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Dinosaurs spotted in Monument
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Vol. 26 No. 1 – January 3, 2026 – Photos
The photos are arranged in the order they appeared in our January 3, 2026 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, Dec. 2, 11 – Beltran appointed; Caves, Krob, and Boyett resign
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) held a workshop meeting on Dec. 2 to interview candidates to fill the board seat vacated by Amy Hutson’s resignation. At a special meeting following the workshop, Tony Beltran was appointed to replace Hutson. At a nearly seven-hour meeting on Dec. 11,…
Monument Planning Commission, Dec. 10 – Commissioners recommend approval of 2026 zoning map, show appreciation for outgoing members
By Janet Sellers The Monument Planning Commission held its final meeting of the year on Dec. 10 and unanimously recommended approval of the town’s 2026 official zoning map following a brief presentation from staff and a public hearing with no citizen comments. With Commissioner Cathy Green absent, Alternate Commissioner Valerie Baumer was seated as a…
Monument Town Council, Dec. 1 and 15 – Council considers a variety of requests
Corrections Two corrections are needed to the Monument Town Council article that ran starting on page < 6 > of the December 6th issue of Our Community News. First, the Water Utility Franchise Fee restatement is an internal accounting entry and does not affect residents’ bills. Second, the Town of Monument HR Director’s name is…
Continue Reading Monument Town Council, Dec. 1 and 15 – Council considers a variety of requests
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Dec. 2 and 15 – Officers elected; recognitions; approval of annual mill levy
By Harriet Halbig Correction The article on the board of education in the December 6, 2025 issue of Our Community News stated that as part of the new organization Innovate Pikes Peak, the district’s Career and Innovation Center would allow students from other participating districts to attend classes at the CIC. That is not the…
Monument Academy School Board, Dec. 11 – MA retains BB- credit rating
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) board met on Dec. 11 and heard an update on its S&P credit rating, approved a contract for its Track & Field project, heard a presentation on Capturing Kids Hearts (CKH), recognized a high school club, and updated policies. No change to credit rating Finance Director Laura Polen…
Continue Reading Monument Academy School Board, Dec. 11 – MA retains BB- credit rating
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In December, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board completed work on the district’s 2026 budget and set its fees and mill levies. It appointed a new member to the Loop Water Authority’s board and discussed upgrades to its security. The board heard operational reports and set a…
Continue Reading Donala Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 11 – 2026 budget adopted
Triview Metropolitan District, Dec. 11 – Water and wastewater rates increase; 2026 budget approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Dec. 11, the board held a public hearing on the 2026 utility rates, fees, connection charges, public works fees such as drainage fees, parks and open space fees, and road and bridge fees, and a public hearing on the district’s 2026 budget. The board…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 15 – 2026 budget adopted and rates set
By James Howald At its December meeting, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board held a public hearing on its rates for 2026 and concluded a public hearing on its budget opened at its previous meeting. It discussed a request for supplemental water service from the Monument Fire District (MFD) for a new station…
Continue Reading Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Dec. 15 – 2026 budget adopted and rates set
Monument Sanitation District, Dec. 17 – 2026 budget approved; compensation debated
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At its December meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board concluded its work on its 2026 budget and approved rates and fees that are unchanged except for lien fees. It also discussed how to align its compensation with similar districts. Budget approved and funds appropriated Board President Dan Hamilton…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, Dec. 17 – 2026 budget approved; compensation debated
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Dec.18 – Board considers hiring executive director
By James Howald At its meeting in December, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board discussed hiring an executive director. The board acknowledged a replacement for one of the Donala Water and Sanitation District’s (DWSD) representatives on the Loop’s board. Patricia Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and…
Monument Fire District, Dec. 3 – December meeting canceled
By Natalie Barszcz The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting scheduled for Dec. 3 was canceled because of inclement weather. The meeting was not rescheduled due to the short agenda that will be included in the regular Jan. 28, 2026, meeting. ********** Meetings are usually held on the fourth…
Continue Reading Monument Fire District, Dec. 3 – December meeting canceled
El Paso County Planning Commission, Board of County Commissioners – Planning Commission recommends JJ Ranch, Gleneagle View, Hidden Creek for approval
By Marlene Brown El Paso County Planning Commission, Dec. 11 Consulting Services, represented by Nina Ruiz, was seeking Final Plat approval for the JJ Ranch three-lot subdivision located at 10155 Hardy Road near Black Forest. The Planning Commission (PC) recommended that the application be approved, and a public hearing was held Dec. 18 at the…
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Resolve to take care of yourself in 2026
By the staff at Covered Treasures As we leave another year behind, many of us make resolutions, hopeful we can be better versions of ourselves in 2026. Here are a few books that might help, whether our goal is for mind, body, or spirit. Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times By…
January Library Events – Winter Adult Reading Program, homeschool program, adult book swap
By Harriet Halbig Regularly occurring programs will resume in January. These include: Storytime every Tuesday from 10:30 to 11:15 for children ages 3 to 7 and their parents or caregivers. Toddler Time every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10 and 10:30 to 11 a.m. for toddlers ages 1 to 2 and their parents or caregivers. Socrates…
High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Mini outdoor greenhouses, cinnamon to protect soil and seedlings
By Janet Sellers January can be a month to start some of our plants, especially those that need a long growing season. Where we live, plants that need a long growing season to establish roots and develop themselves underground can be started indoors or outdoors, even in winter. I used to try to start seedlings…
Art Matters – How Gen Z influences our cultural and financial future
By Janet Sellers “If I were to wish for anything, I should not wish for wealth and power, but for the passionate sense of the potential for the eye which, ever young and ardent, sees the possible. Pleasure disappoints, possibility doesn’t. And what wine is so sparkling, what so fragrant, what so intoxicating, as a…
Continue Reading Art Matters – How Gen Z influences our cultural and financial future
Snapshots of Our Community
Dinosaurs spotted in Monument Above and below Anyone driving south on I-25 recently might have been surprised to see a herd of dinosaurs congregating on the west side between the highway and Old Denver Road. They’re the first of what will be many such creatures that will populate the Lost Island II Adventure Park including…
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. El Paso County Property…
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…