Woodmoor Improvement Association, May 28 – Board announces fire education

• Fire education
• Prairie dogs return
• Updates to rules and regulations
• Highlights

By Jackie Burhans

The Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board met on May 28 to discuss fire education and mitigation efforts and upcoming changes to rules and regulations, and to revisit prairie dog infestation.

Fire education

Director of Forestry Jason Hann announced the first education seminar, hosted by the Monument Fire Department, on June 14 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Barn. Division Chief Jonathan Bradley will cover wildfire hazard management, vegetation and forest health, area features, and ingress/egress. RSVP by June 6 to justin@woodmoor.org, denise@woodmoor.org, or 719-488-2693.

Hann also reported on free chipping days at Lewis-Palmer High School on June 21-22 and July 26-27. The site will be open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Residents may drop off wood, branches up to 8 inches in diameter, pine needles, pine cones, and junipers. The contractor will not accept trash, weeds, yucca, nails, wire, rocks, grass clippings, or bagged leaves. For details, contact Forestry Administrator Justin Gates.

Prairie dogs return

President Brian Bush said the board received a request to repeat prairie dog mitigation in the South Woodmoor Preserve. Last September, after research and discussion, the board chose carbon monoxide over aluminum phosphide due to environmental concerns. Though not a permanent solution, he said they didn’t expect the issue to return so soon.

Vice President Peter Bille noted that Architectural Control Administrator Bob Pearsall received a quote similar to last year’s, as the treatment covers the same number of holes, though the activity status is unclear. Pearsall will secure a second quote before the board reviews it in June.

Bush urged the board to reconsider aluminum phosphide, a lower-cost option. Bille confirmed its USDA approval but noted the requirement for warning signs. Bush voiced concerns about mitigating amid ongoing construction. Director of Common Areas Steve Cutler warned that waiting until September would reset conditions and suggested leveling mounds post-mitigation.

Updates to rules and regulations

Director of Public Safety Brad Gleason requested that WIA’s next rules update include electric vehicle regulations for common areas. Hann noted rising unicycle use, while Cutler opposed mini-bikes but supported pedal-assist e-bikes.

Highlights

• Treasurer: Bush, speaking for Treasurer Pete Giusti, reported strong finances and lower expenses.
• Covenants: Director Jennifer Davis reported 21 cases, three unfounded complaints, and 16 ongoing or resolved issues. No hearings occurred in May or are scheduled for June. Bush asked the covenants administrator to verify a tall weeds complaint and send a mowing request letter. He also urged residents to document loose dogs in the Preserve and notify Woodmoor Public Safety at 719-499-9771.
• Public Safety: Gleason warned of increased mail theft during graduation season. He recommended USPS Informed Delivery (usps.com) and lockable mailboxes. He said new WPS vehicles have arrived and will be outfitted by the end of the month. The board approved an extended warranty for the newest car.
• HOA: Administrator Denise Cagliaro requested approval to replace windows and an external door, citing insulation issues. The board approved the low bid of $38,100 from a contractor who previously worked on the Barn. Bush noted the money would come from reserves.
• Architectural Control: Director Ed Miller reported 52 project submissions in April, 35 of which were approved administratively and 16 by the Architectural Control Committee—a 29% drop from last year while maintaining a 96.7% approval rate. Bush noted positive community feedback.
• Forestry: Hann said Gates is handling numerous fire mitigation grant inquiries. WIA completed 10 forestry and Firewise visits in April.
• Common Areas: Cutler reported that a Boy Scout had installed three benches along the Preserve trail for his Eagle Scout project.

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The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next meeting will be on June 25.

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

Other Woodmoor Improvement Association articles

• Woodmoor Improvement Association, April 23 – Resident sparks Firewise® discussion (5/3/2025)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Feb. 26 and March 26 – Board addresses residents’ concerns (4/5/2025)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Jan. 27 and 29 – Annual meeting and reorganization (3/1/2025)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Dec. 18 – Board confirms opposition to Buc-ee’s (1/4/2025)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Nov. 20 – Board hears resident request for letter on Buc-ee’s (12/5/2024)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Oct. 23 – Board approves budget, dues increase (11/2/2024)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Sept. 25 – Board seeks community support for wildfire mitigation grant (10/5/2024)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, Aug 28 – Change to prairie dog elimination causes delay (9/7/2024)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, July 24 – Board confirms plans to eradicate prairie dogs (8/3/2024)
• Woodmoor Improvement Association, June 26 – Board reminds residents of $5,000 fine for fireworks (7/6/2024)