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Vol. 25 No. 11 – November 1, 2025 – Photos
The photos are arranged in the order they appeared in our November 1, 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, Oct. 2, 9, and 23 – Annexation election set for Feb. 3, trustee resigns, lawsuits dismissed
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) held a special meeting on Oct. 2 and two regular meetings on Oct. 9 and 23. At the special meeting, the board discussed the Buc-ee’s annexation and election. At the Oct. 9 meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Mayor Pro-Tem Amy…
Buc-ee’s Resistance, Oct. 14 – Coalition comes together to stop Buc-ee’s
By James Howald A crowd of 50 or more met at the Woodmoor Barn Oct. 14 to hear speeches and progress reports from a coalition of grassroots groups working to prevent the construction of a Buc-ee’s travel center at the southwestern intersection of I-25 and County Line Road. The audience heard from Sean Sawyer of…
Continue Reading Buc-ee’s Resistance, Oct. 14 – Coalition comes together to stop Buc-ee’s
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 20 – Monument Academy annual report, Home School Enrichment Academy, and Transitions program update
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received the annual report of the district’s charter school, Monument Academy, discussed a timeline and options for location of the Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions programs, and recognized principals, business officials and former Superintendent Ted Bauman at its Oct. 20 meeting. Monument Academy annual report…
Monument Academy School Board, Oct. 16 and 23 – Board appropriates ERTC funds
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) School Board met twice in October to appropriate money from the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) funds it received, spotlight Finance Director Laura Polen, hear the October Count report, and revise policies. Finance director recognized Board President Ryan Graham recognized Polen, who recently achieved her Certified Administrator of…
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D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Oct. 14 – Board goals feedback; work toward maintaining academic excellence
By Harriet Halbig The D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) met at Palmer Ridge High School on Oct. 14 to continue its examination of board goals and access to background information. Dr. Adam Frank, Palmer Ridge principal, spoke of programs exclusive to the school. These include a college and career center with brochures from…
Monument Town Council, Oct. 6 and 20 – Retiring Facilities Superintendent Ron Rathburn recognized
By Marlene Brown At the Oct. 6 meeting, the Monument Town Council (MTC) recognized retiring Facilities Superintendent Ron Rathburn. He has over 39 years of employment with the town and is the longest-tenured employee in Monument history. Rathburn was able to thank everyone for the work and service that had been done over the years.…
Monument Planning Commission, Oct. 8 – Commission recommends approval of Legacy at Jackson Landing project
By Janet Sellers The Oct. 8 meeting of the Monument Planning Commission focused primarily on the public hearing and review of the Legacy at Jackson Landing development project. This major commercial development is located at the southwest corner of Blevins Buckle Trail and Jackson Creek Parkway, adjacent to the Monument Marketplace and near I-25. The…
Monument Fire District, Oct. 22 – 2026 draft budget presented; Chief’s retirement announced
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Oct. 22, the board received the 2026 draft budget. During the budget presentation, Fire Chief Andy Kovacs announced his plan to retire at the end of 2026. The board also received several updates on the district’s future…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 13 – Schedule set for 2026 budget
By James Howald In October, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board decided on the process and schedule it would use to complete its 2026 budget. It heard operational and financial reports from District Manager Jessie Shaffer, board Treasurer Dana Franzen, Operations Superintendent Dan LaFontaine and District Engineer Cydney Saelens. The meeting ended with…
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Monument Sanitation District, Oct. 15 – Draft of 2026 budget reviewed
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald The Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met in October to review a draft of its 2026 budget. It also voted on a resolution authorizing the El Paso County treasurer to collect MSD’s delinquent accounts. District Manager Mark Parker updated the board on the work that the county has planned…
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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 9 – 2026 budget planning
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in October to hear more on the proposed 2026 budget from Acting General Manager Christina Hawker. Hawker also covered the district’s finances for September. The board voted to give a paid day off to staff who participated in the district’s…
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Triview Metropolitan District, Oct. 16 – Proposed 2026 budget presented
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Oct. 16, the board received the proposed 2026 budget that includes an increase in water volume for delivery through the Northern Delivery System (NDS). There is a potential for a small increase in water and wastewater fees in 2026. The board heard about the…
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El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Oct. 15 – Board of County Commissioners slow to reimburse
By James Howald At a brief meeting in October, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard a financial report from Corben Fromm of Fromm and Co. LLC. Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co. who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager and coordinating the…
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, Oct. 7 – Board approves contract for Fox Run Gazebo
By Marlene Brown At the Oct. 7 meeting of the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC), the board approved, with a vote of 5-0, for the award of a contract with Timberline Building Systems LLC for the Fox Run Regional Park Gazebo and Renovation Project. The project consists of the two existing ponds that…
Gleneagle Civic Association Board of Directors, Sept. 30 – Board defends use of companies for duties
By David Futey On Sept. 30, the Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) held its bi-monthly meeting at Antelope Trails Elementary School (ATES) with the latter portion of the meeting an opportunity for community member questions and comments. Board members Jimmy Owenby, GCA president, Steve Kouri, treasurer, Glenn Leimbach, board member at large, Mark Connell, board member…
Gleneagle Civic Association Town Hall Meeting, Oct. 15 – Town Hall covers ballot measures
By David Futey On Oct. 15, the Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) board held a Town Hall in the Antelope Trails Elementary School (ATES) gym, presenting information on the voting process and highlighting specifics related to three ballot measures. Residents are asked to vote on the re-written GCA covenants declarations, an amendment regarding short-term leasing, and…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Oct. 24 – Board urges safety, announces holiday light contest
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on Oct. 24 to discuss the need for residents to exercise caution and to announce its annual holiday lighting contest. Board reminds residents to be vigilant Public Safety Director Brad Gleason reported that on Oct. 8, illegal entry of vehicles was reported in northwest Woodmoor.…
Letters to Our Community – Jackie Burhans for D38 School Board
I am writing to share my enthusiastic support for D38 School Board candidate Jackie Burhans. Since we moved here seven years ago, Jackie has been a community resource for all things Lewis-Palmer School District through her Lewis-Palmer D38 Education Community Facebook group. There, she has live-blogged School Board meetings for at least the last five…
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Letters to Our Community – Vote for Ginger Schaaf
With the upcoming School Board elections on Nov. 4, and so many current concerns for parents’ rights, I’m inspired by the common-sense conservative candidacy of Ginger Schaaf. Ginger is not only promoting academic excellence, but she understands that educational fads take time away from proficiency in the basics that parents desire for their students. Ginger…
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Letters to Our Community – Manipulative vs. persuasive speech
I am shocked and in awe of the lies and hatred being spread about a kind woman who has dedicated her personal time to supporting our school district and the future of every child in the D38 area. I understand how fearful these lies feel. The tactics the people spreading this fear are using a…
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Letters to Our Community – Support Jackie Burhans
As a retired military member and longtime resident, I’ve always believed that each person in our community deserves to have their voice heard—especially our children. After meeting Jackie Burhans and learning more about her background as a dedicated community advocate and longstanding Monument resident, I am inspired to support her candidacy for the District 38…
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Letters to Our Community – Endorsement for Ginger Schaaf—D38 School Board
I have lived in Monument, Colo., for over three years and chose this community because of its strong schools and small-town feel—an ideal environment for raising my five children. As a 2005 graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and current Air Force Reserves member, I value service, integrity, and the importance of quality education.…
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Letters to Our Community – Ginger Schaaf endorsement
Tri-Lakes is a great place to live! We have wonderful neighbors, a sense of community, and terrific schools. We are all passionate about protecting our “small town” regardless of where you stand on the political spectrum. But whether people want to believe it, part of what makes this area so wonderful is our history of…
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Letters to Our Community – Support Burhans for D38 School Board
It is with great confidence and enthusiasm that I endorse Jackie Burhans for a seat on the Board of Education in Lewis-Palmer School District 38. Through community engagements and as a former member of the Lewis-Palmer School District staff, I have had the pleasure of serving alongside Jackie as she engaged as a volunteer in…
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Letters to Our Community – Schaaf for family values
Candidates were asked what policy recommendations they would support at the September school board candidate forum on the question about gender and student inclusion, concerning the use of bathrooms and locker rooms and safety and fairness in sports. Ginger Schaaf said she didn’t believe the opposite sex belongs in her bathroom, and you should go…
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Letters to Our Community – Vote for Ginger Schaaf
As a mom of two D38 students who graduated in 2023, one was the valedictorian at Palmer Ridge that year, I want to voice my support for Ginger Schaaf running for the one contested seat for the District 38 Board of Education. I want to see this district continue to maintain excellence in education while…
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Letters to Our Community – Endorsement of Jackie Burhans
I wholeheartedly endorse Jackie Burhans for D38 School Board director, District 3. I lived in Monument for 17 years (2005-23). During that time, I relied on Jackie for accurate, fact-based information on the school district to guide my vote on ballot measures. Jackie has been involved in District 38 for over 20 years as a…
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Letters to Our Community – D38 safety—a senior and grandfather’s perspective
Thanks to the volunteer construction engineers donating their time to draft design privacy-assured, safe mixed-gender bathrooms and showers. I agree with their personal consensus that the best solution is no. However, should mixed gender in sports and bathrooms be sadly supported or pursued, what would it cost to lessen student safety with mixed bathrooms? Roughly…
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Letters to Our Community – Ginger Schaaf: common sense candidate for D38 School Board
I am writing this letter in support of Ginger Schaaf, who is running for the D38 School Board. As a former military wife, teacher, and mother of two former students in D38, the entire reason we relocated to Monument was the excellent and outstanding reputation of D38. During that period nearly 20 years ago, Monument…
Letters to Our Community – Jackie Burhans is the experienced voice we need in D38
I wholeheartedly endorse Jackie Burhans for D38 School Board! She is the most qualified and knowledgeable candidate that I have seen run for our School Board in the 10 years my family has called Monument home. I met Jackie not long after my family was stationed in Colorado in 2015. Shortly after moving here, I…
Continue Reading Letters to Our Community – Jackie Burhans is the experienced voice we need in D38
Letters to Our Community – Support Ginger Schaaf for D38 School Board
Seventy-nine percent of Americans agree: keeping biological males out of women’s sports, locker rooms, and restrooms is essential to protecting the safety and privacy of girls and women in educational settings. Yet here in Colorado, progressive liberals in the Legislature—led by a bill written by a trans-identifying activist—have pushed a radical gender ideology agenda that…
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Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Remembering to be thankful
By the staff at Covered Treasures “… Choosing courage, discipline, and kindness can feel impossible and increasingly vulnerable in a time when even empathy has been vilified. “—Brene Brown Here are a few books that might help us get into the spirit of Thanksgiving. Poems & Prayers By Matthew McConaughey (Crown) $29 Some of the…
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November Library Events – Programs on crafts, end of life, care for caregivers
By Harriet Halbig The Monument and Palmer Lake libraries will host a variety of programs in November, including two specifically for adults involving end-of-life care and care for caregivers. Also featured will be book groups and craft programs for children and adults. The First Friday Friends of PPLD [Pikes Peak Library District] Book Group will…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Oct. 16 – Ancient days of Garden of the Gods explored
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society held its regular membership meeting Oct. 16 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. The guest speaker was Toni Hamill, author of People of the Garden, Garden of the Gods. Hamill was a teacher at Lewis-Palmer High School in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. She graduated from…
High Altitude Nature and Gardens – November tips, paper-bagging geraniums, compost poles
By Janet Sellers I’m looking to have less grass to mow next year. By covering grassy weeds now with newspaper layers or cardboard, then pine needles, then rocks to hold it all down, those layers should become soil by spring, and be ready to plant low-growing cover plants and pollinator-friendly flowers. For composting all year,…
Art Matters – Art shapes our world—and shifts our gaze
By Janet Sellers “Art has no rules; it is self-expressive and creative. In this way, the artwork gives a voice to those who create it. Whether designing in a traditional sense or working with alternative materials, art can be viewed as a representation of self and storyteller for places yet to be discovered.”—Rob Talley, ArtBusinessNews.com…
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Snapshots of Our Community
Tri-Lakes Women’s Club supports Sue’s Gift, Sept. 21 Above: Tri-Lakes Women’s Club (TLWC) members recently stepped up to further their support of local nonprofit Sue’s Gift by running, walking, and volunteering at the 17th annual Be Ovary Aware Walk/Run on Sept. 21 at America the Beautiful Park in Colorado Springs. A team of 21 TLWC…
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, letters, events, and podcasts. Share your thoughts. Join the conversation. Enjoy two audio 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. MVEA customers: Switch to…
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…