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

OCN > blog > OCN Newsletter #48 – Feb. 3, 2026 – Feb. 7 E-Edition posted, AI-Generated PLBOT Highlights, Check which districts you’re in, Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic Hockey videos posted

OCN Newsletter #48 – Feb. 3, 2026 – Feb. 7 E-Edition posted, AI-Generated PLBOT Highlights, Check which districts you’re in, Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic Hockey videos posted

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Readers should assume that event information published in this newsletter 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 page < 22 > and page < 23 > or check wp.ocn.me/events for event locations and other details of these and many other local events.

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 On-Line Calendar

Highlights from the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees Meeting Jan. 22nd

For Our Community Newsletter, we are experimenting with using AI to promptly produce meeting highlights for selected meetings that post videos of their proceeding. These are NOT a replacement for our detailed articles on the meeting published in the newspaper and on our website. Here is an example of how those might look: Based on the transcript of the January 22, 2026, Palmer Lake Board of Trustees meeting, here are the key highlights with approximate timestamps in parentheses:

  • Town Attorney Termination: In a 3-2 vote, the Board moved to terminate the contract with Krob Law effective January 23, 2026, at 5 p.m., with supporters citing a lack of public confidence and disagreements over legal advice regarding election procedures. (05:33:00).
  • Interim Legal Representation: Immediately following the termination vote, the Board authorized the Town Administrator to enter into a contract with an interim attorney recommended by CIRSA (Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency) to ensure continuous legal coverage. (06:04:40).
  • Confidential Investigation Controversy: Trustee Moseley questioned the Town Attorney regarding a confidential investigation into a trustee being conducted by the “Employers Council,” challenging the authority under which it was initiated without a formal Board request. (03:31:53).
  • Special Meeting Scheduled: Due to confusion over the correct dates for the continued Buc-ee’s annexation hearings, the Board scheduled a Special Meeting for Jan. 30, to review records and confirm the schedule. (02:35:15).
  • Mayor’s Apology: Mayor Stern made a public apology to Mike Beeson and his wife, Jennifer Rausch, for previously referring to her as a “roommate” and making incorrect public statements regarding why Mr. Beeson was not applying for a trustee position. (00:02:34).
  • Challenge to Agenda Authority: Trustee Moseley raised a point of order regarding the Mayor’s claimed “sole authority” to set the meeting agenda, arguing that state law and municipal code do not grant unilateral power to the Mayor, Clerk, or Administrator to veto trustee-requested items. (00:03:53).
  • New Agenda Setting Policy: The Board adopted a provisional policy allowing the Mayor, Staff (Administrator, Clerk, Treasurer, Attorney), or any two trustees to place items on the agenda, provided they are submitted by 9 a.m. the Wednesday before the packet is released. (01:48:11).
  • CML Governance Presentation: Kevin Bommer, Executive Director of the Colorado Municipal League (CML), delivered an extensive presentation on the principles of good governance, emphasizing that the Board’s role is big-picture policy setting, not day-to-day administration. (00:09:48).
  • Audit Progress Report: Auditor Jim Hinkle noted the town is currently delinquent on filing but explained his firm was hired in mid-December and lost time over the holidays. He
    reported that the FY24 audit is approximately 50% complete and should be filed with the state within 30 days, noting that no significant financial concerns have been identified so far. (00:53:02).
  • July 4th “Awake the Lake” Festival: The Board gave a “thumbs up” to the special event application for the annual festival, with organizers noting that traffic flow improvements implemented last year resulted in the “best traffic flow ever”. (01:05:40).
  • Annexation Eligibility for Monument Crossing: Following a continued hearing, the Board approved Resolution 13-2026, finding the “Crossing at Monument Creek” (Red Rock Acres) eligible for annexation, which is a statutory step that does not guarantee final approval. (03:34:26).
  • Clerk’s Defense of Town Staff: Town Clerk Erica Romero delivered a statement defending the town staff, noting they are working “above and beyond” while being “under the microscope” to meet Board expectations with limited resources. (05:46:23).

These highlights were generated using an AI tool and have not been fact-checked in every detail by OCN volunteers. Any questions or concerns you have about the details should be researched by referring to the correspond part of the PLBOT meeting video. A detailed article on this meeting will be included in the next issue of OCN.

Would this be a valuable addition to the newsletter?

Watch PLBOT Meeting, Jan. 22

Uncertain about which districts you’re in?

Over 23,000 copies of our Jan. 3rd issue were mailed this morning. They should be in most mailboxes today and tomorrow. All the articles, letters, columns, snapshots, notices, and community calendar events have been posted at www.ocn.me. The audio files have been posted for all the articles and the audio highlights and audio articles podcasts have been broadcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and posted on our YouTube channel.

Jan. Issue Audio Highlights Podcast

Jan. Issue Audio Highlights Transcript

Jan. Issue Audio Articles Podcast

Read Our Jan. Issue

Jan. Issue Photo Collection

Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic Hockey videos posted on YouTube

View our YouTube Channel

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

The OCN app alerts you to upcoming events you don’t want to miss, lists the latest articles, podcasts, photo collections, comments, etc. It updates automatically to keep you informed.

For Windows 10 and 11 users, the OCN app is now available for download from the Microsoft App Store.

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.

Just click the button below for a description of the latest version of the OCN app and detailed instructions on installing it on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, Chromebook, or desktop computer.

Download the OCN App!

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