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

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Our Community Notices

Highlights

  • El Paso County has launched a new Property Protection Program to alert property owners if a document is filed using their name, helping to prevent fraudulent deed transfers and real estate scams.
  • Owners can register multiple name variations and household members, and the program currently monitors filings only after enrollment, with plans to expand coverage in the future.
  • Residents can also review property records in person at the County Clerk and Recorder's Office, and more information or registration is available on the PPP webpage linked in the article.
  • Trail markers will be placed in Fox Run Regional Park to guide visitors and protect the forest ecosystem, especially in snowy or icy conditions when trails are harder to see.
  • Palmer Lake imposes parking restrictions when snow accumulates and requires vehicles to be moved from streets, with details available on the town's parking page.
  • Property owners in Palmer Lake must keep the area between the sidewalk and the gutter clear of snow and debris within 24 hours after snowfall, with specific areas excluded from clearing.
  • Colorado's winter safety notes include handling black ice carefully and following the traction law from September 1 to May 31, allowing tire socks as an alternative to chains under certain conditions.
  • Colorado also enforces strict school bus safety rules, and some districts use stop arm cameras to catch drivers who illegally pass stopped buses, while Academy School District 20 uses such cameras to enhance safety.
  • Additionally, resources are listed for car seat inspections, accessibility through the El Paso County Trailability program, Tri-Lakes Cares donation needs, the Black Forest Log School fundraiser, and Larkspur Church's food bank and care center.

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.

El Paso County Property Protection Program

El Paso County has launched a new Property Protection Program to help prevent fraudulent deed transfers and real estate scams. The program alerts property owners whenever a document is filed using their name on any property, so owners can quickly verify whether the filing is legitimate or the result of attempted fraud. Residents may register multiple name variations and household members. At this time, the program can only monitor filings made after you enroll, but officials are exploring options to expand coverage. Property records can also be reviewed in person at the County Clerk and Recorder’s Office. To learn more or register, visit the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Property Protection Program webpage. For more information on the PPP program, go to this link: https://clerkandrecorder.elpasoco.com/recording/property-protection/

Do not remove trail blazes/markers

You will be seeing some trail markers in Fox Run Regional Park on trees. The trail markers help protect the delicate forest ecosystem because we can stay on the trail and not damage the ecosystem underneath our feet or with bicycles or horses, etc. These are traditional trail markers, especially useful and necessary in snowy, icy weather when we cannot see the actual trail. Our high desert forest clime is dependent on its skin of soil and plants to survive. When we honor this part of the forest we cannot see, the part we can see has a better chance to thrive amid us humans, the invasive species.

Palmer Lake Parking Restrictions during snow

When there is an accumulation of two inches or more of snow, the parking restrictions are in effect. No person may stop, stand, or park any vehicle on any portion of a snow route, or leave, abandon, or permit to remain stalled any vehicle, which is stalled on any portion of a snow route and must take immediate action to park the vehicle lawfully. Parked vehicles must be removed from all streets within the town, including those which are not designated snow routes. Parking information details: www.townofpalmerlake.com/pw/page/parking-restrictions-during-snow.

Palmer Lake requirement to keep sidewalks and adjacent areas clean

It is the duty of all owners or occupants of every premises to keep the entire area between (a) the edge of the sidewalk closest to the building and (b) the gutter free and clear of snow, ice, mud, dirt, debris, rubbish, and filth. The area to be cleared includes, but not be limited to, the sidewalks and curbs in front of the building, graveled areas, bricked areas, and areas around planters, benches, trees and bushes. The area to be cleared does not include flowerbeds, elevated planting areas, or other similar elevated areas. The area to be cleared must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours following the snowfall or accumulation of a snowdrift or ice. Details of the town requirements: TownofPalmerLake.com.

Black ice safety

If you hit black ice, stay calm, ease off the gas, and steer gently in the direction of the skid, avoiding sudden braking or sharp turns. Use light, steady pressure on the brakes (or pump them if you don’t have ABS) to slow down, and aim for areas with more traction like snow or sand if possible, as the goal is to let the vehicle slow down naturally and regain control

Traction law requirements in effect September 1 to May 31

Colorado’s winter traction law allows tire socks (like AutoSock) as an approved alternative to chains, especially during severe storms when the Passenger Vehicle Chain Law (Code 15) is enacted, requiring devices for all vehicles unless equipped with specific winter tires (M+S/mountain snowflake) and adequate tread, with hefty fines for non-compliance. All vehicles must have a minimum 3/16-in tread depth on all tires, plus one of these on all tires: winter tires (Mountain snowflake icon), all weather rated tires, or mud and snow tires.

School Bus Safety

Drivers who pass a stopped school bus with its stop arm extended and flashing lights constitute a dangerous and life-threatening violation of traffic laws. In Colorado, you must (A) stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and an extended stop arm, stopping at least 20 feet away, unless you are on the opposite side of a highway divided by a physical, raised, or depressed median; (B) On a two-lane road or one where painted lines, but no physical barrier, separate lanes, you must still stop; (C) After stopping, you must remain stopped until the bus’s lights stop flashing and it begins to move again. Colorado school buses are increasingly being equipped with automated stop arm cameras to record and catch drivers who illegally pass a stopped school bus. Recent legislation allows for the installation and use of these systems by school districts. Academy School District 20 in Colorado uses school bus cameras, including the stop arm camera system and interior cameras, to enhance student safety and to document drivers who pass a stopped school bus with flashing lights and an extended stop arm.

Car seat update

Parents can visit CarSeatsColorado.com to locate a nearby car seat inspection station, register their car seat and learn how to properly install their car seat or booster seat. If you can’t afford a car seat for your child(ren), WeeCycle, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and SafeKids Colorado Springs have programs through which families can get a free or low-cost car seat. Visit their websites for more information.

El Paso County “Trailability” Program

Terrain Hoppers in the Nature Centers at Fountain Creek and Bear Creek areas are off-road mobility vehicles that allow members of the El Paso County community and visiting guests with disabilities to experience trails previously inaccessible to them. Hike 1-3 miles through foothills and wetlands habitats with your friends, family, and a Nature Center staff or volunteer, May through October. Reservations required, participation is free. https://communityservices.elpasoco.com/trailability/. For more information on the Trailability Program, please contact Theresa Odello at 719.520.6981 or by email at theresaodello@elpasoco.com.

Tri-Lakes Cares needs your support

Tri-Lakes Cares is the only food pantry and human services organization serving northern El Paso County through emergency relief and self-sufficiency programs. The community-based, volunteer-supported center is a critical resource for our neighbors in need. The best way to help support Tri-Lakes Cares is to donate. Visit https://tri-lakescares.org/donate to learn how to donate money, medical items, personal supplies, or food. Please check the web for current needs in our food pantry at https://tri-lakescares.org/donate/current-needs. Donation drop-off hours are Mon.-Thu., 9 am-4 pm. For more information about Tri-Lakes Cares or how you can help, contact Tri-Lakes Cares at 719-481-4864 or info@tri-lakescares.org.

Black Forest Log School needs your help

Please help preserve the historic school for another 103 years! New exterior damage was discovered. It has exceeded the budget renovation funds. Friends of the Black Forest Log School, a 501c3 corporation, appreciates your donation. Please send a check or bring cash to Black Forest Community Foundation, 6770 Shoup Rd, Black Forest Colorado 90808. www.bflogschool.com

Get Help in Larkspur

Larkspur Church has a Food Bank and Care Center that offer a good variety of non-perishable food items, as well as clothing for men, women, and children, some household items available too. We’re here to help. If you are in need, or know someone who is, please reach out to Jeff at gethelp@larkspur.church. If you would like to donate contact Jeff by the same email to arrange a pick up.

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