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Alpenglow on Mount Herman
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Vol. 26 No. 2 – February 7, 2026 – Photos
Photos from the February 7, 2026 issue of OCN.
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Jan. 8, 22, and 30 – Attorney Krob forced out without replacement
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans During three meetings in January, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) struggled to manage the turmoil resulting from a motion by Trustee Beth Harris, confirmed by votes from Trustees Atis Jurka and Roger Moseley, forcing Attorney Scot Krob to leave his post before a replacement could be found.…
State of the Tri-Lakes Region and Economic Update, Jan. 29 – From national to regional to local
By Jackie Burhans The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce (TLCOC) hosted the State of the Tri-Lakes Region and Economic Update on Jan. 9 at the Colorado Springs Marriott Hotel. The event, subtitled “From Fed to Front Door,” highlighted an economics professor from the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS), a county commissioner, and two mayors, as…
Monument Town Council, Jan. 5 and 20 – Commercial development approved
By Marlene Brown In the first piece of business of the new year, Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek recognized Connie Driedger as Employee of the Year for her hard work in creating the GIS maps of the town. Working with the town staff and the Planning Department, she has developed comprehensive maps that include data from…
Continue Reading Monument Town Council, Jan. 5 and 20 – Commercial development approved
Monument Planning Commission, Jan. 14 – Monument officials attend infrastructure workshop
By Janet Sellers It was a short meeting for the Monument Planning Commission on Jan. 14. The commission’s formal meeting was adjourned to attend an intensive educational session on an overview of the technical backbone of town development for traffic and drainage reports. A two-minute formal session At the regular Planning Commission meeting, with Commissioners…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education special meeting and work session, Jan. 6 – Board approves financing, receives audit report and draft of Annual Report to the Community
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D 38 board of education held a special meeting and work session on Jan. 6 to approve an agreement with Eastern Colorado Bank for assistance with capital funding. Capital funding discussion Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway presented a proposal from Eastern Colorado Bank to facilitate financing of the Home School…
Parent and Community Advisory Committee, Jan. 13 – Continued discussion of board Priority 2, Academic Excellence, report from Monument Academy
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Parent and Community Advisory Committee (PCAC) continued its discussion of improving academic excellence at its Jan. 13 meeting. A presentation about Palmer Lake Elementary School and one from Monument Academy were included in the meeting. Priority 2 from the district Strategic Plan: Academic Excellence The committee has been focusing…
Monument Academy School Board, Jan. 15 – Board passes mid-year budget, selects bond counsel
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) board met on Jan. 15 to adjust its mid-year budget, modify its marketing position, select a bond counsel, discuss its self-evaluation and election process, and update a policy on curriculum evaluation. Mid-year budget Executive Director Collin Vinchattle apologized on behalf of Finance Director Laura Polen, who couldn’t attend…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Jan. 26 – Reports on Home School Enrichment Academy structure, Transition program location
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education received reports on construction projects and actions in support of the district’s strategic plan at its Jan. 26 meeting. Home School Enrichment and Transition update Director of Planning, Facilities, and Grounds Melissa Andrews reported on progress on the new pod structure for the Home School…
Monument Fire District, Jan. 19 and 28 – Fire Station 3 rebuild moves closer
By Natalie Barszcz The Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) held a special meeting via Microsoft Teams on Jan. 19 to approve the purchase of real estate. A promotion ceremony was held before the regular board meeting on Jan. 28. The board adopted the International Fire Code and the Wildlife…
Continue Reading Monument Fire District, Jan. 19 and 28 – Fire Station 3 rebuild moves closer
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 12 – Board hires new attorney
By James Howald At its first meeting in 2026, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board hired attorney Tamara Seaver to replace Erin Smith. Smith is retiring after representing WWSD for 26 years. The board took care of two pieces of housekeeping that are needed annually: an administrative matters resolution and authorization to dispose…
Continue Reading Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 12 – Board hires new attorney
Monument Sanitation District, Jan. 21 – Buc-ee’s advances sewer plan
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At a brief meeting in January, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard a report from District Manager Mark Parker that focused on Buc-ee’s plans to install sewer infrastructure along Beacon Lite Road for its proposed travel center. The board also took care of some annual housekeeping requirements by…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, Jan. 21 – Buc-ee’s advances sewer plan
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – 2026 rates and fees amended
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans At its meeting in January, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board held a public hearing on corrections and amendments to its water and sewer rates and fees. The board discussed how to proceed with hiring a new general manager. DWSD’s possible participation in the North Monument Creek…
Continue Reading Donala Water and Sanitation District, Jan. 15 – 2026 rates and fees amended
Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 22 – 2026 snowpack “really bad”
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on Jan. 22, the board heard about the potential for low snowpack affecting spring runoff in the region. The board approved the closure of Subdistrict A (the area south of Higby Road). The board held an executive session to receive legal advice relating to water…
Continue Reading Triview Metropolitan District, Jan. 22 – 2026 snowpack “really bad”
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, Jan. 15 – Board hears updates from Merrick and SpencerFane
By James Howald At a brief meeting in January, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard progress reports from Rebecca Hutchinson, a civil design engineer with Merrick and Co., who is acting as the Loop’s workflow manager, and from Mallory Craig, a lawyer with SpencerFane, the Loop’s legal…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations, Jan. 24 – NEPCO president urges more involvement
By Marlene Brown The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its General Membership Meeting on Jan. 24 at the Woodmoor Barn. NEPCO is an association of homeowners associations (HOAs) in Northern El Paso County, including Monument, Woodmoor, Palmer Lake, Gleneagle, and unincorporated parts of the county. There are over 50 homeowners…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Jan. 26 and 28 – Annual meeting and reorganization
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on Jan. 26 for its annual meeting to elect new board members, review 2025 accomplishments, state 2026 goals, and recognize good neighbors. The board met on Jan. 28 to certify the election, reorganize its positions, and approve operational procedures. Annual meeting President Brian Bush called…
Letters to Our Community – The reign of Botox Barbie
Last week Kristie Noem (aka, Botox Barbie) spoke from a podium with the words, “One of ours. All of yours” on the front. This is a reference to fascist Nazi idea of collective punishment. It is the threat that if anyone hurts even one of Botox Barbie’s ICE agents, she will punish the whole city,…
Continue Reading Letters to Our Community – The reign of Botox Barbie
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – February is Heart Month
By the staff at Covered Treasures “Once I fell in love with books, I fell in love completely.”—Stephen King Skylark By Paula McLain (Atria) $30 Two stories of survival, set nearly 300 years apart, are connected by treks through the ancient underground tunnels of Paris. In 1664, the daughter of a master dyer at the…
Continue Reading Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – February is Heart Month
February Library Events – Winter Adult Reading continues, free tax preparation help begins, Monument Open House
By Harriet Halbig The library’s Winter Adult Reading Program continues until Feb. 28. Anyone 18 and over can register online (ppld.org) or in person to receive a calendar featuring historic photos from our region, while supplies last. Read 30 minutes per day or attend district library programs for 30 days from Jan. 1 to Feb.…
Palmer Lake Historical Society, Jan. 15 – 2026 board installed at annual meeting
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its Annual Membership Meeting and Potluck Supper at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on Jan. 15, celebrating its 70th anniversary. PLHS, started in 1956, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization of volunteers that work together to preserve the history of the Tri-Lakes area, with monthly programs,…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, Jan. 15 – 2026 board installed at annual meeting
High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Rooting out crime: How our community’s flowers protect more than just plants
By Janet Sellers We have a quiet defense system at work in our town. While we often think of flowers as mere decoration, local data and national research suggest that our community’s need for its flower program and well-maintained local gardens goes beyond aesthetics—they actively deter crime. The “Busy Streets” theory: flowers vs. felonies It…
Art Matters – Is our education keeping up with visual literacy?
By Janet Sellers The Alchemical Lab: How art solves life’s intangible problems The popular misconception of art is that it is a luxury—a decorative elective for the comfortable. However, when viewed through the lens of human psychology and history, art reveals itself as a pragmatic tool for survival. While logic and science can solve the…
Continue Reading Art Matters – Is our education keeping up with visual literacy?
Snapshots of Our Community
Alpenglow on Mount Herman Above: This photo of alpenglow, a pinkish or reddish glow appearing on Mount Herman, was taken two minutes before sunrise on Jan. 18. The photo was taken from the intersection of Red Rock Ranch Drive and Highway 105. Photo by Randy Phillips. Geese at Sunset Above: A flock of geese enhances…
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. Black ice safety If…
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…