Our Community Newsletter #17 – September 1, 2025 – Buc-ee’s meeting Sept. 3, OCN issue coming this week, Palmer Lake special election Sep. 9

Palmer Lake Planning Commission on Buc-ee’s and our September issue are coming this week!
Palmer Lake Planning Commission Delays Buc-ee’s Annexation Vote
Gleneagle News Donala Water & Sanitation District’s General Manager Jeff Hodge put on administrative leave
Palmer Lake News – Mike Boyett appointed to Board of Trustees
Keep up with fast-moving developments in the Tri-Lakes area with our new OCN app!
Don’t miss any of the videos posted on our YouTube Channel
Check out all the great content in our Aug. issue!

Palmer Lake Planning Commission on Buc-ee’s and our September issue are coming this week!

Readers should assume that event information published in this issue is subject to change and information should be confirmed a day or two before the event by calling the information number or checking the organization’s website.

See our new on-line calendar or page < 22 > and page < 23 > for event locations and other details of these and many other local events.

Monument Hill Farmers Market, every Sat., 8-2 pm. D38 Lewis Palmer admin building, 66 Jefferson Street, Monument. See ad on page < 5 >.
Palmer Lake Farmers Market, every Sun., 10 am-2 pm. Now taking new vendors, info: calvertsminimarket.com. See ad on page < 2 >.
Monument Town Council meeting, Tue., Sep. 2, 6:30 pm.
Speed Puzzle Events, Tue., Sep. 2, Mon. Sep. 8 & 15, 6:30 pm. See ad on page <2>
Palmer Lake Planning Commission Special Meeting on Buc-ee’s, Wed., Sep. 3, 5 pm.
OCN mailing day, Thu., Sep. 4, approx. 7-8:30 am. Become an OCN reporter! Help us report ‘What was discussed and what was decided.’ Call 719-488-3455.
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Thu., Sep. 4, 6 pm.
September issue of OCN, Sat., Sep. 6. Look for stack copies and posting on the web site by Fri., Sep. 5! The OCN app will have links to the articles as they are published Wed. and Thu.
4th Annual Gleneagle Spirit 5k Run/Walk and Kid’s Run, Sat., Sep. 6, 8 am-noon
Palmer Lake Special Election, Tue., Sep. 9, decides recall of two trustees and a ballot measure requiring voter approval of annexations.
Monument Planning Commission meeting, Wed., Sep. 10, 6 pm
Palmer Lake Wine Festival, Sat., Sep. 13, 12-5 pm
Ride for Tim memorial honor ride, Sat., Sep. 13, 1 pm – See our coming Sep. issue for details.
Monument Town Council meeting, Mon., Sep. 15, 6:30 pm
Empty Bowls 2025, Silent Auction Basket donation deadline Mon., Sep. 15. Event Oct. 1.- See our coming Sep. issue for details.
Palmer Lake Planning Commission Meeting, Wed., Sep. 17, 5 pm.
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Thu., Sep. 18, 6 pm.
Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., Sep. 18, 7-8 pm (doors open at 6:30).
Covered Treasures Bookstore Book Signings, Sat, Sep. 20, 1-3 pm, Lisa Hatfield, Fri, Sep. 26, 5-8 pm. Roberta Anderson and Marj Charlier.
Last 2025 Art Hop, Fri., Sep. 26, 5-8 pm
Blues on the Mesa, Sat., Sep. 27, 11-6:30 pm Look for details in our Sep. 6th issue.
WMMI, Miners’ Pumpkin Patch, every Sat. in Oct.
Maker’s Market, Oct. 11-12. See ad on page < 4 >.

With our new on-line calendar, you can easily search for your favorite events, view upcoming events in a variety of formats (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.) and add events of interest to the calendar on your mobile device or computer.

Check Out Our NEW On-Line Calendar

Palmer Lake Planning Commission Delays Buc-ee’s Annexation Vote

By Jackie Burhans

After a six-hour meeting Aug. 20 attended by more than 100 people, the Palmer Lake Planning Commission voted to postpone its recommendation on the proposed Buc-ee’s annexation . The commission heard a presentation by the applicant on the annexation, a Planned Development Plan, and a subdivision sketch plan. Public comments were overwhelmingly opposed, with only two speakers supporting the project. Town Attorney Scott Krob addressed concerns about Commission Chair Charlie Ihlenfeld’s public support for the annexation, clarifying that the matter is legislative, not quasi-judicial and Ihlenfeld is entitled to speak on the matter.

Todd Messenger, attorney for United Congregational Church, said a competing annexation petition filed Aug. 18 takes precedence and halts further action on Buc-ee’s. Commissioners cited the late delivery of an 844-page packet and a revised annexation agreement as reasons for the delay. A motion to continue the meeting until Aug. 27 failed in a tie vote. The commission unanimously agreed to submit questions to the applicant by Aug. 27, with responses due Sept. 1 and convene a special meeting Sep. 3.

Look for detailed coverage of the Aug. 20 meeting in our Sep. 6th issue.

Jackie Burhans can be contacted at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Gleneagle News Donala Water & Sanitation District’s General Manager Jeff Hodge put on administrative leave

A special meeting was held Aug. 22 to address the topic. The agenda and board packet including a draft resolution authorizing an investigation into complaints about workplace culture and leadership are posted at https://www.donalawater.org/2025-08-22-board-meeting. Coverage of the meeting will be in our Sep. 6th issue.

Palmer Lake News – Mike Boyett appointed to Board of Trustees

By Jackie Burhans

At the August 6 workshop and special meeting of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, the board filled the vacancy created when Dennis Stern stepped down to be appointed mayor. The board held its final interview with Planning Commission member Michael Beeson who spoke of his background on the commission and in military leadership. Board member Atis Jurka nominated Beeson to be appointed but the tie vote of 3-3 did not pass. Board member Kevin Dreher nominated Mike Boyett, former waste plan operator at the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility who was approved on a 4-2 vote. The board voted unanimously to pass resolution 50-2025 to appoint Boyett to the trustee vacancy and he was sworn in by Town Clerk Erica Romero.

Look for detailed coverage in our Sep. 6th issue.

Jackie Burhans can be contacted at jackieburhans@ocn.me.

Keep up with fast-moving developments in the Tri-Lakes area with our new OCN app!

Alerts you to upcoming events you don’t want to miss, lists the latest articles and podcasts, and much more. It updates automatically to keep you informed.

No need to search the app store. Just click the button below for a description of our great new app and detailed instructions on installing it using the browser on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, Chromebook, or desktop computer.

In the screenshot below, the app is reporting 10 new upcoming events including a car show, farmers’ market, D38 school board meeting, and Monument Town Council meeting.

Download the OCN App

Don’t miss any of the videos posted on our YouTube Channel

Opening of the Tri-Lakes Activity Center (formerly the Senior Center)
Lang Investment Services Pig Roast, Aug. 8
OCN August Issue Audio Highlights Podcast (20 min.)
OCN August Issue Audio Articles Podcast (2 hr.)
July 4th Monument Parade and Street Fair and Palmer Lake fireworks
Silver Key moves to the Presbyterian Church
Interview with Sam DeFelice (40 min.)
Interview with Jim Maguire (55 min.)
OCN July Issue Audio Highlights Podcast (17 min.)
OCN July Issue Audio Articles Podcast (1 hr. 48 min.)
Art Hop – Short interview with artist Darcy Muncey
WMMI History Day
Cops and Bobbers
Chad Smith sworn in as Monument Town Council member
Jim Maguire Celebration of Life
Palmer Lake Fishing Derby
P51 Statute Dedication at Monument Town Hall

View Our YouTube Channel

Check out all the great content in our Aug. issue!

Our August issue and all our podcasts are posted at www.ocn.me.

With the August issue podcasts, choose between a 20-minute audio summary of all the articles and columns or a 2-hour verbatim reading of the articles and columns. For speed listeners, check out accelerated playback rates!

Catch up on Tri-Lakes area news! All our issues including our Aug. 2nd issue are posted at www.ocn.me.