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Trinity Community Park expands
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Vol. 25 No. 10 – October 4, 2025 – Photos
The photos are arranged in the order they appeared in our October 4, 2025 issue. Click or tap on a thumbnail to view a larger version. To return to the thumbnails, click or tap on the X in the image toolbar, which is above or to the right of the image. To view the captions,…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Sept. 25 – New board members seated; annexation ordinance becomes law
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) canceled its first regular board meeting of the month, scheduled for Sept. 11. At its Sept. 25 meeting, Beth Harris and Roger Mosley took seats on the board. Mayor Pro Tem Amy Hutson ran the meeting in place of Mayor Dennis Stern,…
Monument Town Council, Sept. 2 and 15 – Growing budget deficit; Town lays off five people
By Marlene Brown On Sept. 2, the Monument Town Council had its regular meeting for nine minutes and then adjourned the meeting and began the post-study session to discuss the proposed preliminary budget for 2026. Jennifer Phillips, finance manager since July 2024, presented the 2026 preliminary budget. It highlights anticipated revenues, planned expenditures, and shows…
Palmer Lake Planning Commission, Sept. 2 – Panel recommends denial of Buc-ee’s plans
By Jackie Burhans At its Sept. 2 special meeting, the Palmer Lake Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of Buc-ee’s Planned Development Plan (PD), sketch plan, and annexation agreement. Commissioner Andre Bergeron recused himself, citing an intimidating package delivered to his home that alarmed his family and compromised his impartiality. Town Attorney Scott Krob said…
Monument Planning Commission, Sept. 10 – September meeting cancelled
By Janet Sellers The Monument Planning Commission’s September meeting was canceled. The next meeting is scheduled for October 8 at 6 p.m. in the Town Council chambers at 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument. ********** The commission advises the Town Council on land use and development issues. The commission’s recommendations are based on local and state…
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Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Sept. 9 – Committee discusses plans for relationship with Board of Education in upcoming school year
By Harriet Halbig The Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) of Lewis-Palmer District 38 discussed plans for the 2025-26 school year at its Sept. 9 meeting. Renee Butler and Kirsten Zook will serve as co-chairs for a second year. Continuing last year’s committee goals, Zook announced that the committee will emphasize its responsibilities as an…
Monument Academy School Board, Sept. 11 – Board selects marketing firm, transfers funds
By Jackie Burhans At its regular board meeting in September, the Monument Academy (MA) board heard a proposal from a second marketing firm and voted to transfer residual equity between its campuses. In addition, the board heard updates on Academic Achievement and the West Campus carline. Marketing firm selected Audrey Kerchner, chief marketing strategist for…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Sept. 15 – State assessment results; school accreditation; Career and Innovation Center update
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education discussed a number of topics related to the new school year and district activities at its Sept. 15 meeting. State assessment results Dr. Michael Brom, director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment, presented the results of last spring’s state assessments. These assessments included the Colorado Measures of…
Monument Fire District, Sept. 24 – Board vacancy filled; training tower and wildland engine approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Sept. 24, a vacant board seat was filled. The board approved the purchase of a training tower for the future Station 1 training center and the purchase of a wildland engine for 2026. The board received a…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 8 – Board plans for Accessory Dwelling Units
By James Howald At its September meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board began planning how to integrate Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) into its existing policies, specifications, and procedures. The board also heard financial and operational reports. District Manager Jessie Shaffer told the board that he, in consultation with the office staff, had…
Monument Sanitation District, Sept. 17 – Beacon Lite Road due for upgrades
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At a brief meeting in September, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker that focused on the work that El Paso County has planned for Beacon Lite Road. The board also discussed the process for developing a budget for 2026. County…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, Sept. 17 – Beacon Lite Road due for upgrades
Triview Metropolitan District, Sept. 18 – Road enhancement project delayed
By Natalie Barszcz The Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Sept. 18 began several minutes before the scheduled time. The board heard the Higby Road project had been delayed until early October. The board president requested that the staff provide a fire mitigation plan for areas around Sanctuary Pointe, heard about a beautification and safety…
Continue Reading Triview Metropolitan District, Sept. 18 – Road enhancement project delayed
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 11 – 2026 budget planning kicks off
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans At its September meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board heard a financial report and a presentation on the 2026 budget from Acting General Manager Christina Hawker. The board heard operational reports from district staff. The meeting ended with an executive session Financial report Hawker told the…
Continue Reading Donala Water and Sanitation District, Sept. 11 – 2026 budget planning kicks off
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Sept. 25 – Contract for reservoir expansion design awarded
By James Howald At its September meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board awarded a contract to design the expansion of the Calhan Reservoir. Corben Fromm, of Fromm and Co. LLC, reported on the Loop’s finances. Finally, the board decided to discontinue their monthly workshop meetings. CDM Smith…
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, Sept. 2, 9, and 23 – County approves park services
By Marlene Brown The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) met on Sept. 2 on the Procurements and Contracts Consent Calendar. The board voted on approval of Matrix Design Group to provide construction management services for the Fox Run Regional Park Pond and Gazebo Renovation project, for the Parks Department. The project area…
Fox Run Nature Center on hold
By Marlene Brown The El Paso County Parks Department announced on Sept. 2 that the Fox Run Nature Center project has been put on hold. A strategic decision was made due to the current economic environment, said Todd Matrs, executive director. The project began in 2013 when it was identified in the El Paso County…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations, Sept. 13 – County officials give updates
By Marlene Brown The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its General Membership meeting on Sept. 13. President Mike Aspenson acknowledged the member homeowners associations (HOAs) in the room. There were 22 HOAs represented of the 49 member HOAs, and guest speakers Meggan Herington and Jack Ladley. Aspenson announced that the…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Sept. 24 – Prairie dogs remain; winter is coming
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on Sept. 24 to hear residents’ concerns about prairie dogs and to discuss preparing for upcoming winter conditions. Prairie dogs Two residents came to discuss the prairie dog situation on the south side of the Preserve. They noted that they had paid to be part…
Continue Reading Woodmoor Improvement Association, Sept. 24 – Prairie dogs remain; winter is coming
Letters to Our Community – Todd Brown for Ginger Schaaf
My name is Todd Brown, and I am a current D38 board member. While I can speak only for myself and not the board in any way, I will say that I feel my time on the board has been incredibly productive and rewarding, in large part because of the strong partnership and value alignment…
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Letters to Our Community – Bullying in our community
D38 School Board Priority 1 is to ensure safe and healthy schools where students feel secure and supported in their learning and growth. Safety is a top priority for both parents and the district. The board policy on bullying prevention and education can be found at: https://tinyurl.com/d38-policy-JICDE. It defines bullying as a form of intimidation…
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Letters to Our Community – Jackie Burhans is great for D38!
As the D38 School Board election draws near, I would like to share with the community why I support Jackie Burhans as the obvious choice to represent our wonderful school district. I met Jackie almost 20 years ago at a forum to educate the community about the challenges Colorado school districts face. Her comprehensive understanding…
Continue Reading Letters to Our Community – Jackie Burhans is great for D38!
Letters to Our Community – Kettner’s reply to Sellers
Regarding Ms. Sellers’ response to my letter, she states, ”Modern wild horses fill that old ecological niche,” but neglects to point out that the horses that roamed North America 10,000 years ago competed with other large herbivores and had to avoid large predators. “In addition to horses, the Miocene mammal faunas of North America were dominated by…
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Letters to Our Community – A dedicated advocate for D38 Board of Education
I am proud to endorse Jackie Burhans for the D38 Board of Education. Her unparalleled involvement in public education spans decades at every level, showcasing her unwavering commitment. Jackie stands out due to her extensive volunteer work and her dedication to communicating with the community about D38 issues, values, and solutions. Her ability to integrate…
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Letters to Our Community – Endorsement for Ginger Schaaf—D38 School Board
As vice president of the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board of Education, I am proud to endorse Ginger Schaaf for the D38 School Board. While I haven’t worked directly alongside her, I’ve had meaningful conversations with Ginger and know the people who have encouraged her to step forward and run. Their respect for her character,…
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Letters to Our Community – Endorsing Jackie Burhans
As a 20-plus year educator and longtime District 38 community member, I am confident in endorsing Jackie Burhans for the D38 Board of Education. Jackie brings unparalleled preparation for this role. For more than a decade, she has closely followed board activity, attending meetings across the tenure of four superintendents and reporting faithfully on the…
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Letters to Our Community – Letter of endorsement for Jackie Burhans
As a former member of the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand the kind of leadership, integrity, and commitment it takes to serve our students, teachers, families, and community well. It is from that experience that I am proud to endorse Jackie Burhans for our School Board. Jackie brings…
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Letters to Our Community – Vote for Jackie
I have run the District 38 Chess Tournament for the last 18 years. After each tournament, we have taken the winners to a school board meeting so that they could be recognized for their achievements by the members of the school board. At those meetings, I have learned that the most effective school board members…
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Reading is still fundamental
By the staff at Covered Treasures “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”—The Cat in the Hat, by Dr. Seuss Theodore Geisel wrote it in a way we all remember, condensing the 12 or more positive reasons why we should all…
Continue Reading Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Reading is still fundamental
October Library Events – Book clubs, escape room, scrap exchange
By Harriet Halbig Several special programs will come to the library during October. These include a time-travel- themed escape room for teens, a nature wand program for tweens, and a scrap exchange sponsored by Who Gives a SCRAP. The Chronoshift Reality Rewritten escape room for teens ages 13 to 18 will be from 4 to…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Sept. 18 – Pioneers Museum: past and present
By Marlene Brown On Sept. 18, the Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its regular membership meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. Diane Kokes, vice president of PLHS, introduced Leah Davis Witherow, executive director of the Pioneers Museum in Colorado Springs. Witherow presented What’s New and Old at the Pioneers Museum. Many people who…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, Sept. 18 – Pioneers Museum: past and present
On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Annual Ride for Tim, Palmer Lake to Monument
By Steve Pate We reported in the September OCN that the annual Ride for Tim was scheduled for Sept. 13. A group of friends and family of Tim Watkins, who was shot and killed while on a mountain bike ride near Mount Herman on Sept. 14, 2017, met at the Tim Watkins Memorial in Palmer…
High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Cornmeal in the garden; sweet potato leaf greens
By Janet Sellers With all the rain this summer, we had an abundance of toadstools—toxic fungi—popping up throughout our gardens, green spaces, and grasses. I wondered what to do about it besides bagging them up with gloved hands and pitching them in the trash. They often popped up in just hours. One remedy I found…
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Art Matters – October is Arts Month: Artober with Monumental Impact
By Janet Sellers Our summer Art Hop ended in September, but art events and activities have just begun for the fall season. October is recognized as National Arts and Humanities Month (NAHM) in the United States. It’s a national celebration to promote equitable access to the arts, increase participation, and highlight the positive impact on…
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Snapshots of Our Community
TLWC blood drive, Aug. 25 Above: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) held its second blood drive on Aug. 25at the Woodmoor Barn. In partnership with Vitalant, TLWC welcomed 38 donorswho came forward toim provide much-needed blood, aiding patients in overcomingmedical challenges and receiving critical care. Vitalant estimated that this drive’scontributions can potentially save 114 lives. Summer…
Discover great new ways to engage with Our Community!
By John Heiser, Publisher, OCN At Our Community News (OCN), we are excited to introduce new ways to help you connect better with our vibrant Tri-Lakes community. Interactive website features Our website lets you post questions and comments on articles, columns, and podcasts. Share your thoughts. Join the conversation. Enjoy two audio options for OCN…
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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. School Bus Safety Drivers…
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 Academy Water and Sanitation District board…