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Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, June 12, 19, 23, and 30 – Stern replaces Havenar as mayor; attempt to stop recalls fails
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) scheduled four meetings in June: a regular board meeting, an administrative hearing to address a protest against the recall of Trustees Shana Ball, Kevin Dreher and Dennis Stern, a special meeting consisting only of an executive session, and a second board meeting.…
Monument Town Council, June 2 and 16 – Council navigates development questions and compensation study; Smith appointed to the council
By Chris Jeub The Monument Town Council held two meetings in June, addressing key issues ranging from industrial development concerns to comprehensive employee compensation reforms and filling a vacant council seat. Pikes Peak Rodeo delegation promotes summer events The June 2 meeting opened with a spirited presentation from representatives of the Pikes Peak Range Riders…
Monument Planning Commission, June 11 – June meeting cancelled
By Janet Sellers The Monument Planning Commission June 11 meeting was cancelled. The next meeting is scheduled for July 9 at 6 p.m. in the Town Council chambers at 645 Beacon Lite road, Monument. Questions regarding the Planning Commission meeting notice for June 11 may be directed to the Monument Planning Department at 645 Beacon…
Continue Reading Monument Planning Commission, June 11 – June meeting cancelled
Monument Academy School Board, June 12, 27 – Board passes sports fairness policy, joins in suit against CHSAA
By Jackie Burhans The Monument Academy (MA) School Board met twice in June to pass a policy and join a lawsuit related to gender in sports, discuss increasing roof insurance costs, take actions, and hear committee reports. Sports policy Board member Karen Hoida presented a proposed policy along the lines of parental rights and protection.…
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 16 – Board finalizes plans for HSEA structure, approves 2025-26 budget
By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education approved a contract for the construction of a permanent structure to house the Home School Enrichment Academy (HSEA), approved the 2025-26 district budget, approved participation in the November election, and recognized a number of individuals at its June 16 meeting. Home School Enrichment Academy structure Because…
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 9 – 2024 audit finds “clean” finances
By James Howald In June, Uli Keeley of Prospective Business Solutions LLC, the district’s auditor, gave the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board the results of her audit of the district’s 2024 finances. The board awarded a contract to replace water service saddles. During public comments, resident Jennifer Davis reported errors in her online…
Continue Reading Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, June 9 – 2024 audit finds “clean” finances
Monument Sanitation District, June 18 Raspberry Point sewage spill resolved
By Jackie Burhans and James Howald In May, the Monument Sanitation District (MSD) board met briefly to hear an operational report from District Manager Mark Parker. Parker updated the board on a sewage release by Raspberry Point Townhomes in May that threatened to contaminate Monument Lake. Parker reported on a letter he had received from…
Continue Reading Monument Sanitation District, June 18 Raspberry Point sewage spill resolved
Donala Water and Sanitation District, June 12 – Positive audit report; inconsistent waste treatment numbers
By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Donala Water and Sanitation District (DWSD) board met in June to hear an audit report, discuss waste treatment data discrepancies, and hear operational reports. The meeting was relocated due to the temporary closure of the district’s offices. The board heard from a district consultant and learned of an…
Triview Metropolitan District, June 19 – Bond funding approved; director positions assigned
By Natalie Barszcz At the Triview Metropolitan District (TMD) meeting on June 19, the board approved an amendment to the 2025 budget to incorporate funding for the Higby Road project and up to $12.6 million in bonds to move forward with the project. An economic incentive policy and an updated policy for developer water fees…
El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority, June 26 – Board hears progress report
By James Howald At a brief meeting in June, the El Paso County Regional Loop Water Authority (EPCRLWA, or the Loop) board heard a progress report from its interim Workflow Manager Mark Valentine. Valentine coordinates the work of the consulting and engineering firms the Loop has contracted with, which include: JVA Consulting Engineers, the company…
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Monument Fire District, June 25 – Board vacancy filled; workforce study approved
By Natalie Barszcz At the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) dba Monument Fire District (MFD) meeting on June 25, the board filled the vacant board position, approved funding for a workforce analysis study, and received presentations on the MFD and the Donald Wescott Fire Protection District (DWFPD) 2024 audits. The board received multiple updates…
Continue Reading Monument Fire District, June 25 – Board vacancy filled; workforce study approved
El Paso County Planning Commission, June 19 – Commission recommends disapproval of Flying Horse East sketch plan
By Marlene Brown At the June 19 meeting of the El Paso County Planning Commission (EPCPC), Ryan Houser, principal planner, Planning and Community Development, presented a request for approval of the sketch plan from applicant HRGreen representing Flying Horse Land Co. LLC for Flying Horse East, Phase 1. The property is located at Highway 94…
Letters to Our Community – Urgent need for conservatives to run for D38 Board of Education
District 38 needs two conservatives to step up and run for Palmer Lake’s and North Woodmoor’s school board seats this fall. The need is urgent. As with most conservative communities across the country, we have organized progressives here with media-directed axes to grind. They are disproportionately vocal on social media repeating whatever propaganda is served…
Letters to Our Community – Scrub oak (Gambel oak), pine needles and other debris
Let me introduce myself. I have a BS in Forestry (1960) and a PhD in Forestry (1995), which included studies in wildland fire behavior. I first attended a U.S. Forest Service fire and lookout school at age 14 at my dad’s remote ranger station in the Idaho wilderness. That would not be possible today. I…
Continue Reading Letters to Our Community – Scrub oak (Gambel oak), pine needles and other debris
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Summer fun has begun
By the staff at Covered Treasures “Summer’s Lease hath all too Short a Date”—William Shakespeare It’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine! Whether you are a fan of staying close to home or traveling, any of these books will be a great companion. Included are titles that are fun activities for the kids.…
Continue Reading Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore – Summer fun has begun
Palmer Lake Historical Society, June 15 – Father’s Day Ice Cream Social
Above: The Palmer Lake Historical Society (PLHS) Annual Father’s Day Ice Cream Social was held at the historic Palmer Lake Town Hall on June 15. The weather was perfect and the afternoon rains held so that families could sit outside in the Village Green and enjoy guitar playing by Nick Davey of Colorado Springs. Photo…
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High Altitude Nature and Gardening (HANG) – Gardening with nature’s beautiful bouncers
By Janet Sellers Here we are, mid-season for landscaping and garden beds. We need to know how to protect them. In our natural local ecosystem, plants and nature co-evolved to thrive. That is their job. But we humans make changes to places. Homes in tracts or ranches can severely imbalance natural spaces. Can we keep…
Art Matters – The many benefits of outdoor art and arts events
By Janet Sellers Public art creates stronger communities and can even help save lives. Our local monthly Art Hop gives us the chance to make our community a fun place to live and connect with neighbors and visitors. On the fourth Friday of the month, 5-7 p.m., May through September, our Art Hop is a…
Continue Reading Art Matters – The many benefits of outdoor art and arts events
Snapshots of Our Community
Schwarz honored for playground Above: Tamara Schwarz has been honored for all she’s done as executive director of Trinity Community Park in Monument. She’s been named a Daily Point of Light by the Points of Light global non-profit. Daily Point of Light Awards honor individuals and groups who create meaningful change to meet community needs.…
Our Community Notices
By Janet Sellers Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the information number for that event. Please notify us if your event listing needs to be updated. Be “bear smart” and…
Our Community Calendar
By Janet Sellers Although we strive for accuracy in these listings, dates or times are often changed after publication. Please double-check the time and place of any event you wish to attend by calling the info number for that event. Please contact calendar@ocn.me with changes and additions. GOVERNMENTAL BODIES Academy Water and Sanitation District board…