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Celebration of Claudia Swenson’s life, June 1
Above: The Royal Street Ramblers lead a procession in memory of Claudia Swenson. (1 min 22 sec)
Above: The Royal Street Ramblers perform at Claudia Swenson’s celebration of life at Limbach Park.. (27 sec)
Above: Claudia Swenson’s son-in-law Spencer Griffith tells how she loved being the life of the party. (50 sec)
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El Paso Board of County Commissioners, June 13, 25, and 27 – Monument glamping expansion approved; short-term rental allowed to continue at Black Forest property
By Helen Walklett During June, the El Paso Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) approved a request to expand a glamping site near Monument and an application to allow short-term rentals to continue at a Black Forest property. Monument glamping site expansion At their June 27 land use meeting, the commissioners heard a request from owner…
Monument Town Council, June 3 and 12 – Town manager put on administrative leave; debates on lodging tax, sign and gun laws
By Chris Jeub In June, the Monument Town Council debated a lodging tax and sign and gun laws. Town Manager Mike Foreman was placed on administrative leave. June 12 special meeting: Town manager placed on administrative leave During a special Town Council meeting on June 12, in an executive session held pursuant to Section 24-6-402…
Woodmoor Improvement Association, June 26 – Board reminds residents of $5,000 fine for fireworks
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on June 26 to discuss fire safety and hear director reports. Fire prevention and resident responsibility With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, many of the discussions at WIA revolved around fire safety. Homeowners Association Administrator Denise Cagliaro sent emails to every registered short-term rental…
El Paso County Planning Commission, June 6 and 20 – Planning commission recommend denial of Monument glamping site expansion
By Helen Walklett At the El Paso County Planning Commission meeting on June 6, the commissioners heard a request to expand a glamping site near Monument. Also during June, the commissioners heard a final plat application for a Black Forest property. Monument glamping site expansion At their June 6 meeting, the commissioners heard a request…
Monument Planning Commission, June 12 – Monument Planning Commission cancels June 12 meeting
By Janet Sellers The following notice was posted on June 4 on the agenda page for the Town of Monument Planning Commission: “The Town of Monument Planning Commission canceled its regular meeting scheduled for June 12, 2024. The Planning Commission’s next regular meeting is scheduled to be held on Wednesday, July 10, at 6 p.m.,…
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, May 30, June 13 and 27 – Board approves concealed carry in sensitive spaces
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In addition to the two meetings in June, this article also covers the last meeting the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) held in May, which was held after OCN went to press. The three meetings addressed topics ranging from gun rights to land use issues. Chairperson Susan Miner…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 17 – Board approves budget, discusses real estate options
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education held a public hearing before its June 17 regular meeting to offer the public the chance to comment on the proposed budget before the vote. Chief Business Officer Brett Ridgway offered an overview of the budget, explaining that revenue for the district comes from various sources…
Monument Academy School Board, June 13 – Board members sworn in, budget re-adopted
By Jackie Burhans Monument Academy (MA) held its regular meeting in June to swear in board members and assign board positions, re-adopt the 2024-25 budget, approve the purchase of its East Campus modulars, and update policies. Board members sworn in, positions assigned Board President Ryan Graham swore in returning board member Lindsay Clinton and incoming…
Continue Reading Monument Academy School Board, June 13 – Board members sworn in, budget re-adopted
Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, June 26 – Merger process prompts final transfers; 2023 audit unmodified
By Natalie Barszcz At the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) meeting on June 26, the board received an update on the merger process with Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD), held a public hearing, approved an exclusion of real property, and approved the transfer of a fire station, the Volunteer…
Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District, June 19 – Impact fee study discussed; additional funding received
By Natalie Barszcz At the Black Forest Fire Rescue Protection District (BFFRPD) meeting on June 19, the board received advice about implementing impact fees and heard the district had received the anticipated funding from the state. The board heard about the district’s wildland team deployment status and approved a proposal from Lexipol to develop the…
Monument Fire District, June 26 – Controlled burn successful; station rebuild design approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on June 26, the board heard about the outcome of the controlled burn in Monument Preserve, approved the Station 3 rebuild design and a land purchase for a future station, received updates on the station remodels, approved the transfer of the Donald Wescott Fire Protection…
Forest Lakes Metropolitan District and Pinon Pines Metropolitan Districts 2 and 3, June 14 – 2023 budgets amended
By Natalie Barszcz The Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) and Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PPMD) 2 and 3 boards held a joint special meeting on June 14 to conduct public hearings on the amended 2023 budgets for FLMD and PPMD’s 2 and 3. The boards also adopted a second amendment to the FLMD and PPMD’s…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 10 – Residents question development and water availability
By James Howald In June, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard concerns from residents regarding the future water supply, especially as it affects the proposed residential development Monument Ridge East (MRE). District Engineer Ariel Hacker updated the board on the pace of development and its impact on revenue the district expects from…
Monument Sanitation District, June 19 – 2023 audit accepted; repair hits snag
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald In June, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board heard an audit report from Derek Watada of Olson, Reyes & Sauerwein LLC, the district’s auditor. In his Manager’s Report, District Manager Mark Parker discussed a change to the plan to repair a sewer line that runs under Highway 105 adjacent…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, June 19 – 2023 audit accepted; repair hits snag
Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 20 – Loop water reuse project discussed
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans In June, District Manager Jeff Hodge gave the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board a detailed update on the status of the water reuse project, often called The Loop, in which DWSD is an active participant, along with Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District and Cherokee Metropolitan District. The…
Continue Reading Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 20 – Loop water reuse project discussed
Triview Metropolitan District, June 20 – Wastewater processing explored; legislative changes raise concern
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on June 20, the board received updates on the water sold and wastewater discrepancy at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Waste Water Treatment Facility (UMCRWWTF) and received legislative updates that caused concern over future revenue, density, and artificial turf replacement. The board received multiple updates…
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 20 – Board pursues easements
By James Howald In June, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board met to hear a request from John Kuosman, a water practice leader with Merrick and Co. who also serves as the Loop’s project planning and workflow manager, to award a contract for right-of-way acquisition services to Western…
Continue Reading El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 20 – Board pursues easements
June Weather Wrap
By Bill Kappel June was the second month in a row of well below normal rainfall, but unlike May temperatures were well above normal. This combination of warm and dry conditions of course was not good for our plants, which would do better with a more auspicious start to the North American Monsoon system season…
Letters to Our Community – Remembering and honoring those who fought for our freedoms
Many thanks to those Monument and northern El Paso County community members who showed up to honor our fallen veterans on a beautiful sunny day on Memorial Day 2024. We all could have been elsewhere relaxing, preparing for a barbecue, shopping, hiking, etc. But each person took the time, mostly to honor people we never…
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Let’s go outdoors!
By the staff at Covered Treasures “One benefit of summer was that each day we had more light to read by.—Jeannette Walls July is the time for camping, swimming, cookouts, and enjoying a great book in the sun. Check out these titles to explore the trails, the stars, and/or to learn outdoor survival skills. The…
Continue Reading Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Let’s go outdoors!
July Library Events – Exciting programs & Ice Cream Socials
By Harriet Halbig Many exciting activities are planned for July at the Monument and Palmer Lake libraries. The 50th annual Summer Adventure Reading Program ends on July 31. Visit your library to register and receive prizes for reading and other activities during the summer. There will be an all-ages concert at the Palmer Lake Library…
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Palmer Lake Historical Society, June 6 – Book launch
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) introduced its newest book on June 6: The U.S. Forest Service Monument Nursery, 1907-1965, written by Dan Edwards and published by the PLHS. Edwards, local resident and historian, explained how the U.S. Forest Service conducted its work for almost 60 years on what is known as…
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On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health
By Steve Pate Above: Wildland firefighters gear up for the test fire. Photo by Steve Pate. The Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands (PSICC) Pikes Peak Ranger District, with support from local fire, police, and emergency responders, began a three-day process of prescribed burns in the Monument Preserve on June 12.…
Continue Reading On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Prescribed burn promotes forest health
High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – High-altitude hot summer days
By Janet Sellers “If you’ve never experienced the joy of accomplishing more than you can imagine, plant a garden.”—Robert Brault How the forest keeps its soil moist Mulch as ground protector: wood chips, pine needles, rocks, or pebbles? Using innate, natural forest mulching wisdom, we can keep our plants thriving in hot weather. I’m not…
Continue Reading High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – High-altitude hot summer days
Art Matters – Chautauqua: “the most American thing in America”
By Janet Sellers Making art is a powerful tool. From finding images in the clouds above, to grabbing a pencil and doodling, to painting in a class or with a group outdoors, we are encoded from our genes to our dreams for making art. It’s encoded in our DNA for evolution and our ability to…
Continue Reading Art Matters – Chautauqua: “the most American thing in America”
Snapshots of Our Community
Picnic N Planes, May 30 Above: On May 30, the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) held its annual Picnic N Planes event in celebration of the Air Force Academy graduation and Thunderbirds air show. The museum’s hilltop was dotted with numerous lawn chairs, blankets, and umbrellas to shade the sun as over 500…
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. Higby Road closure Higby…
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 Forest Lakes Metropolitan District, Pinon Pines…
Other issues
- Vol. 24 No. 11 – November 2, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 10 – October 5, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 9 – September 7, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 8 – August 3, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 6 – June 1, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 5 – May 4, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 4 – April 6, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 3 – March 2, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 2 – February 3, 2024
- Vol. 24 No. 1 – January 6, 2024