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PRHS raises $30K for Make-A-Wish, honors 8-year-old
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Vol. 26 No. 4 – April 4, 2026 – Photos
The photos are arranged in the order they appeared in our April 4, 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,…
Buc-ee’s Resistance Community Meeting, March 19 – “It’s not over”
By James Howald A standing-room-only crowd of 300 or more gathered at the Tri-Lakes YMCA on March 19 to hear the latest news about the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center from Matthew Beverly of Tri-Lakes Preservation Inc. (TPI), a nonprofit committed to supporting responsible growth in the Tri-Lakes area, and from Kat Gayle, a lawyer with…
Continue Reading Buc-ee’s Resistance Community Meeting, March 19 – “It’s not over”
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, March 12, 25, and 26 – Search for town attorney grinds on
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In March, the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) continued its efforts to find an attorney to represent the town. It approached three law firms and chose one with which to negotiate. Interim Town Administrator Glen Smith, who was leading the search for an attorney, raised a concern with…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, March 16 – Music in Our Schools recognitions; athletic complex resolution; financial analysis
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education recognized staff and students’ achievements during Music in Our Schools Month, discussed a proposal to build a multi-purpose athletic complex at the Grace Best location, and received a financial analysis update during its March 16 meeting. Music recognitions Sam Anderson, band teacher at Lewis-Palmer High School,…
Monument Academy School Board, March 12 – Board approves bond refinancing plan
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) board met on March 12 to unanimously approve a plan to refinance existing bonds and fund future campus improvements, hear an update on its strategic plan, update several policies, and review other highlights from the administration and committees. Bond refinancing Board President Ryan Graham led a discussion on…
Continue Reading Monument Academy School Board, March 12 – Board approves bond refinancing plan
Monument Academy, March 18 – MA announces anonymous $17 million donation for performing arts auditorium
By Jackie Burhans At its March 12 meeting, the Monument Academy (MA) board teased a special unveiling event to be held on Wednesday, March 18, at its East Campus gym. At its unveiling event, students performed excerpts from Shakespeare and the musical Newsies to showcase the school’s commitment to fine arts. This donation, which fully…
Monument Town Council, March 2 and 16 – Water tank site annexation approved
By Marlene Brown On March 16, the Monument Town Council considered Resolution no. 17-2026, setting forth “findings of fact and conclusions” regarding the property known as the Town of Monument Beacon Lite Road Water Tank. Dan Ungerleider, director of the Planning Department, explained the timeline and process of the annexation of the Water Tank Site.…
Continue Reading Monument Town Council, March 2 and 16 – Water tank site annexation approved
Monument Planning Commission, March 11 – Balancing growth and the “joy of being here”: Planning Commission recommends approval of auto dealership and Fire Training Facility
By Janet Sellers The Monument Planning Commission convened on March 11 to review significant land use developments and administrative updates. The session was led by Chair Ray Egley, with Commissioners Donna Hatch, John Parr, and Martin Trujillo in attendance, establishing a quorum. Alpine Buick Dealership at Falcon Commerce Center The primary focus of the meeting…
Monument Fire District, March 25 – District breaks ground for new Station 3
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting via Microsoft Teams on March 25, the board heard the district had held a ground-breaking ceremony for the Station 3 rebuild, approved the authorization for a quit claim deed for the property at 15000 Sun Hills Drive, and…
Continue Reading Monument Fire District, March 25 – District breaks ground for new Station 3
Shiloh Pines Wildfire Preparedness Meeting, Mar. 7 – Healthy trees are vital to wildfire fuel reduction
By Lisa Hatfield Forester Dave Root taught Shiloh Pines residents how to have a healthy forest and do fuels reduction to lessen wildfire risk, saying, “When you do one, you get the other!” Because of a century of fire suppression, we have a very unnatural, overly dense forest. For example, Palmer Lake in 1880 had…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, March 9 – Board deals with 100,000-gallon water loss
By James Howald The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a request from Woodmoor Village LLC, also known as the Mines Shopping Center (MSC), to provide supplemental water and to annul a charge of $8,481 for exceeding its allowed water service. The board also considered an agreement with the Monument Fire District (MFD)…
Monument Sanitation District, March 18 – Delinquent account notices sent
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald In his Manager’s Report, Monument Sanitation District Manager Mark Parker told the board that a higher-than-usual number of delinquent account notices were sent in March. He also gave updates on maintenance work done on the district’s headquarters building and on the work being done by the El Paso County…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, March 18 – Delinquent account notices sent
Donala Water and Sanitation District, March 19 – District weighs financial trends and capital project impacts
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In March, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board reviewed financial trends and potential capital projects and how they might impact debt and rates. It also heard updates on hiring a new general manager, discussed upcoming rate changes, reviewed the election calendar to consider putting increased debt on…
Triview Metropolitan District, March 19 – Northern Monument Creek Interceptor set to “ramp up”
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) regular meeting on March 19, the board received updates on the Northern Monument Creek Interceptor (NMCI) project timelines, the Higby Road improvement project, and on water storage levels. The board held an executive session regarding the potential participation in the NMCI project and the acquisition of…
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, March 3 and 19 – Board awards and amends contracts
By James Howald The El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met twice in March. At a special meeting on March 3, the board discussed a contract to advance the design of the project’s Advance Water Treatment Plant (AWTP) to its final version. At its regular meeting on March 19,…
El Paso Board of County Commissioners, March 17 – Highway 105 easements approved
By Marlene Brown During the March meetings and as the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA) widening of Highway 105, also known as the Highway 105B project, continues moving east, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved temporary and permanent easements along Highway 105, Lake Woodmoor Drive to Martingale Drive. Easements will be…
Continue Reading El Paso Board of County Commissioners, March 17 – Highway 105 easements approved
El Paso County Planning Commission, March 5 and 19 Two requests recommended for approval
By Marlene Brown At its regular bi-monthly meetings, the El Paso County Planning Commission (EPCPC) heard two requests regarding issues in Northern El Paso County. On March 5, Red Rock Subdivision GTG Redrock LLC requested approval of a 14.958-acre Final Plat creating five single-family lots. The site is south of Highway 105 between Red Rock…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations Inc. – Monument, Triview officials share information
By Marlene Brown The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its bi-monthly meeting on March 14 at the Woodmoor Barn. NEPCO currently has 42 member Homeowner Associations (HOAs) with over 10,000 homes and over 20,000 voters within northern El Paso County. NEPCO strives to provide meetings to facilitate communication between HOAs…
Gleneagle Civic Association, March 17 – GCA reports board changes, seeks declaration of covenants approval
By David Futey On March 17, the Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) board held its bi-monthly meeting at Antelope Trails Elementary School. The meeting included updates on board position changes and the board proceeding with a court petition to have a declaration of covenants approved through a Colorado Common Interest Ownership Act (CCIOA) provision. The declaration…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, March 25 – Public Safety leadership change
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on March 25 to say goodbye to one Woodmoor Public Safety (WPS) chief and welcome a new one. It also heard residents’ ideas for community dog waste stations, concerns about the pace of mitigation reimbursement, and director reports. WPS chief changeover Director of Public Safety…
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Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Our animal Companions
By the staff at Covered Treasures “Happiness is a warm puppy.”— Charles M. Schulz For decades, research has found that people who own pets tend to be healthier than people who don’t. Pet ownership is associated with lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and lower rates of death after a heart attack…
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April Library Events – Quilt display continues; call for summer teen volunteers
By Harriet Halbig The quilts made by the Palmer Divide Quiltmakers will continue to be on display at the Monument Library through April. This is the 24th year of this program. The Pikes Peak Library District is now seeking teen volunteers for the Summer Adventure Reading Program sponsored by the Friends of the Pikes Peak…
Continue Reading April Library Events – Quilt display continues; call for summer teen volunteers
Palmer Lake Historical Society, March 19 – History of fox farming recounted
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its membership meeting on March 19 at the Palmer Lake Town Hall. The PLHS promotes, preserves, and protects the history of the Palmer Divide area. PLHS is also responsible for maintaining the Lucretia Vaile museum, downstairs in the Palmer Lake Library. It houses many photos,…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, March 19 – History of fox farming recounted
The Nature of Our Community – Mountain pine beetles
By Dr. Judith von Ahlefeldt, Landscape Ecologist In Colorado, the conifer hosts for mountain pine beetles (Dendroctonus ponderosae) are ponderosa pines and lodgepole pines (mountains). Ponderosa pines are dominant conifers of lower timberline forests bordering the Great Plains, and extend east from the mountains, mostly on private lands. Extra warm, mostly dry conditions and mild,…
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High Altitude Nature and Gardens – Attracting hummingbirds the safe and beautiful way
By Janet Sellers The safest way to attract hummingbirds and other birds to your garden is to offer fresh water and blooming flowers. It is a beautiful way to attract hummingbirds for the season. Hummingbirds remember their reliable food and water sources and come back year after year. They follow the flower buffets, so gardening…
Art Matters – The architecture of awe: why art holds nature’s secret language
By Janet L. Sellers Engineering a forest bath Last month, we explored how the Nobel physicist Richard Feynman found a profound second language in art. He saw no conflict between the equations of the universe and the beauty of a flower. This month, I want to take that a step further: What if art isn’t…
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Snapshots of Our Community
PRHS raises $30K for Make-A-Wish, honors 8-year-old Above and below: On March 5, Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) culminated a week of activities that raised $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Colorado by celebrating 8-year-old student Brooks, whose wish is to go to Disney World. Brooks has a congenital heart disease. She got a standing ovation from 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. 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…
Discover great ways to engage with Our Community!
By John Heiser, Publisher, OCN At Our Community News (OCN), we are excited to provide great 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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Palmer Ridge HS, Lewis Palmer HS, & Lewis Palmer MS Combined Concert, March 17
The choirs from Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS), Lewis Palmer High School (LPHS) and Lewis Palmer Middle School (LPMS) held a combined choir concert at PRHS auditorium on Mar. 17. Many of the selections were a-capella and each choir performed separately before the combined choirs, all 177 students, performed together. Performances included poems written by…
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Kiwanis honors OCN Managing Editor Michael Weinfeld with President’s Award, March 14
Our Community News Managing Editor Michael Weinfeld received Monument Hill Kiwanis Club’s highest honor at the club’s weekly meeting at Big Red on March 14. Kiwanian Ted Bauman presented Weinfeld with the President’s Award in the form of a plaque containing the words “In grateful appreciation.” Bauman praised Weinfeld for the press coverage he’s given…
Fox Run Park Pond Reconstruction
Reconstruction of the ponds at Fox Run Park continues from draining the ponds, to demolition of the gazebo and surrounding area. The gazebo had been built in the 1980‘s and needed to rebuilt, along with the existing amphitheater. The new gazebo and amphitheater will be ADA (American Disability Act) accessible. Ben Dumakowski, North District Supervisor…
Kiwanis Stars of Tomorrow Winners, March 15
Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) senior Xavier Gonzalez won the top prize of $2,000 at the Monument Hill Kiwanis Club’s Stars of Tomorrow talent show on March 15. Gonzalez’s piano playing wowed the judges at the competition held at PRHS. Whether it was trying to compare instrumentals to gymnastics or singing and musical theatre or…
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Monument seeks help to Rename the Road
The following Information is from https://www.townofmonument.org/691/Rename-the-Road “As part of the new Conexus development, their team completed a realignment of Old Denver Road. This realignment left the road segment between Santa Fe Avenue and Wagon Gap Trail in need of a new name. Although the name “Crossfield Road” was assigned initially, we need something better… We…
Kids earn trophies at 19th Annual D38 Chess Tournament
Nearly 30 students from kindergarten to high school won trophies at the 19th annual Lewis-Palmer School District Chess Tournament at Bear Creek Elementary School (BCES) on March 7. A total of 119 kids took part in one of the largest school district chess tournaments in Colorado. Bode Scally from Prairie Winds Elementary (PWES) won the…
Continue Reading Kids earn trophies at 19th Annual D38 Chess Tournament
PRHS raises $30,000 for Make a Wish, honors eight -year-old
On March 5, Palmer Ridge High School (PRHS) culminated a week of activities that raised $30,000 for Make-A-Wish Colorado by celebrating eight-year-old student Brooks (pictured above), whose wish is to go to Disney World. Brooks has a congenital heart disease. She got a standing ovation from the crowd in the gym and got to throw…
Continue Reading PRHS raises $30,000 for Make a Wish, honors eight -year-old