.org.

The Sunflower is for people with non-visible disabilities

Watch for green and yellow sunflower lanyards, bracelets, and ribbons, discreet ways to make the invisible visible. Wearing the Sunflower discreetly indicates to people around the wearer including staff, colleagues and health professionals that they need additional support, help or a little more time. However big or small, your help moves us closer to a society where people recognize that an offer of help, understanding and kindness can make a huge difference to the daily experiences that a Sunflower wearer has. For more information: www.flydenver.com/accessibility, www.hdsunflower.com/us/, and www.disabled-world.com/disability/types/invisible/.

MVEA outage notifications

Please add your phone number to your MVEA account to streamline outage reporting and restoration notifications. To report an outage please call or text “OUT” to (800) 388-9881. Visit MVEA’s Outage Center before the storm. There is information about preparing for outages, electrical safety, outage reporting, a link to the outage map, and more.

Can you volunteer today?

  • Links to local organizations with an immediate need for volunteers are listed on the county’s website, www.elpasocountyhealth.org/volunteering-and-donations, for groups like Care and Share, Crossfire Ministries, blood donations, Early Connections (volunteer from home opportunity), foster an animal, Medical Reserve Corps of El Paso County, Salvation Army, Silver Key, and United Way (ongoing opportunities).
  • The Colorado State University Extension office in El Paso County has several opportunities for individuals interested in volunteering. https://elpaso.extension.colostate.edu/volunteer-opportunities/
  • El Paso County volunteer-based and nonprofit organizations rely on the hard work of individuals like you. Find out how you can play a part by becoming a volunteer in El Paso County. Get involved in El Paso County volunteering non-profits and organizations! https://www.americantowns.com/el-paso-county-co/volunteer-organizations/.
  • The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Volunteer Program is composed of a collective citizens group with a true and common desire to partner with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office by volunteering their services while learning more about the internal workings of the law enforcement community. https://www.epcsheriffsoffice.com/volunteer-program-0.
  • The El Paso County Volunteer Program is a wonderful opportunity for citizens to learn about the various functions of county government as well as give back to the community. The County’s numerous boards and commissions need your experience, talents and time. https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer.

Other Community Notices

Our Community Calendar

By Janet Sellers

Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the info number for that event. Please contact calendar@ocn.me with changes and additions.

GOVERNMENTAL BODIES

  • Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines Metropolitan Districts 1, 2 & 3 board meetings, usually meets quarterly on the first Mon., at 4 p.m., via teleconference only. For dial in access and updates, visit www.forestlakesmetrodistrict.com.
  • El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting, usually every Tue., 9 am. View agendas and meetings at www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso. Meetings are held at Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 150, Colo. Springs. Info: 719-520-643. BOCC land use meetings are held the second and fourth Thursdays of the month (as needed) at 1pm Centennial Hall.
  • Palmer Lake Board of Adjustments meeting, Tue., Oct. 1 and Tue. Nov. 5, 5 pm, 28 Valley Crescent St., Palmer Lake. Normally meets first Tue., as needed.
  • El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, Thu., Oct. 3 & 17, 9 am. Regional Development Center, 2880 International Circle, Colo. Springs. Meetings are live-streamed on the El Paso County News & Information Channel at www.elpasoco.com/news-information-channel. Normally meets first & third Thu. (as required). Info: 719-520-6300, planningdevelopment.elpasoco.com/planning-community-development/2024-hearings-schedule/
  • Woodmoor Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Mon., Oct. 8, 1 pm, 1845 Woodmoor Dr., Monument. Normally meets second Mon. Info: 719-488-2525, www.woodmoorwater.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Wastewater Facility Joint Use Committee meeting, Tue., Oct. 8, 10 am, 16510 Mitchell Ave. Meets second Tue. Info: See tlwastewater.com/index.html Bill Burks, 719-481-4053.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (now PCAC, formerly DAAC), Tue., Oct. 8, 6 pm. Lewis-Palmer Elementary school, 1315 Lake Woodmoor Drive, Monument. Come half an hour early for tour if desired. Meets six times a year. Usually meets monthly, second Tue., They will meet in October, November, January, February and April. Contact info: tmckee@lewispalmer.org.
  • Donald Wescott Fire Protection District board meeting, in person or via Zoom. Special meeting Tue., Oct. 8, 2:30 pm. Final meeting Wed., Dec. 4, 4:30 p.m., Station 1, 18650 Highway 105 For up-to-date meeting information, visit www.monumentfire.org for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes, or contact 719-488-0911.
  • Monument Fire District board meeting, in person or via Microsoft Teams. Special meeting Tue., Oct. 8, 6:30 p.m. Regular meeting Wed., Oct. 23, 6:30 p.m., Station 1, 18650 Highway 105, Monument. Usually meets fourth Wed. Visit www.monumentfire.org, for updates and the agenda listing the Microsoft Teams joining codes, or contact 719-488-0911.
  • Palmer Lake Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 9, 9 am, call-in only: 650-479-3208, Access Code 76439078, 120 Middle Glenway. Meets second Wed. Info: 719-481-2732. www.plsd.org.
  • Monument Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Oct. 9, 6 pm Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Usually meets the second Wed. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit www.townofmonument.org/263/Planning-Commission-Board-of-Adjustment. Info: 719-884-8028. www.townofmonument.org.
  • Palmer Lake Board of Trustees meeting, Thu., Oct. 10 & 24, 6 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Usually meets second and fourth Thu. Info: 719-481-2953. www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Monument Academy School Board meeting, Thu. Oct. 10, 6:30 pm, East Campus gym, 4303 Pinehurst Circle. Usually meets the second Thu. Info: 719-431-8001, www.monumentacademy.net/school-board.
  • Monument Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 16, 9 am, 130 Second St. Zoom meeting. Find joining instructions on the website. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-4886, www.colorado.gov/msd.
  • Academy Water and Sanitation District board meeting, Wed., Oct. 16, 6 pm. Usually meets third Wed. Public can join the Skype meeting: join.skype.com/PAcujKTn7Nrh. Check the website for a link: academywsd.colorado.gov/notices-and-alerts. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-071119academywsd.colorado.gov.
  • Palmer Lake Town Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Oct. 16, 6 pm, Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Meets third Wed. Info: 719-481-2953, www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District board meeting in person or via Zoom. Regular meeting is scheduled for Wed., Oct. 16, 7 pm. Usually meets third Wed., Visit http://www.bffire.org for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes or contact 719-494-4300.
  • El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority meeting, Thu., Oct. 17, 9 am, Monument Town Hall Boardroom, 645 Beacon Lite Rd. Normally meets third Thu. Info: 719-488-3603. www.loopwater.org.
  • Donala Water & Sanitation District board meeting, Thu., Oct. 17, 1:30 pm, 15850 Holbein Dr. In 2023, meets third Thu., Check the website for the access code for the electronic meeting. Info: 719-488-3603, www.donalawater.org.
  • Triview Metropolitan District board meeting, in person or via Zoom. Thu., Oct. 17, 5:30 p.m.,16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302, Monument. Usually meets third Thu. Visit www.triviewmetro.com for updates and the agenda listing the Zoom joining codes, or contact 719-488-6868.
  • Lewis-Palmer School District 38 board, Mon., Oct. 21, 6-10 pm, 146 N Jefferson St, Monument. Meets during the school year on third Mon. The Board of Education meeting will be live-streamed on the district’s YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/user/LPSDCommunity, agenda, and supporting documents at https://go.boarddocs.com/co/lewispalmer/Board.nsf/vpublic. Contact Vicki Wood. Phone: 719.481.9546 Email: vwood@lewispalmer.org Website: www.lewispalmer.org.
  • Monument Town Council meeting, Mon., Oct. 21, 6:30 pm, Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Normally meets first and third Mon. Info: 719-884-801, www.townofmonument.org/260/Board-of-Trustees for remote attendance links.
  • Woodmoor Improvement Association Board Meeting, Wed., Oct. 23, 7 pm, Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. Usually meets fourth Wed. Info: 719-488-2693, www.woodmoor.org.

WEEKLY & MONTHLY EVENTS

  • AARP Black Forest #1100, second Wed., noon. In-person Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Rd. All ages welcome. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weekly.com.
  • AARP Local Senior Social, fourth Wed. In-person Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Rd. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weekly.com.
  • A.A. Big Book Study, every Thu., 7 pm, Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd. Call 425-436-6200, access code 575176#.
  • Alcoholics Anonymous, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. AA is a fellowship of people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org.
  • Al-Anon for family and friends of alcoholics, every Tue. & Thu., 7:30 p.m. Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest Road, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80908. Al-Anon members are people, just like you, who are worried about someone with a drinking problem. Join us with your questions. Info: bflc@bflchurch.org.
  • Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9-10 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309.
  • Al-Anon meeting: Letting Go, every Thu., 9-10:15 am at Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. For additional information go to www.al-anon-co.org.
  • Al-anon Meeting: Monument, every Thu., 7-8 pm, Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. Info: MonumentSerenity@gmail.com.
  • Amateur Ham Radio WØTLM (Tri-Lakes Monument ham radio Association), third Mon. (except December). All amateur ham radio operators or those interested in becoming one are we, lcome. Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Building, 166 2nd Street, Monument. For details, contact Bob Witte, bob@k0nr.com or www.W0TLM.com.
  • American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11, second Wed., 6:30pm, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Community Meeting House, 300 CO Hwy 105, Monument. New members welcome. Info: Visit website at www.trilakespost9-11.org.
  • Art: Open Studio painting, first Wed., 9:30-noon. Donations welcome, Tri Lakes Senior Center, 66 Jefferson St., Monument.
  • Benet Hill Monastery: Let us pray with you, walk in the forest, walk the labyrinth, come and visit prayer sites, Group retreats. Sun. 10:15 am worship service, 3190 Benet Lane, 80921. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Bingo night, American Legion post 9-11 Tri-Lakes, Palmer Lake EcoSpa, 2nd and 4th Sat., 350 CO Hwy 105, Palmer Lake.
  • Black Forest Community Church, Centering Prayer Group, first Sat., 8:30-10 am The Old Log Church. Centering prayer opens and closes the meetings with discussion and fellowship in between; open to all.
  • Children’s Literacy Center, every Mon. & Wed., 5:30-6:30 pm. Provides free one-on-one literacy tutoring to Tri-Lakes children in grades 1-6 who are reading below grade level. Tutoring is at Grace Best Education Center, 66 Jefferson St. Monument. For more information, to become a volunteer tutor, or to enroll your child, visit www.childrensliteracycenter.org or contact Rachel Morin, Tri-Lakes Senior Center Coordinator, CLC 610-246-1047 (cell).
  • Colorado Springs Philharmonic Guild Listening Club, third Wed. Free virtual event. Maestro Wilson will conduct monthly hour-long programs. RSVP at www.cspguild.org.
  • Dementia Caregiver Support Group, second Sat., 9:45-11:15 am. Meets in-person, First National Bank Monument ( 581 Highway 105, Monument, CO 80132). Meets monthly, 2nd Sat. Contact: Registration is required, call 800-272-3900 or email khare@alz.org to register.
  • Essential Tremor Support Group. Meets quarterly at Colorado Springs Public Library 21c, 1175 Chapel Hills Drive Colorado Springs, CO 80920. For details, contact: Jim Sanchez, 719-660-7275; jimdjs22@gmail.com.
  • Fellowship of Christ Church, every Sun., 9 am. Monument Academy East Campus, 4303 Pinehurst Circle 80908.
  • Friends of Fox Run Park, Zoom meeting, fourth Thu., 7 pm, email friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com, they will email you the link the day of the meeting. Join the growing group to learn about volunteering and supporting the park for forest safety, trails, trees, education, special events, and more. Special events and more, stay tuned! Info: friendsoffoxrunpark@gmail.com.
  • Friends of Monument Preserve (FOMP) Trail repair monthly work days, second Thu. April through October. Meets 6 pm, parking lot off Red Rocks Road. FOMP provides all the necessary tools but you must wear appropriate clothing for landscape work and bring gloves, a hat, eye protection, sunscreen, bug repellent and water. Check the FOMP website at www.fomp.org for additional info.
  • Fuel Church Sunday Service, every Sun. Service times, 10:45 am live service, streaming service at www.fuelchurch.org at 11 am. Mountain Community Mennonite Church, 643 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. Nursery and kids’ service. Non-denominational, spirit-filled. Need prayer? Email us at info@fuel.org. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Genealogical Society meeting, Wed., Oct. 9, 7 pm. Meets monthly, second Wed. Members can log in and get the monthly meeting Zoom link. Guests are welcome to attend, please request an invitation from the PPGS president at www.PPGS.org.
  • Gleneagle Sertoma, first and third Wed., 11:45 am to 1 pm. Gleneagle Sertoma is the longest continuously active civic service organization in northern El Paso County. Our regular program presenters address local topics of interest to include local developments, community planning and projects, as well as opportunities to serve your community. Contact Harvey LeCato for meeting location and club information at mbca@comcast.net or 719-331-1212.
  • Gleneagle Women’s Club, membership luncheon, third Fri., (Sep.-June), various venues, 12 activity groups, i.e., hiking, bridge, etc. Guests welcome. For information contact Bev Selby, 719-600-1451.
  • La Leche League breastfeeding support group, second Thu., 12:30 pm. Partners and helpers welcome (and babies and kids, too) so we can meet our breastfeeding goals together. Homestead Direct Primary Care Clinic, 15455 Gleneagle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80921. For more information, contact RachelKLangley@gmail.com.
  • Lions Club Bingo, every Sat. (except the first Sat.), 8:30 am-1 pm and first Mon., 5:30-10 pm Tri-Lakes Lions Club’s portion of the proceeds benefit those in need in the Tri-Lakes community. Updated info and location: Jim Naylor, 719-481-8741 or www.trilakeslionsclub.org.
  • Library Chess Club, We welcome anyone who wants to learn to play chess or wants to play a game with an experienced player. Contact Steve Waldmann, huskerco@gmail.com. Monument Library meeting room, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr., Monument (Information also on the Facebook page: Monument Library Chess Club)
  • Monument Hill Kiwanis Club meeting, every Sat., 8 am. www.MHKiwanis.org, MonumentHillKiwanis@gmail.com for details, guests are welcome. Service leadership clubs, Key clubs, Builders Club, and K-kids at D38 schools. Memberships are open to the public. Info: RF Smith, 719-210-4987, www.MHKiwanis.org.
  • Monument Life Recovery Group, every Mon., 6:30-7:30 pm, The Ascent Church, 1750 Deer Creek Rd. This faith-based support group is for those seeking freedom from all hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Daycare for children under age 11. Info: 303-946-2659, www.liferecoverygroups.com/meetings/life-recovery-group-3/.
  • Neighborhood Net Ham Radio, every Sat., 10 am. Amateur ham radio operators practice for emergencies on weekly repeater nets so neighbors can help neighbors. Sign up at www.mereowx.org/neighborhood-net or contactus@mereowx.org.
  • Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Sat., Nov. 9, 10 am–12 pm., Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. Members of local HOAs are welcome. Usually meets bi-monthly (Jan., Mar., June, July, Sep., Nov.) on the second Sat. of the month. www.nepco.org.
  • Palmer Divide Quiltmakers, first Thu., 6:30-8:30 pm at Monument Chamber of Commerce building, 166 2nd St, Monument, CO.
  • Palmer Lake Art Group, second Sat. A variety of art programs are offered after the social gathering and business meetings. Guests welcome. 300 Hwy 105, NE corner of I-25 and 105. 9:30 am. Info: 719-460-4179, www.palmerlakeartgroup.co.
  • Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., Oct. 17, 7 pm; (doors open at 6:30 pm), Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent St. Usually meets third Thu. Contact: Kokesdm@yahoo.com, palmerdividehistory.org.
  • Ridgeview Baptist Church, every Sun., 10:30 am, temporarily meeting at 9130 Explorer Dr., Colorado Springs, 80920. Info: 719-357-6515 or www.ridgeviewcolorado.org. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Senior Bingo, third Wed. Silver Key Senior Services, Space is limited to 16. participants. RSVP & info: info@silverkey.org
  • Senior Book Club, second Fri., 11 am-noon, Silver Key Senior Services, all are welcome. Coffee & snacks. RSVP & info: info@silverkey.org
  • Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church, every Sun., Contemporary 9 am; Traditional 10:30 am. A live stream is available at www.tlumc.org/live. Watch live or replay: www.facebook.com/tlumc, www.youtube.com/tlumc.org. Info: 719-488-1365, www.tlumc.org. 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument.
  • Tri-Lakes Church of Christ Wednesday night fellowship classes, every Wed., 6-7:30 pm, 20450 Beacon Lite Road, Monument (corner of Beacon Lite & County Line Roads). Info: 719-488-9613, gregsmith@trilakeschurch.org, www.trilakeschurch.org.
  • Tri-Lakes Cruisers, first Wed., 7 pm. A nonprofit car club. Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, with numerous activities and events each month. Club membership applications are now being accepted and are available on the website: tl-cruisers.weebly.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Networking breakfast, first and third Thu., in person or via Zoom 166 2nd Street Monument 7:30-9 am free registration at www.TriLakeschamber.com .
  • Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary Club meeting, monthly first and third Thu. 6 pm-8 pm. First Thursday via zoom and third Thursday in person at the Chamber of Commerce, 166 2nd St., Monument. Details: www.tlrotary.com, Trilakesdynamicrotary@gmail.com. Guests welcome. We are a service club serving Tri-Lakes. Memberships open to the public. Info: www.tlrotary.com.
  • Tri-Lakes Parkinson’s Disease Support Group, third Sat., 10 am-noon, Monument Community Presbyterian Church, 238 Third St., Monument. Info: Syble Krafft, 719-488-2669; Barry (group president), 719-351-9485. If you need any help, please call Syble or Barry.
  • Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) monthly meeting, third Fri., 11:30 am. Eisenhower Golf Club, USAFA. To become a member, or learn about the club, visit our website at www.tlwc.net Contact Info: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club membership@tlwc.net.
  • Women’s A. A. Step Study, every Mon., 6:30 pm, meeting remotely, check for details. Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 Baptist Rd. Park in the west lot. Info: 866-641-9190. Al-Anon Zoom Meeting, Just for Today Online, every Mon., 9:00 – 10:00 am Zoom Meeting ID: 889 4142 7446, Password 349309
  • Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7829, third Wed., 7 pm, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce community room, 166 2nd St., Monument. New members welcome. Info: Post Commander and POC Bruce Beyerly, Bruce.Beyerly@gmail.com.
  • VFW Auxiliary to Post 7829, third Wed., 7 p.m. Meets at Victory Baptist Church, 325 2nd Street, Suite X, Monument. Guests are welcome to join; if you are a relative of a veteran who served on foreign soil during war or other military actions, you June be eligible. For more information please contact Kathy Carlson, 719-488-1902, carlsonmkc@gmail.com or Linda Lyons, 303-579-8114, lindalyons7829@gmail.com.

SPECIAL EVENTS

  • VOLUNTEER TODAY! Our Community News: volunteer mailing days, Thu., Oct. 3 & 31, approx. 7-8:30 am. We are all volunteers at OCN and need YOUR help, even for an hour or two, getting the papers ready to mail. Contact AllenAlchian@ocn.me or (719) 488-3455.
  • Palmer Lake Farmers Market at Calvert’s Mini Market, every Sun. through Oct. 6. 10-2 pm. 4 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake.
  • Covered Treasures Bookstore, Sat., Oct. 12, 1-3, author Margaret Mizushima will sign Gathering Mists. Fri., Oct. 31, 4-6, Safe Trick or Treat. 105 Second St, Monument.
  • Palmer Lake Art group small works art show and sale. Fri. Oct. 4, 5-8 p.m. Show continues though Nov. Bella art and frame gallery. 251 front Street, suite 11, Monument. See ad on page < 10 >.
  • Nance Construction Company Auction, Sat., Oct. 5, 10 am 19870 Beacon Lite Road. Info: 970-380-5305 or www.theholzworthauctioncompany.com.
  • Freedom School of Martial Arts, 6-week strength, stability, and self-defense course for mature adults, starts Mon., Oct. 7. Info: 719-360-9559.
  • Western Museum of Mining and Industry Lecture Series, Tue., Oct. 8, 4 pm: Mel McFarland, Colorado Springs: A Look Back. 225 North Gate Blvd. Members free, nonmembers $5. Reservations required: 719.488-0880.
  • Funky Little Theater Company: The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Oct. 11-26, Palmer Lake Town Hall. Details: www.townofpalmerlake.com.
  • 100+ Women Who Care Bi-Annual Meeting, next meeting: Wed. Oct. 16, 5:00 pm at the Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Drive. We are 100+ Women committed to contributing $100 two times a year to local Tri-Lakes charities, which will positively impact our communities by allowing us to give up to $20,000 annually. Together we can make a difference that we can see! Big impact, without a big commitment. Details: http://www.100womenwhocaretrilakes.com/
  • WMMI Miners pumpkin patch: Every Sat. in Oct. at Western Museum of Mining and Industry. See ad on page < 12 >.
  • YMCA three races for a great cause, 5K race series. Creepy crawl, Sat. Oct. 26, Turkey trot Thu., Nov. 28, Jingle jog Sat. Dec. 14. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Mad Science Day – Space Foundation Discovery Center, Sat., Oct. 26. See ad on page < 12 >.
  • Front range Maker’s Market, Sat.-Sun., Oct. 26-27: indoor at Lewis Palmer high School Sat. 9- 4, Sun. 10-3, $5 at the door. See ad on page < 24 >.
  • MVEA: youth leadership trip contest deadline, Thu., Nov. 7. Info: www.mvea.coop/trip contest.
  • Monument homemakers, bring a dish to share, and table service. Program: Reclaiming Hope, an organization that helps survivors of human trafficking; meet at Chamber of Commerce building, Thu. Nov. 7, noon. 166 2nd St. Monument. Info and more about the club: Linda Case, 719-354-6575 for reservations.
  • Christmas with Bing by Eric Elison, Sat., Nov. 23, 2-4 pm. Tri Lakes Center for the Arts and Sat., Dec.14, 7-9 pm, Black Forest Community Club. See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Affordable Flooring Connection, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Eagle Wine & Spirits, special offers. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Mesa Health and Aesthetics, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Monumental Med Spa, special offers. See ad on page < 7 >.
  • Monument Cleaners, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Mountain View Pella windows, special offers. See ad on page < 24 >.
  • Noel relief centers, special offers. See ad on page < 7 >.
  • PeakView Windows, special offers. See ad on page < 24 >.
  • Plumb Smart plumbing services, special offers. See ad on page < 3 >.
  • Soot busters, chimney sweeps, special offers. See ad on page < 6 >.
  • Stubby’s dog wash and grooming salon, special offers. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • The Living Room Plants, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Tri-Lakes Collision and Auto Service Center, special offers. See ad on page < 5 >.
  • Windows Well Covered, custom window well covers, special offers. See ad on page < 7 >.

Our community calendar carries listings on a space-available basis for Tri-Lakes events that are sponsored by local governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. We include events that are open to the general public and are not religious or self-promotional in nature. If space is available, complimentary calendar listings are included, when requested, for events advertised in the current issue. To have your event listed at no charge in Our Community Calendar, please send the information to calendar@ocn.me or Our Community News, P.O. Box 1742, Monument, Colorado 80132.

Other Calendar articles

Palmer Lake Dollar General Community Meeting, Aug. 16 – Ehrhardt family addresses community concerns

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

The Erhardt family held a community meeting on Aug. 16 in the Palmer Lake Town Hall to discuss the sale, announced by builder Kurt Ehrhardt at an earlier meeting of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT), of the undeveloped lot north of the Tri-Lakes Arts Center for the Arts and west of Highway 105, to Dollar General for use as a retail store. The meeting was independent of the town’s administration or Board of Trustees. Nick Ehrhardt, son of Kurt Erhardt, moderated the meeting; he was elected to the town’s Board of Trustees in the last election and said he organized the meeting as a private citizen, not as a board member.

Kurt Erhardt’s announcement of the sale generated a firestorm on social media, with most posts opposed to the sale, some hostile and insulting. Mayor Glant Havenar wrote a post on the Nextdoor platform acknowledging that a Dollar General store “is not welcomed by many residents,” but the PLBOT does not have the authority to approve land sales, and the property is zoned correctly for the intended use. She applauded the Ehrhardt family for scheduling a meeting with the town, and said Kurt Ehrhardt “loves this community, is a wonderful member of our community and seeks to work with the community as he moves forward with this development.”

In his opening remarks, Nick Ehrhardt told the crowd of more than 100 attendees that his parents Marsha and Kurt own the property jointly and that he wanted them treated respectfully. He said rumors that he had used his seat on the board to influence events were “insulting and unfounded.” He turned the meeting over to Kurt Ehrhardt.

Kurt Ehrhardt told the attendees that Dollar General made an offer of $475,000 for half of the lot adjacent to Highway 105. The other half of the lot was worth about the same, he said. He recounted two other attempts he had made to develop the property. When Facinelli Motors lost its lease on County Line Road, Ehrhardt proposed it move to the property. Ehrhardt mentioned another effort to develop the property as a mix of commercial and residential uses. Both projects fell through, he said.

After his summary of past development efforts, Ehrhardt announced that he and his wife were trying to withdraw from their contract with Dollar General. This was met with applause from the audience.

Note: Several days after the meeting, Ehrhardt announced on social media that he had been successful in canceling his agreement with Dollar General.)

Ehrhardt said the land had been for sale for 10 years and he had been burdened with property taxes on it. He believed a Dollar General store would have generated between $150,000 and $200,000 in annual sales tax revenue for the town and that had been a consideration in their acceptance of Dollar General’s offer. He encouraged anyone to step up and make something happen on the property.

Following his remarks, Ehrhardt asked for comments from the audience. In the discussion that followed, several residents thanked Ehrhardt for his openness with the community and his decision to try to withdraw from his contract with Dollar General. There were offers to help Ehrhardt deal with any negative financial consequences of his decision.

Some of the residents described Dollar General as a predatory company that looked for cash-strapped, low-income communities and built stores with lax security and inadequate staffing that caused traffic problems.

Bill Fisher, an architect who currently serves on the Palmer Lake Planning Commission, said that, while he was not completely opposed to franchise stores in the town, he wanted to see an approach to main street development that uses on-street parking serving multiple store fronts, with pedestrian zones, not a big-box store with a large parking lot. He said the Colorado Department of Transportation had come to believe that their policies, which promote large parking lots dedicated to a single store, are contrary to what towns want and he hoped the PLBOT would support more enlightened guidelines for main street development. Other residents said they preferred a complete ban on franchise stores.

Above: On Aug. 16, the Ehrhardt family held a community meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall to address concerns over a pending sale to Dollar General of some land just north of the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts building and just west of Highway 105 from Palmer Lake Regional Park. Over 100 attendees crowded into the hall, which was set up for a local theater production. Developer Kurt Ehrhardt explained the history of development efforts on the lot. He announced that he was withdrawing from his contract with Dollar General to the applause from the audience and offers of help with any financial costs of doing so. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

**********

No additional meetings are planned on this issue.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake articles

Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Aug. 21 – Board action criticized; fire chief contract terminated; second investigation initiated

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on Aug. 21, the board received criticism from attendees and pleas for fairness during public comments, and it held an executive session to receive advice from legal counsel Linda Glesne of Cockrel Ela Glesne Greher & Ruhland, P.C. (CEGR) Law relating to the status of a third-party investigation into the complaints received against Fire Chief PJ Langmaid. The board held an additional executive session to discuss a personnel matter involving the fire chief.

After the board returned to the regular session, Langmaid’s contract as fire chief was terminated, and the board approved the hiring of an interim fire chief and a second investigation into the allegations brought against Deputy Chief of Operations Chris Piepenburg and Training Capt. Michael Torres during the investigation of Langmaid.

Langmaid and his attorney, Ian Kalamanowitz of Cornish & Dell’Olio PC law firm, attended the meeting.

Staff complaints addressed

Background: The board held an emergency special meeting on July 1 to convene an executive session with legal counsel after the board received emails from staff members citing allegations against Langmaid on June 28, June 30, and July 1. The board placed Langmaid on paid administrative leave and approved that legal counsel engage a third-party investigator to initiate and lead a comprehensive investigation into the allegations made against Langmaid and the claims and issues brought forward about the command staff and overall leadership culture within the department. The board unanimously approved limiting the actions of the command staff to operational needs.

At its July 17 board meeting, after receiving the preliminary findings of a third-party investigation, the board directed district counsel to proceed with a 360-degree investigation over a variety of matters brought to the board. CEGR Law retained Flynn Investigations Group to facilitate the investigation, and the board placed Piepenburg and Torres on paid administrative leave. See https://wp.ocn.me/v24n8bffrpd.

Public comments request fair treatment

Before moving into executive session at the Aug. 21 meeting, the board called for an additional public comments section and received the following responses:

  • April Piepenburg, wife of Chris Piepenburg, said the following: “For the past 20 years, I have watched my husband pour his heart into the fire service, demonstrating unwavering dedication and selflessness, with a commitment beyond emergency response, and he is committed to stand by his fellow firefighters, valuing their wellbeing and safety both inside and outside the station. This commitment stems not from obligation, but from his genuine character. So, when a serious issue was brought to his attention involving the fire chief, he did the right thing and promptly reported the incident to the board. Unfortunately, this act of integrity resulted in an unjust and painful backlash. The board has cast doubt on his character and integrity, deeply damaging his hard-earned reputation in the fire service. Chris has faced humiliation via two local news outlets and three nationally recognized fire service publications that included false, unsubstantiated and biased attacks on both Chris and Capt. Torres with allegations made directly by a board member.
    • “Their work with educators and firefighters across the county has also been tainted by this scandal, spreading the damaging news far and wide, by lumping them into the same category with the fire chief who is the focus of this investigation. By placing Chris and Capt. Torres on administrative leave you have called into question their integrity, by implying they would have influence over staff during the investigation. In doing so, you have called into question the integrity of every member of staff has also been called into question suggesting they can be swayed into providing dishonest answers. Integrity is the corner stone of any organization, a core value adopted by the department, without integrity there is no credibility, without credibility there is no trust, and without trust there is no lasting success. By prioritizing personal relationships with the fire chief and focusing on punching the whistleblowers, rather than addressing misconduct, you send a clear message to the organization, their concerns are secondary.
    • “This approach not only undermines trust and signals that future issues will be met with retaliation and humiliation rather than resolved with fairness and integrity. As a result, the board has cultivated a climate of fear among firefighters, where speaking up and seeking help is met with intimidation, job insecurity, and public humiliation. Do you want a leader who stands firmly and fights for what is right or someone who will sweep issues under the rug to protect their own interest? Deputy Chief Piepenburg and Capt. Torres were fighting for their people, she said. See KRDO 13 https://krdo.com/news/2024/08/14/black-forest-fire-captain-claims-retaliation-after-being-put-on-leave-while-chief-is-investigated/
  • Yvette Torres, the wife of Training Capt. Michael Torres, said, “I am here representing and supporting my husband who was banned from the grounds and cannot speak on his own behalf. I am hoping to get some answers to the questions that Mike, myself and my family cannot seem to get.”
    • She said the following: “Personnel reported claims against the chief to Capt. Torres, who reported the claims via the chain of command to Deputy Chief Piepenburg, who then reported the claims to the board. At the July 17 board meeting the meeting concluded with a shocking decision to place both Mike and Chris on paid administrative leave, this transpired at 10 p.m. Mike was not present at the meeting having already left the meeting, and he was not informed by any board member or administrative staff that he was placed on paid administrative leave. On the evening of July18 at 7 p.m. he received a letter informing him he was not the focus of the investigation and would remain on paid administrative leave for an unknown duration during the process of the fire chief’s investigation. He was told by the investigator he would keep him updated; a month later he has not heard from anyone. How are these incompetencies being allowed? Where is the accountability? How do you put someone on paid administration leave and not provide them with a reason that is relevant to them. How do you place someone on paid administrative leave in good faith for the crimes of another? How do you leave the firefighters and officers without leadership, especially the very leadership that brought the allegations forward?
    • “The line members’ turnover rate has and will continue to be high and Black Forest will continue to lose good people if they do not feel supported, and have firsthand seen that when someone does stands up to protect them, they are retaliated against. How is it okay that taxpayer money is being wasted so brazenly, as most of the administrative personnel are on paid leave, and now third-party officers are provided coverage? In blogs and newspaper articles questions are being raised if the third-party individuals are being paid and why those individuals were chosen versus companies closer to Black Forest such as Falcon and Monument? How will it affect the future and future budget of the department? How do you disregard the lives of people like Mike and Chris who it is not just a job, this is their lives? Mike brought personal props, tools, and equipment to the department to allow him to give the best training to Black Forest firemen, but due to being banned from the grounds he has been denied access to those items that are his. When he has brought this up he hasn’t gotten responses, and continues to be treated as if he is the criminal being investigated. Both Mike and Chris pride themselves on making the fire service and Black Forest Fire Department a better and safer place yet both are on administrative leave which is tarnishing their reputations, while they have done nothing wrong.
    • “How does Black Forest feel knowing that the Fire Department regulations are not up to date due to Mike being banned from the grounds which has led to personnel not having appropriate training, being up to date on state required certifications, and taxpayer money again being blatantly wasted and abused. Why are you treating these men as criminals? And Jim, how are you going to the press, slandering their names and ruining their reputations? How can you all in good conscious think all of this is okay, and what are you going to do to make it right?” said Torres.
  • Yvonne Krcmer, speaking on behalf of her son-in-law, Michael Torres, said, “In all of the years I have known Michael I have always been impressed with his work ethic and passion for the fire service. He is a hardworking, loyal, dedicated, honest, and compassionate person. He has always put his heart and soul into fighting fires and helping his fellow firefighters in any way that he possibly can Through his many years of extensive training, he has a lot of knowledge to share. For 25-plus years, Michael has been taught to conduct himself in a professional and ethical manner at all times. He has gained the respect of his peers and supervisors through his actions, and if he makes a mistake, he is the first one to own up to it That being said, I truly cannot believe the disgraceful way that he has been treated. He reported some allegations to his supervisor that had been brought to his attention, from not one, but several fellow firefighters. These issues are not only considered unacceptable within the fire service, but in most jobs/careers. It is also unacceptable that these firemen did not feel safe to report the actions of the chief in fear of retaliation. It has been brought to our attention that a few board members are very good friends with the chief, and it strongly appears that they might be hesitant to take the appropriate action concerning their friend. Isn’t being a friend of the person accused a conflict of interest? Punishment is being given to a man who was only doing the right thing. The lack of communication is unbelievable, how do you put someone on extended paid administrative leave treat him the way he has been treated, without a clear explanation. What steps are the board taking to get Michael back to work? Michael has earned the right to be treated in a respectful way by the board and the community. Unfortunately, this is not the road this board has chosen to take. The actions by the board and the comments made to KRDO 13 seem to be calculated and unfair. By temporarily removing these men from their positions, what does that truly accomplish? It is terrible how this man has been building a positive reputation in the fire community for all these years to have this board tarnish his reputation. Our family hopes to get answers and all of this resolved in a timely manner, seen as it has been going on for far too long,” said Krcmer. See https://gazette.com/ttribune.com/black-forest-fire-chief-placed-on-administrative-leave-after-staff-complaints/article.
  • Note: Krcmer stated during her comments that the building access codes had been changed, but staff were willing to meet Torres at the perimeter of Station 1, to return his property.
  • Ryan Haynie, treasurer of the Del Norte Fire Protection District Board of Directors, addressed the board via Zoom and said, “I would like to remind the board that you have a duty to take care of your constituents, take care of your firefighters, and take care of the affairs of the district. Unfortunately, when these types of incidents happen it is a negative perception for the department and the fire service in general. Please be fair with everybody whose involved in this, please don’t create environments where members don’t feel safe to report things. Your obligation as board members is to do what’s best for that fire district, and when you have individuals that don’t feel safe to report allegations, or when they do report allegations, they feel that they have retribution against them for doing the right thing, that’s not fair. Please take care of your people, because without the people you don’t have anything left. Those individuals who go out on the trucks every day, who are training, who are doing everything that they’re doing, they are the ones who are keeping your district going; that’s who the people see every day and who the people trust. Take care of your people, treat them right, and keep them safe,” said Haynie.
  • Firefighter Michael Alverado requested the board allow additional public comments after the executive session before the regular session concludes, to allow educated comments.

Chairman Nate Dowden thanked Piepenburg, Torres, Krcmer, Haynie, and Alverado for their comments.

After the board returned from the executive session and all actions had been made, Abendschan addressed Torres and Krcmer regarding the accusations made during the first public comment session. He said he had not spoken with any media outlets and had he been asked to comment by the media, he would have declined and will continue to do so. The information KRDO News 13 and other media outlets repeated was sourced from the board minutes available on the district website, said Abendschan.

Executive session

The board moved into executive session at 7:33 p.m. pursuant to Colorado Revised Statute 24-6-402(4), (b) to receive legal advice on the status regarding the investigation of complaints, and CRS 24-6-402(4)(f), to discuss a personnel matter involving the fire chief.

Board takes further action

When the board returned to the regular meeting at 11:26 p.m., Dowden confirmed the board had concluded the executive session and had not deviated from the agenda. He thanked the attendees for remaining during the evening and said the board had accepted the investigative report prepared by Karin Ranta-Curran with Employment Matters Flynn Investigations Group, and the investigation into the allegations brought to the Board of Directors on June 28 against the fire chief was closed.

The board unanimously approved Glesne negotiate the terms of departure for Langmaid and pursue the hiring an interim fire chief.

The board approved a second investigation into the allegations brought against Piepenburg and Torres during the initial investigation, in a 4-1 vote. Director Chad Behnken voted nay.

Vice Chair Kiersten Tarvainen said both employees will remain on paid administrative leave until the investigation is completed, and legal counsel will provide written instructions to both employees on Aug. 16.

Interim battalion chief’s contract

Before the first public comments session and the executive session, Chair Nate Dowden said the board authorized negotiations to begin at the July 17 meeting to identify interim battalion chiefs to temporarily handle the duties of the fire chief and deputy operations chief during the investigation. He requested the district ratify the agreement with Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) for the provision of interim Battalion Chiefs Josh Bartlett and David Rocco, who have been sharing duties since Aug. 1.

The board unanimously approved the agreement.

Logistics Officer Rachel Dunn confirmed to OCN that the CSFD interim battalion chiefs are not assisting with administrative matters or making financial decisions, but they are responding on calls, providing guidance and training to staff, and working from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., five days per week, including weekends.

Financial report

Treasurer Jack Hinton said that as of July 31, the district had about $9.694 million in total assets (about $3.713 million in Operations Checking), the district is at 52% of the anticipated budget for 2024 and should be 58% of the budget for the time of year, but the district has been under budget for some time, said Hinton.

The board unanimously accepted the financial report as presented.

District Administrator Lisa Emry said the district had received $18,785 in ambulance revenue and received $92,903 in total tax revenue. A notable expense was $30,488 for CEGR legal expenses.

Wildland deployments

Dunn said the district deployed a crew with the Type 6 brush truck engine to the Moss Mountain Fire in Oregon. A staff member deployed to California with the Cimmaron Hills Fire Department and one other deployed to the Alexander Fire in Larimer County.

Training update

Dunn said there were 1,383 training hours in July. Members of the department are still working on certification training so that nothing is lacking during the investigation process, she said.

The meeting adjourned at 11:32 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of the month at Station 1, 11445 Teachout Road, Colorado Springs. Meetings are open to the public in person or via Zoom. The board will hold a special meeting on Thu., Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Wed., Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. and will be preceded by a Volunteer Pension Board of Directors meeting. For joining instructions, updates, agendas, minutes, and reports, visit https://bffire.org or contact the Administrative Office at admin@bffire.org or call 719-495-4300.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Black Forest Fire/Rescue articles

Monument Fire District, Aug. 28 – District opposes ballot initiatives 50 and 108; station 3 design revised

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Aug. 28, the board received a presentation on the updated design for the new Station 2 from OZ Architecture, and approved Resolution 2024-11, opposing ballot initiatives 50 and 108. The board also received updates on the Station 3 rebuild design, the merger process, and a closest response unit agreement with Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD). The board held an executive session to develop a negotiation strategy and instruct negotiations on possible lease purchase of real property.

President Mike Smaldino and Vice President John Hildebrandt did not attend.

District opposed to ballot initiatives

Fire Chief Andy Kovacs said two ballot initiatives for the November ballot would have significant financial impacts to fire districts and other “special districts” in Colorado. The initiatives are attempting to cap property tax revenue for fire districts to the district’s detriment. The Colorado Legislature convened for another special session this week on the subject of property taxes that will likely continue for a couple more days, because there has not been much consensus on what to do. A new state Senate bill is being proposed to make modifications to SB-233 (approved earlier this year), and if approved, the author of initiatives 50 and 108 will remove the two initiatives from the ballot. Unfortunately, SB-233 does not bode well for fire districts either, because it will also reduce property tax revenue. Fire chiefs from across the state were hoping for an amendment to carve fire districts out of the bill, but it was defeated, he said.

The district will start to develop the 2025 budget with a 20% reduction in property tax revenue, and likely extensions will be given for the deadline submittal of the 2025 budget, delayed again due to the late changes in legislation. The district has been in contact with local elected officials, expressing concerns over the legislation, so the district will take a cautious fiscal approach to 2025 with no plans to hire firefighters, said Kovacs. He requested the board approve Resolution 2024, opposing initiatives 50 and 108.

Treasurer Tom Kelly said he had read an article that morning that mentioned state backfill to fire districts for the loss in revenue next year would take about a third of the general fund, so backfill from the state next year cannot be counted on. See TMD article on page < 16 >.

The board approved Resolution 2024-11, opposing initiatives 50 and 108, in a 5-0 vote.

Station 3 rebuild update

Kovacs said the staff had gone back to the drawing board with OZ Architecture at the direction of the board to refine the details for the Station 3 rebuild, after the first presentation on May 29. See https://wp.ocn.me/v24n7mfd.

Kevin Shaffer from OZ Architecture presented the potential design for the rebuild of Station 3 on a 2-acre lot north of the YMCA, Jackson Creek Parkway, described the floor plan changes, and said:

  • The floor plan is similar to the last presentation and still presents with the potential for future administrative offices.
  • The design still shows four apparatus bays, storage space, bunker gear, and decontamination area.
  • An 825-square-foot training room will be larger than the Station 1 training room.
  • The size of the courtyard is reduced, and the entrance has a similar sequence as the initial plan.
  • The bedrooms are now organized away from the mechanical equipment.
  • The layout is slightly different, with room to add administrative offices at a later date.
  • A six-to-eight-person elevator is included to reach the accommodation area on the second floor. All two-story and above public buildings are required by code to include an elevator. An ADA compliant bathroom will be located in the lobby.
  • The training tower was moved to a central location, and the interior mezzanine can also be used for training purposes.
  • The size is reduced considerably from the previous design of about 23,000 square feet with the administrative offices, to 18,328 square feet with room to add office space later.

Eric Becker of OZ Architecture showed a series of early concept perspective views, all depicting a reserved modern design with glass to provide natural light, and a mostly brick exterior, incorporating soft grays and tans, with some wood for the soffits, using natural materials. He said the station will have:

  • Window controls and black-out shades.
  • Tower with potential for light on-site training and allowing daylight into the bays and mezzanine with room for storage and creating that civic landmark that says “fire station.”
  • The dynamic roof form design will provide coverage and draw the eye to the horizon and beyond.

The board thanked the team for the presentation and said they were impressed with the revised conceptual design.

Shaffer said the design is quite a departure from the previous concept, and the interesting thing about the site is there is not a lot of contiguous contexts. There is an opportunity to make a civic expression, he said.

Above: OZ Architecture exterior design for the rebuild of Station 3. Image courtesy of MFD.

Financial report

Treasurer Tom Kelly said that as of July 31, the district was at 58.3% of the total amount of the predicted budget and considered in line with projections. Overall revenue year to date is about $20.166 million, about 91.4% of the projected 2024 income budget set at about $22 million. (Includes a little over $2 million for the Wescott contract for services.) Overall expenses year to date are about $9.649 million or 59% of the projected expense budget set at about $16.336 million. The board reviewed 22 electronic transmissions for July over $2,500, and of note were:

  • $10,000 Midwest Fire Water tender down payment
  • $107,493 OZ Architecture Training Center/Fire Station 3 and 4
  • $128,371 Flintco LLC Station 4 remodel
  • $8,602 Wex Bank Inc. Fleet fuel
  • $16,934 CBIZ 2023 audit

Every transaction appeared appropriate and within the 2024 budget, Kelly said. The checking and savings accounts totaled about $21.749 million (about $16 million in the Operations and General Fund). The General Operations Fund increased by about $5 million from the June 30 financial report; the primary increase was based upon the new inclusion of property taxes, said Kelly.

The board accepted the financial report as presented in a 5-1 vote.

Training center update

Kovacs said the training center project continues as scheduled and is going through the PUD and re-platting of the property to accommodate district partner Front Range Apparatus on 2 acres of the 14-acre site adjacent to Station 1. The district received some documents earlier in the week validating the submittal to the Town of Monument for approval, so the project is moving forward as scheduled, he said.

Merger update

Kovacs said that as part of the merger process, he will accompany Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) legal counsel at the end of September when they go before the county judge for the hearing to approve the dissolution of DWFPD. There are a few loose ends to tie up before the end of the calendar year, just finishing up some of the final details with the Firefighters Police Pension Association, specific to the Volunteer Firefighters Pension Association Fund, but everything is on track and looking favorable, he said. The district does not expect any concerns to present, and the two districts will officially be unified by the end of the year in readiness for the 2025 fiscal year. “We are in the home stretch,” he said.

Closest response units

Kovacs said the district has developed a specific closest response unit arrangement with BFFRPD. The arrangement includes EMS and engine units and is in addition to existing mutual aid partners. The agreement will provide the public with a faster unit response, he said.

Note: The chief’s report and the financial report can be found at www.monumentfire.org.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 7:18 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(e) to develop a negotiation strategy and instruct negotiations on possible lease-purchase of real property.

Kovacs confirmed to OCN that after the board returned to the regular meeting at 8:12 p.m., no further action was taken by the board.

The meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the fourth Wednesday every month. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 25 at 6:30 p.m. at Station 1, 18650 Highway 105. For Microsoft Teams virtual joining instructions, agendas, minutes, and updates, visit www.monumentfire.org or contact Director of Administration Jennifer Martin at 719-484-9011.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Monument Fire District articles

Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Aug. 8 and 22 – Asbestos abatement contract awarded; advisory committee formed

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its board meetings in August, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) approved a contract to remove asbestos from seven of the buildings at the Elephant Rock Property and formed a new committee to focus on developing a financial plan. The board discussed engaging a third-party mediator to resolve friction between board members. The board heard a report on its 2023 audit. It voted on changes to the municipal code governing business licenses and approved the sale of town land adjacent to County Line Road. The board voted on resolutions addressing several issues and heard administrative reports.

Mayor Glant Havenar was on vacation and excused from the Aug. 22 meeting.

Both meetings were preceded by executive sessions.

Amended asbestos abatement contract approved

At its Aug. 8 meeting, the board took up Resolution 41-2024, which contracted with Advanced Remediation Services Inc. (ARSI) to remove asbestos from the long building and six cabins at the Elephant Rock property for $67,178. Town Administrator Dawn Collins said the asbestos needed to be removed before the buildings could be demolished and the quote assumed the buildings would be demolished. The board voted unanimously in favor of the resolution.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents objected to the demolition of the cabins. Atis Jurka argued the planned demolition would not reduce the town’s insurance costs and was not in the town’s interest if the buildings might produce tax revenue in the future. Gene Kalesti said the trustees had made their decision based on emotion and were ignoring 300 residents who signed a petition asking that the buildings be retained. He said the decision to demolish was “an economic crime.” Lindsay Willan, who, along with her husband Richard Willan, is developing a portion of the Elephant Rock property as a spa, asked why the forms making the buildings eligible for historic status had never been filed, claiming that omission was a “travesty.” Nick Olson said the cabins should be kept and the board was throwing away $1 million.

At its Aug. 22 meeting, the board returned to the issue of the asbestos abatement contract. Collins told the board that ARSI had determined that the square footage of the buildings on which they based their estimate was wrong, and it raised its estimate to $104,000. Collins said ARSI was also asking for bunkbeds and cabinets to be removed before beginning work. Considering those issues, she recommended the abatement contract be awarded to Paramount Environmental Services for $94,570.

The board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 47-2024, which awards the contract to Paramount Environmental Services.

New committee focuses on financial plan

At its Aug. 8 meeting, the board debated Resolution 41-2024, which authorizes the creation of a second advisory committee focused on the creation of a financial plan for the main building, chapel, and cottage at the Elephant Rock property. A previous committee, the Elephant Rock Property Citizen Advisory Committee, which was formed to organize all the uses of the property proposed by residents, recommended the creation of a second committee devoted to financial plans. The resolution calls for a maximum of seven appointed members, including two from the Planning Commission, two from the Parks and Trails Commission, one from a local nonprofit, and one resident. The members must not have a financial interest in the property. The resolution gives the committee 90 days to develop its plan.

Trustee Shana Ball argued the committee should have 10 members to allow more citizens to participate.

Collins pointed out that the committee will advise the board, which will make any final decisions.

Havenar proposed extending the committee’s deadlines to 120 days.

The board voted unanimously to approve the resolution as amended.

Mediator to help resolve conflicts

Town Attorney Scott Krob recommended that the board engage a mediator to help resolve disputes between board members and the mayor such as the disagreement between Ball and Havenar at the second board meeting in July. According to materials in the packet for the Aug. 22 meeting, the board has an unidentified mediator in mind. Krob said the Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency or the Colorado Municipal league might also act as mediator if issues remain unresolved.

2023 audit report

David Green, of Green & Associates LLC, reported the results of his audit of town finances to the board at its Aug. 22 meeting. The audit included an unmodified or “clean” opinion, Green said, indicating that the audit fairly represents the town’s financial standing. He complimented the town staff on their cooperation and said it was the smoothest audit he has had with the town so far.

Resident Roger Mosely questioned several aspects of the audit.

The board voted unanimously in favor of Resolution 43-2024, which authorizes Collins to file the 2023 audit with the state of Colorado.

Business license code clarified

At the Aug. 8 meeting, Krob proposed amending language in the municipal code to exempt businesses that are working on a single residence from needing to have a business license from the town of Palmer Lake. Krob’s changes would mean a plumber licensed in Colorado Springs, for instance, could repair a Palmer Lake residence’s plumbing without needing a business license issued by Palmer Lake.

At the Aug. 22 meeting, Krob’s suggestions were presented as Ordinance 10-2024, which adds three new exemptions to the requirement to have a Palmer Lake business license: trade persons working on an existing single-family residence; subcontractors working under a general contractor with a Palmer Lake-issued business license; and any general contractor working on one single-family residence. The board voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance.

Sale of town land approved

At its Aug. 8 meeting, the board approved the sale of 4.5 acres of town land to Josh Mabe of Twenty1Five LLC. The land is just south of County Line Road and west of the land owned by the United Congregational Church of Ben Lomand. The parcel includes some of the land the town currently leases to Palmer Lake Sportsriders for use as a dirt bike track.

Resident Kent Hutson pointed out that the land includes part of the Santa Fe Trail that connects Palmer Lake to the Greenland Open Space. Krob said the sale allowed for the easement used by the trail.

Krob explained that because the land is not in use by the town, the sale must take the form of an ordinance and the board voted to approve Ordinance 9-2024, which authorizes the sale. Trustees Ball, Kevin Dreher, Nick Ehrhardt, Jessica Farr and Dennis Stern, as well as Havenar, voted in favor; Trustee Samantha Padgett voted against the ordinance.

Resolutions approved

The board approved the following resolutions:

  • Resolution 44-2024, which authorizes the town to coordinate the local election on Nov. 5 with El Paso County.
  • Resolution 45-2024, which approves an intergovernmental agreement between the town and the UC Health Memorial Hospital System under which UC Health will assign a clinician to the town’s Crisis Intervention Team. The town was awarded a grant to fund the clinician.
  • Resolution 46-2024, which specifies a lower fee of $500 each for a Plat Amendment and a Plat Correction. The resolution simplifies the previous replat application review and approval by requiring less review and eliminating public hearings.
  • Resolution 48-2024, which redirects the town’s portion of the Colorado Opioid Settlement funds to the El Paso County region. The funds, amounting to $1,478, which can be used only for purposes approved under the settlement, are not enough to support an approved program at the town level. Collins pointed out that the town already receives an adequate amount of Narcan (one of the approved uses) at no cost and that most of Colorado’s local governments have redirected their funds to their regions.

Administrative reports

Collins told the board that recruitment is ongoing for a water operator, a chief of police, an accounting clerk, and a code compliance officer. All departments are short-handed, she said. She invited residents to apply to serve on the newly created Advisory Committee for the Elephant Rock Financial Plan.

Fire Chief John Vincent told the board that Fire Academy training had been completed by his staff and all were now certified as Fire Fighter 1. His staff has also been trained to do blood draws for suspected driving under the influence investigations. He said his staff and equipment had been temporarily deployed to fight fires in northern California, which brings experience and revenue to the department.

Executive session

The Aug. 8 meeting was followed by an executive session to discuss a possible annexation request, after which no action was taken.

The Aug. 22 meeting was followed by an executive session to discuss a possible annexation, to consider a summons and petition from the United Congregational Church to disconnect pursuant to C.R.S. 24-6-402(4)(b), and to develop negotiating positions related to town land dedication. No action was taken.

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The next regular board meetings are scheduled for Sept. 12 and 26. All meetings will be held at the Town Hall. See the town’s website at www.townofpalmerlake.com to confirm times and dates of board meetings and workshops. Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at the Town Hall. Information: 719-481-2953.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Other Palmer Lake Board of Trustees articles

Monument Town Council, Aug. 5 and 19 – Council charts future with key budget, development, and management decisions

By Chris Jeub

The Monument Town Council met twice in August. Discussions centered on the proposed 2025 budget, focusing on revenue projections and critical infrastructure projects. The council also passed an election ordinance to streamline the upcoming town election and approved the final plat for the Monument Lake development. The council endorsed technology upgrades for the Town Council Chambers, appointed Madeline VanDenHoek as the interim town manager, and moved forward with a lodging tax proposal aimed at supporting public amenities.

Town of Monument presents 2025 budget proposal

On Aug. 5, Senior Town Accountant Steve Murray presented the Town of Monument’s proposed 2025 budget, focusing on sales tax revenues, fund allocations, and critical supplemental projects. The budget anticipates an 8.63% sales tax revenue increase, consistent with 2023 figures. Key allocations include directing 0.5% of sales tax to the 2F Police Fund, 50% of sales and use tax from Triview properties to Triview, and 1% to water funds, with a portion allocated to the 2A Water Fund. About 42% of the collected sales tax is projected to support the General Fund. The budget also includes $440,000 for legal expenses across various departments, covering technical and professional services.

Emphasizing infrastructure and technology, the budget outlines significant supplemental projects, such as $9 million allocated for upgrades to Jackson Creek Parkway and $10 million for constructing a new Public Works building. Other enhancements include records and budget software updates and items for the Police Department, like safety equipment and parking lot fencing, totaling around $138,500. The town plans to use restricted reserves, including $2 million for stormwater management projects, and maintain a 3% TABOR reserve.

During the council’s discussion, Councilmember Steve King questioned the necessity of all proposed impact studies, but Town Attorney Bob Cole affirmed their importance, while King stressed the value of impact fees. Mayor LaKind urged Director of Public Works Tom Tharnish to seek creative funding options through water fees.

Councilmember Ken Kimple voiced concerns about the $9 million allocation for the water Loop, noting that actual costs could potentially double. Tharnish responded by announcing a formal presentation on Sept. 3, which will provide more information about the fund. Kimple also expressed disapproval of the current council deciding future pay for councilmembers, advocating for a town ballot decision. In contrast, LaKind argued that since current members would not benefit from the vote, it should not pose an issue. The session concluded with a reminder from Interim Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek that the budget is a “work in progress” and that this draft serves as an initial step in refining the town’s financial plan.

Election ordinance passed

The Town Council passed Ordinance No. 15-2024 with a 7-0 vote, following lengthy discussion and some disagreement with legal counsel. The ordinance, which calls for the Nov. 5 Town Regular Election to be conducted as a coordinated election, also appoints the town clerk as the designated election official and authorizes an intergovernmental agreement with the El Paso County clerk and recorder. Councilmember King, despite having reservations and concerns that were echoed by a community member, ultimately voted in favor of the ordinance due to time constraints.

Monument Lake final plat approved

During a recent public hearing, the Town Council discussed Resolution No. 25-2024, which pertains to the final plat for Monument Lake Beachfront Filing No. 1. As this was a continuation from previous meetings, Planning Director Dan Ungerleider did not give a new presentation. The proposal, first presented in June, aimed to combine several lots and allow for parking permits. Although the Planning Commission recommended approval with a 7-0 vote and staff confirmed that all review criteria were met, Councilmember King raised concerns about the status of Lake Mountain Lane being listed as a private road. Town staff clarified that while the northern road is private, the town owns the access road.

King expressed his hesitation to send the issue back to staff but questioned the process taken. Ungerleider acknowledged the complexity of the situation and noted that the final plat would clarify the ownership and access issues. Legal counsel Bob Cole confirmed that the town does indeed own the access road, which satisfied the council’s concerns. Consequently, the council unanimously passed the resolution with a 7-0 vote, allowing the project to move forward.

Town Council approves technology upgrades

Director of IT Will Williams presented a proposal to the Town Council requesting $137,000 for technology and audio-visual upgrades to the Town Council Chambers. Williams expressed enthusiasm for the project, assuring council members that the new equipment would be fully utilized and not left to “sit in a closet.” LaKind asked if the project would be completed by the end of the year. Williams confirmed that the upgrades would be finished by the middle of the fourth quarter. During the renovation, council sessions will be temporarily moved to another location. The resolution was passed unanimously with a 7-0 vote.

VanDenHoek appointed as interim town manager

In a unanimous 7-0 decision, the Town Council appointed Director of Parks and Community Partnerships VanDenHoek as the interim town manager, following Cole’s recommendation after the departure of Mike Foreman. The town had been operating under a co-manager arrangement with VanDenHoek and Police Chief Patrick Regan. Mayor LaKind motioned for VanDenHoek’s appointment, relieving Regan from his co-management responsibilities. Regan, who expressed his enjoyment working alongside VanDenHoek, stated his preference to return to his primary role as police chief. VanDenHoek accepted the interim position and agreed to the $175,000 annual salary.

Council moves forward with lodging tax proposal

During the Aug. 5 meeting, the Town Council discussed the introduction of a 5% lodging tax for hotels, short-term rentals (STRs), third parties, and truck stops, with an estimated revenue of $220,000 annually. The proposed tax, aimed at benefiting public amenities such as parks and playgrounds, would be enforced using Deckard Technology LLC to identify and ensure compliance among STRs within the town. Senior Accountant Steve Murray explained that while STRs would be managed through technology, truck stops would undergo individual audits. Mayor LaKind emphasized the importance of getting the lodging tax proposal on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election.

The formal ordinance, identified as Ordinance No. 16-2024, was introduced and voted on in the Aug. 19 meeting, following the earlier discussions. The ordinance outlines the submission of the lodging tax proposal to eligible voters and amends the Monument Municipal Code to include the new tax, contingent upon voter approval. The council unanimously passed the ordinance in a 7-0 vote, clearing the way for the issue to be decided by Monument residents in the regular town election.

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The Monument Council usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Sept. 3 (following the Labor Day holiday) and Sept. 16. Call 719-884-8014 or see www.townofmonument.org for information. To see upcoming agendas and complete board packets or to download audio recordings of past meetings, see http://monumenttownco.minutesondemand.com and click on Town Council.

Chris Jeub can be reached at chrisjeub@ocn.me.

Other Monument Town Council articles

Monument Planning Commission, Aug. 14 – Proposed Ziggi’s project examined

By Janet Sellers

At the Aug. 14 meeting of the Monument Planning Commission (MPC), the commissioners considered a proposed Ziggi’s Coffee restaurant, discussed land development, and expressed concern about potential impacts of development on nearby homes and businesses. It also discussed a joint meeting with the Town Council concerning the scope of the Comprehensive Plan Update project.

The commissioners expressed concern about the orientation of buildings on Jackson Creek Parkway and suggested guidelines for development to create a welcoming look. Negotiating with developers during the preliminary process to set guidelines could limit frustration with buildings facing the “wrong direction,” starting the conversation earlier in the planning and design process.

The commission discussed the proposed development of Ziggi’s Coffee, a growing, nationwide coffee franchise, at Monument Marketplace North with the development representative and the owner. Concerns about zoning compliance, traffic generation, and pedestrian access were raised, while the developer emphasized a commitment to improving pedestrian access and addressing safety concerns. Design inconsistencies such as the drive-through design not resembling the front door and the building architecture facing Jackson Creek Parkway were physical issues of concern, as well as appropriate sidewalks.

The commissioners also discussed the visibility of new businesses in the area and the orientation of buildings on Jackson Creek Parkway. A commissioner expressed support for the project with regard to the supporting documents, while another commissioner raised concerns about safety in areas that “are not very safe.” Sign concerns were also raised, in the interest of making sure the businesses in that area will be successful.

Commissioner Ray Egley spoke up as it was noticed that the only access to the business is off what is being designated as a private road, which is off Harness Road. The concern was of snow removal and continuing maintenance of that road, not only for the businesses that are there but for the consumers who want to frequent those businesses. Commissioner Angley asked the developer, “… how would they address that, who’s taking care of that?” The developer replied that the entrance to the building is not on Jackson Creek Parkway but faces west. The owner of the business, Greg Flynn, owns five other Ziggi’s in Colorado and shared details of how the business plans to have a welcoming establishment with a fireplace indoors for atmosphere, banners at the high school, some in-house special days, and so on to show that it invests in the community.

The recommendation to approve the edifice of Ziggi’s was based on the final planned unit development for lot 4 of Monument Marketplace North, for a restaurant and drive through, supported by the display of facts on the meeting room screen and described by following documents that were shown for the site plan for the lot, prepared by MAH architectural group. Grading erosion control in site construction plans was prepared by the civil engineering group, with the drainage report for the marketplace filing 1 prepared by the same engineering group, and the traffic generation and analysis for Ziggi’s prepared by SM Roca LLC, the documents of which should include the attached findings of fact in support of the recommendation.

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The Monument Planning Commission usually meets the second Wednesday of each month. To see the options for remote public participation in each meeting, visit www.townofmonument.org/263/Planning-Commission-Board-of-Adjustment. Information: 719-884-8028 or www.townofmonument.org.

Janet Sellers can be reached at JanetSellers@ocn.me.

Other Monument Planning Commission articles

Monument Academy School Board, Aug. 8, 16, and 29 – Board sets non-legal name change policy

By Jackie Burhans

The Monument Academy (MA) board held one regular meeting and two special meetings in August. At its regular meeting on Aug. 8, the board discussed non-legal name changes, reviewed a proposed library policy, and accepted a board resignation. At its online special meeting on Aug. 16, the board met to discuss its charter contract with D38, which was subsequently approved by the district at its Aug. 29 meeting. See D38 board article on page < 12 >.

Finally, at its online special meeting on Aug. 29, the board authorized President Ryan Graham to execute documents related to acquisition of property next to its West Campus to be used for a parking lot.

Non-legal name change

Graham noted that MA must comply with recently passed legislation he disagrees with, known as HB24-1039 Non-Legal Name Changes. He noted that section five says that a local education provider shall implement a written policy outlining how [it] will honor a student’s request to use a chosen name and may include a process for including [that] on school records while complying with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

The law defines “chosen name” as any name that a student requests to be known as that differs from the student’s legal name to reflect the student’s gender identity. Graham said that MA’s policy, JNR-MA Non-Legal Name Change for Students, would ensure that parents are included. The corresponding regulation, JNR-R, lays out the procedure for appealing to the executive director should the name change be denied and includes a notice of nondiscrimination.

Executive Director Colin Vinchattle said he had communicated with the administrative team regarding this policy and that the regulation would be included in the student handbook so families would have access. Board member Matt Ross noted that the policy limited name changes to once per semester and required that students have the mental capacity and intent to forgo their legal name. Vinchattle said School District 11 had had an enormous number of name changes that impacted staff and that any concerns about capacity would require communication with the legal team.

The board unanimously approved these new policies, which can be found on the MA website at http://bit.ly/ma-policies. Read the House bill at https://bit.ly/co-hb24-1039.

Library policy

Board member Karen Hoida led the discussion of the new policy KECL Library Materials Parental Review, noting that a draft was in the board packet. The policy briefly outlines the process for reviewing library materials if a parent or legal guardian of a current MA student has an objection or concern. She said the librarian would make a review form available.

Materials would be removed from shelves or blocked while under review by a Library Review Committee (LRC). The LRC would consist of three parents or legal guardians of a current student (excluding board members) and serve a two-year term. One teacher of the appropriate grade level and one appointed administration member would also serve on the committee. The LRC would report to the board.

Parents and legal guardians may submit no more than three requests for review; after a book is reviewed, it will not be reviewed again for five years. The MA board also reserves the right to exclude books, magazines, or other papers they deem inappropriate.

Graham asked the board to take time to review the policy, send comments to Vinchattle, and be prepared to take action at the September meeting.

Highlights

Board meeting highlights include:

  • Board member Emily Belisle resigned because her family is moving out of state. She thanked the board, staff, teachers, and parents, saying that representing them was an honor. The board unanimously agreed to run as a six-member board rather than replace Belisle and reorganized its board duties and committee memberships.
  • The board unanimously approved the East and West Campus Student/Parent Handbooks with minor edits to the bullying policy and parent communication.
  • The board approved the Athletic Handbook for Middle School and High School.
  • Vinchattle reported that Operations Manager Jake Dicus had recommended purchase of wireless microphones, an easily managed video recorder, and a visual board per the approved budget.
  • Vinchattle led a discussion about the new position of major gifts officer, noting the pros and cons of incentive-based, salaried, or hybrid compensation models. The position would report to the Dicus, as they both work on fundraising. The board asked Vinchattle to return with a tiered approach to compensation and a detailed description of the job duties to be voted on at the September meeting.
  • The board set its board retreat and meeting dates for fiscal year 24-25, maintaining the second Thursday of each month with some exceptions for conflicts and holidays.
  • After an executive session on Aug. 8, the board unanimously voted to replace its security training partnership with FASTER Colorado from Able Shepherd.

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The MA School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of each month.

The next regular board meeting will be on Thursday, Sept. 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the East Campus. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ma-boe.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

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Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug. 19 – Recognitions, revised Monument Academy contract, Human Resources report

By Harriet Halbig

Above: At the Aug. 19 D38 Board of Education meeting, President Tiffiney Upchurch celebrated Raleigh “Butch” Eversole, retired Palmer Ridge High School band director, for receiving the Colorado Bandmasters Association’s 2024 Hall of Fame award. This award is given to just one Colorado band director each year. Eversole spoke of the people who influenced him and the support he got from students, parents, the board, and building administrators. He said he hoped that there would be continued support for the music program at D38, noting that former students were now leading the program. From left are Upchurch, board member Todd Brown, elementary music teacher Cynthia Eversole, Eversole, board members Kris Norris and Patti Shank, and Superintendent Stacie Datteri. For more information on the Colorado Bandmasters Association and its mission, see https://www.coloradobandmasters.org/. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Above: At the D38 Board of Education meeting on Aug. 19, Amy Sienkowski, assistant principal at Palmer Ridge High School, recognized the Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) for awarding eight grants totaling nearly $12,500 to support eight projects in School District 38. TWLC grants supported swim lessons, vision screening, transitions cooking classes, furniture for counselors, an automated external defibrillator (AED), science materials, and comfort bins. Sienkowski noted that the comfort bins contained age-appropriate books on loss, cushions, fidgets, and weighted blankets to help students process their grief when a tragedy arises. From left are board member Patti Shank, board president Tiffiney Upchurch, TLWC Co-President Kathy Budney, TLWC President-Elect Julie Shook, board member Kris Norris, Sienkowski, and Superintendent Stacie Datteri. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education recognized several individuals and organizations, approved a consolidated contract for Monument Academy, and received a detailed report from the Human Resources Department at its Aug. 19 meeting.

Recognitions

Former Palmer Ridge High School band teacher Raleigh “Butch” Eversole was recognized for receiving the Colorado Bandmasters’ Association 2024 Hall of Fame Award. One individual is so recognized each year.

Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Bridget O’Connor recognized Braeden Turner as the valedictorian for the class of 2024 with a grade point average of 4.545. Turner will attend the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He was presented with a special medal.

The Tri-Lakes Women’s Club was recognized for its support of the district through its donations. Of note this year is the donation of comfort bins for students experiencing tragedies. These age-appropriate bins include such items as blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, books about grieving, note cards, coloring supplies and other materials.

Monument Academy contract

Assistant Superintendent Amber Whetstine and Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway presented a consolidated contract for the elementary and secondary campuses of Monument Academy. Although the two campuses remain separate legal entities, it was thought to be more convenient to have a contract with a single expiration date in 2029.

Some changes in the contract include information on expulsion of students and education of students with disabilities. The Monument Academy board approved the contract the previous week. The contract was approved unanimously.

Human Resources report

Director of Human Resources Alicia Welch presented a detailed report about her department’s statistics. The PowerPoint may be found on boarddocs, under the Board of Education tab on the district website, lewispalmer.org.

Some highlights are:

  • The primary reason for separation from the district was retirement for licensed employees (primarily teachers). The primary reason for classified employees (clerical, transportation, food service, etc.) was personal or health reasons.
  • The district was successful in recruiting substitute teachers. To be considered active, a substitute must work one or two times per month.
  • The district was successful in recruiting a number of teachers and paraprofessionals for students with special needs.
  • The district has hired three new bus drivers.

Welch emphasized that her goal is to make employees feel valued and welcome. She encourages employees to seek improvement in such areas as moving from paraprofessional to teacher. She said that movement between schools and among categories proves that employees view Lewis-Palmer as a destination district in their careers.

The department also has encouraged departing employees to fill out a survey stating why they are leaving and what they valued in their time at the district.

Welch said that two factors have aided in recruiting. The first is that a district gives credit for up to 16 years of previous experience in determining starting salaries for teachers. The second is that the district pays 1.2 Full Time Equivalent salaries to special education teachers. Spanish, math, and career technology positions are the most difficult to fill. A $2,000 hiring bonus is an additional incentive.

Superintendent update

Superintendent Dr. Stacie Datteri reported on the first day of school and summer activities in the district.

She rode several school buses on the first day of school and shared lunch with students at Lewis-Palmer High School and Prairie Winds Elementary School.

Over the summer, a number of sports camps were sponsored by the district, a soccer game was held between the Unified Soccer Program at Lewis-Palmer High School and the Switchbacks Unified Team, and orientation programs for incoming ninth-graders and incoming seventh-graders helped familiarize them with their new surroundings.

Datteri said that the district played a major role in the Monument Fourth of July Parade, featuring many sports teams and the board president and herself.

She reported that the new career and innovation center is also in its planning stages.

Datteri also announced the hiring of Ron Sprinz as the new Director of Finance and Purchasing.

Financial planning

Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway reported on the status of the district budget. He said he strives to utilize 98% to 100% of the budget at any given time. At present over 98% is being used.

As a result of the passage of Senate Bill 24-017, the district is receiving its state revenues in a new timeline. The district received $4 million for July this year rather than the previous approximately $3.1 million. The state Senate bill was passed to distribute revenue more evenly over months when tax revenue is not disbursed

In answer to a question, Ridgway said that the current changes in property tax levies will not affect the budget for 2024-25 but may impact the following year.

School enrollment figures for the first day of school reflect an additional 12 students. Ridgway said that the numbers often decline slightly before the official student count on Oct. 1.

Of note is the increase of 106 students at Bear Creek Elementary School. Ridgway said the school can absorb this number but not many more. He also said it is not possible to determine whether this increase is due to nearby developments. On Oct. 1, the addresses of students will become available. Enrollment at Monument Academy increased slightly as a result of its new Home School Academy.

Ridgway said that the previous fiscal year’s budget must be amended slightly due to receipt of insurance funding resulting from the January freeze and a slight increase in funding from the mill levy override. The board unanimously approved the amended budget.

Executive session

The board met in executive session before the regular meeting. During this session, it discussed the subdivision of the central office complex and parameters for valuation of the parcels for future transactions. For further information on this subject, please see https://wp.ocn.me/v24n7d38boe...

The Board of Education of Lewis-Palmer D38 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of the month at its learning center, 146 N. Jefferson St. in Monument. The next meeting will be on Sept. 16. For further information, please contact vwood@lewispalmer.org.

Above: At the Aug. 19 meeting of the D38 Board of Education, Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Bridget O’Connor introduced Braeden Turner to recognize his academic achievements and present a special valedictorian medal. She noted that the valedictorian process happens after seven of eight semesters. She said that after calculating final grades, Turner’s grade-point average of 4.545 moved him to the number one position by a score of .001. She noted that Turner was also involved in athletics, the Safe-to-Tell program, and student mental wellness advocacy. Turner, who was accompanied by his parents at the board meeting, will attend the University of Massachusetts Amherst and will major in computer science and a minor in food science. From left are board President Tiffiney Upchurch, Del Turner, Turner, Nancy Roberts, O’Connor. Photo by Jackie Burhans.

Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.

Other Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education articles

Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 12 – Board considers supplemental water for Waterside subdivision

By James Howald

In August, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board met to review a request for supplemental water service from the developers of the Waterside subdivision. The board rescheduled its September meeting and heard operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session, after which a vote was taken.

Developer requests supplemental water

District Manager Jessie Shaffer told the board that Lake Woodmoor Holdings LLC, the developers of the Waterside subdivision, had requested a supplemental water service agreement from the district.

According to materials provided in the meeting packet, the Waterside subdivision is a proposed 7.5-acre development at the intersection of Woodmoor Drive and Deer Creek Road, across from Lewis-Palmer Middle School. The developer plans to build four single-family homes and 40 multi-family homes on the property.

The Supplemental Water Service Agreement included in the packet explains that the developer is requesting a total of 12.2 acre-feet of water per year for the planned development. The default water service provided by WWSD is 0.5 acre-feet of water per acre of land, in this case, 3.76 acre-feet. The supplemental water service requested amounts to 8.42 acre-feet per year. 7.5 acre-feet per year will be provided at the Tier 2 price of $29,000 per acre-foot and 0.891 acre-feet will be provided at the Tier 3 price of $43,500 per acre-foot. The total cost of the supplemental water requested is $257,157 annually.

Shaffer said he wanted to discuss the request with the board in executive session and asked to have the request tabled until that discussion had taken place.

September meeting rescheduled

The board rescheduled its September meeting from Sept. 9 to Sept. 16 to allow board members to attend the Special District Association of Colorado conference.

Operational reports

  • Board President Brian Bush, on behalf of board Treasurer Roy Martinez, said water sales to date were less than the budgeted amount. Tap fees were higher than expected and interest income remains high due to high interest rates.
  • Cultivation of native grasses at the Woodmoor Ranch, required by the conversion of the ranch’s water rights from agricultural to municipal uses, is continuing. The revegetation effort is expected to be complete by 2025, according to Shaffer.
  • Operations Supervisor Dan LaFontaine told the board the effluent meter at the South Water Treatment Plant was inaccurate and he was working to find a company to test it.
  • Shaffer said that JVA Inc. was analyzing data from a sewer capacity study so that any capacity issues can be addressed.
  • Shaffer told the board that Cydney Saelens had accepted an offer to serve as the district engineer, replacing Ariel Hacker, who had accepted a job with a state agency.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to discuss negotiating positions regarding the district’s participation in the Loop water reuse project and discussions with Classic Homes. Following the executive session, the board voted to appoint Bush as the director responsible for representing the district in negotiations between member agencies of the Loop.

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The next meeting has been moved to Sept. 16 at 1 p.m. Meetings are usually held on the second Monday of each month at 1 p.m. at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive; the September meeting is delayed by a week. Please see www.woodmoorwater.com or call 719-488-2525 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District articles

Forest Lakes Metropolitan District and Pinon Pines Metropolitan District 3, Aug. 14 – Debt authorization ballot initiative approved

By Natalie Barszcz

The Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 3 board held a special meeting on Aug. 14 to approve a debt authorization ballot initiative for the November election.

Attending via teleconference were District Manager Ann Nichols, Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD), Tom Blunk, CP Real Estate Capital, representing Forest Lakes LLC and Forest Lakes Residential Development, District Attorney Nicole Peykov of Spencer Fane law firm, and the following board directors: President George Lenz, executive vice president of Finance for Classic Homes, Secretary Joe Loidolt, president of Classic Homes, Treasurer/Secretary Douglas Stimple, chief executive officer of Classic Homes, and Director James Boulton, vice president/project manager of Classic Homes.

Director Steve Schlosser, project manager for Classic Homes, did not attend.

Note: The timing for the meeting was unclear for some of the dial-in participants due to an early email exchange confirming 4:30 p.m. A meeting time of 4 p.m. was published on the district website. Peykov and Blunk joined the meeting late due to the miscommunication.

Debt authorization requires special election

Nichols said the need for a special election on Nov. 5 to approve a new debt authorization for PPMD 3 came about due to Blunk working with an underwriter to issue bonds from PPMD 3 a couple of years ago. Then an issue was raised by the Town of Monument with the building of warehouses, and Blunk pulled back on issuing bonds from PPMD 3 due to an unattractive bond market. The underwriter knew that the state statute to issue debt would expire after 20 years, and Spencer Fane informed the district that the statute had expired since the authorized debt had been approved in 2003, said Nichols.

Peykov said the only debt issued for PPMD 3 was voter approved in a 2003 election. Because the debt is only valid for 20 years under the Colorado Special Districts Act, the board needs to consider authorizing an election to gain voter approval again. The proposed ballot questions will only be mailed to the PPMD 3 board members, the only eligible electors. PPMD 3 does not have any residents and the commercial lot owners/businesses are not eligible to vote. For the district to issue any further debt, voter approval is required, said Peykov.

Lenz asked if the 2024 ballot would differ from the 2003 ballot, knowing the numbers are likely much higher now.

Peykov said the allocation in the PPMD 3 service plan is limited to a $21 million cap unless the board wanted to proceed with a service fund amendment up to $97.3 million for an intergovernmental agreement with FLMD (the operation district with the project). The amendment is limited to the $21 million cap for water, sewer, and street infrastructure.

Stimple said this election is necessary for Blunk to issue or receive financing for PPMD 3, and if the owners Forest Lakes LLC decided to lend funds to the district.

The board unanimously authorized the election to be conducted by Spencer Fane law firm on Nov. 5.

The meeting adjourned at 4:18 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held quarterly or when necessary, on the first Monday of the month at 4 p.m., via teleconference. Meeting notices are posted at least 24 hours in advance at https://forestlakesmetrodistrict.com. For general questions, contact Nichols at 719-327-5810 or anicholsduffy@aol.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Metro District articles

NDS ribbon cutting, Aug. 14

By Natalie Barszcz

Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) Manager James McGrady welcomed about 40 invitees and said the Northern Delivery System (NDS) will forever change how TMD and Forest Lake Metropolitan District (FLMD) provide water to almost 3,000 single-family homes along with multifamily and commercial customers. TMD will no longer be dependent on nonrenewable ground water to supply the demands of its customers. The districts’ Denver Basin wells will be used as a supplemental supply on max use days and during periods of drought in the future.

About nine years ago, TMD set about acquiring and decreeing 1,950 acre-feet of renewable water rights for municipal use, and since then the district has constructed 1,630 acre-feet of storage in the South Reservoir, a part of the Stonewall Springs Facility. The district also has access to over 1,000 acre-feet of storage in Big Johnson Reservoir as a result of its majority ownership in the Fountain Mutual Irrigation Co., and leases 999 acre-feet of water storage from the Bureau of Reclamation. The NDS pump station is capable of delivering up to 4.0 million gallons per day of renewable water to Northern El Paso County, imparting about 550 feet of head and lifting the water to the districts “C Plant” tank located in the Sanctuary Pointe subdivision. The district’s water rights will be delivered to the Highway 83 Tank using Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU) extensive conveyance, treatment, and distribution system.

The majority of the $24 million delivery system design and infrastructure project was funded with cash acquired from the sale of tap fees from development within the district. While the construction of the pipeline was completed in less than 16 months, it took the last seven years to build and permit the project. The NDS pipeline will deliver the district’s collection of water rights obtained for about $40 million and made possible by a $10 million 25-year agreement with CSU, for a total project cost of about $75 million, McGrady said.

McGrady thanked President of T-Bone Construction Mike Thibault, Kiewit Project Manager Max McClean, Operations Manager Kiewit Infrastructure Mike McDonald, RESPEC Engineering staff John McGinn, Gwen Dahl, and Mario Dipasquale, TMD staff Rob Lewis, Kevin Fackerell, Steve Sheffield, and Matt Rayno, and the many sub-contractors involved in the project and the TMD Board of Directors’ past and present for their leadership.

Above: The NDS pump station built by T-Bone Construction is pictured on Aug. 14. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.
Above: Ribbon cutting Aug. 14 at the NDS pump station built by T-Bone Construction. From left, Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Sandy Shook, President of T- Bone Construction Mike Thibault, Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart, Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) Manager James McGrady and District Manager Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) Ann Nichols cutting the ribbon, Vice Chair Anthony Sexton, Director Jason Gross, Monument Town Council member Marco Fiorito, Kiewit Project Manager Max McClean, Operations Manager Kiewit Infrastructure Mike McDonald, and President Mark Melville in front of the TMD Northern Delivery System (NDS) pump station at the ribbon cutting event on Aug 14. Director Amanda Carlton was unable to attend. Photo by Natalie Barszcz.

Natalie Barszcz can be contacted at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

Other Water-related articles

Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 15 – Board debates waiving term limits

By James Howald and Jackie Burhans

At its August meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board discussed waiving its current policy which allows directors to serve a maximum of two four-year terms. Removing term limits would need approval from the district’s voters. The board heard operational reports. Directors Bill George and Ed Miller were excused from the meeting.

Term limit policy considered

General Manager Jeff Hodge told the board that the current policy limiting directors to two four-year terms could lead to discontinuity where long-term projects, such as the district’s participation in the Loop water re-use effort, were concerned, and made it hard to find candidates to serve on the board. He asked the board to consider putting a waiver to the term limit policy before the voters in February.

Board President Wayne Vanderschuere said previous boards had considered changing the term limit policy, but the policy is difficult for small districts. He said he would be affected by retaining or changing the policy and would recuse himself from any votes.

Director Kevin Deardoff said it was hard to find people to run for seats on the board and he would support removing the limit of two terms.

Director Scott McCullough said he supported term limits in general and would not like to see the same people serving on the board forever. He asked if it was possible to extend the terms beyond four years but retain the limit to two terms. Hodge said the state of Colorado allowed only a limit to two terms or no limit whatsoever.

Vanderschuere said he agreed with McCullough on a philosophical level but thought waiving the term limit made sense for DWSD. The current policy allows a director to serve additional terms after four years off the board. He suggested the required time off the board could be reduced. He asked for the issue to be tabled until September when all the board members would be present.

Hodge said he would discuss potential alternatives with the district’s lawyer.

Operational reports

In his financial report, Hodge said the district’s finances were in better shape than they were at the same time in the previous year. He said $700,000 in water sales were needed over the remaining half of the year to meet the estimated revenue budgeted, and he expected that amount to be met. The district was not using water from its Willow Creek Ranch property and was not paying Colorado Springs Utilities to convey, treat, and deliver that water, which represented a savings of about $900,000. Bond payments were made on schedule, he said.

The board tabled a vote on the financial report until its September meeting, due to the excused absence of two members.

In his manager’s report, Hodge commented on the special legislative session underway at the state capital to discuss reducing property taxes. Potential changes to the property taxes collected by counties would impact DWSD’s finances, Hodge said.

Progress was being made on Well 16A and on the repairs to the district’s water tanks, Hodge said.

Brett Gracely, a project engineer with LRE Water, told the board that he was considering how DWSD could store water in Turquoise Lake or in the Willow Creek Reservoir due to the Pueblo Reservoir nearing its capacity.

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The next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 19 at 1:30 p.m. Generally, board meetings are held the third Thursday of the month at 1:30 p.m. and include online access; call (719) 488-3603 or access www.donalawater.org to receive up-to-date meeting information. The district office is located at 15850 Holbein Drive, Colorado Springs.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me. Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Other Donala Water and Sanitation District articles

El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 15 – Board amends contract with Merrick and Co.

By James Howald

In August, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met to amend its contract with Merrick and Co., the company which provides the Loop with project planning and workflow management. John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co. who serves as the Loop’s liaison with Merrick, gave the board a progress report. The board scheduled a public hearing on its budget. The meeting ended with an executive session after which no action was taken.

Contract with Merrick updated for next phase

Loop board President Jessie Shaffer asked the board to approve an amended contract with Merrick that had been reviewed by Spencer Fane, the Loop’s legal advisors.

Kuosman told the board that its current contract with Merrick focused on the first phase of the project: creating a water authority and embodying the commitments of participating districts in legal agreements. Now the project is moving to its next phase, he said, and its contract needed to be amended to address land acquisition processes, preliminary design issues, and the development of an operations model. Kuosman said his job was to work with the Loop authority and the hired consultant community to move the project forward. “Our job is to be the extension staff to execute that work,” he said.

Kuosman said he planned to schedule a workshop with the Loop board and the Special District Association of Colorado (SDAOC) in September. The SDAOC serves the interests of special districts in Colorado by assisting them with research, communication legislative input, and administrative support.

The board discussed updating its contract with Merrick at length at its previous meeting in July. That meeting was reported in the August issue of OCN here: https://wp.ocn.me/v24n8loop/.

The board voted unanimously to approve the amended contract.

Next steps

Kuosman told the board that he was discussing water quality testing with JVA Inc., the company the Loop has hired to design the water treatment portion of the project.

Kuosman said he had scheduled a meeting with EPCOR, a company that invests in infrastructure projects. EPCOR’s perspective on the funding options for the Loop would be available to the board before its meeting with SDAOC in September.

Kuosman told the board he met with Vidler Water, a private-sector water resource company that develops water supplies in areas where water is scarce, and was continuing his discussion with Jenny Bishop of Colorado Springs Utilities concerning ways that it could partner with the Loop.

Public hearing on budget scheduled

The board voted to schedule a public hearing on its 2025 budget for Nov. 21.

Executive session

The meeting ended with an executive session to receive legal advice from the Loop’s attorney and to discuss negotiating positions concerning the Sundance pipeline owned by the Cherokee Metropolitan District. No votes were taken after the executive session.

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The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 9 a.m. Regular meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Monument Town Hall at 645 Beacon Lite Road. Workshop meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Cherokee Metropolitan District offices at 6250 Palmer Park Blvd., Colorado Springs. Please see loopwater.org or call 719-488-3603 to verify meeting times and locations.

James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Loop Water Authority articles

Monument Sanitation District, Aug. 21 – Board approves four-day work week

By Jackie Burhans and James Howald

In August, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met to discuss moving to a four-day work week and to hear an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker.

Parker told the board the MSD office typically receives only one or two calls on Friday, and he recommended transitioning to a four-day work week, with the office open Monday through Thursday. The office phone is programmed to ring forward to his cell phone, Parker said, so emergencies and requests to locate utilities would still be dealt with quickly. A four-day work week would save the district a little bit of money. Parker pointed out that Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Mountain View Electric Association, and Black Hills Energy all used four-day weeks.

The consensus of the board was that, starting Sept.1, the MSD office would be open from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and closed on Fridays.

Manager’s report

In his manager’s report, Parker updated the board on the progress that had been made bringing the district’s website into compliance with the requirements of HB 21-1110 and with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Streamline, the company hired to update the webpage, had a new version online. Initially the plan was for the new page to use the same URL as the old page, but it was decided to use a new URL for the updated page, which can be found at https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. The old page will be set to forward users on to the new page for 90 days, Parker said, and then the old page will be deleted.

Parker said that the decision to move to a local accounting company, which he announced at the previous board meeting, had to be reversed because the local company was not able to meet MSD’s requirements. Haynie & Co. will continue as MSD’s accounting company, Parker said.

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Monument Sanitation District meetings are held at 9 a.m. on the third Wednesday of the month in the district conference room at 130 Second St., Monument. The next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 18. See https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org. For a district service map, see https://MonumentSanitationDistrict.org/district-map. Information: 719-481-4886.

Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me. James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.

Other Monument Sanitation District articles

Triview Metropolitan District, Aug. 22 – 2023 budget amended; 2023 audit presented; district opposes initiatives 50 and 108

By Natalie Barszcz

At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Aug. 22, the board held public hearings to amend the 2023 budget and accepted the 2023 audit draft presented by Haynie and Co. for the district’s audited financial statements. The board approved multiple resolutions relating to the 2023 budget amendment and the audit, and the 2024 employee handbook.

The board adopted a resolution in opposition to statewide proposals for initiatives 50 and 108 and approved an agreement between the district and the Town of Monument (TOM) to receive Highway User Tax Funds (HUTF). The board held an executive session to discuss water and land acquisitions, and potential development incentives and intergovernmental agreements.

Treasurer/Secretary James Barnhart was excused.

2023 budget amendment

District Manager James McGrady said the 2023 budget requires amendments because projections of how much money will be spent is a bit of a guess, and various things can happen. The 2023 budget projected in October 2022 allocated about $7.999 million for the General Fund/Capital Projects Fund, but in reality, it needed to be about $8.1 million to cover expenditures, so about a $100,000 difference.

About $25.254 million was allocated for the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund/Capital Projects Fund but the district actually spent about $29.146 million, with most of the additional funds used to purchase materials in advance for the Northern Delivery System. He requested the board approve the 2023 budget amendment for the General Fund/Capital Projects Fund and for the Water and Wastewater Enterprise Fund/Capital Projects Fund to balance the books before the 2023 audit is presented for approval.

The board approved Resolution 2024-08, amending the 2023 budget.

2023 audit presentation

Audit Manager Greg Ingalls of Haynie and Co. presented the 2023 audit and said his audit partner Christine McLeod had some small items to complete before the audit can be finalized. The opinion will be unmodified based upon the testing procedures and would be issued upon acceptance of the draft audit.

District Accountant Kathy Fromm, of Fromm and Co., said the audit is subject to final review for some open items.

The board accepted the draft audit subject to final audit review with direction to staff to file the audit with the state.

District opposes statewide ballot initiatives

District counsel George Rowley of White Bear Ankele Tanaka and Waldron law firm said two statewide proposed initiatives 50 and 108 have been approved by Secretary of State Jena Griswold and will likely be on the ballot in November. A special legislative session has been called to try to appease the people who have sponsored the initiatives and get the sponsors to remove the initiatives. Rowley said:

  • Initiative 50 would amend the Colorado Constitution to limit property tax growth to 4% per year and would require a statewide vote for any increase above that percentage, but in many years natural inflation has been more than 4%.
  • Both initiatives turn local government budgeting decisions for “special districts” such as water/wastewater and fire districts, over to a statewide voter decision.
  • It is unknown how Initiative 50 will be applied and although Initiative 108 is a little less scary, the cuts would be significant and require the district to cut back.
  • Initiative 108 reduces the residential property tax rate from 6.7% to 5.7% and the commercial property tax rate from 27% to 24%.

The district is opposed to these proposals and the statewide solution that would be devasting to most districts, Rowley said. If Initiative 50 passes, reducing tax growth to no more than 4% per year, it would halt government financing from general obligation bonds, and districts would not be able to predict budgets and pledge revenues. It would paralyze a lot of municipal financing within the state, because the 4% cap on tax growth applies to both residential and commercial, and it does not differentiate between new growth increasing the tax base or inflation, said Rowley.

President Mark Melville said with all the commercial growth coming into the district, the tax cap would cripple the district, and TMD would not see the revenue for years. If this initiative passes, anyone needing to build a pipeline will be doomed to begin a project without bonds. The district has roads to maintain and the expense of snow removal, but luckily TMD is trailing off on capital improvements, he said.

Vice President Anthony Sexton said the initiatives have been developed for old neighborhoods in Denver that have no new growth.

McGrady said that for example, the addition of a $50 million warehouse in the district would leave the district with no choice but to roll back the mill levy on the whole district to remain within the 4% cap. The measures will cripple special district fire departments that typically have a lot of debt, he said.

Water Attorney Chris Cummins said the initiatives are not written for local governments but as a populist measure to reduce taxes. If these measures had already been in place, the district would not have been able to build the NDS. However, the district had good financial planning, with its revenue bonds, and built in the greatest cycle of growth, particularly in the housing market. The property tax revenues went up and up with growth, and the board responded by lowering the mills back down for the residents, avoiding collecting all of the property tax revenue available. The district was able to build new infrastructure and purchase water rights with the addition of 150-200 homes per year. A 4% cap on tax revenue would restrict growth and services in the future, he said.

The board approved Resolution 2024-10, opposing the ballot initiatives.

2024 employee handbook

Michelle Fergusson of Ireland Stapleton Pryor Pascoe PC law firm said the key goal was to update the 2024 Policy and Procedures Employee handbook with the prolific number of changes made by federal and state employment laws over the past few years. The handbook has significant updates regarding the drug and alcohol policy, specifically for licenses and marijuana, vehicle requirements for personal and district-owned vehicles, discipline steps and termination, updated language for the FAMLI, a state benefit offering Colorado workers access to paid sick leave, with some incentive changes to the district’s own sick leave and vacation policies, said Fergusson.

McGrady said the old policy manual seemed geared around employees remaining with the district for only five years, but most employees have remained far beyond that tenure.

The board approved resolution 2024-09 adopting the handbook effective Sept. 1.

Highway Users Tax Fund agreement

McGrady said the Highway Users Tax Fund (HUTF) is a gasoline tax (.43 cents per gallon) collected for the entire state into a kitty, then held and distributed to entities responsible for the maintenance of public roads, in most cases for the state, counties, and municipalities. The cut is dependent on how many lane miles each entity maintains, but as more electric vehicles are purchased, less tax would be collected in the future, but Colorado is growing and the HUTF is growing. The district currently has about 135 lane miles to maintain, and the TOM has about 50 miles to maintain, for a total of about 185 miles of lane roads. The TOM is collecting only about 60 miles of revenue per year, and some of those roads are within TMD. The TOM is receiving about $300,000 annually for 60 miles but should be receiving about $900,000 annually from the HUTF if the TMD roads were included.

Rowley found a similar intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between a county in southwest Colorado and a metro district that had to maintain a lot of lane miles. A proposed IGA between TMD and TOM to allow a share back to the district for future road maintenance would be “free money” to really help the district without hurting the TOM. The district will calculate the total lane miles for both entities and include an additional 5% reimbursement to the town. The district maintains its own roads, represents about 60% of the Monument population, and has not previously been included in the town’s calculations for the HUTF, said McGrady.

The board approved McGrady and Rowley presenting the HUTF IGA agreement to the TOM for review and consideration, with a correction to the calculating line mile formula.

Higby Road update

McGrady said the 12-inch main pipeline under Higby Road had been completed. Due to an application error during the curing process, the asphalt overlay patch cured with a wavy appearance. The patch will be re-milled and sealed by the contractor at no additional cost to the district.

Sheffield said the design plans for the Higby Road improvements are complete and ready to be submitted to the TOM.

Director Jason Gross said he thought the final design for the Higby Road project had already been approved by the TOM.

McGrady said the district submitted the design to the TOM, the TOM made comments on it, then the district addressed the comments and re-submitted the design. The TOM approved the plat for the Zeal for Living apartments access road for the right-of-way and the Town Council were only concerned about the width of the right-of-way, but not the width of Higby Road design. The design is being submitted to the TOM staff, but the Town Council will not vote again during the process, he said.

Buena Vista land annexation update

McGrady said the annexation agreement for the Chicago Ranch (293.96 acres located in Chaffee County, across the road from the Buena Vista Rodeo Grounds) was approved for annexation into the town of Buena Vista and recorded on Aug. 22, and everything will be finalized by mid-September. The annexation was necessary for constructing recharge ponds for the district to control water rights associated with the Arkansas Valley Irrigation Canal Co.’s Ditch and change the water rights to municipal uses for the district’s purposes. The district hopes to construct the ponds as soon as possible, he said. See https://wp.ocn.me/v24n8tmd.

Northern Delivery System update

McGrady said the NDS ribbon-cutting ceremony was a success. See article on page < 14 >.

Assistant Manager Steve Sheffield introduced Gary Potter, the new Water Utilities superintendent, and said he had attended multiple NDS start-up coordination meetings with Kiewit staff, Colorado Springs Utilities staff, Timberline staff, electricians, and other stakeholders. The start-up date on Aug. 20 was a success, and the district pushed water from Colorado Springs Utilities through the district’s system, but the system was shut down until Aug. 28 due to some issues with the chlorine pressure reducing valve, some programming, and power issues. The district is making progress testing the system and the team did not expect to “flip the switch and walk away from it, it’s a process,” said Sheffield.

Water utilities update

Sheffield said the district had the highest record of well water pumped in July, producing about 54.679 million gallons (MG) (the district water pumped in July 2023 was 28.926 MG). The district billed 52.241 MG to customers in July. The percent loss for July 2024 would have been 4.45%, but the additional water was used for backwashing and to flush five miles of the NDS line in preparation for the NDS pump station start up. The actual billable water was 51.3 MG, and about a 1.8% water loss, said Sheffield.

Sexton asked if the district would have less water loss in the future when the district receives its water via the NDS that feeds directly into the tanks versus moving water from wells to the tanks.

McGrady said there should be less water loss in the system as the district will not backwash nearly as much as it did when reliant on its wells. The district’s water will enter the NDS pre-treated via Colorado Springs Utilities and 40 new meters throughout the district are bound to be more accurate. “Everything is as tight as possible,” he said.

Assistant manager’s report

Sheffield said the following:

  • The district staff is working toward the final design for a new administrative office space/shop to be built on a site west of I-25 and northwest of Baptist Road. Several significant changes to the building layout have been incorporated into the design since the July meeting. The site purchase has yet to be finalized and approved by the board.
  • Repairs were conducted on the Earth Cam camera at the South Reservoir. The camera had “seized” due to a communication wire that was cut due to rubbing on a sharp metal edge.
  • Work continues with NES and RESPEC teams to develop plans for a new 1.5-million-gallon water storage tank to be located adjacent to the existing storage tank in “B Plant” in Promontory Pointe. Plans will be submitted to the TOM soon.
  • The sporting field booking schedule for the Sanctuary Pointe Park is up and running on the district website. The interface between the website and the payment and scheduling aspect was more complicated than anticipated, but demand for field time is strong and launching the platform was a high priority.

Snow truck requested

Superintendent Matt Rayno requested the board consider approving the build of a new plow truck for the district snow removal services. The dump truck outfitted with a plow and a stainless-steel bed to prevent salt erosion could be built and delivered in early 2025 for $257,000 (the new truck is a 2022 model). The truck would be used for snow removal 90% of the time but would also be utilized for landscaping. The district has three trucks that are about 22-25 years old, and one truck would be sold upon delivery of the new truck. The existing trucks were all purchased used, including the truck purchased in 2023.

McGrady said the district will need to be careful with the 2025 budget, and the truck purchase might be the vast majority of the Parks and Open Space capital expenditures next year. The district roadways are in good condition, and the district could back down on an overlay project next year, and/or delay playground equipment for a year. The district is building its own office/shop space and will need to vacate the leased office space at the end of 2025, and has minimal road infrastructure to complete, but “we will need to watch the pennies,” he said.

The board instructed Rayno to proceed with the build-out of a new truck for inclusion in the 2025 budget.

Executive session

The board moved into an executive session at 8:20 p.m., pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes section 24-6-402(4)(a), for the purpose of acquisition of water/land, and 24-6-402(4)(b), for the purpose of determining the positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations, developing strategies for negotiations, and instructing negotiators as it relates to potential development incentives and intergovernmental agreements.

Sheffield confirmed that after the meeting returned to the regular session, no action was taken and the meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.

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Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month at the district office located at 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 302. The next regular board meeting is scheduled for Sept. 19 at 5:30 p.m. For meeting agendas, minutes, and updates, visit https://triviewmetro.com.

Natalie Barszcz can be reached at nataliebarszcz@ocn.me.

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