OCN

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

OCN > blog > OCN Newsletter #52 – Feb. 18, 2026 – Wildfire risk reduction training starts tomorrow, Buc-ee’s seeks to add 10 acres, Request event listing in OCN calendar, Feb. Issue and podcasts posted, Check which districts you’re in

OCN Newsletter #52 – Feb. 18, 2026 – Wildfire risk reduction training starts tomorrow, Buc-ee’s seeks to add 10 acres, Request event listing in OCN calendar, Feb. Issue and podcasts posted, Check which districts you’re in

Sign up for Our Community Newsletter to be notified by email about the latest news and important developments in the Tri-Lakes area

Download a PDF of this newsletter

Wildfire Risk Reduction Training starts tomorrow, Thu., Feb. 19

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

Buc-ee’s seeks to expand parcel by 10 acres to the south

Vertex Consulting Services, representing Buc-ee’s, has applied to El Paso County to append 10 acres to the southern part of the parcel designated for the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center.

A primary reason Buc-ee’s sought annexation to the Town of Palmer Lake was to obtain a source for potable water for the site. The Monument Sanitation District has already committed to provide sewer service.

The documents note, “The boundary line adjustment will not result in a change in the water supply for either lot; Neither parcel has an existing well. There are no adjudicated water rights with either parcel. The Boundary Line Adjustment does not include the severing water rights and the land will be transferred by deed with all water rights underlaying the property intact.”

This action makes it clear that Buc-ee’s has not abandoned the proposed project at that site but is instead pursuing an alternative route to obtain access to a water supply for the property.

Click the buttons below to read the details of the application and 149 pages of public comments.

Read the Application

Read Public Comments

Buc-ee’s withdraws their Palmer Lake application!

KRDO reported: “A consultant with Buc-ee’s confirms the company has withdrawn its annexation application from the town of Palmer Lake…The property would have been annexed into Palmer Lake…A company consultant says they are currently exploring other options; they say a goal is still to have a Buc-ee’s built in the region, and it’s not the end of the project. The company consultant said that they appreciate everything the town staff has gone through to give the project a fair shot, though they say it’s clear that the current makeup of the Board of Trustees is not conducive to moving forward.”

Read the town’s press release

Read the full KRDO article

OCN Feb. 7 issue and podcasts posted

Over 23,000 copies of our Feb. 7th issue were mailed yesterday. They should be in most mailboxes by now.

All the articles, letters, columns, snapshots, notices, and community calendar events have been posted at www.ocn.me. The audio files have be posted for all the articles and the audio highlights and audio articles podcasts have been broadcast to Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Pandora and posted on our YouTube channel.

Feb. Issue Audio Highlights Podcast

Feb. Issue Audio Highlights Transcript

Feb. Issue Audio Articles Podcast

Read Our Feb. Issue

Read Our On-Line E-Editions

Feb. Issue PDF

Feb. Issue Photo Collection

Want your event listed in our on-line and print calendar?

Our Community Calendar carries listings for Tri-Lakes events that are sponsored by local governmental entities and not-for-profit organizations. We include events that are open to the general public and are not religious or self-promotional in nature. Complimentary calendar listings are included, when requested, for events advertised in the current issue. Click the button below to request listing of your events.

Request Event Listing

Uncertain about which districts you’re in?

OCN Audio Highlights and Audio Articles 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!

**********

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.

Recent newsletters

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *