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 #297 — Volume 25 Number 12 — Saturday, December 6, 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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Tri-Lakes skys painted with Northern Lights
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 18 and page 19 or check wp.ocn.me/events for event locations and other details of these and many other local events. • Monument Hill Kiwanis Club - 19th Annual North Pole at Tri-Lakes Arts and Crafts Fair, Sat., Dec. 6, 9 am-4 pm • Monument Small Town Christmas and Tree Lighting, Sat., Dec. 6, 2 pm-7 pm • Palmer Lake Yule Log Potluck, Wed., Dec. 10, 6 pm-8:30 pm. • Speed puzzle events, Mon., Dec. 8; 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. See ad on page 4. • The Best Christmas Pageant Ever!, Fri., Dec. 12-13, See ad on page 5. • One Star Christmas Concert, Fri., Dec. 12, 7 pm-9 pm. See ad on page 2. • Trinity Lutheran Church Advent Festival, Sun., Dec. 14, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. See ad on page 9. • Encore Community Arts Christmas Market! Sun., Dec. 14, 12:00-4:30 pm. See ad on page 5. • Palmer Lake Yule Log Hunt, Sun., Dec. 14, 1 pm-8:30 pm. • Trinity Lutheran Church Festival of Lessons and Carols, Sun., Dec. 14, 5 pm-7 pm. • Speed puzzle events, Mon., Dec. 15; 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. See ad on page 4. • Tri-Lakes Music Association - The Majesty of Christmas, Fri.-Sun, Dec. 19-21. See ad on page 4. • OCN mailing days, Fri., Jan. 2, 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) 488-3455. • Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic Youth Hockey Camp, Sat., Jan. 10, 9 am-12 pm. See ad on page 12. • Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic CHSAA Foundation Hockey Game, Sat., Jan. 10, 6 pm-9 pm. See ad on page 12. • Palmer Lake Outdoor Classic Adult Hockey Tournament, Sun., Jan. 11, 3 pm-6 pm See ad on page 12.
In this issue Palmer Lake News 1-6 Monument News 1, 6-7 D38 News 1, 6-11 Fire District News 11 Water & San District News 12-14 County & HOA News 14-15 Letters 15 Columns 15-16 Snapshots 16-17 Notices and Calendar 17-23 OCN Info 1, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19
Above: On Nov. 11, a geomagnetic storm broke out on the surface of the sun 92 million miles from Monument. It was a big one. So big that the skies over the Tri-Lakes area lit up in reds, pinks, and greens. These solar storms are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the strongest. This storm was rated a 4, strong enough for the lights to be seen just with your eyes. The deepest colors were found, however, in photographs. This photo, looking across Monument Lake to the Palmer Lake Star, was taken by Michael Weinfeld with an iPhone 16 Pro. Inset: Photo by Trish Wingert at the top of her cul-desac on Six Trees Lane in Woodmoor.
Palmer Lake Board of Trustees, Nov. 13 and 18
Schedule for annexation elections undecided; board vacancy unfilled By James Howald and Jackie Burhans The Palmer Lake Board of Trustees (PLBOT) held just one regular board meeting last month, on Nov. 13. It considered resolutions to set the dates for annexation elections for the Red Rocks Acres property and the Bucee’s property, deciding in both cases to take no action until its next meeting on Dec. 11. Two resolutions to set the title and ballot language for those annexations were also continued until December. The board debated a draft of an ordinance written by Town Attorney Scott Krob that would amend the town’s municipal code regarding annexation elections. Andy Kovacs, chief of the Monument Fire District (MFD), gave a presentation about MFD and discussed how it and the Palmer Lake Fire Department (PLFD) might merge. A public hearing was held on amending the
2025 budget, and the proposed 2026 budget was reviewed. The board also discussed how to fill the vacancy on the board created by Amy Hutson’s resignation. On Nov. 18, the board held a workshop to interview two applicants for the board vacancy: John Marble and Bill Bass. Following that workshop, a special session was held to appoint one of the two applicants to the board. During that special session, the board could not decide between Marble and Bass and decided to reopen the nomination process.
Annexation elections continued Krob told the board that Resolution 65-2025 scheduled the annexation election for the Red Rocks Acres property for Feb. 3. Trustee Beth Harris questioned the point of setting the annexation
PL BOT (Cont. on 2)
Monument Planning Commission, Nov. 13
Commission recommends controversial 158-home Conexus development and Commercial PUD By Janet Sellers At its regular meeting Nov. 13, the Monument Planning Commission (MPC) recommended approval of the final Planned Unit Development (PUD) and final plat for Conexus Filing No. 4, advancing a 158-home residential project proposed by Meritage Homes. The commission also unanimously recommended for approval the Final PUD for the Terrazzo-Baja Commercial Subdivision, setting conditions on outdoor storage to maintain visual quality standards.
158 single-family homes planned on 23 acres near Old Denver Road
Meritage Homes, represented by Director of Entitlements Chelsea Green, presented plans to replat 23 acres (Lot 2 of the Conexus development) into a medium-density neighborhood with detached homes priced in the
high $400,000s to low $500,000s. Homes will range from about 1,500 to 1,900 square feet, feature energy-efficient construction, two-car garages, basements or crawl spaces, and darksky compliant lighting.
MONUMENT PC (Cont. on 6)
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, Nov. 17
Reports on CIC and Safety and Security By Harriet Halbig On Nov. 17, the Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education received reports on progress at the Career and Innovation Center (CIC) and Priority 1 of the district’s strategic plan dealing with safe and healthy schools.
Career and Innovation Center update
Director of Innovative Programs Amy Sienkowski reported on developments at the Career and Innovation Center (CIC). The CIC is now participating in a county-wide group called Innovate Pikes Peak, which involves a number of schools in the area. CIC will offer access to its engineering and advanced manufacturing programs to students from participating schools. A new course in robotics and engineering is being developed as part of the engineering pathway. It may be offered next year, depending on student interest. The course will cover the history and use of robots and automation in industry. Health science pathways are being developed at district high schools in preparation for being offered at the CIC campus.
D38 (Cont. on 8)
Nov. 4 Election Boldface = Elected El Paso County Commissioner, Dist. 5 • Lauren Nelson 70.38% • Vickie Tonkins 29.62% Academy District 20 • Holly Tripp 18.19% • Renee Malloy Ludlam 14.46% • Brandon Clark 15.12% • Susan Payne 17.52% • Eddie Waldrep 17.33% • Jennafer Stites 13.41% • Cynthia Halverson 3.96% Lewis-Palmer District 38 - Dist. 1 • Tim Bennet 100% Lewis-Palmer District 38 Dist. 3 • Ginger Schaaf 61.14% • Jackie Burhans 38.86%