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Previous: Vol. 23 No. 10 - October 7, 2023 — Next: Vol. 23 No. 12 - December 2, 2023
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Mount Herman fire averted
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Mount Herman fire averted
By Steve Pate Smokey the Bear says, “Only you can prevent forest fires.” In this case, Steve Galchutt and a crew from the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) prevented what could have been a major disaster on Mount Herman on Oct. 22. Galchutt’s hike up Mount Herman that day turned into a wildfire prevention event. After…
Triview Metropolitan District, Oct. 19 – Traffic safety concerns; NDS pipeline nears completion
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Oct. 19, the board heard about measures to enhance traffic safety measures along Gleneagle Drive, received an update on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project, heard about an addition to an existing loan, and held an executive session to discuss water supply contracts,…
D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 10 – Committee hears updates on Consent Task Force, D38 Education Foundation
By Harriet Halbig The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (formerly District Accountability Advisory Committee) received updates from various initiatives and subcommittees at its Oct. 10 meeting at Palmer Lake Elementary School. School presentation Following a tour of the Palmer Lake Elementary School, Principal Peggy Griebenow gave a brief presentation on the history and demographics…
Monument Academy School Board, Oct. 5 and 26 – Enrollment shortfall causes budget challenges
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) School Board met twice in October. In both sessions, they reviewed the finances, including the 2023-24 budget, and explored the challenges caused by lower than projected enrollment. The board also continued to discuss the employee handbook and leave policies. Finally, the board heard committee reports from board members…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 23 – Monument Academy annual report; enrollment and financial update
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received the annual report of Monument Academy, approved membership of the Financial Transparency Committee, learned of new financial documents, and welcomed student representatives at its Oct. 23 meeting. Monument Academy annual report Executive Director Kim McClelland presented the annual report of Monument Academy (MA). She thanked…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – Draft 2024 budget presented; tap fee discussion continues
By James Howald District Manager Jessie Shaffer presented a draft of the 2024 budget to the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board at its October meeting. The board continued its effort to set water and tap fees and voted on a change to its employee benefits policy. Two class action lawsuits related to Per-…
Monument Sanitation District, Oct. 18 – Board addresses budgets, rates, liens
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald Financial matters—budgets, rates, and liens—were the focus when the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in October. The board began work on its budget for 2024 and set a date for a public hearing. The board also briefly considered the 2024 budget developed by the Joint Use Committee (JUC)…
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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 12 – 2024 legal budget presented
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans At its October meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board continued its work on a budget for 2024. It also heard operational reports. 2024 legal budget DWSD District Manager Jeff Hodge began by pointing out that the budget before the board was a “legal” budget, in the…
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El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 19 – Board reviews 2024 budget, finances
By James Howald At its October 19 meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board briefly discussed a draft of its 2024 budget and its finances for the previous month. It heard a progress report from its Project Planning and Workflow manager (PPWM). The board discussed finding a company to provide financial…
Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Oct. 11 – Subdistrict dissolution process update; tax revenue uncertain
By Natalie Barszcz At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) rescheduled September meeting held on Oct. 11, the Board of Directors received an update on the subdistrict dissolution process, heard about revenue uncertainty, and received the first presentation of the proposed 2024 budget. Director Mike Forsythe was excused. The meeting began at 4:38 p.m.…
Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Oct. 18 – Resolution opposes Proposition HH; preliminary budget proposed
By Janet Sellers At the Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on Oct. 18, the board approved a posted resolution in opposition to proposition HH to inform residents about the potential effects on property tax revenue for the district and received a preliminary proposed 2024 budget. The board also heard about the hiring of…
Monument Fire District, Oct. 25 Fallen firefighter remembered; fire academy development underway
By Natalie Barszcz At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Oct. 25, the board received the second presentation of the proposed 2024 budget addressing executive staff changes and station staffing, and the board heard about the coordinated development of a regional fire academy program. President Mike Smaldino led a moment of silence before the…
Monument Town Council, Oct. 2, 16, and 19 – Councilmembers scrutinize traffic report, proposed investments, park development, and resolution opposing Proposition HH
By Chris Jeub Two regular meetings and one special meeting took care of many issues in Monument in October. These included water management, streetscape redesign, traffic safety, investment strategy, and community park development. Monument traffic study Councilmember Ken Kimple expressed his dissatisfaction with police Commander John Lupton’s traffic study, which Kimple had specifically requested. Lupton’s…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Oct. 12 and 26 – Use of undeveloped rights of way debated
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In October, at two board meetings, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees continued a discussion of how to manage undeveloped rights of way (ROWs) that arose from its discussion in previous meetings of how to regulate use of recreational vehicles (RV) on private property. It continued its work on…
El Paso Board of County Commissioners, Oct. 3, 12, 19, and 24 – County presents its 2024 preliminary balanced budget, approves 21-home development
By Helen Walklett During October, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) heard proposals for the 2024 county budget. The commissioners also approved a plan for a 21 single-family subdivision south of the Forest Lakes development. 2024 preliminary balanced budget The county Financial Services Department presented the preliminary balanced budget at the Oct. 3…
El Paso County Planning Commission, Oct. 19 – Black Forest four-lot subdivision recommended for approval
By Helen Walklett At the Oct. 19 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to recommend for approval rezone and minor subdivision applications to create a four-lot subdivision, Fairytale Acres, at a Herring Road property. The request is to rezone 7.59 acres of the 14.54-acre property from RR-5 (rural residential) to RR-2.5…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Oct. 25 – Board president explains WIA approach
By Jackie Burhans At its October meeting, the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board heard remarks from President Brian Bush comparing WIA to other homeowners associations (HOAs) and reviewed board director reports. Board president contrasts WIA with other HOAs Bush noted that the news about homeowners associations is frequently negative, citing recent reports that Green Valley…
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October Weather Wrap
By Bill Kappel October was again warmer than average with below-normal precipitation. Almost the entire month saw quiet and dry weather, with exceptions at the beginning and end. Overall for the year, we are still above normal from a precipitation perspective, so hopefully that will continue through the winter and spring. And given that we…
Letters to Our Community – Tom Olmstead? No thanks
I am very concerned about Tom Olmstead’s candidacy for the D38 school board. Olmstead’s appearance at the KOAA forum revealed a lack of qualifications and understanding, and an obsessed focus on personal grievances. I will not be voting for him. Olmstead’s forum performance was marked by a stunning lack of preparedness. He seemed unfamiliar with…
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Letters to Our Community – Vote for Tom Olmstead
In an effort to reach anyone interested in finding out the truth about Tom Olmstead—who is running for the D38 school board—please read carefully. I am a regular member of a group that sits at Serrano’s coffee shop (several times a week) with Tom. I and the members of that group (roughly 10-12 people) have…
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Letters to Our Community – Protesting no parking signs at Pike National Forest
I live in unincorporated Monument and have been walking daily in the Pike National Forest, which is administrated by the U.S. Forest Service. The entrance to this is on Sunburst Drive. Due to my health issues (and that of many other disabled and veterans that use these paths), I have driven to the entrance and…
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Letters to Our Community – Tom Olmstead has my vote
Thank God one of our school board candidates is out and about in our community meeting people! Tom Olmstead has my vote as he’s directly been engaging the public about his ideas and drive to make D38 a great experience for all our children. Tom makes no bones that he believes parents have the right…
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Letters to Our Community – Why a ban on political yard signs?
What in the world is going on with Monument’s Town Council? They’ve put a ban on political yard signs. Come on! Last night, I attended an emergency meeting to reverse the ban. It was all just a political charade. Instead, the Monument mayor and other elected officials doubled down, dug their heels in, and chastised…
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Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – New fall releases
By the staff at Covered Treasures “Don’t wait until the fourth Thursday in November to sit with family and friends to give thanks. Make every day a day of thanksgiving”—Charmaine J. Forde Here are some great new releases: The Exchange: After the Firm By John Grisham (Doubleday Books) $30 What became of Mitch and Abby…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Oct. 19 – History of Glen Eyrie presented
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its monthly meeting Oct. 19 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. Amy Burch, manager of the bookstore at the Navigators located at Glen Eyrie and co-author of The Glen Eyrie Story, presented the story. The Navigators purchased the property in 1953 and continue to this…
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November Library Events – Program schedule change
By Harriet Halbig The Monument Library will continue to offer Story Times on Tuesdays at 10:30 and Toddler Times on Wednesdays at 9:30 and 10 until Nov. 29, when Story Times at Monument will be suspended. But Family Story Times for all ages will continue to be offered at the Palmer Lake Library on Fridays…
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High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – November: Gardening goes indoors
By Janet Sellers We had a long and wonderful Indian summer this year and only got some cold weather basically toward the end of October. Volunteers and I put the frost cloth on the garden beds at Tri-Lakes Cares and they did fine all month, doubling in size with the warm days and protected nights.…
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Art Matters – Enjoy our local art scene: walk, ride, or drive
By Janet Sellers National Artist Sunday is in November National Artist Sunday, the Sunday after Thanksgiving, is a time for the local community to engage with local artists—not only for their work but to visit with and enjoy them. We have many artists in our area that are not in our local venues but have…
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Snapshots of Our Community
October Issue Snapshot Correction: Mary Burnett (not Barrett) Brown is the author of The Book of Divine Love. OCN regrets the error. TLWC help Creek Week, Sep. 30 Above: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club members participated in the 10th Annual Creek Week Cleanup on Sept. 30. Creek Week is the largest watershed-wide cleanup in the state, enlisting…
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. Community volunteers Many students…
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…