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OCN > 2605 > Monument Town Council, April 6 and 20 – Fire training facility Final Plat approved

Monument Town Council, April 6 and 20 – Fire training facility Final Plat approved

Highlights*

  • The Monument Town Council approved the rezoning and Final Plat for a new fire training facility at 18650 West Highway 105, including an 11,040-square-foot classroom building and training tower, with expected low traffic impact and no roadway improvements needed.
  • The council delayed action on the Alpine Dealership project at Falcon Commerce Center Phase 2 Final Plat and Final PUD to May 4, due to concerns over signage and building materials, including a proposed 35-foot sign and metal panels.
  • A modified watering schedule was approved due to drought, with odd/even address rotations and no watering on Sundays; for 2026, the season runs April 7 to Oct 30.
  • An ordinance was adopted allowing the town clerk to refer campaign finance complaints to the Colorado Secretary of State in cases of actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • A new police impact fee schedule was approved to help fund capital needs as the population grows and more officers and vehicles are needed.
  • The town authorized a $250,000 grant application to the Statewide Internet Portal Authority to replace outdated land development and permitting software.
*AI-generated

By Marlene Brown

On April 6, the Monument Town Council received a request from the Monument Planning Department for approval of rezoning and Final Plat for a new fire training facility at 18650 West Highway 105, which will include the building of an 11,040-square-foot classroom building and a training tower. See site map on page < 6 >.

The proposed facility is expected to generate low traffic volumes and analysis concludes that no roadway improvements will be necessary. With less than 100 vehicles per day when the classes will be in session no traffic impact study will be needed.

The Town Council voted for approval of the rezone and the Final Plat.

Above: Monument Fire District training facility site plan showing the new construction planned for behind the existing fire station on Highway 105. Site plan courtesy of the Town of Monument.

Car dealership delayed

The council voted to delay a vote on the Alpine Dealership at Falcon Commerce Center Phase 2 Final Plat and Final Planned Unit Development (PUD).

The dealership is an automobile sales, service, and repair facility. It would sit on 12.5 acres located south of the Pilot Travel Center and east of the intersection of Squadron and Terrazzo Drives.

Council members had several concerns, including the use of metal building panels and a request for a 35-foot pylon sign, which would violate existing building codes.

After two hours of debate and unresolved issues regarding signage and building materials, the council voted to continue the dealership ordinance to the May 4 meeting to allow the applicant and staff to refine the proposal.

Water restrictions imposed early

The council approved a modified watering schedule in response to regional drought conditions. The restricted watering season began April 7.

  • Odd-numbered addresses: water on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
  • Even-numbered addresses: water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
  • No watering is permitted on Sundays.

For 2026 only, the watering procedures will be in effect from April 7 through Oct. 30 (previously May 15 through Sept. 30)

Campaign finance procedures

In an update to campaign finance procedures, the council passed an ordinance that allows the town clerk to refer campaign finance complaints to the Colorado Secretary of State in cases where an actual or perceived conflict of interest exists.

Police impact fees

A new fee schedule was adopted for implementation of police impact fees collected for new land developments intended to ensure growth and contribute to the capital assets needs of the Police Department. With more population in the area, more officers and more vehicles will be needed to patrol the new neighborhoods.

Software grant application

A resolution was approved to authorize Monument staff to apply for a $250,000 grant from the Statewide Internet Portal Authority to replace the town’s outdated land development and permitting software.

Public comments

The meeting started with public comments for the first time. Haley Chapin, executive director of Tri-Lakes Cares, spoke to the council about its event coming in May, A Taste of Tri-Lakes Cares. Many of the restaurants in the Tri-Lakes area will be highlighted at the event. Also, Ent Credit Union on Interquest has a cafeteria and its chef would also be cooking for the event.

Police Chief Patrick Regan presided over oaths of office to Lt. Mitch Mihalko and Officer Ethan Elmshaeuser and welcomed them to their new roles in the Monument Police Department.

The council formally proclaimed April Child Abuse Prevention Month and members of the El Paso County Department of Human Services was there to read the proclamation and to help the community to understand their role in protecting the needs of children and helping families to work together within their social programs.

The council moved into executive session and, after returning, approved Resolution No. 27-2026 entering into an Economic Development Agreement with Project Cobalt to secure the location of the project within the town. Behind Project Cobalt is a mechanical contracting and systems engineering company that is looking to establish a new fabrication facility within Colorado. The project is expected to create 135 new jobs that will include project managers, engineers, and operations.

At the April 20 meeting, the council took no action on a proposed annual 10% water rate increase through 2030 to address capital and operating expenses. There would be graduated tiered water rates, with higher volume users paying a larger percentage of the cost. It will be discussed in future workshops.

Water rate comparison chart from the presentation made to the Monument Town Council April 20th. Chart courtesy the Town of Monument

The draft 2026 Stormwater Master Plan reveals that if 100-year storm increases at least 20% more rainwater than the 2006 plan was built to handle there would be a need to evaluate infrastructure updates. For example, Old Denver Road has culvert deficiencies from undersized to failing that will not provide flood protection. See the contest for renaming the road on page < 20 >.

For complete viewing of the draft 2026 Stormwater Plan see 4202026-Draft-2026-Stormwater-Master-Plan-w-Technical-Appendices-and-Maps- The Planning Department will return at the May 18 regular council meeting with a resolution to accept the document and place it into the Comprehensive Plan that is being compiled.

Other business

The Town Hall roof repair contract was awarded to Garland/DBS Inc. for $55,797.

The council adopted 12 American with Disabilities Act policies to bring the town into compliance. They will be added to the master plan.

Councilman Ken Kimple raised a concern about several potholes in parking lots (Safeway, Monument Ridge, and Home Depot to name a few, which led to a discussion of the town’s limited power for enforcing private property maintenance.

The Silver Key Thrift Store ribbon-cutting and grand opening at 586 W. Highway 105 was praised. Mayor Mitch LaKind and Councilman Kimple said the high sales volume would be a new source of sales tax revenue.

In public comments, Heather Jacobson, representing the steering committee for Tri-Lakes for Democracy, thanked the council for supporting the right to “free speech” after the controversy over a non-violent No Kings event in Monument. After the event, cyber-bullying on local social media was directed at certain individuals. Jacobson said constitutional safeguards apply to everyone and the right to protest can and was done in a respectful manner.

After moving into and returning from executive session, no actions were taken.

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Correction

Corrections to the Monument Town Council article in the April issue of Our Community News: Monument does not have two seats on the Fountain Creek Water District Board. Monument’s seat on the board has been vacant since the passing of Councilman Jim Romanello. Additionally, the board membership is not regualated by State statutes. OCN regrets the errors.

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Regular meetings are typically held on the first and third Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the Town Hall, located at 645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument. If the meeting falls on a holiday, it will be held the following Tuesday. See townofmonument.org for agendas and supporting documents.

Marlene Brown can be reached at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

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