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Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area

OCN > blog > Our Community Newsletter #20 – September 5, 2025 – Sept. Issue Posted, PL Planning Commission recommends denial of Buc-ee’s, Palmer Lake Special Election Sep. 9

Our Community Newsletter #20 – September 5, 2025 – Sept. Issue Posted, PL Planning Commission recommends denial of Buc-ee’s, Palmer Lake Special Election Sep. 9

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Check out all the great content in our September 6th issue!

Almost 23,000 copies of our Sept. 6th issue were mailed Thursday and should be in most mailboxes today and tomorrow.

That issue and the associated podcasts and photo collection are now posted at www.ocn.me.

With the September issue podcasts, choose between a 29-minute audio summary of all the articles and columns or a 2 hour 38 minutes 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 Sept. 6th issue are posted at www.ocn.me.

Read Our September Issue

Read Our On-Line E-Editions

Download a PDF of Our Sept. Issue

Listen to Our Latest Podcasts

Palmer Lake Commission Recommends Denial of Buc-ee’s Plans

By Jackie Burhans

At its Sept. 2 special meeting, the Palmer Lake Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of Buc-ee’s Planned Development Plan (PD), sketch plan, and annexation agreement.

Commissioner Andre Bergeron recused himself, citing an intimidating package delivered to his home that alarmed his family and compromised his impartiality.

Town Attorney Scott Krob said the meeting continued the Aug. 20 session and would focus on the applicant’s responses to prior questions. Public comment remained closed, but Chair Charlie Ihlenfeld allowed a brief recess to distribute printed Q&A documents.

After a failed motion to approve the PD with conditions, Commissioner Bill Fisher moved to recommend denial, citing noncompliance with the Community Master Plan, excessive size, loss of small-town character, amount of impermeable surfaces, water concerns, night sky impact, and lack of bike and pedestrian infrastructure. The motion passed 3–2.

The commission voted 3–2 to recommend denial of the sketch plan on similar grounds.

Commissioner Matt Stephen led the annexation agreement discussion, citing vague language about building size and unclear responsibility for County Line Road improvements. Beeson raised concerns about long-term water needs. The motion to deny passed 4–1.

The Board of Trustees will make the final decision at its Oct. 2 special meeting.

Jackie Burhans can be contacted at jackieburhans@ocn.me

Upcoming Events

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 >.
  • Palmer Lake Library Concert Series 2025, Fri. Sep. 5 & Sep. 12. Click here for details.
  • September issue of OCN, Sat., Sep. 6. Look for stack copies and posting on the web site by Fri., Sep. 5! The OCN app and the home page 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
  • Speed Puzzle Events, Mon. Sep. 8 & 15, 6:30 pm. See ad on page < 2 >
  • 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 – Click here 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 ad on page < 10 >.
  • 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. See ad on page < 2 >.
  • Blues on the Mesa, Sat., Sep. 27, 11-6:30 pm See ad on page < 4 >.
  • Empty Bowls 2025, Event, Wed., Oct. 1. See ad on page < 10 >
  • Palmer Lake Board of Trustees Special Meeting on Buc-ee’s, Thu., Oct. 2, 6 pm. Buc-ee’s decision expected.
  • WMMI, Miners’ Pumpkin Patch, every Sat. in Oct. See ad on page < 12 >.
  • Maker’s Market, Oct. 11-12. See ad on page < 8 >.

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

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.

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.

Check Out the OCN App!

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

  • Palmer Lake Library Concert Series 2025
  • 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

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This email is an edition of the Our Community Newsletter. We also offer separate monthly email messages for those interested in information about OCN advertising. If you wish to also receive those email messages, please let me know or click on “manage your subscription” at the bottom of every message I sent. That will take you to a web page where you can update your information and preferences.

If you do not wish to receive future email messages of this type, please let me know at johnheiser@ocn.me and I will take care of it immediately.

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