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Lewis-Palmer D38 Chess Tournament, Mar. 8
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Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Feb. 27, March 13 and 27 – Buc-ee’s rescinds annexation request; three board members face potential recall
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans This article covers the second board meeting for February, which was held after the February issue of OCN went to press, and the two board meetings held in March. Issues raised by the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center were a central focus of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT)…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, March 17 – Board posts superintendent position internally, receives updates on Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions Services
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D 38 Board of Education determined the method for selecting a new superintendent and discussed rehousing the Home School Enrichment Academy and the Transitions Services program at its March 17 meeting. Superintendent search In her board comments, board Secretary Dr. Patti Shank said she had attended a number of district…
Monument Academy School Board, Feb. 26 and March 13 – Board returns focus to gender ideology, hears concerns about discipline enforcement
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) School Board held a special meeting on Feb. 26 to make another resolution on gender and hear from its consultant on its educational program. At its regular meeting on March 15, the board heard a parent’s concern about discipline and approved updated policies. Board directs review to ferret…
Monument Town Council, March 5 – Residents discuss Monument 2040 Plan
By Laura Lucero On the evening of March 5, the Monument Town Council (MTC) invited the community to join in a discussion of the Monument 2040 Comprehensive Plan. A comprehensive plan is required for communities with a population over 2,000. According to the town’s webpage, “The comprehensive plan will serve as a long-term blueprint, guiding…
Continue Reading Monument Town Council, March 5 – Residents discuss Monument 2040 Plan
Monument Town Council, March 3 and 17- Monument Town Council tackles planning, water issues, and community events
By Chris Jeub The Monument Town Council met twice in March to engage in planning, business development, and water infrastructure, and to continue its search for a permanent town manager. Here’s a combined recap of the key decisions made in both meetings. Comprehensive Plan seeks community input A presentation from the Lakota Group, a community…
Monument Planning Commission, March 12 – Promontory Pointe water tank project recommended for approval
By Janet Sellers On March 12, the Monument Planning Commission discussed the Promontory Pointe water tank project, which includes a $7 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant for a new 1.5-million-gallon tank. The project requires rezoning 1.1 acres from the current Planned Unit Development (PUD) to final plat approval, and a major amendment to…
Monument Fire District, Feb. 26 and March 26 – Long-term goals revealed
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on Feb. 26, the board approved a petition of real property inclusion in the eastern portion of the district, received an update on impact fees, adopted the Community Risk Assessment (CRA) and Standards of Cover (SOC), and awarded funds…
Continue Reading Monument Fire District, Feb. 26 and March 26 – Long-term goals revealed
Forest Lakes Metropolitan District and Pinon Pines Metropolitan District 3, March 3 – Bonds approved for commercial district; covenant policy enforcement
By Natalie Barszcz At the Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (FLMD) and Pinon Pines Metropolitan District (PLMD) 3 special meeting on March 3, the board approved the General Obligation limited tax convertible Capital Appreciation Bonds, Series 2025, and approved a covenant policy and design review enforcement resolution for the commercial district. In attendance were FLMD Manager…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, March 10 – Board authorizes easement agreement for Well 12R
By James Howald The Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board authorized an easement agreement between the district and the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) at the March 10 meeting. The board amended its agreement with the Loop water reuse project. The board heard a financial report from board Treasurer Roy Martinez and operational reports from…
Monument Sanitation District, Mar. 19 –Upcoming election canceled
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald At its March meeting, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) announced the cancelation of the election scheduled for May 6, which would have filled two board seats. Resident Chad Smith raised concerns about the self-nomination process by which candidates declare their intention to run for the MSD board. In his…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, Mar. 19 –Upcoming election canceled
Triview Metropolitan District, March 3 and 20 – Bond ballot language, Conexus improvements approved
By Natalie Barszcz The Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) board held a special meeting on March 3 to approve the language for the proposed bond question for the May 6 ballot/election relating to the Higby Road improvements. The board heard that four residents are on the ballot for election in 2025 for three seats and approved…
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, March 20 – Contract awarded for water treatment plant design and pilot test
By James Howald At its March meeting, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA or the Loop) board awarded a contract for water treatment plant design and pilot testing. The board considered issuing a letter regarding possible use of eminent domain to Western States Land Services LLC, the company that the Loop has…
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Mar. 27 – New water and sewer rates take effect
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans At its February meeting, the Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board voted to implement an across-the-board 5 percent rate increase. General Manager Jeff Hodge announced that the upcoming board election was canceled. He reviewed the results of the district’s sanitary survey. The board amended its agreement with the…
El Paso County Planning Commission, March 6 and 20 – Three projects recommended to BOCC
By Marlene Brown At the March 6 meeting of the El Paso County Planning Commission, the commissioners approved 9-0 the Final Plat of the Burkheimer Subdivision at the intersection of Black Forest Road and Vessey Road. John Burkheimer requested that the 13.68-acre property (zoned RR-5) be split into two lots, one being 8.4 acres and…
El Paso County Board of County Commissioners, March 13 and 18 – Misfits Crew Estates Final Plat approved
By Marlene Brown At the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) land use meeting on March 13, Mark McDonald and Amanda Enloe requested that the Misfits Crew Estates Final Plat be approved to create three single-family residential lots. The 35.72-acre property is zoned RR-5 on the north side of Hodgen Road, 0.32 miles…
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO)- NEPCO hosts Colorado deputy commissioner of insurance
By Dave Betzler At its March 15 bi-monthly Membership Meeting at the Woodmoor Barn, NEPCO provided attendees with a brief business report, followed by guest speaker presentations focusing on homeowners associations (HOA) and homeowner insurance. NEPCO has 49 member HOAs which range in size from less than 100 to over 3,000 properties and are geographically…
Gleneagle Civic Association, March 19 – Covenants undergoing updates
By David Futey The Gleneagle Civic Association (GCA) board held its bi-monthly meeting on March 19 at Antelope Trails Elementary School. The board members in attendance were Jimmy Owenby, GCA board president, Glen Leimbach, vice president and co-manager of the GCA green space, Steve Kouri, treasurer, Mark Connell, Road Signs and Ditches Committee, and Jeff…
Continue Reading Gleneagle Civic Association, March 19 – Covenants undergoing updates
Woodmoor Improvement Association, Feb. 26 and March 26 – Board addresses residents’ concerns
By Jackie Burhans The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on Feb. 26 and March 26 to address residents’ concerns about a well being drilled and a dispute with a neighbor. Residents’ concerns At the February meeting, several residents expressed concerns about reports that Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) planned to redrill its Arapahoe…
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Celebrating Poetry Month and Earth Day
By the staff at Covered Treasures “If you truly love nature, you will find beauty everywhere”—Laura Ingalls Wilder April is National Poetry Month. The first four books listed are by Colorado poets, and the first three authors will sign their books at Covered Treasures on April 5. We also recognize Earth Day in April with…
April Library Events – Monument Library 50th anniversary; programs for all ages
By Harriet Halbig All are invited to attend a 50th birthday party for the Monument Library from 2 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 12. There will be fun activities, historical displays, and cake for all to commemorate this anniversary. Please join us! Activities for all ages The youngest patrons can attend Toddler Time on…
Continue Reading April Library Events – Monument Library 50th anniversary; programs for all ages
Palmer Lake Historical Society, April 21 – General Palmer’s life explored
By Marlene Brown The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) held its regular membership meeting at the Palmer Lake Town Hall on March 21. The guest speaker was “Gen. William J. Palmer,” founder of Palmer Lake and Colorado Springs, portrayed by David Harmon. Palmer began by telling us he was born in 1836 to John and…
Continue Reading Palmer Lake Historical Society, April 21 – General Palmer’s life explored
High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Earth Day and the joys of gardening
By Janet Sellers Every year on April 22, Earth Day reminds us of our responsibility to care for the planet. First observed on April 22, 1970, it was proposed as a way to have an educational day devoted to protecting our Earth. An estimated 20 million participated in rallies, teach-ins, and demonstrations across the country.…
Continue Reading High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Earth Day and the joys of gardening
On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group planning session
By Steve Pate Above: Monument Hiking Group planning session led by Lisa Loeber. Photo by Steve Pate. The Monument Hiking Group (MHG), led by Lisa Loeber, held a planning session at the Monument Barn Community Center on March 30. The group of about 25 local hikers met to discuss options for planning some long hikes…
Continue Reading On the Trail (in memory of Tim Watkins) – Monument Hiking Group planning session
Art Matters – Contemporary art: The return of bold beauty
By Janet Sellers “What any true painting touches is an absence—an absence of which without the painting, we might be unaware. And that would be our loss.” —John Berger, The Shape of a Pocket Art appreciation is subjective. One person may see beauty in the sunrise, a blade of grass, or glistening drops of dew…
Continue Reading Art Matters – Contemporary art: The return of bold beauty
Snapshots of Our Community
Lewis-Palmer D38 Chess Tournament, Mar. 8 https://youtu.be/6GquTV00t4c https://youtu.be/6SUJ2ITW52Y https://youtu.be/ysMlFkTpEjw Bunco Night Fundraiser, Feb. 22 Above: Area residents rolled the dice Feb. 22 to raise more than $4,500 for a future meditation garden at Trinity Community Park in Monument. More than 60 people took part in Bunco night hosted by the park and Tri-Lakes Dynamic Rotary…
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 Forest slash /mulch…
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…