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Construction causes dangerous traffic backups
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Monument Academy School Board, Aug. 10 and 19 – Board receives ACLU demand letter
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) board called a rare Saturday special meeting on Aug. 19 to discuss a demand letter from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on their resolution, proclamation, and policies regarding transgender, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary students. At its regular meeting on Aug. 10, MA’s board heard about a new…
Continue Reading Monument Academy School Board, Aug. 10 and 19 – Board receives ACLU demand letter
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Aug. 23 – Board hears about possible extension of Furrow Road
By Jackie Burhans At its Aug. 23 meeting, the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board heard about traffic-related issues and solutions and discussed moving its investments to higher interest-bearing accounts. Board directors provided updates in each of their areas of responsibility. Furrow Road extension back on the table The WIA board discussed area traffic issues stemming…
Triview Metropolitan District, Aug. 17 – Water usage sets record high
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Aug. 17, the board heard about recording breaking high-water usage in July, approved a water use agreement and the completion of a new park, and received an update on the Northern Delivery System (NDS) pipeline project. The district held an executive session that resulted…
Continue Reading Triview Metropolitan District, Aug. 17 – Water usage sets record high
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Aug. 21 – Four-day week, capital improvements, tutoring center discussed
By Harriet Halbig At its Aug. 21 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received a report from the district’s Calendar Task Force that included feasibility of a four-day school week, a report on capital improvements achieved during the summer, and an introduction to the revitalized tutoring center at Lewis-Palmer High School. Calendar Task Force…
Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines 1, 2, and 3, Aug. 7 and 14 – 2022 audits approved; contract services cost increases; water reuse project possible
By Natalie Barszcz The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 2 and 3 boards met on Aug. 7 to approve the 2022 audits and a second amendment to the agreement for the contract for services with Triview Metropolitan District (TMD). The boards also received updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 14 – General manager reviews water resources
By James Howald At its meeting in August, The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) heard a presentation from General Manager Jessie Shaffer explaining the approaches to water resources the district could use to plan future needs. The board considered awarding a construction contract, voted for a resolution affirming the district’s participation in the El…
Monument Sanitation District, Aug. 8 – Board hears request to merge with town’s Water Department
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At its August meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard a summary of a meeting between two MSD board members and representatives of the Town of Monument to discuss merging MSD with the town’s Water Department. The board voted on updates to the district’s employee handbook and to…
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 17 – Electrical contract awarded
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in August to award a contract for electrical work on the district’s newest well. The board also heard operational reports from General Manager Jeff Hodge, who reviewed the district’s monthly finances and touched on several ongoing projects. Well 16A nears…
Continue Reading Donala Water and Sanitation District, Aug. 17 – Electrical contract awarded
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Aug. 17 – Project manager discusses possible new approach
By James Howald The El Paso County Loop Regional Water Authority (EPCRLWA) board met in August to hear an update from its recently hired Project Planning and Workflow Manager (PPWM) and to formalize the obligations required by the project’s acceptance of American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The board also heard results from the most…
Monument Town Council, Aug. 7 – “Shoddy work,” says mayor, before voting “no” on change order
By Chris Jeub One public Monument Town Council meeting took place in August which included two presentations, both underscoring the town’s dedication to preserving its heritage and enhancing its natural landscapes. An ordinance allowing a local health facility to host classes in its downtown studio was unanimously approved. The mayor cast a dissenting vote coupled…
Monument Planning Commission, Aug. 9 – Variance approved for affordable housing project
By Leslie Hanks The Aug. 9 Monument Planning Commission meeting was attended by Commissioners Chair Martin Trujillo, Vice Chair Danny Ours, Cathy Green, Sean Zernikow, Ray Egley, Greg Collins, and Chad Smith. The planning staff started the meeting by explaining that the planning commissioners acting as the Board of Adjustment was appropriate. According to the…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Aug. 10, 16, and 24 – Board extends permits and taps for former mayors’ property
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In August, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees held two regular meetings, on Aug. 10 and 24, each ending with an executive session. The Aug. 10 regular meeting was preceded by a one-hour board retreat to review rules and roles. The board met for a third executive session, online…
Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Aug. 16 – Apparatus replacement plan revealed; chassis purchase approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Aug. 16 meeting of the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD), the board approved the purchase of Ford F550 chassis for two brush trucks, and approved seeking a proposal from Pierce Manufacturing for the potential purchase of a Type 1 engine. At the end of the meeting, resident Linda…
Monument Fire District, Aug. 23 – Station 3 rebuild plans revealed; Station 5 remodel approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Sept. 23, the board received a presentation for the rebuild of Station 3, approved a contractor and funding for the Station 5 (Highway 83/Stagecoach Road) remodel, approved securing the production of two engines with a proposal for purchase, and held an executive session to…
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, Aug. 1, 8, 15, and 22 – Request to split Woodmoor property into four lots approved
By Helen Walklett At the Aug.1 El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting, the commissioners heard a replat application to return a single lot property in Woodmoor to four lots. They also heard final plat applications for The Winsome and Terra Ridge North developments and minor subdivision applications for two Black Forest properties. These…
El Paso County Planning Commission, Aug. 3 – Flying Horse North draft service plan recommended for approval
By Helen Walklett At the Aug. 3 El Paso County Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners reviewed the draft service plan for the proposed Flying Horse North (FHN) Metropolitan Districts Nos. 1-5 and voted 5-3 to recommend it for approval. A revised sketch plan was approved in November 2022 for the 910-acre area that would be…
August Weather Wrap
By Bill Kappel August was generally uneventful around the Palmer Divide, especially compared to the last few months where we had extremely active weather. Temperatures were slightly warmer than normal, and precipitation was slightly lower than normal. The first half of the month saw the typical quiet morning, afternoon clouds, and scattered thunderstorms and rain…
Letters to Our Community: “Disgusted” by MA’s gender rules
After reading the article regarding Monument Academy’s gender issues, I must say I am disgusted and appalled at the way this issue is being handled. In the very beginning the simple solution would have been to have a boy, girl, and a third for those identifying differently. MA appears to single these students out, making…
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Letters to Our Community – Preservation of historical Palmer Lake
Ever since the area that became the small town of Palmer Lake was discovered by pioneers in their westward expansion, Palmer Lake has been a part of Colorado history. The Chautauqua movement held a significant presence here for many years. The Salvation Army ran a summer camp here in Palmer Lake for many years, highlighted…
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Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore: What animals teach us
By the staff at Covered Treasures “Some people talk to animals. Not many listen though. That’s the problem.”—A.A. Milne Here’s a sampling of books that provide information on the pets we love as well as the animals that live around us and what we can learn from them. Meow! The Truth About Cats By Annette…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Aug. 12: Board, members pose as historical figures
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) board and members donned pioneer garb as members of the family and staff of the Reynolds Ranch at the Western Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI) during Family History Day. See photo and caption of Family History Day on the right. The cast of characters included…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, Aug. 12: Board, members pose as historical figures
High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG): Strategies for trees, especially in deer country
By Janet Sellers What happens to trees in the fall When the leaves change colors and fall in autumn, something amazing happens. Trees create sugars in their leaves, and in fall the sugars go down to the roots, and the tree saves that sugar energy to surge forth new growth in spring. Phloem cells of…
Art Matters: Immersive art
By Janet Sellers This summer season we’ve had a wide variety of art experiences to enjoy in our area. Our monthly Art Hop showcases available local art and artists and weekly concerts offered music at Fox Run Regional Park and Monument’s Limbach Park. The Palmer Lake Arts District has offered Shakespeare plays, sculptures, and art…
Snapshots of Our Community
August Issue Snapshot Correction: The Monument Sanitation District was founded in 1963 and is celebrating its 60th anniversary. Construction causes dangerous traffic backups Above: Aug. 15, the first day of school for all D38 schools, showed significant traffic backups by many schools due to several construction projects, including the Highway 105 and Jackson Creek Parkway…
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…