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Issue #304 — Volume 26 Number 7 — Saturday, July 4, 2026
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID MONUMENT, CO PERMIT NO. 32
**ECRWSS** Postal Customer
Free
Happy 250th Birthday, America!
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 www.ocn.me/events for event locations and other details of these and many other local events. • OCN mailing days, Thu., July 2 & July 30, 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. • Town of Monument Concerts in the Park, Every Wed. through July 29, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm. • Goat Patch Brewing Monument Summer Music Series, Every Sun., 2 pm-5 pm. • Palmer Lake July 4th Fun Run, Sat., July 4, 6 am-10 am. • St. Peter Knights of Columbus 4th of July Pancake Breakfast, Sat., July 4, 7 am-10 am. • Kiwanis Annual Peach Sale Order Deadline, Wed., Jul. 8, 5 pm. See ad on page 9. • Monumental Med-Spa Botox Event, Thu., Jul. 9, 9:30 am-6 pm. See ad on page 7. • Western Museum of Mining and Industry, Super Saturday, Steam, Sat., Jul. 11, 10 am-2 pm. See ad on page 10. • The Flourish Collective Monument Grand Opening Celebration, Thu., Jul. 16, 4:30 pm-7:30 pm. See ad on page 24. • Art Hop, Thu., July 16, 5 pm-8 pm. See ad on page 3. • Covered Treasures Bookstore Book Signing, Thu., Jul. 16, 5 pm-8 pm. Roxanne Troup: Happy Birthday America and Rachel Hetrick: Between Shadows and Light. • Palmer Lake Historical Society, Thu., July 16, 7 pm-8 pm • Hummingbird Festival, Fri.-Sat., Jul. 17-18, 10 am-3 pm • Woodmoor Chipping Days, Sat., Jul. 18, 8 am-4 pm. Sun., Jul. 19, 8 am-2 pm. • Kiwanis Annual Peach Order Pick-up, Sat., Jul. 18, 10 am-2 pm. • Palmer Lake Arts Festival, Fri.Sun., July 24-26, 6 pm-9 pm. See ad on page 8. • Covered Treasures Bookstore Book Signing, Sat., Jul. 25, 12 pm-2 pm Jeannine Anderson: Psychopaths in the Wild • OCN Publication, Sat., Aug. 1 • Tri-Lakes Smokin Showdown & Palmer Paddle, Sat., Aug. 1, 8:30 am-3 pm. • King's Deer Annual Community Garage Sale, Fri., Aug. 7, 8 am-1 pm. See ad on page 4.
Above: This truck at Illumination Point on Highway 105 in Palmer Lake sums up the spirit as America celebrates in 250th birthday. Monument, which is 103 years younger than the U.S., planned its annual Fourth of July parade, put on each year by the Monument Hill Kiwanis. This year’s theme is “250 Years of Freedom; 150 Years of Colorado Statehood.” The Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce also plans its annual Street Fair along Second Street and Washington Streets. The Palmer Lake 4th of July Festival is also scheduled the same day. Photo by Michael Weinfeld
El Paso County Planning Commission June 18
MA Subdivisions recommended for denial By Marlene Brown At the June 18 El Paso County Planning Commission (EPCPC) meeting, two agenda items were discussed that pertained to northern El Paso County. No. P261, a map amendment request for MA Subdivision Tract A, located at Highway 83 and Walker Rd. to rezone to RM-12. Residential – Multi-dwelling-12 allows for up to 12 dwelling units per acre. Parcel no. 6115011001 is owned by MA Infrastructure LLC. This portion of the parcel rezone request is 7.65 aces. On April 1, 2025 Walden Corporation/Monument Academy Foundation, a 501C3 non-profit corporation founded in 2004, sold parcel no. 611501101 to MA Infrastructure, LLC for $10. Walden Corporation has committed to water and sewer services to the MA Subdivision in a letter dated April 7, 2026. No. P262 a map amendment request for MA Subdivision Tract A to rezone to RM30, which allows for up to 30 residential-multidwelling units per acre. Parcel no. 6115011001 - for this request the portion is 7.79 acres. In each case the commission
voted 6 to 1 to recommend denial of the application. In both instances, the motion for disapproval stated that the applications failed to meet the necessary approval criteria, specifically: • Criteria #1: General conformance with the El Paso County Master Plan. • Criteria #3: Compatibility with existing and permitted land uses and zoning districts in all directions. The sole dissenting vote was cast by commissioner Thomas Bailey. In his comments prior to the votes, Bailey noted that while the criteria are
EPCPC (Cont. on 4)
Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education, June 22
See the WIA article on page 8 and Stage II Burn restrictions on page 16
In this issue County News, 1,3-4 D38 News 1, 4-8 WIA News 8-9 Monument News 9-11 Palmer Lake News 11-12 Water & San District News 12-14 Letter & Columns 14-17 Snapshots 17-20
July 4th Events 20
Notices and Calendar 21-23 OCN Info 1, 20-24
Contract with Falcon AeroLab, recognition of grants for teachers, adoption of budget By Harriet Halbig The Lewis-Palmer D38 Board of Education approved a contract to enhance the home school enrichment program, recognized several teachers for receiving grants, adopted the 2026-27 budget, and other business at its June 22 meeting.
Contract with Falcon AeroLab
Mark Hyatt, founder and CEO of Falcon AeroLab presented information on his program and what opportunities it could offer for the homeschooled students in the district. Hyatt said new legislation requires that programs such as his must operate under the umbrella of a school district. FalconAeroLab offers programs for students from age 6 through high school. To view a brochure on the program, please see BoardDocs. Hyatt said that Colorado rates
first in the nation for aviation and aerospace jobs, yet we import our labor from elsewhere. This program succeeds in training pilots, aviation mechanics, astronauts, engineers, and cyber warriors. He said that he has also offered information on space weather and space physiology. Training includes building and flying gliders, building, and flying drones, and the ability to qualify for a number of professional certifications. Superintendent Amber Whetstine said that the program will be located at the Methodist Church in Kings Deer and will possibly be part of the curriculum at the Career and Innovation Center in the future. The board voted to approve a contract with Falcon AeroLab.
D38 (cont. on 4)
Buc-ee’s seeks to avoid public hearings By John Heiser On June 19, Buc-ee’s EPCO, LLC, the entity pursuing approval of the proposed Buc-ee’s travel center on the combined parcel of about 53.4 acres west of I-25 and south of County Line Road, submitted to the El Paso County Planning and Community Development (PCD) department a request for an administrative determination whether the proposed use is classified as a “Convenience Store” or other commercial use allowed by the present obsolete C-1 (commercial) zoning on the parcel. In the event the PCD Executive Director Meggan Herington determines that the proposed Buc-ee’s is a permitted use under the existing zoning, all future approvals would be handled administratively by the PCD department: No public notices would be issued, and no hearings would be held. In the county’s Land Development Code, “Convenience Store” is defined as, “An establishment for the purpose of offering for sale to the neighborhood in which it is located such items as groceries, ready to eat food, over the counter drugs, and sundries. A convenience store may include retail sale of gasoline and other petroleum products.” Bucee’s request notes that the definition does not place any limits on the size of the establishment. The proposed project consists of an approximately 74,000 square foot building, 120 fueling positions, approximately 20 electric vehicle charging stations, approximately 790 parking spaces, and bicycle parking. No on-site seating is proposed. As stated on the county’s Bucee’s update page, “An administrative determination is a written interpretation by the Planning and Community Development Director… This determination is limited to the use-classification question and does not approve construction, business operations, a site development plan, grading, drainage, traffic improvements, utilities, signage, lighting, or building permits.” The county has 14 days to complete its review and issue a determination. The director has the option to refer the matter to the Board of County Commissioners. A decision should be announced by the first week in July.
BUC-EE'S (cont. on 3)