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Fourth Annual Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic, Jan 21
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Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 21 – Superintendent resigns; Grace Best School to be demolished
By Jackie Burhans At its Jan. 21 meeting, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education accepted the superintendent’s resignation, voted to demolish Grace Best Education Center, and accepted a letter of intent from Tri-Lakes Cares (TLC) to purchase land from the district. The board also recognized two students and a community partner. The district’s principals recognized…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Jan. 9 and 23 – Lakeview Heights development raises safety concerns
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans At its first meeting in January, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees held a public hearing on an application for a master plan re-subdivision of Lakeview Heights, a proposed development that would consist of 100 lots just east of the New Santa Fe Regional Trail and southeast of Star…
Monument Fire District, Jan. 22 – Wildfire Mitigation remains top priority
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Jan. 22, the board heard about the district’s desire to step up mitigation efforts in light of the recent fires in Southern California, efforts to stabilize revenue for special fire districts, accepted a petition of inclusion, and set…
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Monument Academy School Board, Jan. 6 and 9 – Board hears bond refinancing, action plan
By Jackie Burhans Monument Academy (MA) held a work session on Jan. 6 where it discussed bond refinancing, the proposed high-performance program, and board bylaws. At the Monument Academy (MA) regular meeting on Jan. 9, the board voted on the High-Performance Program (HPP) and heard from the executive director about his action plan. Bond refinancing…
Monument Town Council, Jan. 6 and 21 – Monument enters new year with Legislative Platform, Buc-ee’s opposition
By Chris Jeub Community members urged the Monument Town Council (MTC) to oppose Palmer Lake’s proposed annexation for a Buc-ee’s development during heated public comments at January’s meetings. Meanwhile, the council reviewed updates on the Falcon Commerce Center and approved new Planning Commission appointments, a Vision Statement for the town, and resolutions related to infrastructure…
Monument Planning Commission, Jan. 8 – Commission elects Trehill as chair, hears concerns about traffic and access for Woodmoor Placer Replat B
By Janet Sellers At the Jan. 8 meeting, the Monument Planning Commission elected Martin Trehill as chair and Chad Smith as vice chair. At the first public hearing for the Woodmoor Placer Replat B final plat, the project was approved, with concerns about traffic and access addressed. The second hearing approved the final plat for…
Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, Jan. 15: Board pursues study and citizen input to determine future
By Natalie Barszcz The Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) Board of Directors held a workshop on Jan. 4 to discuss alternative service delivery models, and the steps needed to consider formal solicitation of alternative delivery models, and the status of the fire chief solicitation. The board received an informational briefing from retired Oregon…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 13 – Board prepares for election, passes administrative resolution
By James Howald At its January meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board passed two resolutions: the first regarding an upcoming election for board members and the second covering administrative issues. The board heard financial and operational reports. The meeting ended with an executive session. Four seats up for election District lawyer Erin…
Monument Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – Board passes administrative resolution
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At a brief meeting in January, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board passed its annual administrative resolution and heard an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker. Resident and Monument Town Council member Laura Kronick clarified her remarks at the board’s previous meeting. Administrative Resolution sets rules, regulations The…
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Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 16 – Board passes housekeeping resolution
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In January, the Donala Water and Sanitation District’s (DWSD) board passed an administrative resolution and set their calendar of meetings for 2025. It elected a backup representative to the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, also known as the “Loop”). Finally, the board heard financial and operational…
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 16 – Board moves forward with RFP for water treatment design
By James Howald At its January meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) heard from John Kuosman, the Loop’s workflow manager, regarding a request for proposal (RFP) to design the project’s water treatment process. The board heard a financial report from Corbin Fromm, of Fromm and Co. LLC, the…
Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 23 – 2025 water and wastewater rates and fees increase approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Jan. 23, the board held a public hearing before approving the 2025 water and wastewater rate and fee increases. Monument Town Councilor/former board Director Marco Fiorito discussed relationship building with the district. The board received an update on the Higby Road improvement project. The…
El Paso Board of County Commissioners, Jan. 14 – Three commissioners sworn into office; chair and vice chair appointed
By Helen Walklett At their first meeting of the year on Jan. 14, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) voted to appoint its chair and vice chair for 2025. Three commissioners also took the oath of office, two for the first time. Chair and vice chair appointed The commissioners voted unanimously to reappoint…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – Jan. 11 – Fire mitigation efforts explained
By Marlene Brown The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Organizations (NEPCO) held its bi-monthly meeting Jan. 11 at the Woodmoor Barn. There were 21 member homeowners associations (HOA) present at the meeting. There are over 54 HOAs in the NEPCO area, which includes Palmer Lake to County Line Road to the north, Gleneagle…
Letters to Our Community – Thanks to OCN for its support
As we reflect on the wonderful turnout for our recent book signing of Shootouts, Killings, and War Heroes: The History Hidden in Monument’s Cemetery, we wish to express our gratitude to OCN for its coverage as we presented our research and photos to local community groups prior to the printing of the book. Folks at…
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Letters to Our Community – Wildfire call to action
As I have watched the events of the last several days unfold in Southern California, I have been reflecting on what more we can do as a community with our wildfire preparedness and mitigation efforts. A wildland-urban interface conflagration is the greatest threat to lives and property within our jurisdiction. We need only look back…
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Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Books that showcase love
By the staff at Covered Treasures “When we love, we always strive to become better than we are. When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too”—Paulo Coelho February is the time to feel the love. Check out these titles that offer a wide variety of ways for people…
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February Library Events – Winter Adult Reading Program
By Harriet Halbig The 2025 Winter Adult Reading Program (WARP) will begin on Feb. 1 and run through March 31. This year’s theme is Color Our World and programs feature art, colorful food and drinks, and colorful parts of Colorado history. Registration opens on Feb. 1, and those who register online or in person will…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, Jan. 16 – 2024 events recalled
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its Annual Potluck Supper and Membership Meeting on Jan. 16 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. Members recapped their monthly meeting events and presentations for 2024 to include: The Monument Cemetery, Father’s Day Ice Cream Social, Life and Times of Gen. William J. Palmer, walking…
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High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Fermented February, cocoa mulch, and a chocolate “workout”
By Janet Sellers Cocoa mulch can be toxic to pets, especially dogs. It contains theobromine, a chemical found in chocolate that is poisonous to dogs and other animals. A commonly used mulch, organic cocoa mulch, contains nitrogen, phosphate, and potash and has a pH of 5.8, adding beneficial nutrients to the soil. Using cocoa hulls…
On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group to Ice Cave Cliffs and Cap Rock
By Steve Pate Lisa Loeber organized members of the Monument Hiking Group (MHG) to make a hike to Ice Cave Cliffs on Jan. 16 along the Ice Cave Creek trail connecting with the Swank Trail north to a ridge that connects with the Ice Cave Cliffs trail before the “polar vortex” extreme cold snap. Three…
Art Matters – The arts as medicine; Palmer Lake Art Group plans new venues
We all can enjoy the arts. Creativity and its expression are for everyone, from the visual arts to music, poetry, writing, jewelry, religious relics, and more. Media in myriad forms are constantly being created for human expression since humans began. Our area is fortunate to have many artists and art events represented throughout the year,…
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Snapshots of Our Community
Above: Fireworks ended the Fourth Annual Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic. More than a thousand people saw Pine Creek High School beat the Lewis-Palmer Rangers for the second straight year in an overtime shootout. The score was 3-2. The Eagles took home the Star trophy, shaped like the Palmer Lake Star that was lit for the…
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…
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…