OCN Our Community News N
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Volunteers reporting on community issues in Monument, Palmer Lake, and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area
Issue #296 — Volume 25 Number 11 — Saturday, November 1, 2025 Our website is OCN.ME. Audio is posted for most of the articles and videos for some events. In the paper, events with videos are marked:
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Witch-craft on Palmer Lake
Local Events Readers should assume that event information published in this issue 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 https://wp.ocn.me/events for event locations and other details of these and many other local events. • OCN mailing days, Thu., Dec. 4, approx. 7-8:30 am. If you can help, even for an hour or two, getting the papers ready to mail, contact AllenAlchian@ocn.me or (719) 4883455. • Monumental Impact Open House, Sat., Nov. 1 & Dec. 6, 3 pm-5 pm. See ad on page 8. • Blacksmithing Workshop Fundraiser, Mon., Nov. 3, 10 am12 pm; Sat., Nov. 8, 10 am-12 pm. See snapshot on page 21. • NEPCO, Sat., Nov. 8, 10 am-12 pm • Monument Town Hall Meeting, Wed., Nov. 5, 6 pm-8 pm • Palmer Lake Art Group - Small Works Art Show and Sale - reception, Fri., Nov. 7, 6 pm-8 pm See ad on page 3. • Speed puzzle events, Tue., Nov. 4; Mon., Nov. 10; Mon., Nov. 17; Tue., Dec. 2, 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. See ad on page 4. • St. Matthias Blessing of Our Veterans, Sun., Nov. 9, 10 am11:30 am. See ad on page 4. • Wine Tasting Fundraiser for the Heart of Monument Play Park, Wed., Nov. 12, 6:30 pm-9 pm. • Ravissante Salon & Spa Ribbon Cutting, Sat., Nov. 15, 10:30 am12:30 pm. See ad on page 24. • St. Matthias Special Sunday School Program - The Beatitudes, Sun., Nov. 16. See ad on page 4. • Tri-Lakes Chamber Business After Hours - Annual Non-Profit Showcase, Tue., Nov. 18, 5 pm-7 pm • Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., Nov. 20, 7-8 pm (doors open at 6:30). • TLWC's Joys of the Holiday Season Holiday Home Tour, Fri.Sat., Nov. 21-22, 10-4pm. See ad on page 3. • 20th Annual Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza, Sat., Nov. 22, 9 am-5 pm; Sun., Nov. 23, 10 am-4 pm. See ad on page 2. • Small Business Saturday, Sat., Nov. 29 • Monument Hill Kiwanis Club 19th Annual North Pole at TriLakes Arts and Crafts Fair, Sat., Dec. 6, 9 am-4 pm. See add on page 13. • Monument Small Town Christmas and Tree Lighting, Sat., Dec. 6, 2 pm-7 pm • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!, Fri., Dec. 12-13, See ad on page 5. • Tri-Lakes Music Association The Majesty of Christmas, Fri.Sun, Dec. 19-21. See ad on page 7.
In this issue Palmer Lake News 1-6 D38 News 1, 6-10 Monument News 10-11 Fire District News 11-12 Water & San District News 12-14 County & HOA News 14-16 Letters 16-18 Columns 18-19 Snapshots 19-21 Notices and Calendar 21-23 OCN Info 1, 5, 10, 14, 17, 21, 23
Above: On Oct. 17, a group of witches mounted paddle boards and, with brooms and paddles, launched off the northern pier at Palmer Lake to enjoy the fine fall weather. Although some mysterious spell made it impossible to discern individual identities, the event seemed to be a gathering of residents and echoed other “witch paddle” events across the state and country. The event was followed by a Spooky bash at the Annex at the Elephant Rock property that is part of the EcoSpa project underway by Richard and Lindsay Willan. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Oct. 2, 9, and 23
Buc-ee’s Resistance, Oct. 14
Annexation election set for Feb. 19, Coalition comes trustee resigns, lawsuits dismissed together to stop Buc-ee’s Development (PD), and a sketch By James Howald and
Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) held a special meeting on Oct. 2 and two regular meetings on Oct. 9 and 23. At the special meeting, the board discussed the Buc-ee’s annexation and election. At the Oct. 9 meeting, the board accepted the resignation of Mayor Pro-Tem Amy Hutson and discussed the vacancy replacement process. At its Oct. 23 meeting, the board opened the applications for the vacant trustee appointment. Town Attorney Scott Krob provided updates on litigation against the town, and the board set an annexation hearing for the Monument Crossing property near Red Rocks Ranch Road and fired its auditor.
Buc-ee’s annexation election approved
At its Oct. 2 special meeting, the PLBOT was to hold a public hearing on the Buc-ee’s annexation to consider the petition for annexation, a plan to zone the property as Planned
plan. A large audience attended and vocally expressed their disapproval of the proceedings. The agenda noted that the applicant submitted a written request to hold an annexation election and continue the public hearing to a date certain. Krob, noting that the recently passed ordinance used the vague language of the initiative that voters passed in the Sept. 9 special election, said that the applicant was within their rights to request the election and the board should follow the will of the voters. At the Sept. 25 board meeting, Krob had said the election could take place at any point in the process. Krob said the board’s election consultant said the election could take place within 120 days and that, given their reimbursement agreement with the applicant, Buc-ee’s would pay for the cost of the election. After much discussion from the board and numerous points of order and points of information, primarily
PL BOT (Cont. on 2) Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Oct. 20
Monument Academy annual report, Home School Enrichment Academy, and Transitions program update By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received the annual report of the district’s charter school, Monument Academy, discussed a timeline and options for location of the Home School Enrichment Academy and Transitions programs, and recognized principals, business officials and former Superintendent Ted Bauman at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Monument Academy annual report
Monument Academy Executive Director Collin Vinchattle reported on test scores and activities at both the west (elementary) and east (secondary) campuses of the school. Vinchattle referred to the school
website for the school mission statement and said that while participation in Colorado Measurement of Academic Success (CMAS) was low, alternative test results indicated that schools at both levels performed above average. He reported on test scores in various subjects at all levels. Please refer to boarddocs for detailed information by going to lewispalmer.org, board of education, boarddocs. MA began offering a homeschool enrichment program last year with 32 students. Participation has doubled this year. MA was recognized as a National Showcase School on the middle
D38 BOE (Cont. on 6)
By James Howald A crowd of 50 or more met at the Woodmoor Barn Oct. 14 to hear speeches and progress reports from a coalition of grassroots groups working to prevent the construction of a Buc-ee’s travel center at the southwestern intersection of I-25 and County Line Road. The audience heard from Sean Sawyer of TriLakes Preservation Inc. (TPI), Palmer Lake residents Gene Kalesti and David Parks, Matt Beverly of TPI, Monument Town Council member Steve King, water expert Roy Martinez, attorney Kat Gayle representing Integrity Matters, and Eric Zeis.
Sawyer sums up recalls and ballot initiative
Sawyer pointed out that, as a nonprofit, TPI was not allowed to directly participate in the recent recalls of Palmer Lake Trustees Shana Ball and Kevin Dreher. He noted that the ballot initiative to put all annexation requests to the voters of Palmer Lake received more votes than the recalls did. Sawyer said he believed Palmer Lake Town Attorney Scott Krob “was pushing a pro-Buc-ee’s agenda” at the Oct. 9 meeting of the Palmer Lake Board of Trustees. Sawyer gave the crowd a summary of the fundraising done by TPI to oppose the Buc-ee’s travel center. TPI received about $24,000 in
BUC-EE'S (Cont. on 5)
Above: At the Woodmoor Barn, Sean Sawyer, of Tri-Lakes Preservation Inc., updates attendees regarding efforts to oppose the Buc-ee’s travel center and to recall Palmer Lake Trustee Tim Caves. Photo by James Howald.