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Monument Board of Trustees, Oct. 5:
New town manager begins work; water rates increase discussed
By Lisa Hatfield
New Town Manager Chris Lowe attended his first Monument Board of Trustees meeting on Oct. 5. The trustees discussed
proposed increases in water rates and fees and approved funding for a change in scope to the water reuse feasibility study. They discussed the
first draft of the 2016 budget, and they went into executive session to discuss the new contract for Pamela Smith’s town treasurer contract
but did not take action on this item.
New town manager welcomed
The trustees addressed Lowe and expressed their wishes about the "new beginning," as Trustee Becki Tooley called it when
she asked for weekly communication from him to the trustees. Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Kaiser said they had a lot of expectations of Lowe. Trustees
Jeff Smith and Jeff Bornstein mentioned wanting to help Lowe prioritize what the town needs to do, and the consensus was to wait a few weeks
before having a public workshop that could coincide with the public budget workshop discussion that is still to be scheduled.
Jeff Smith read the whole town manager ordinance out loud so that members of the public would understand the role of both
the elected officials and the town staff. The town manager is both responsible to and an advisor to the Board of Trustees. For complete text,
see www.municode.com/library/co/monument/codes/code_of_ordinances in Section 2, Administration and Personnel.
Lowe said he’s been meeting with the directors and trustees individually and learning more about the town. He said, "It’s
like drinking out of fire hose," but he hopes to bring the town the best professional service he can.
Water rates and fees increase discussed
Public Works Director Tom Tharnish, Interim Town Treasurer Pamela Smith, and water engineer Will Koger and water quality
expert Elizabeth Betancourt of Forsgren Associates presented a draft of the proposed water rates and fees structure they recommend that the
town adopt soon. The town’s water enterprise fund, which is supposed to be self-sufficient, has borrowed more than $400,000 from the town’s
general fund in the last few years, and the water enterprise reserve fund, designed to pay for unexpected maintenance and capital improvements
costs, has been drained and needs to be replenished to $500,000. The goal of these rate and fee increases would be to make the water
enterprise fund self-sufficient again by 2020, they said.
Tharnish said that in 2013, although a large water rates increase was needed, staff "did not want to put a greater
financial burden on town residents and businesses" in addition to the effects of the recession, so just a small increase was instituted then.
See www.ocn.me/v13n3.htm#bot0219 for a discussion of the 2013 water rates increase.
The town provides potable water to Monument customers on the west side of I-25. Customers on the east side are served by
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) and Triview Metropolitan District (Triview).
The town’s water system includes four water treatment plants, a 1 million gallon storage tank, miles of water mains, five
pressure relief valves, nine wells, and over 1,000 water taps, all of which are aging and require more maintenance every year, but because
funding levels are low, maintenance has been reactive instead of proactive, Tharnish said.
Three sources provide revenue for the water enterprise fund:
• Residential and commercial customers, for operations, maintenance, and improvement to existing aging infrastructure
• 2A Acquisition, Storage, and Delivery (ASD) Funds, for purchasing renewable water rights, from a 2005 voter-approved
1 percent sales tax. Currently, 35 percent of it is being used to pay off the loan for construction of Town Hall. In 2017, 100 percent of
the 1 percent tax will be available for acquiring new water rights.
• Tap fees paid by developers to connect new construction
The town could also finance costs not covered by these sources, Pamela Smith said.
The current residential base fee for a three-quarter-inch tap is $8.80 per month, and customers pay for the volume of water
consumed in addition, based on a tiered rate system in increments of 1,000 gallons and starting with 1,000 gallons, so the lowest monthly
residential amount currently invoiced could be $13.79. A significant change in the proposed water rates and fees is to use a minimum $60.24
per month base fee for all customers. This would automatically include the first 6,000 gallons of water.
Trustee John Howe said that for residents using less than 6,000 gallons a month, this change would constitute a 78 percent
increase in their water bills; he referred to the chart distributed at the water rates workshop on Sept. 21. Howe’s point was that he never
uses 6,000 gallons, a 78 percent increase in one year was too high, and that there was not much feedback from the public because they did not
know about the proposal.
However, Tharnish said typical users of water use around 6,000 gallons/month, that they now pay $38.74 a month, and so they
would see a 35 percent increase with the new structure.
The proposed rates and fees the first year would then also include annual increase of 8 percent the next four years, both
on the base rates and additional volumetric rates. Rates would be re-evaluated by the board in 2020. Betancourt said the first year’s proposed
rates "are lower than they need to be" to meet operations expenses, "because we didn’t want to shock everyone with raising rates as much as
they needed to go up right away."
Tharnish said low-income families would be encouraged to apply for help from local "private, non-profit aid groups" to get
help paying their bills, which he estimated would increase $20-$30 in winter and more in summer based on volume of water used for irrigation.
Examples for residential customers with three-quarter-inch tap:
|
Current invoice |
Proposed 2016 invoice |
2,000 gallons/month |
$18.78 |
$60.24 |
6,000 gallons/month |
$38.74 |
$60.24 |
14,000 gallons/month |
$88.66 |
$119.24 |
The volumetric rates per 1,000 gallons would also increase with the proposed plan.
Commercial water rates and fees would also increase based on the meter size and volumetric tiered rates. For details, see
www.townofmonument.org.
The proposed changes would include an increase in tap fees for new construction. For example, a three-quarter-inch tap fee
is currently $9,000 and would go up to $19,440, a 116 percent increase. Tharnish said the Lake of the Rockies development under construction
now, which will include about 156 total homes eventually, would get the opportunity to purchase 50 taps in advance at the 2015 rate.
Tharnish and Koger said the proposed increase in water rates is comparable to other water utilities of similar size and
structure such as Triview Metro District, Colorado Springs Utilities, Donala Water and Sanitation District, Woodmen Hills Metro District, and
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District. The range for comparable districts’ monthly rates was between $35 and $80 a month, according to the
data Forsgren Associates gathered from their websites. Trustee Kelly Elliott asked that Tharnish double-check the figures listed in the chart
for comparable districts, because the Triview number seemed incorrect.
No citizens presented public comment on the issue. Tharnish said Monument’s water bills referred residents to the town
website for information, but it was not published in the newspaper, he said. He asked the board for direction before presenting this issue at
the next Board of Trustees meeting. However, several trustees and Lowe asked for more time to evaluate the proposal before Lowe makes his
recommendation and the trustees vote on it. The exact date for the vote was not determined. The proposed rates, if approved by the board,
would take effect as soon as Jan. 1, 2016.
If approved, the rates and fees increase would cover operations and maintenance but not any purchases of new water sources.
If a new well were needed to augment groundwater production before reuse and renewable surface water sources could be procured, it would cost
over $1.25 million, Tharnish said.
Water reuse study change in scope
The trustees approved a resolution approving the use of additional 2A Water ASD funding to support an amendment to the
project agreement approved originally in October 2014 for a local reuse feasibility study for a potential new water source for the Town of
Monument. The 2A fund was established by the voters in 2005 for the acquisition, storage, and delivery of any newly acquired water and water
rights.
The water reuse study would help the town extend the life its non-renewable groundwater sources, which are wells drilled
into the aquifers, said Koger. Water reuse would involve building new infrastructure to divert the town’s proportional effluent flows,
discharged into Monument Creek from the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility (TLWWTF), to a new water treatment plant. Note: The water
quality of the treated effluent discharged by the TLWWTF is higher than the ambient Monument Creek stream water quality it is mixed with.
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District already withdraws and pumps Monument Creek surface water from a point upstream of the TLWWTF discharge
pipe location to Lake Woodmoor.
The $46,000 Regional Water Reclamation Facility Concept Study water reuse study was done by Tetra Tech in July 2014, the
trustees approved it in October 2014, and it initially included Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District and Donala Water and Sanitation
District. On Oct. 8, an additional $13,400 from the 2A Water ASD fund was added to the scope, which was modified to include a review on how
the town’s water reuse planning could be integrated with a proposed regional water infrastructure system.
Trustees Jeff Bornstein and Tooley asked why it was time for another study without any concrete action plan associated with
it. Koger reminded the trustees that two waterline looping projects identified in the water master plan have been completed recently. Tharnish
and Koger explained that the reuse study would determine the hydraulic and logistically feasibility, costs, regulatory hurdles, and a road map
for implementation. All that would be required before the next phase, which would be more expensive and would involve engineering design and
construction details.
The resolution was approved 6-1, with Bornstein voting no.
Park and ride maintenance approved
The trustees unanimously approved a resolution approving a contract between the town of Monument and the Colorado
Department of Transportation (CDOT) agreeing that the town would do "minimum maintenance" on the Bustang park and ride lot on Woodmoor Drive,
which is in El Paso County, not inside the town boundaries. Minimal maintenance will include trash pickup, sidewalk sweeping, and weed removal
but not street sweeping or snow removal. Pamela Smith, who has been negotiating with CDOT, explained that CDOT hopes to enlist the aid of El
Paso County for the snow removal work.
Pamela Smith and Tharnish said that the park and ride agreement is not a formal or legal arrangement with CDOT making any
promises about the town being able to move the Wagon Gap Trail bulk fill water station to a new CDOT location between Conoco and Safeway.
However, they hope that by agreeing to take over minimal maintenance of the park and ride, CDOT will finish issuing the needed permit to the
town so the bulk fill water station can be moved out of the neighborhood where it has generated so much controversy. Forsgren Associates is
already handling the engineering, and Koger said he thought the bulk fill station might be operating in the new location by late spring or
early summer 2016.
2016 draft budget
Smith presented the trustees with the first version of a 2016 draft budget. Since there were so many "preliminary" figures in this version,
the trustees did not discuss the details. They did request a public budget workshop with Smith and Lowe soon so they could ask detailed
questions about it.
The final budget will be presented at the Dec. 7 Board of Trustees meeting. The public is welcome to inspect the
preliminary budget before then by visiting the Town Hall or by contacting Pamela Smith, interim town treasurer, at (719) 884-8045 or
psmith@tomgov.org.
Checks over $5,000
The trustees unanimously approved the following disbursements over $5,000 as part of the consent agenda:
• Forsgren Associates Inc., Distribution line R&M −$6,504
• Forsgren Associates Inc., Water Rates Study − $7,913
• Martin Marietta Materials, 1.5-inch overlay on Beacon Lite Road by Town Hall and Jackson Creek Parkway between Higby
Road and YMCA −$43,644
• CIRSA Insurance, fourth-quarter workers comp − $14,238
• CIRSA Insurance, fourth-quarter liability insurance − $23,920
• Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, fourth-quarter installment of Chamber support − $5,000
Williams saves the day
Mayor Rafael Dominguez read a thank-you letter from a stranded motorist who had been assisted by Town Gardener Sharon
Williams. She used water from the tank on her town gardening ATV to prevent the overheated brakes on the man’s truck from catching fire, and
then she directed him to follow her as she drove to the nearest repair shop. "She didn’t judge me even though I was wearing tattoos and camo.
She was a magnificent heaven-sent angel," the motorist wrote. Dominguez asked the trustees to approve an increase in Williams’ water
allowance, and the audience applauded the suggestion.
Executive session
Before the executive session, Interim Town Treasurer Pamela Smith asked if she would be permitted to attend the executive
session. Town Attorney Gary Shupp said it was up to the board. Trustee Jeff Smith said he thought it would be inappropriate, and there was no
other discussion. At 8:45 p.m., the board went into executive session for negotiations, instructing negotiators, and determining positions
relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations.
After the meeting, Town Clerk Cynthia Sirochman informed OCN that the board decided to delay a decision on the town
treasurer contract with Pamela Smith until the next regular board meeting on Oct. 19.
The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
Caption: Chris Lowe was sworn in as the new Monument Town Manager at the Oct. 5 Board of Trustees meeting. The trustees
welcomed him and also explained their expectations of him. He said that he hopes to bring the town the best professional service he can.
Photo by Lisa Hatfield.
**********
Lisa Hatfield can be reached at lisahatfield@ocn.me.
Palmer Lake Town Council, Oct. 8:
Subdivision plans questioned
By James Howald
On Oct. 8 the Palmer Lake Town Council met to hear a request to subdivide a property known as Pioneer Preserve, to finalize
the sale of an acre of land to a local business, to approve a credit card for use by the town clerk, to discuss an ordinance to allow
residents to raise chickens, to hear a progress report on the Great Outdoor Colorado (GOCO) grant, and to approve a business license and a
landscape easement.
Pioneer Preserve subdivision request questioned
Representatives of Proterra Properties LLC asked the board to approve their request to subdivide an 82-acre parcel adjacent
to the Mennonite Church on the east side of Highway 105. The board voted in a previous meeting to approve a water augmentation plan for the
property. Proterra plans to subdivide the property into 15 five-acre lots, each of which will have a septic system and a well accessing either
the Denver or the Dawson aquifer. Access to the subdivision will be from Highway 105, and the homeowners association for the subdivision will
maintain the roads, according to Proterra’s representatives. The land is currently zoned for residential and agricultural use.
Two residents of Palmer Lake—Bob Miner and Kurt Ehrhardt—raised several concerns with Proterra’s development plan. Both
questioned the decision to use septic systems instead of connecting to an existing sewer line. Miner raised the issues of drainage and flood
control on the property. Ehrhardt brought up concerns with fire preparedness, since Proterra’s plan does not at present include fire hydrants.
Finally, Ehrhardt questioned the safety of the plan to access the property from Highway 105 without providing an acceleration/deceleration
lane.
Jerry Biggs of Proterra Properties and other spokespeople pointed out that their plan was developed after consulting with
several government agencies. The flood control plan, for example, had been approved by the Colorado Department of Transportation. Biggs said
that because the lots were five acres and zoned for both residential and agricultural use, statutes gave the developer the choice between
using septic systems or connecting to sewer lines. Connecting to existing sewer lines created problems with easements, Biggs said.
Town Administrator Kathy Green-Sinnard said the Palmer Lake Sanitation District can’t require Proterra to use its sewer
infrastructure, but that the board can require it as a condition of granting the request to subdivide the property.
The board voted unanimously to table Proterra’s request for subdivision for one month, to give them a chance to address the
concerns with sanitation, fire preparedness, and road safety.
Town sells land to Ron Reed
At a previous meeting, the board gave businessman Ron Reed access to property the town owns adjacent to Highway 105, just
west of Sara’s Sausage, to perform soil tests. At the Oct. 8 meeting, Reed told the board that the results of those tests confirmed the
suitability of the land for the building he proposed for the site, and offered the board $73,000 for one acre of the town’s 3.46-acre lot.
Reed also asked for the right of refusal on the remaining portion of the lot if he does the work of subdivision.
The board voted unanimously to approve the sale of the land to Reed.
Town clerk gets credit card
Green-Sinnard asked the board to approve a credit card in Town Clerk Tara Berreth’s name, to be used for limited emergency
purchases, such as the payments for the town’s website. According to Sinnard-Green, credit card companies require an individual’s name to be
printed on all credit cards.
The board voted unanimously to approve the request.
Chicken on menu again
The board discussed its progress drafting an ordinance that would allow residents to have chickens on their property. The
ordinance, when finished, will likely stipulate no more than four chickens per residence, will ban all roosters, and will not allow the sale
of eggs without a business license.
The board voted unanimously to table the ordinance until the November meeting.
Board hears update on park improvements
Resident Bill Fisher and business owner Jeff Hulsmann updated the board on their progress with the Greater Outdoor Colorado
(GOCO) project to improve the Palmer Lake Recreation Area. According to Fisher, substantial progress has been made on the parking lot, and
lighting will be the next item addressed. Requirements imposed by the railroad have delayed the plans for the pedestrian bridge between the
park and the town, Fisher said. The project is over budget by about $15,000, according to Fisher.
Jeff Hulsmann also addressed the funding issues for the project. Funds are still being raised, Hulsmann said. Restaurant
owners have raised $1,000 recently, he noted, and he also mentioned an athletic fundraiser—the Palmer Lake .5K race—scheduled to be held
Sunday, Oct. 11. The signups for the race had far exceeded Hulsmann’s expectations, he said, with 628 participants signed up by Oct. 8 and
race fees exceeding $15,000. A story on the race by a Colorado TV station boosted the number of entrants, Hulsmann said. The race, which will
include a doughnut stop at 860 feet and cheerleaders from Palmer Ridge High School at the finish, may become an annual event, according to
Hulsmann.
Board approves business license, landscape easement
The board unanimously approved a business license for Sue Buell to do business as Massage for Health at 755 Highway 105,
Suite 2-I. The board also unanimously approved a landscape easement for Ken Dickinson’s residence at 72 Hermosa Ave.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
**********
The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. Nov. 12 at Town Hall, 42 Valley Crescent. Meetings are normally held on the second
Thursday of the month. Information: 481-2953.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.
Monument Planning Commission, Oct. 14:
New planning commissioners; Monument Heights project advances
by Kate Pangelinan
The Oct. 14 Monument Planning Commission meeting was an eventful one, beginning with the introduction of two new
commissioners: Ed Locke is a new full-time planning commissioner and Daniel Rathke is a new alternate planning commissioner. Both new
commissioners attended this meeting, weighing in on the night’s four primary topics—the Jackson Creek Market Village Lot 3A Final Plat was
discussed, along with the Monument Heights Rezoning and planned development (PD) Sketch Plan, the Creekside Commercial Tractor Supply Company
Final Plat and Final PD Site Plan, and the Jackson Creek Self Storage Final Plat and Final PD Site Plan. All motions passed and will now be
discussed by the Board of Trustees.
Jackson Creek Market Village
Lot 3A Final Plat
In regards to the Jackson Creek Market Village Lot 3A Final Plat, this proposal is dealing once again with the plot of land
along Baptist Road, across the street from King Soopers. Lot 3A is intended to be developed by a dentist’s office, a restaurant, and one as
yet undetermined commercial establishment. Access from Baptist Road will provide a ramp for easier pedestrian access.
John Dick motioned for approval with the condition of a future Final PD Site Plan being provided. Michelle Glover seconded,
and this proposal passed unanimously.
Monument Heights Rezoning and
Final PD Sketch Plan
The Monument Heights Rezoning and Final PD Sketch Plan garnered a bit more discussion from both commissioners and citizens.
Under the proposed rezoning, 87.97 acres of land would change from Planned Commercial Development to Planned Residential Development should
this rezoning effort succeed, with 44.140 of those acres adjacent to the west side of Jackson Creek Parkway and 39.837 acres adjacent to the
east side, between Highway 105 and Bowstring Road. This property is located less than a mile from downtown Monument. The PD sketch plan
proposes that 620 dwellings would be built on this property, including apartments, townhouses and duplexes, intended to be in more generally
affordable price ranges than much of Monument.
Representatives of Pinetree Properties were present at the meeting, where they explained the company’s belief that this
property will prove more lucrative if used for housing. The land has been zoned for industrial use since 1980, and Pinetree Properties
suggests that it might not have sold due to being somewhat difficult to see from the highway.
Buffers would be constructed along I-25 to further separate these homes from the busy roads, and an elementary school would
be built to accommodate the increase in potential students. The children from this new residential development would have gone to Bear Creek
Elementary were there enough room, but as there isn’t developers have offered the school district choice of lots on either side of Jackson
Creek Parkway to build a new institution. The applicant prefers to look at this arrangement as an opportunity to ask the district what they
could use for a new school. When asked if the applicant was offering any land options that would suit the school district’s needs, the
district’s representative answered, "Absolutely."
A handful of neighborhood meetings have already been held to discuss plans for Monument Heights. Special care has been
taken to address citizen concerns following said meetings, including shifting density in the southeast of the development. Citizens expressed
gratitude for the developers’ willingness to communicate and respond to public concerns.
On that note, concerns discussed at Oct. 14’s meeting included questions about how traffic might increase with the arrival
of a new housing development, which could lead to the widening of Jackson Creek Parkway, as well as musings about whether such homes would be
in-demand so close to the highway. People are also worried about Monument losing its charm, in time, and becoming something of a "suburban
sprawl."
Commissioner Locke remarked that these homes might be too close together for his preference and would not provide each
resident enough land or separation from their neighbors, to which Commissioner Dick replied that most Americans cannot afford to pay for large
lots and providing affordable housing is important for a town. Commissioner Dick also said that it could be what Monument most needs is more
people to support local businesses.
This motion passed 5-2, with Jim Fitzpatrick and Locke voting against.
Creekside Commercial Tractor Supply Company Final Plat and Final PD Site Plan
The proposed Tractor Supply Co. in the Creekside Commercial development would be on 6.17 acres of land, built to mesh well
with nearby venues. It would be located southeast of the intersection of Jackson Creek Parkway and Leather Chaps Drive.
The project’s Final Plat passed unanimously, and the Final PD Site Plan passed 6-1 with Glover voting against because she
was unsure how many Monument residents knew about the coming proposal. She also expressed concern about potential commercial traffic—delivery
trucks—driving through residential roads.
The landowner behind this project is Creekside Developers Inc., and the architect/engineer involved is HSC Monument LLC.
Jackson Creek Self-Storage Final Plat and Final PD Site Plan
The Jackson Creek Self-Storage Final Plat and Final PD Site Plan both concern 6.6968 acres of land directly to the north of
the Vistas at Jackson Creek multifamily development. The Jackson Creek Self-Storage proposal is represented by (landowner) Jackson Creek Land
Co. LLC, and (architect/engineer) CSI Development LLC. Should these motions prove successful, Harness Road would be constructed to 10 feet
past the storage facility entrance, with a second access point provided for the Vistas housing development as well.
This self-storage facility is intended to provide more than the stereotypical storage unit experience, representatives say.
The development would be composed of five storage buildings broken up with landscaping and stucco ornamentation, complete with low ambient
landscape lighting. Sample units would be provided, as well as a leasing office and a 65-by-335-foot RV canopy. The storage portion of the
property would be gated, and both the storage units and the RV canopy would be enclosed.
While the leasing building is intended to remain open 9 to 5 most days, with shortened hours on weekends, the storage units
could be accessed 24-7 by people that own a unit. Commissioner David Gwisdalla recommended enforcing a separate code for apartment access.
Another concern expressed involved the placement of the waste disposal unit, proving a bit difficult for big RVs to reach.
Both the Final Plat and the Final PD Site Plan for the self-storage development were approved unanimously.
Other business
Over 30 citizens were in attendance at this meeting, and public comment was varied and passionate. One citizen in
particular wanted to call attention to the Grow Smart Monument Facebook group, a gathering space for concerned residents dedicated to helping
direct the future of Monument’s development. Grow Smart Monument is particularly concerned with Monument’s open and recreational spaces.
A new planner, Katherine Brady, was also introduced at this meeting. The new planning director, Larry Manning, used to work
in Cheyenne and was scheduled to begin work in the Town of Monument soon after this this meeting took place.
**********
The next Monument Planning Commission meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 645 Beacon Lite Rd. Meetings are
normally held on the second Wednesday of the month. Information: 884-8017 or http://www.townofmonument.org/meetings/.
Kate Pangelinan can be reached at katepangelinan@ocn.me.
Monument Board of Trustees, Oct. 19:
New planning director, BRRTA bond, and Grow Smart group
By Lisa Hatfield
The Oct. 19 Monument Board of Trustees meeting included a welcome to the new principal planner, good news about the BRRTA
bond, notice of a new citizens group, and information about the Monument Cemetery.
Mayor Pro-Tem Jeff Kaiser and Trustee Kelly Elliot were absent.
New principal planner welcomed
Mayor Rafael Dominguez and Town Manager Chris Lowe introduced new town principal planner Larry Manning to his first
Monument Board of Trustees meeting. Lowe said now the town is fully staffed again. Manning has worked with the cities of Cripple Creek,
Manitou Springs, and most recently Gillette, Wyo.
Lowe said he is also still getting acquainted with the lay of the land in Monument and meeting with department heads and
the trustees one by one to share ideas. For communication with the trustees, he sent out Friday Night Highlights with information from each
department.
CDOT will pay entire BRRTA bond
Dominguez said that he received an email from the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments announcing that the outstanding
Baptist Road Rural Transportation Authority (BRRTA) bond will be fully paid off by the Colorado Department of Transportation. He did not
announce a date or an exact payout amount. When the bond is paid off, the 1 percent sales tax on businesses within BRRTA will be repealed. See
www.ocn.me/v15n8.htm#brrta0729 and the upcoming BRRTA article in the December issue of Our Community News for details.
Grow Smart Monument citizens group
El Paso County resident Allison Catalano introduced a citizens group she has formed called Grow Smart Monument. It is a
volunteer group dedicated to preserving Tri-Lakes area open space and trails, recreational opportunities, natural resources, and community
character. She wants to increase governmental communication with people about upcoming development, including water availability, schools, and
the police force. And she wants the group to collaborate with developers and civic organizations in "creating a path to smart growth in our
beautiful town and the surrounding Tri-Lakes area." Some of the group’s goals include:
• Create a community sports complex with cooperation of the town, the county, and various state agencies.
• Help give input to the Monument Comprehensive Plan, which will be updated soon.
• Ask both town and county representatives to explain the transportation plan for the Tri-Lakes area, water issues
related to additional homes and businesses, and other issues related to schools and police.
For more information or to participate, see Grow Smart Monument’s Facebook group.
Catalano and Trustee Jeff Bornstein asked about the possibility of enacting a moratorium on development until the Monument
comprehensive plan is updated. Town Attorney Gary Shupp said it might be possible, but only for a very limited time under specific
circumstances so the town did not get into a reverse condemnation situation. Bornstein said then it would be important not to have land use
issues coming in "at the last minute and under lots of pressure."
Monument Cemetery
help needed
Trustee John Howe explained how he and several other volunteers have been working with historic documents in an attempt to
find the names of "Unknown" people buried in the cemetery. In the early 1900s, some people who died in one of two major train wrecks or the
influenza epidemic were buried without headstones. He said there are 189 "Unknowns" now, many discovered with ground-penetrating radar "done
years ago," and the temporary plaster grave markers made more recently are crumbling and being covered with dirt and grass.
Howe and his co-volunteers have found a way to have new "Unknown" granite markers with concrete bases made for $17 each,
but for 189 of them, "that’s a lot of money." Any person or group who would like to help with this project can contact him at
JHowe@tomgov.org
or call the town at (719) 884-8017.
Financial report
Interim Treasurer Pamela Smith’s report noted that sales tax revenues earned through August were 5 percent over budget, and
were also slightly ahead of sales tax collected by same time in 2014.
Checks over $5,000
• Triview Metro District, sales tax − $167,276
• Triview Metro District, annual property tax assessment − $183,440
All were accepted unanimously as part of the consent agenda.
At 7:17 p.m., the meeting went into executive session for developing strategy for negotiations, instructing negotiators,
and determining positions relative to matters that may be subject to negotiations. Town Clerk Cynthia Sirochman told OCN that Pamela
Smith’s new town manager contract was approved during the executive session and she would be sworn in again as town treasurer at the Nov. 2
meeting.
**********
After the meeting, Rachel Beck, Policy and Communication manager, Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments, shared a Colorado
Department of Transportation memo with OCN. On Oct. 1, Ajin Hu, acting regional transportation director, requested that the Colorado
Transportation Commission use $11.43 million of Transportation contingency funds to reimburse the Baptist Road Rural Transportation Authority
for the remaining construction cost on the I-25/Baptist Road interchange.
**********
The Monument Board of Trustees usually meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month at Monument Town
Hall, 645 Beacon Lite Road. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 16. Call 884-8017 or see www.townofmonument.org to see upcoming meeting
agendas.
Lisa Hatfield can be reached at lisahatfield@ocn.me.
Caption: Allison Catalano told the trustees about a new volunteer group called Grow Smart Monument, which is dedicated
to preserving Tri-Lakes area open space and trails, recreational opportunities, natural resources, and community character. She is shown here
speaking with citizens after the Oct. 19 Monument Board of Trustees meeting. For more information, join the Grow Smart Monument group on
Facebook. Photo by Lisa Hatfield.
Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 8: Board hears presentation on improving water quality in lake
By James Howald
At the meeting on Oct. 8, the Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD) board heard a presentation from SePRO Corp. on
improving water quality in Lake Woodmoor, clarified a tap policy, and heard reports from water district personnel.
SePRO proposes proactive management of Lake Woodmoor water quality
Andrew Skibo of SePRO spoke to the board concerning the work his company has been doing to control water weeds, especially
elodea and coontail, in Lake Woodmoor. According to Skibo, application of Sonar, an aquatic herbicide, has greatly reduced the amount of
elodea and coontail in the lake. Reducing the weeds in the lake helps to prevent clogged intakes to the water processing plant, Skibo said.
Skibo also outlined lake management practices he argued will improve the safety and taste of the water in Lake Woodmoor.
Implementing these practices will save the district money by reducing the amount of well water the district must add to water from Lake
Woodmoor to improve its taste and odor and would be cheaper than processing the water with ozone at the treatment plant, Skibo said. The
process should be to set a threshold for action, make regular measurements of the lake water, and take action before customers report
problems, Skibo said.
According to Skibo, the blue green algae present in the lake can produce poisonous cyanotoxin. Although that is not
happening at present, it is a potential danger, Skibo said.
Geosmin, an organic compound with an earthy unpleasant taste and smell, is also present in water from Lake Woodmoor, and is
the cause of some complaints from the district’s customers, especially in late summer, Skibo said. Water from 20 feet below the surface of the
lake has higher levels of geosmin, according to Skibo.
To address these issues, Skibo recommended treating the water below 20 feet several times a year with PAK 27, an OMRI-certified
organic algaecide. The treatments would cost about $27,000 annually, Skibo said.
In addition to the algaecide, Skibo recommended the installation of an aeration system, which would help circulate water
from the bottom to the top of the lake and slow the growth of algae. The aeration system would cost between $64,000 and $70,000 to install,
depending on the number of diffusers used, Skibo said.
After Skibo’s presentation to the board, District Manager Jessie Shaffer shared his thoughts about the value of ozonation
at the water treatment plant. Even if the quality of the water in the lake is improved through better management, ozonation provides a final
guarantee of safety and acceptable taste, Shaffer said.
Board clarifies policy on taps
Shaffer asked board members for their thoughts on an issue related to detached garages that was not completely clear in the
existing rules and regulations. A builder working on the plans for a detached garage asked Shaffer if a mop sink could be included in the
garage, and connected to the existing water and sewer service lines already in place for the main residence on the lot rather than to the
water and sewer main lines. This would allow the owner to avoid a second tap fee, Shaffer said.
President Barrie Town said this has been done in the past, and that he did not see a problem as long as all lines were
connected according to regulations.
Problem with well filter noted
In the Operations portion of the manager’s reports, Assistant District Manager Randy Gillette described a problem with the
filter in Well 11. The presence of sand, possibly from a crack in the well casing, is causing differential pressure problems with the filter,
Gillette said.
**********
The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12. Meetings are usually held at the district office at 1845 Woodmoor Drive on the
second Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. See www.woodmoorwater.com or call 488-2525 to verify meeting times.
James Howald can be reached at jameshowald@ocn.me.
Triview Metropolitan District, Oct. 13:
Residents speak up again about maintenance; new well goes online
By Lisa Hatfield
The Triview Metro District directors listened to public comments about landscaping maintenance, accepted a resident’s offer
to help create a landscaping maintenance template, and approved a revised road repair contract and new Neighborhood Watch at the Oct. 13
meeting.
New well online
District Manager Valerie Remington said that the new D-4 well was online as of Oct. 7. It took 1 1/2 years from start to
finish, Vice President Reid Bolander said.
Landscaping maintenance discussed again
Five residents of Triview spoke to the directors with concerns about the common areas that Triview maintains, including
complaints about lack of irrigation of turf grass, lack of regular mowing, weeds as big as shrubs, and a lack of responsiveness from the staff
when they have contacted the district. Their comments included:
• Anthony Sexton: I am not getting the service I am paying for in property taxes.
• Terry Heiser: You accepted Promontory Pointe Phase 3 and Phase 4 from Classic Homes, but it is a dump. You shouldn’t
have accepted it until Classic cleaned it up.
• Shanna Corum: They sprayed the weeds and it killed my grass, all along the sidewalk. Who will fix it? I want a
commitment in writing.
President Robert Fisher told the residents, "We do care." He said that over the years, landscaping and overall appearance
has been a frequent conversation and that the board would take action and give them feedback. Note: Maintenance issues have been an ongoing
theme at Triview meetings. See www.ocn.me/v6n1.htm#tmd,
www.ocn.me/v12n8.htm#tmd0710 or search www.ocn.me.
Fisher said that in 2016, the district will use a landscape and maintenance plan for grass fertilizing, individual
irrigation sprinkler system activation, etc. and that the board would assess this quarterly to make sure it was followed.
District resident Anthony Sexton volunteered his time and expertise as a landscaping business owner to help the district
come up with a plan for scheduled landscaping maintenance, staffing, equipment, supervision, and accountability. The consensus was that Sexton
would work with Director Bob Eskridge to create a template with prioritized baseline plans for each month. Note: Eskridge has served on the
Triview Board of Directors for many years, include serving terms as board president and secretary/treasurer.
Fisher reminded the residents that there are funding issues too, since the district has about $55 million of outstanding
debt. "It’s a juggling game," he said. "I don’t know about next year’s staffing, but I hope to improve that problem next year."
Remington reported that the parks and landscape expenses were well below budget as of the end of August, at 52 percent
instead of 66 percent budgeted. Bolander asked why the district had not spent what it budgeted, especially considering all the comments from
residents on landscaping maintenance. She said several projects were not done this year when she could not find people to hire to complete
them. Director Mark Melville asked why subcontractors were not hired to complete those projects, and Remington said they didn’t attempt to do
that this year.
Remington said that a sprinkler controller had broken at Promontory Pointe Park in August, and the district was still
trying to get the warranty repair done. Meanwhile sprinklers were turned on manually in August and September. In October all irrigation
systems were turned off.
Remington said that improvements will be made to the drainage channel that crosses under Agate Creek Drive south of Walter
Creek Drive so that it can handle the concentrated flow of water being funneled from the upper detention pond in Promontory Pointe.
She said that the president of Classic Homes said it will take care of the upper and middle detention pond repairs needed,
with some costs shared with Triview.
Checks over $5,000
On Sept. 8, the directors had approved a $27,000 (50 percent) down payment for asphalt repairs to be done by John R. Hurley
Asphalt LLC. Remington told the board that there was a mistake in that estimate due to a miscommunication, and the actual total cost would be
$52,242 more than what was first quoted, for a total of $104,484. The directors unanimously approved the revised contract amount. The $27,000
check was never issued, and so a new $52,242 check down payment was issued in October, Remington told OCN after the meeting.
Pete Knapstein from A Green Image spoke to the board about the fertilizer and weed control application his company
performed over the summer. Fisher said the greenbelt areas they treated had turned brown. Knapstein said he had not been informed until early
October that there was a problem and that his work was guaranteed. A tense discussion resulted in Fisher telling him to leave the meeting. The
check for $7,165 to A Green Image was pulled for the second month in a row.
These items were approved unanimously:
• Wildcat construction, I-25 potable crossing –$15,507
• ORC Water Professionals Inc., contract O&M – $5,500
• Triview’s share of third-quarter expenses for Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility – $100,968
quarterly
• John R. Hurley Asphalt LLC, down payment for road repairs – $52,242
Neighborhood Watch signs approved
A representative of the newly formed Promontory Pointe Neighborhood Watch group asked the board for permission to post two
Neighborhood Watch signs on existing signposts. She said the group has its gotten initial training from Monument Police Community Resource
Officer Bob Steine. The board unanimously approved the request.
For information on starting a program in your neighborhood within the Monument town limits, see
www.townofmonument.org/departments/neighborhood-watch/. (In El Paso County, see
http://shr.elpasoco.com/sections-law-enforcement-bureau/patrol-division/neighborhood-watch-program).
2016 budget discussion
The directors scheduled a work session to review the details of the preliminary 2016 district budget on Oct. 21.
Water and sanitation notes
Remington’s report said that for August, Triview contributed 41.9 percent of the total influent to the Upper Monument Creek
facility. Donala contributed 58 percent, and Forest Lakes contributed zero. The total monthly operations and maintenance expenses were divided
proportionally. Remington said as Forest Lakes development grows, the percentages for operations and maintenance will change.
Remington’s August water usage report noted that average water usage for 1,420 metered accounts, of which 1,330 were
residential three-fourths-inch taps, was 22,500 gallons per month with an average charge of $110.
At 6:54 p.m., the meeting went into executive session to confer with the district’s attorney regarding legal advice on
specific legal questions. Remington said they did not plan to make any announcements after the session.
**********
Triview Metropolitan District board meetings are normally held the second Tuesday of the month at 5 p.m. at 16055 Old
Forest Point, Suite 300. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10. Information: 488-6868 or see
www.colorado.gov/triviewmetro.
Lisa Hatfield can be reached at lisahatfield@ocn.me.
Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility Joint Use Committee, Oct. 13: Phosphorus levels and monitoring schedule discussed
By Lisa Hatfield
At the Oct. 13 Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility (TLWWTF) Joint Use Coordinating Committee (JUC) meeting, the members
discussed differences in phosphorus levels among the influent from the three owner districts and how and why to monitor those levels
accurately. They heard from engineering consultant firm Tetra Tech about progress on construction of the new total phosphorus tertiary
chemical treatment clarifier expansion and approved using contingency funds from the clarifier construction budget to add an emergency
electrical generator to meet the fire marshal’s requirement before the final building permit could be issued.
Treasurer Don Smith represented Monument Sanitation District, along with District Manager Mike Wicklund. Board member Joe
Stallsmith filled in for Palmer Lake Sanitation District Secretary/Treasurer Ken Smith, and was joined by District Manager Becky Orcutt.
Director at Large Rich Strom represented Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District, along with District Manager Jessie Shaffer. Other
representatives of the three districts also attended.
TLWWTF operates as a separate public utility and is jointly owned, in equal one-third shares, by Monument Sanitation
District (MSD), Palmer Lake Sanitation District (PLSD), and Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District (WWSD). The three-member JUC acts as the
board of the facility and consists of one member from each of the three owner districts’ boards.
Background: The $3.42 million construction costs for the new total phosphorus tertiary chemical treatment clarifier
expansion and supporting infrastructure are being shared this way: MSD–19.79 percent, PLSD–33.33 percent, and WWSD–46.88 percent. These
percentages are the subject of a pending lawsuit that WWSD has filed against MSD and PLSD over how the cost of construction will be shared.
WWSD’s position is that these costs should be divided by thirds.
PLSD had originally agreed to pay a third of the costs.
MSD’s position is that each district should pay the same percentage of the cost of this expansion according to the amount
of currently owned treatment capacity for flows and biosolid wastes in accordance with TLWWTF’s Joint Use of Facilities Agreement (JUA) rules
for treatment constituent expansions: WWSD–64.28 percent, MSD–19.79 percent, and PLSD–15.93 percent
MSD’s position is also that each district should own those same percentages of the new chemical total phosphorus treatment
capacity that is being created with new equipment in accordance with the Tri-Lakes JUA rules for treatment constituent expansions and that
district reimbursements from the $1 million state nutrient design and construction grant should also be divided by these same percentages. See
www.ocn.me/v15n5.htm#tlfjuc0414 and www.ocn.me/v15n2.htm#tlfjuc0113 for additional background.
Phosphorus levels high; testing schedule discussed
Facility Manager Bill Burks reported the August total phosphorus influent test result from each district into the TLWWTF.
The total phosphorus concentration (mg/l) and pounds per day (ppd) for MSD for August were almost twice as high as in previous months this
year, Burks said. Flow in millions of gallons per day (MGD), total phosphorus concentration (mg/l), pounds per day (loading) and percent of
phosphorus contribution for August were:
• MSD − .207 MGD, 34.0 mg/l, 58.7 ppd, 51 percent
• PLSD − .225 MGD, 6.8 mg/l, 12.8 ppd, 11 percent
• WWSD − .876 MGD, 8.8 and 4.0 mg/l (North and South Woodmoor), 43.4 ppd, 38 percent
Wicklund said Monument’s numbers since January had been high, and he planned to talk to industrial and commercial
businesses in MSD about "best practices" that reduce the amount of phosphorus they contributed to the wastewater influent into the plant.
The August MSD numbers, which were higher than expected, generated a discussion about the current once-a-month phosphorus
test. Wicklund said the JUC had anticipated that phosphorus levels would track with each district’s pounds of influent biosolids and would
eventually use those biosolids numbers for billing on phosphorus treatment too, but since indications were that total phosphorus was not
tracking with biosolids, testing more than once a month was needed. He said that the increased cost of testing would be worth it to make
phosphorus operational cost sharing fair. He asked the JUC to approve phosphorus testing at same frequency as biosolids testing, which is done
12 times a month.
Wicklund said the MSD board had discussed the fact that more frequent phosphorus testing would reduce the possibility of an
outlier reading incorrectly representing the whole month’s levels for any one of the three districts. One composite sample in one day might
not be representative of the district’s influent wastewater for the whole month, he said.
He anticipated that cost sharing for chemicals and electricity used in new total phosphorus tertiary chemical treatment
clarifier currently scheduled to start next summer would be based on the phosphorus testing for each district. The cost of operating the new
phosphorus treatment clarifier next year would be far larger than the small costs of sampling and testing, he said. "Does Palmer Lake want to
pay a third of the chemical costs for this when it’s only contributing 14 percent? We have to do something to make the billing fair for each
district.… We are not just going to be splitting the costs of operating that phosphorus treatment by thirds," Wicklund said.
Shaffer disagreed with Wicklund, saying that a single data point should not result in spending so much extra money on
testing immediately. He also said that the current phosphorus monitoring was supposed to just be an indicator, not a way to assess future
operating costs or split-outs on capacity.
Burks said that the issue of billing for chemicals and electricity for phosphorus removal had not yet been discussed or
decided by the JUC.
Shaffer said it was premature to talk about billing now, and that it would be decided when differences between the member
districts were settled in January or February, after the lawsuit was over.
Wicklund disagreed that the billing question would be solved by the lawsuit, since those results would determine ownership
percentage in paying for construction of the new total phosphorus tertiary chemical treatment clarifier. The lawsuit did not have anything to
do with operating costs, such as treatment issues, which are addressed in the Joint Use Agreement, he said.
Burks suggested that once the phosphorus removal process actually begins next May, sampling of actual amounts will
automatically occur three times a week. The committee voted unanimously to continue testing phosphorus levels once a month for now, but once
the clarifier starts operating, the testing will be done more frequently.
Construction going smoothly
Tetra Tech engineer Steve Tamburini presented a report on progress by Aslan Corp. on the new total phosphorus tertiary
chemical treatment clarifier. The total budget for the project is $3.642 million, and construction was progressing on or ahead of schedule for
the first five months of work, Tamburini said.
Note: The existing TLWWTF has no designed capability for removing total phosphorus, because there was not a requirement
for treating this constituent until the state’s approval of Health Department Control Regulation 85 in June 2012. The facility already meets
the Control Regulation 85 total inorganic nitrogen (TIN) November 2019 limit of 15 mg/l. TLWWTF must comply with the new 1 mg/l running annual
median total phosphorus limit listed in Control Regulation 85 starting on Nov. 1, 2019 under the facility’s new five-year discharge permit
that took effect on May 1. The new phosphorus treatment clarifier is designed to comply with this TIN limit and will start compliance testing
in mid-2016.
Tamburini said construction so far has proceeded with a temporary building permit, which will expire soon. The final
building permit will not be issued by the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department until the plans include a backup electrical generator for
the ventilation and temperature control in the chemical storage area, which is classified H4 since it stores large amounts of non-flammable
chemicals commonly used in both water and sanitation treatment plants, he said.
Tamburini said Tetra Tech had never before had to include these emergency backup components in an H4 building, so the
$35,000 to $50,000 total estimated cost was not included in the original estimates for the clarifier building. This unprecedented requirement
came from the fire marshals of both the Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (TLMFPD) and Colorado Springs Fire Department. Burks,
Tamburini, and Tetra Tech Environmental Engineer Dmitriy Zinchenko met recently with both fire marshals to present scientific data showing
that the requirement for emergency power for ventilation was not necessary and not listed in the fire code book. However, TLMFPD had a
separate version of the fire code book "with comments" that required the emergency generator, Burks said.
The JUC unanimously authorized Tetra Tech to use money from the 10 percent project contingency funds to proceed with the
engineering design using the lowest-cost solution that would satisfy the fire marshals. The design will be used by Aslan for the construction
of this section.
Smith and Wicklund both asked Tamburini why this unexpected cost did not show up sooner in the building permit pulling
process. Tamburini said the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department was the most bureaucratic building department his company has worked with,
adding that Regional was used to dealing with commercial and housing developments, but not industrial buildings.
Plant manager’s report
Burks said the plant averaged processing 1.32 million gallons of wastewater per day in August. Plant capacity is 4.2
million gallons per day. Influent flow was 31 percent of capacity, and biosolids were 46 percent of capacity, he said.
He summarized the facility’s discharge monitoring report required by the state for August effluent discharge into Monument
Creek and said all parameters were easily within permit limits.
TLWWTF also continues to take an array of other samples for the ongoing Arkansas and Fountain Coalition for Rural/Urban
River Evaluation (AF CURE) Monument Creek and Fountain Creek basin baseline characterization study for future reference by TLWWTF, the state,
and the EPA regarding these wastewater constituents.
Burks also said that the Oct. 1 inspection report from the Water Quality Control Division reported no significant issues.
The committee was glad to hear that TLWWTF had passed the quarterly required whole effluent toxicity (WET) tests showing
that fish and wetlands macroinvertebrates can reproduce in the facility’s treated effluent being discharged into Monument Creek.
Financial reports
Burks presented the financial statements as of Sept. 30, which were unanimously approved by the board.
Wicklund said that state grant money is not usually given to ongoing projects like the new total phosphorus tertiary
chemical treatment clarifier expansion, but he suggested that since the building has a compliance schedule, the JUC might look into whether
TLWWTF might be eligible to apply for a current state grant worth up to $850,000. The consensus was to check into it.
2016 draft budget discussed
Burks presented a few modifications to the 2016 draft budget under consideration. One item of discussion was how each
district should budget for the costs of chemicals for the total phosphorus tertiary chemical treatment clarifier expansion when it starts
operating next summer.
Stallsmith asked Burks to delay buying a new pickup truck for one year, since there could still be more unexpected costs
associated with construction and compliance testing.
Burks said he would find out in a few weeks if he could reduce costs on ultraviolet (UV) disinfection treatment components
and also have a more reliable system too.
Wicklund said MSD’s environmental compliance coordinator Jim Kendrick was excused from the meeting to attend a Water
Quality Control Commission Hearing on Regulation 85 and Regulation 31 and the intended use plan for awarding new grants from the water
pollution control revolving fund and drinking water revolving fund. He will give the AF CURE report in November.
District managers’ reports
Orcutt said that, after some delays, PLSD started scheduled line cleaning and video inspection of one-fifth of its sanitary
sewer collection system. Shaffer and Wicklund had nothing to report.
The meeting adjourned at 11:53 a.m.
**********
The next meeting will be held at 10 a.m. on Nov. 10 at the Tri-Lakes Wastewater Treatment Facility, 16510 Mitchell Ave.
Meetings are normally held on the second Tuesday of the month and are open to the public. For information, call Bill Burks at (719) 481-4053.
Lisa Hatfield can be reached at lisahatfield@ocn.me.
Donala Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 15:
Third electric rate increase in a year drives water rate increase
By Jim Kendrick
On Oct. 15, General Manager Kip Petersen briefed the Donala Water and Sanitation District (WSD) board on the announcement
by Mountain View Electric Association that there would be a third 9 percent commercial rate increase in July 2016 following the July 2015 and
January 2016 9 percent rate increases previously reported. The cumulative exponential effect of these three rate increases is a 29.5 percent
rate increase from June 30, 2015 to July 1, 2016. Petersen proposed a 4 percent across-the-board increase for the tiered water use fee
structure, effective Jan. 1, 2016, but no increases in the $30 monthly wastewater rate or the $25 monthly water service rate.
Note: Although regular meetings are normally held on the third Thursday of the month, the next regular meeting will not
be held until Thursday, Dec. 10 in the district conference room at 15850 Holbein Drive and will include the 2016 annual budget hearing so that
this approved budget can be submitted to the state by the Dec. 15 deadline. The next board meeting will be a workshop, held at 9 a.m. on Nov.
17, in the district conference room at 15850 Holbein Drive. Information: 488-3603 or www.donalawater.org.
Petersen also noted the recent increase in water sales revenue due to increased irrigation resulting from the decline in
recent rainfall. In September the district produced almost 39 million gallons of billable water compared to 28 million gallons in September a
year ago. Revenues to date were still 6 percent short of the amount budgeted. Expenditures for 2015 have been held to 7 percent less than
budgeted, even though some high priority capital projects have been initiated. He said the other postponed projects will be added to the 2016
budget to take advantage of a low-interest state loan from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority. Board President Bill
George praised the staff’s "astute financial management. Well done."
2016 draft budget presented
Some of the other factors Petersen emphasized regarding his 2016 budget proposal were:
• Colorado Springs Utilities will increase the rate it charges Donala by 4.9 percent for transporting and treating
Donala’s Willow Creek Ranch renewable surface water for direct distribution to Donala customers.
• Tap fee revenue from development will be significantly less than in 2015.
• Vendor rates were budgeted to increase by about 3 percent in 2016.
It is still the Donala board’s goal that annual drinking water and wastewater revenue should be sufficient to pay all
annual costs of drinking water and wastewater services respectively so that each operation can become self-sustaining and achieve enterprise
status.
Financial reports
Petersen noted that a payment of $6,400 had been made for Donala’s share of a Pikes Peak Regional Water Authority
preliminary design study on joint water storage in a common reservoir as well as exchange between these northern El Paso County water
entities:
• Town of Monument
• Town of Palmer Lake
• Donala WSD
• Woodmoor Water and Sanitation District
• Triview Metropolitan District
• Forest Lakes Metro District
Total expenditures to date for the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility were about 17 percent less
($223,000) than the budgeted amount for the first three quarters of 2015, while operating revenue was roughly equal to the amount budgeted
through September. Petersen said that the cost of some of this year’s individual repairs has been much higher than usual, and Chief Waste
Plant Operator Terri Ladouceur has postponed some routine projects to have enough money left in the budget should more unexpected high-cost
repairs need to be made before 2016.
Petersen stated that the 2016 budget for the waste plant would have higher contingency funding than in 2015 as well as a
more comprehensive long-term equipment repair and replacement program that is being prepared by consulting engineer Roger Sams of GMS Inc.
Also, about $20,000 will be spent on the Doral Way pipeline project before the end of the year.
Academy Water and Sanitation District wastewater IGA approved
The Donala board unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between the Donala and Academy districts to have
Donala provide all wastewater service for Academy. A new emergency service IGA between the two districts will also be put in place to replace
the current IGA.
The state has directed Academy to shut down the operation of its existing wastewater treatment lagoons by 2018 because they
will not be able to meet new tighter ammonia standards nor the new total phosphorus and total nitrogen limits of the state’s new Control
Regulation 85 and new Regulation 31.17. The Academy board determined that it was best and cheapest to pay for a lift station force main and
connection to Donala for sewer services rather than build its own very small and costly state-of-the-art replacement wastewater treatment
plant or build a much longer and much deeper interceptor line to be able to connect by gravity to the Colorado Springs Utilities (CSU)
wastewater treatment system at Northgate Boulevard.
A new Academy lift station will meter and pump all of Academy’s sanitary sewer flows from Academy’s existing collection
system up over the ridge between the two districts to a Donala manhole. Academy’s wastewater will then be delivered by gravity through the
Donala collection system to the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility. Academy will pay Donala for wastewater treatment
on a monthly fee for service basis. Academy will comply with Donala sewer use and pretreatment regulations.
Academy will pay a plant investment fee of $889,700 to Donala. Academy will not purchase any of the treatment capacity of
the Upper Monument Creek waste plant. Donala will maintain 70,000 gallons per day of its total share of owned Upper Monument Creek wastewater
treatment capacity for the management and treatment of wastewater delivered by Academy. Academy has 286 single-family homes and the potential
for 10 additional homes. There are no commercial uses within the district.
The fees charged to Academy will be based on Donala’s cost of service analysis plus 10 percent. Academy sewer customers
would initially pay $33 per month for Donala’s treatment of their wastewater based on the current Donala monthly fee of $30 for 2016.
Manager’s report
Petersen said he would continue to work with Donala’s water attorney Rick Fendel on negotiating an extension of the
district’s service contract with CSU for transportation and treatment of Donala’s Willow Creek Ranch renewable surface water once operations
begin for the CSU Southern Delivery System. Approval of Donala’s 1041 permit for use of the SDS pipeline is currently being delayed by Pueblo
County as part of the controversy between the City of Colorado Springs and Pueblo County over stormwater issues. Petersen and Fendel are also
working on a long-term extension of Donala’s water storage contract with the federal Bureau of Reclamation for continued storage of Donala
surface water in the Pueblo Reservoir.
Petersen said that the 2015 annual season for taking credit for Willow Creek Ranch renewable surface water is over. As of
Sept. 1 Donala had 439 acre-feet of water stored in the Pueblo Reservoir. Donala’s maximum annual decreed withdrawal amount is 499 acre-feet.
Petersen also reviewed Donala’s options if 2016 Arkansas River flows are higher than the amount Pueblo Reservoir can store,
as currently predicted due to higher than average El Niño rainfall, and there is no space available for Donala under its annual contract that
only allows the district to use the reservoir’s unused excess storage capacity, if and when it is available. The Pueblo Reservoir was 63
percent full on Sept. 17.
Katie Fendel, the district’s water engineer, reported that the state’s Water Quality Control Division would be analyzing
potential changes to interim stream standards in the state’s Control Regulation 85 and Basic Standards Regulation 31.17 regarding the total
phosphorus and total nitrogen. On Oct. 13 at an informational hearing, the state’s Water Quality Control Commission directed the division to
hold a full triennial review hearing in 2016 for making modifications to these two regulations regarding imposition of even tighter nutrient
restrictions.
Fendel noted that most nitrogen is absorbed naturally by the aquatic life ecosystem in Cherry Creek before flows reach the
Cherry Creek Reservoir.
The commission rejected the division’s original recommendation to not hold a review hearing and make no changes to the two
regulations. Also noted was that the existing biological treatments for phosphorus and nitrogen removal interfere with each other.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:36 p.m.
**********
The next board meeting will be a workshop at 9 a.m. Nov. 17 in the district conference room at 15850 Holbein Drive.
Information: 488-3603 or www.donalawater.org.
Jim Kendrick can be reached at jimkendrick@ocn.me.
Academy Water and Sanitation District, Oct. 27: May election will bring effort to eliminate TABOR limitations
By Susan Hindman
Facing TABOR restrictions on funding necessary for upcoming improvements to its wastewater system, the Academy Water and
Sanitation District board approved a resolution for a ballot measure in May 2016 that will ask voters to eliminate those restrictions.
Because of Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) amendment, problems arise when a governmental entity receives revenue
such as grant money. In Academy’s case, that money is needed to help cover the costs of pumping its wastewater into Donala Water and
Sanitation District’s system, which will transport it to the treatment plant off of Baptist Road that it co-owns with two other districts. The
Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility is equipped to meet new state standards for ammonia, phosphorus, and nitrogen.
Academy’s current lagoon treatment system can no longer meet these standards.
Around 300 residents will be shouldering the $3.1 million in costs, so the district will be seeking funding from state and
federal sources—which would look on paper like additional revenue and trigger TABOR requirements to refund a portion of that same money to
residents. Passage of the ballot measure will allow the district to keep money from those funding sources.
Attorney Paul Murphy pointed out that, according to numbers from Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs, 98 percent of
school districts, 81 percent of counties, and 76 percent of special districts in the state have voted to eliminate TABOR restrictions.
The board also voted to approve Donala’s recent amendments to the Intergovernmental Service Agreement, which means the two
districts can now move forward with their plans. (See the article on Donala Water and Sanitation District’s Oct. 15 meeting on page 15 for
more details.)
A new cost estimate worksheet for making the required changes to Academy’s collection system was discussed, and the new
bottom line figure was revised down from $3.9 million to $3.1 million. Included in that figure is $255,600 in up-front engineering costs that
must be paid for before other grant monies can even be applied for. The board is looking into a possible loan through CoBank at 2.2 percent
interest to cover those costs. Dave Frisch, of GMS, the district’s engineering firm, said the bank is offering no origination fees or closing
fees and can approve the loan in two weeks’ time.
Residents will be looking at a $33 increase in wastewater service fees when operations with Donala begin in 2018, so
Treasurer Walt Reiss suggested that a gradual rate increase begin by 2016 and those monies set aside in a separate account. Academy’s current
service fee of $40 hasn’t been raised in five years. Once operations with Donala begin, Academy will manage the monthly billing of its current
customers, not Donala. It will collect all fees and then pay Donala in one lump sum each month.
The board had hoped to pass a separate resolution establishing an enterprise, which the district’s engineer has encouraged
for the funding opportunities it opens up; the district’s auditor has recommended the enterprise be effective Jan. 1 for easier bookkeeping.
But a few more questions came up about the enterprise that necessitated putting off a vote for another month. Enterprise status changes the
way money flows into the district’s treasury to pay for the changes to the wastewater system.
The board plans to present all of this information at a town hall meeting of Pleasant View residents on Oct. 31.
Meeting date is changing
Starting in December, Academy’s board meetings will move to the second Tuesday of the month, still at 6 p.m. at the Wescott
Fire Station on Gleneagle Drive.
**********
The Academy Water and Sanitation District board currently meets at 6 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of the month at the fire
station on Gleneagle and Jessie Drives. The next meeting is Nov. 24.
Susan Hindman can be reached at susanhindman@ocn.me .
Lewis-Palmer D-38 Board of Education, Oct. 15:
Board recognizes staff for statewide honor,
receives Adopt D38 update
By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D-38 Board of Education recognized a staff member who received a statewide honor, recognized the founder of Adopt
D38, and approved budget adjustments and new teaching materials at its Oct. 15 meeting.
Recognitions
Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Sandi Brandl introduced journalism teacher Carrie Hendrix, who was recognized as the Colorado
Student Media Association’s Adviser of the Year for 2015. Hendrix was joined by several student members of the staff.
Assistant Superintendent Cheryl Wangeman introduced Georgina Gittins, who is the director of the Adopt D38 program. The program
began in 2010 and offers parents and other community members a way to donate funds to the district by adopting a classroom, program, grade level, or
school. During the first year, the program was tested at Bear Creek Elementary and since then has grown throughout the district. Gittins reported that
722 teachers have been adopted and nearly $150,000 in donations has been received.
Budget adjustments approved
Wangeman reported that the student population has grown by 68.8 FTE as of the October count. She said that one contributing factor
is that younger families are beginning to move into Woodmoor, accounting for 25 of those students.
Wangeman requested that $522,909 be transferred to the account for additional staffing for students with special needs and other
purposes. Although it appears that assessed valuations of district properties are rising, there is no guarantee that the state will backfill the
difference when property tax revenues rise but per pupil funding does not.
Additional uses for these funds include the addition of bus routes to serve the new students, reserves in the event of a rescission
later in the year, and purchase of gifted resources.
When asked how much the 50 cent per ride fee for bus use contributes, she responded that the fee covers less than 25 percent of the
cost.
Wangeman also reported that the district has received a grant to help fund wireless service at the high school and middle school
levels. Funding for wireless at the elementary schools was included in the budget as previously approved.
The board approved the adjustments as proposed.
New textbook approved
The board approved the adoption of a new textbook for use in the Palmer Ridge High School Bio-organic Chemistry course. This is an
elective course. The title of the book is Organic Chemistry by F. Carey and R. Guiliano.
Community Partnership recognitions
Superintendent Karen Brofft recognized a number of community partners, including Penrose Hospital/Centura Health for sponsoring the
district’s mobile app; Security Services Federal Credit Union for offering promotions for staff and Sky Sox tickets; the No Methadone for Monument
Committee for supporting the district’s efforts to defeat a methadone clinic in downtown Monument; and the Maguire family for its support of district
events at Maguireville and contributions from the Overhead Door company.
Representatives of No Methadone in Monument reported that St. Peter Church and school are now also supporting the cause and that
the company wishing to open the clinic has never before seen such resistance.
Superintendent update
Brofft thanked outgoing Vice President John Mann for his service of over eight years on the board and as a teacher for several
years before.
Brofft commented in response to concerns that the use of ZPass to board district buses offers a safety that outweighs concerns
about data privacy. She noted an occasion when a child got off the bus in the wrong place and was able to be found quickly due to the use of the pass.
In another area of data concern, Brofft said that the district is seeking a waiver from Teaching Strategies Gold to allow the
district not to include videos or photos in its evaluations. The district needs to prove that its kindergarten report cards contain the same
information as that developed by TS Gold. The waiver would become active next year.
Brofft reported that she had spoken with the district’s attorneys and those of the No Methadone in Monument group to determine the
extent to which the district should be involved in the movement.
Board comments
Treasurer John Magerko thanked the District Accountability Advisory Committee for its sponsorship of candidate forums for the board
election and encouraged members of the public to get involved in education matters by writing to the Colorado Department of Education or attending
meetings in Denver in areas of interest.
Board President Mark Pfoff thanked Mann for his service, which he said was particularly valuable during the recession when budget
cuts were large and unavoidable. Pfoff said that Mann was instrumental in identifying priorities so that Wangeman could come to the board with a
proposal that they would approve.
Mann spoke about the importance of public education to society. He said that his wife was a teacher during the time when he served
in the Air Force and, upon his retirement, he too entered the field. He acknowledged individuals he knew during his tenure on the board, including
Caryn Collette, who oversaw the consolidation of two middle schools into one, and Wangeman for the stability of her leadership in financial matters.
He also praised the district’s Special Education Program, which is successful and exemplary despite the fact that is funded at a minimal level by the
state.
Mann also cautioned that it is wise to continue to anticipate rescissions by the state, as they happen almost annually.
Practice ACT shows benefit
Director of Assessment and Gifted Education Lori Benton reported that the use of the practice ACT among 10th-graders has caused
significant improvement in ACT scores among juniors.
Benton also explained the application process for individuals seeking to conduct research studies or distribute surveys within the
district.
Caption: Carrie Hendrix, center, Lewis-Palmer High School journalism teacher, was named Colorado Student Media Association’s
Adviser of the Year. With her are, from left, Aisha Chugh, Arjun Chugh, Hannah Spivey, Riley Bircham (co-editor in chief), Kimberly Loidolt (co-editor
in chief) and Kelsey Archuleta. Photo by Harriet Halbig.
Caption: Georgina Gittins, director of Adopt D38, on the left, was recognized by Superintendent Karen Brofft and
Board President Mark Pfoff for her achievements. Photo by Harriet Halbig.
**********
The Board of Education of Lewis-Palmer D-38 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month in the district’s Learning Center,
146 Jefferson St., Monument. The next meeting will be on Nov. 19.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
District Accountability Advisory Committee, Oct. 13:
Committee determines calendar for 2015-16,
discusses teacher evaluations
By Harriet Halbig
The Lewis-Palmer D-38 District Accountability Advisory Committee determined its meeting calendar, finalized its charge for
presentation to the Board of Education, and discussed the teacher evaluation process during its Oct. 13 meeting.
The committee will not meet each month this year. In the past, the committee examined each school’s unified improvement plan (UIP)
and the district’s plan during the meetings in the winter. This year, the plans will be reviewed at individual schools with the schools’ Building
Accountability Advisory Committees (BAACs), and detailed summaries will be reviewed with the committee in April. The entire committee will meet in
November, January, February and April.
The committee approved the year’s calendar.
At these committee meetings, the group will also receive updates on the district’s communication plan, technology developments, the
Community-Family Partnership, Gifted Learning, Special Education, safety and security, and the budget.
Committee charge
Director of Assessment and Gifted Education Lori Benton reviewed the committee’s charge before final presentation to the Board of
Education. The charge will be virtually unchanged from the previous year. Responsibilities include:
• Overseeing the Special Education and Gifted Education programs (including English Language Learners).
• Advising the board regarding budgetary matters.
• Overseeing the staff evaluation process.
• Aiding the board in community outreach through such things as hosting forums among candidates for the board.
• Committee for Political Achievement, a subgroup of the committee, acts to monitor legislative and other activity that may
affect the district.
Evaluation updates
Director of Personnel and Student Services Bob Foster spoke about Senate Bill 191 and recent changes in the evaluation process for
teachers and other staff in the district.
Foster listed the stages of the process, including orientation to the process, self-assessment, meeting with the evaluators, and
classroom observations by evaluators.
This system was introduced in the 2013-14 school year and is still developing. The first year was "hold-harmless" as districts
worked through their methods of compliance. The 2014-15 school year was the first in which staff could be ruled ineffective, which effects
probationary status.
A primary aspect of the system is to have a large part of the evaluation score based on student performance. The remainder is based
on a detailed review of professional practices.
A major drawback of the system is the fact that many employees are not teachers of subjects for which there is data such as test
results to measure student performance. This includes such employees as media specialists, librarians, teachers of dual diagnosis students, teachers
of the arts, and instructional coaches. For these individuals the district has had to devise its own methods of evaluating student performance and
submit these techniques to the state for approval.
Another weakness is the fact that performance is based on growth from one year to the next, and the assessments being applied are
changing frequently.
Foster and Benton said that they will keep the committee informed regarding any future changes in the process.
Superintendent update
District Superintendent Karen Brofft reported on the district’s strategic vision to encompass a focus on the community, a variety
of learning opportunities, continued performance in the top 10 percent in ACT scores, continuing Advanced Placement offerings and scores above the
national average, a high graduation rate, and acclaimed music, performing arts, arts, and sports activities.
The primary goal of the board this year, in addition to continuing excellence in the above areas, is to improve the availability of
up-to-date technology in the classroom.
Brofft also said that she wishes to focus on 21st-century skills such as data-driven decision-making, enhancing the public’s trust
in the district through transparency, and engaging in long range planning.
Some of this year’s initiatives include a focus on technology in the classroom, continued interaction with focus groups such as
businesses, homeowners groups, and churches, and a revamping of the district’s website.
Campus introduction
Lewis-Palmer High School Principal Sandi Brandl spoke of her school of 977 students, of which 17 percent are gifted, 16.6 percent
are minority, 9 percent qualify for free/reduced lunch and 9 percent are disabled. Eighty-five percent of the class of 2015 plan to attend two- or
four-year post-secondary programs.
The school offers 21 advanced placement (AP) courses, giving 502 tests to 303 students. Brandl said that she encourages students to
take AP courses in areas that excite them, because these courses give them a good view of college-level classes. Also, the school shares a partnership
with the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, which allows students to get college credit for specific classes.
The school is also a participant in Project Lead the Way, offering classes in engineering and biomedicine. It has been named a John
Irwin School of Excellence nine times and has one of the highest graduation rates in the state.
**********
The next meeting of the District Accountability Advisory Committee will be at 7 p.m. on Nov. 10 at Palmer Lake Elementary School,
115 Upper Glenway, Palmer Lake.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
Donald Wescott Fire Protection District, Oct. 20: New insurer sought; salary increase proposed
By Jennifer Green-Lanchoney
The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District board discussed the need for a new insurer and a proposed salary increase at its Oct. 20 meeting.
Proposed 2016 budget change
Despite being on the list of approved insurers, Colorado HealthOp has now gone under, leaving Wescott and many others to search for new insurance. While the increase of only $2,400 a year was a win over the $36,000 increase proposed by their previous insurance agency, it was too good to be true, said administrative assistant Stacey Popovich.
Because Wescott will search for new insurance, this will change the bottom line of the proposed budget. The other line that will change is workers compensation. Popovich is working with Pinnacle insurance, which has recently gone through a structural revamp and didn’t have the numbers available for Popovich to accurately adjust the budget.
Proposed salary increase
A line in the budget proposes Wescott salaries to be increased by 7 percent. Some positions, like paramedic, will be increased a bit more to keep competitive with other organizations. Wescott paramedics contract with the station to be put through school and then work for Wescott when they complete their education. Keeping competitive wages will hopefully entice them to stay beyond their contract with the station. Adjusting paramedic pay meant also having to adjust the officers’ pay to stay in line with a tiered pay scale. Chief Vinny Burns also implemented step raises in the budget to be calculated into pay.
The board continues to move steadily toward a Dec. 1 approval of the 2016 budget, Burns said.
Administrative
The September financial statement totaled $1.33 million, which is $160,362 less than the August financial statement. The reason for the large difference is that wildland firefighting expenses came out in September Popovich is expecting to get some revenue in return from wildland reimbursement.
Director John Fredell questioned the wildland budget and whether it was something that would vary yearly. Chief Burns indicated that it would and that it is typically hard to gauge. The August financial statements were approved.
Public comments
A request was posed that Wescott begin to post the meeting agenda and minutes on the district website. Chief Burns agreed, and the minutes will be posted to Wescott.org under the Board of Directors tab.
One public comment questioned the construction of Colorado Springs Station 22 and when Wescott expected homes and businesses in the district to request to be taken out of the district to be served by the city station.
Chief Burns responded that there are legal hoops that must be jumped through to be taken out of the district and that there would likely be a dual response. He added that legally, the presence of the fire station doesn’t trigger anything; they could open the fire station tomorrow and Wescott would still be here.
Chief’s report
Assistant Chief Scott Ridings gave the September run report that showed a 13 percent increase in the number of calls received in 2015 over 2014. There was no significant loss due to fire in August.
District participates in Fort Collins ceremony Wescott participated in an honor guard that lined the streets of Fort Collins on Oct. 24 to welcome a new fire station there and honor the memory of those who lost their lives in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks that demolished two World Trade Center buildings in New York City in 2001. A girder, one of few left from the Trade Center rubble, will be on display at the new station.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:54 p.m.
**********
The Donald Wescott Fire Protection District Board of Directors’ next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at Station 1 15415 Gleneagle Dr. Please call 488- 8680, a non-emergency number, for more information, or visit www.wescottfire.org. The district is also on Facebook.
Jennifer Green-Lanchoney can be contacted at Jenlanchoney@ocn.me.
By Lisa Hatfield
The El Paso Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved an amended subdivision improvements agreement for Forest Lakes Residential Development LLC and Classic Consulting Engineers & Surveyors LLC on Oct 13. The request amended the Sept. 9, 2004 filing that had included restrictions on the sale of lots or issuance of building permits within the subdivision as a guarantee for the completion of required subdivision improvements.
The amendment will now allow the provision of collateral, in the form of a bond, to secure and guarantee performance of the remainder of the required public subdivision improvements in Filings 1 and 3 of the Forest Lakes development, located at the western end of West Baptist Road, west of the Union Pacific railroad tracks.
Forest Lakes Residential Development requested the amendment in order to initiate lot sales and building permit issuance while the few remaining improvements are being completed in Filing 1 and begun in Filing 3, including public water systems, fire hydrants, public wastewater facilities, public storm facilities, curbs and gutters, and paving the public streets.
The homes in Forest Lakes will be served by these entities:
• Water and wastewater: Forest Lakes Metropolitan District (a Title 32 special district), which shares the Upper Monument Creek Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility with Donala Water and Sanitation District and Triview Metropolitan District
• Natural gas: Black Hills Energy
• Electricity: Mountain View Electric Association
• Fire protection: Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District
• Roads: El Paso County Road and Bridge
• Police: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
• School District: Lewis-Palmer District 38
Lisa Hatfield can be reached at lisahatfield@ocn.me.
New Santa Fe Trail still off-limits
to the general public
By Terri Hayes
On Oct. 5, El Paso County Parks and the Air Force Academy held a joint information gathering meeting concerning the New Santa Fe
Trail at the Academy International Elementary School. Key players were County Commissioners Darryl Glenn and Peggy Littleton, El Paso County Director
of Community Services Tim Wolken, and Col. Ken Ohlson with the Air Force Academy. There were about 100 people in attendance, made up mostly of those
who would like to use the trail again both for recreation and transportation, in addition to other community leaders.
Although the County Commissioners and the Academy recently approved a new 25-year easement through the Academy, the trail remains
off limits to anyone without a military or Department of Defense badge after the Academy was named in Inspire magazine and other terrorist
correspondence as a desirable target. The Academy was directed by the commander of the U.S. Northern Command to increase force protection.
The premise of the meeting was to brainstorm different ways the Academy could balance security while allowing public access. The
most popular ideas were:
• Create a trails watch group to patrol and report any unusual activity
• Signage with contact information for Academy Security
• Surveillance cameras along the trail
The trail was heavily damaged by the rains this year, with repairs costing an estimated $480,000. El Paso County is working with
the Federal Emergency Management Agency to determine funding opportunities for the repairs, which for safety reasons would need to be completed prior
to potentially opening up to the public again.
Talks will continue as the Academy and the county work together to reach an agreeable compromise. A compromise, however, would
still need to be approved by the U.S. Northern Command. Future meetings open to the public may take place. Final decisions were not expected to come
before next year.
Terri Hayes can be reached via editor@ocn.me.
Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Sept. 26:
Sheriff discusses law enforcement issues and initiatives
By Larry Oliver, NEPCO president
Bill Elder, El Paso County Sheriff, spoke about county law enforcement at the Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community
Associations (NEPCO) general membership meeting, held at the Monument Town Hall on Sept. 26.
Sheriff Elder began the presentation with a brief personal background. He grew up in Colorado Springs, attended Palmer High School,
and for many years was a law enforcement officer in District 1 (the NEPCO area). He also worked in real estate as a homeowners association (HOA)
manager, giving him experience in HOA matters.
Elder said that El Paso is the largest county in Colorado, covering 2,200 square miles (same as Rhode Island), with a population of
600,000. The county has the largest Sheriff’s Office in the state, employing about 820 total personnel. Of those, 525 are "sworn-in" personnel and 100
are patrol officers. The county also has a 1,600-bed jail, with about 1,500 inmates a day.
Within El Paso County, Elder identified District 1 and the Falcon area as two focus points for his office due to the high growth in
these areas. However, he pointed out that District 1 is a low-crime area compared to most of the county, with one patrol car assigned to the district
full time. As crime rises in the county and traffic conditions worsen, the sheriff has designated five traffic motorcycles to cover the entire county.
The Crime Prevention section of the Sheriff’s Office works closely with Neighborhood Watch personnel. One person in the office is
dedicated to Neighborhood Watch, and provides helpful information as it is received. Elder urged everyone to call the Sheriff’s Office if something
catches their attention, and highly recommended setting up Neighborhood Watches in communities where none exist. To aid county residents, the
Sheriff’s Office recently released a new smart phone app for receiving sheriff alerts, submitting tips, calling the office, etc. Download this app by
searching for "El Paso County Sheriff’s Office."
The sheriff discussed several safety tips to aid in crime prevention including:
Safety tips when on vacation away from your home:
• Have a neighbor collect newspapers and mail or stop delivery.
• Tell your Neighborhood Watch director that you’ll be gone.
• Put lights on a timer.
• Leave a key with a neighbor.
• Plant signs stating your house is alarmed (This is a big deterrent to crime).
• Treat the door from the garage into the house as an entry door, and lock it.
• Ask the Sheriff’s Office to do an occasional "vacation check" of your house.
Safety tips for cars:
• Keep your address out of your car (check glove compartment).
• Put your proof of insurance and registration in your wallet or purse with your driver’s license, not in your glove
compartment.
Sgt. Shane Mitchell, who accompanied the sheriff, spoke about the Crime Reduction Unit that Sheriff Elder is in the process of
organizing. Highlights include:
• The unit would have no assigned districts and would go where needed.
• Focus is on current crime areas.
• The unit would stay on a crime until it is solved.
Larry Oliver can be reached via editor@ocn.me.
Woodmoor Improvement Association Board of Directors, Oct. 28:
Board hears update from No Methadone group,
passes 2016 budget
By Jackie Burhans
At the Woodmoor Improvement Association (WIA) board meeting on Oct. 28, the board discussed the 2016 budget, heard a presentation
from the No Methadone in Monument organization and announced the roll out of the new website design.
No Methadone in Monument
Tom Allen and Greg Coopman of the No Methadone in Monument (NMIM) group provided an update to the WIA board. Allen provided
background information about the proposed Methadone Clinic and his involvement in forming the group to fight against it opening at 192 Front Street
next to Limbach Park. He told the board that this impacts each and every one of us and could affect your property value from 17 to 22 percent. He
indicated that the state directed Colonial Management Group (CMG) to place a clinic in Monument but was not able to present data proving that there
was a need in this location. The next target market for CMG is in Durango.
Greg Coopman discussed the timeline of community meetings and decisions and then gave some additional information about the lawsuit
filed by CMG against the Town of Monument, the trustees, and the Board of Adjustments. The NMIM group is trying to get inserted into the lawsuit and
has raised half of the $60,000 goal to pay for additional lawyers to help fight this lawsuit. By asking to be added to the lawsuit, they hope to
prevent the clinic and the town from settling the lawsuit outside of court, which could lead to the clinic opening.
Allen and Coopman indicated that they have the support of St. Peter Catholic Church and School as well as the Colorado Springs
Catholic Diocese. The D-38 school board also passed a resolution against the clinic and gave NMIM a plaque of appreciation for its work. More
information can be found at http://nomethadoneinmonument.weebly.com/ and its associated Facebook page.
WIA budget and finances
Homeowners Association (HOA) Manager Denise Cagliaro reported that she had worked with Kevin Nielsen, director of Public Safety, to
develop a balanced budget for 2016. WIA President Jim Hale noted that in the past two years the board has not funded the reserve fund in the budget
but has taken money left over from previous years to put into the fund but feels that cannot be counted. The board has decided to fund the
contribution to the reserve fund in the budget going forward thanks to hard work from Cagliaro, Nielsen, and the WIA staff in finding ways to save
money. The board unanimously passed the 2016 WIA budget, which will be available on the website at
http://www.woodmoor.org/budget-statements/.
The board also unanimously voted to allocate $53,000 into the reserve fund for 2015 and agreed to a motion to explore options for
providing an employee retirement plan for WIA staff in the future. They will look into the possibility of offering a 401K plan with a 3 percent match
to start no earlier than 2016.
The board then discussed a motion to spend $5,500 to install a security system with cameras in the Barn. Kevin noted that the Barn
sees a lot of people come in and out and that Woodmoor Public Safety offers 24/7 service but isn’t always at The Barn. They have seen instances of
personal vehicles being vandalized. The system will have nine cameras; five inside and four outside to record comings and goings. The camera in the
office will have audio recording as well.
The board discussed looking into the possible impact on insurance costs, which may help to offset the purchase price, the ability
to use in cases of dispute on damage when they rent out the Barn, and the need for signs on premise indicating that the area is under surveillance.
The board unanimously voted to approve this expenditure.
Board report highlights
• HOA Manager Cagliaro attended a local Council of Neighbors and Organizations (CONO) meeting. CONO (www.cscono.org) had a
presentation by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA). CONO has a lot of free classes available.
• The annual meeting is coming up in January. The board is soliciting nominations for the Vincent J Elorie award for anyone who
has provided service to Woodmoor over the years. Nominations are also open for board candidates.
• A reminder that a new $50 administrative fee will go into effect Jan. 1 for miscellaneous projects that do not get approval
ahead of time. Most such projects have no cost if approved ahead of time.
• There have been instances of mail theft in North Woodmoor in early October, perhaps related to credit card companies issuing
new chip and pin cards.
• Director Jennifer Cunningham reported that over the next five years, the Monument area will see up to 3,000 more residents.
She encouraged residents to attend Monument Town Council meetings to encourage them to put the brakes on until we figure out a new comprehensive
plan for the region.
• The website redesign has been finished and rolled out at the same address: www.woodmoor.org.
**********
The WIA Board of Directors usually meets at 7 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the Barn at 1691 Woodmoor Drive,
Monument. The next meeting will be on Nov. 18 due to the holidays. WIA board meeting minutes can be found at:
http://www.woodmoor.org/meeting-minutes/
once approved and posted.
Jackie Burhans can be reached at jackieburhans@ocn.me.
October Weather Wrap
By Bill Kappel
October followed the same general pattern as September, with temperatures well above normal and precipitation below normal.
Normally, we have several nights with low temperatures in the teens and at least a few days of accumulating snowfall. Not this year. Low to mid-20s
was the best we could do for cold air, and only a few days of snowflakes, none of which accumulated. Instead, most days were mild and dry, with many
days reaching well into the 70s.
The beginning of October felt more like summer than fall, with temperatures above average every day from the 1st through the 11th.
In fact, we had summer-like thunderstorms on a couple of afternoons, including the 3rd and the 6th. These did produce around a half an inch of
rainfall for many areas in the region. Highs reached in the 60s and 70s from the 1st through the 9th, with the warmest day being the 1st when we hit
78°F and the "coolest" high being 60°F the next afternoon. But the really warm air waited until the weekend on the 10th and 11th. Both Saturday and
Sunday saw numerous record highs around the region, as we reached into the upper 70s and low 80s.
The week of October 12th was quiet around the region, with temperatures remaining a little warmer than normal and, with the
exception of Sunday the 18th, mainly sunny skies. Temperatures reached into the upper 60s on the 12th, then mid-70s on the 13th. Slightly cooler air
pushed in on the 14th, dropping our highs back to the low 60s, still a few degrees warmer than average. Warmth returned quickly the next day, however,
with highs reaching the mid-70s again on the 15th only to drop again the next afternoon to the low 60s. Temperatures over the weekend were pleasant
with upper 60s and low 70s. Also of note, we finally reached the freezing mark for the first time this season—first on the morning of the 12th and
again on the morning of the 17th. This is about two weeks later than normal, and again shows how mild we’ve been this fall.
The week of the 19th started off dry and mild, with highs hitting the mid-60s on the 19th and 20th. There were plenty of clouds
around, however, as moisture from the southwest was beginning to affect the region. The moisture, along with a cool front led to low clouds, fog and
rain showers on the 21st. Highs were held in the mid-40s that afternoon, with wet conditions off and on. Clouds, fog, and rain continued at times the
next day. Slightly cooler air also moved in, and when a heavier band of showers moved over the region during the mid-morning hours, some wet snow fell
for a few minutes. This was our first snow of the season, but was short lived and didn’t accumulate. Skies remained partly to mostly cloudy the next
day, with temperatures remaining in the upper 40s to low 50s for highs. Sunny and quiet weather returned just in time for the weekend, with
temperatures rebounding to above-normal levels on both Saturday and Sunday.
More typical late October weather affected the region for the last week of the month. Highs were in the 40s and 50s from the 26th
through the 31st. Several disturbances moved through the region, but these mainly affected the mountains as the flow was from the southwest. Brief
rain showers, at times mixed with snow, occurred on the 26th and 27th. Quiet conditions returned for the next couple of days, with highs hitting the
upper 50s on the 28th under partly cloudy skies. Temperatures cooled down the next afternoon, only reaching the upper 40s with breezy conditions at
times on the 29th. Cooler air continued to work in on the 30th, with low clouds, fog, drizzle, and flurries at times from the morning through the
early afternoon. This was our coolest day of the month, but even then the high temperatures still managed to reach 40°F. Then, just in time for
Halloween, clear skies and mild conditions moved back in. Temperatures reached the upper 50s that afternoon and skies remained clear through the
evening with light winds, about as nice of conditions as you could expect for Halloween around here.
A look ahead
November is generally dry and cool around the region. We usually get several light snowfalls interspersed with sunny skies. Gusty
winds commonly develop on a couple of days as the jet stream becomes more active and more directly affects Colorado. Our first sub-zero morning low
temperatures occur during the month as well. High temperatures average in the upper 40s early in the month to low 40s by the end, with overnight lows
often dipping into the teens and single digits.
October 2015 Weather Statistics
Average High 62.8° (+3.4°)
100-year return frequency value max 67.7° min 50.7°
Average Low 35.7° (+6.4°)
100-year return frequency value max 36.8° min 26.4°
Monthly Precipitation 1.31" (-0.45")
100-year return frequency value max 4.63" min 0.18"
Monthly Snowfall Trace (-11.8")
Highest Temperature 80° on the 11th
Lowest Temperature 22° on the 28th, 31st
Season to Date Snow Trace (-12.3")
(the snow season is from July 1 to June 30)
Season to Date Precip. 8.08" (-1.85")
(the precip season is from July 1 to June 30)
Heating Degree Days 488 (-140)
Cooling Degree Days 0 (0)
Bill Kappel is a meteorologist and Tri-Lakes resident. He can be reached at billkappel@ocn.me.
Letters to Our Community
Click here for guidelines on letters to the editor.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in Letters to Our Community should not be interpreted as the views of OCN even if the letter
writer is an OCN volunteer
Retaliation for report of illegal activity
I have served the citizens of Palmer Lake as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department
since mid-June 2015. The fact that Palmer Lake Fire Department has had so many chiefs in just a few years is testament to the dysfunction between the
town and the Fire Department.
Serving as the Emergency Medical Services coordinator with the Fire Department, I became aware of serious problems affecting our
ability to provide emergency medical services to the citizens of Palmer Lake. I reported those problems to the fire chiefs. I discovered that a member
of the Fire Department had been serving for more than a year as an EMT, but was not licensed to do so in Colorado. This is practicing medicine without
a license in the State of Colorado. After being directly asked by our Penrose Hospital medical direction (they are responsible for all EMS activities
in Palmer Lake) about whether anyone was practicing medicine without a license, I confirmed that there was an individual who had been running calls as
an EMT who was not licensed in Colorado to do so.
Two days after an urgent meeting requested by the Penrose medical director with members of the Town Council and the Fire
Department, I was summarily asked by the Fire Department chiefs to resign. This request was direct retaliation for embarrassing the town and Fire
Department by reporting an unlicensed person performing as an EMT. I never was given an opportunity to present my side of the situation to anyone at
the town or the Fire Department. I did not resign.
The action of the Town Council and chiefs is unethical. The town and Fire Department chiefs should be held accountable in this
matter, but instead they retaliated against me for exposing serious problems to our medical director.
Sharyn Baker
Statement regarding 2015
D-38 school board election
First, I want to thank the more than 8,300 voters who care enough about the future of education in our district to take the time to
vote. I also want to thank those who supported me in this election, especially our wonderful and dedicated educators, who are the heart and soul of
the Lewis-Palmer School District!
I offer my congratulations to Mark Pfoff, Matt Clawson, Sherrie Hawkins and Sarah Sampayo on their election to the board of
education. The re-election of three incumbents makes it clear that the citizens of our community believe that the current board and D-38
Superintendent are doing a superb job and want to continue the tradition of educational excellence that is the hallmark of D-38.
While I’m disappointed in the results personally, I know Sarah also cares about our kids and believe she will work hard to keep
D-38 one of the best in the state.
I strongly believe D-38 is doing a great job educating our kids and I will continue to be involved in the district as a volunteer.
I want to continue all the wonderful, positive things going on in the district and help shape an even better future for D-38.
Kris Beasley
Between the Covers at Covered Treasures Bookstore:
Book buzz from the trade show
By the staff at Covered Treasures
Excitement was in the air as Mountains and Plains Booksellers descended upon Denver in October for our annual trade show. This is
where authors and publishers showcase their new and noteworthy publications, and we select those that might be of interest to our customers. We’re
eager to share a sampling of our discoveries with you.
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book about Horrible Things
By Jenny Lawson (Flatiron Books) $26.99
A hysterical, ridiculous book about crippling depression and anxiety sounds like a terrible idea, but as Lawson explores her
lifelong battle with mental illness, this becomes a book about embracing everything that makes us who we are—the beautiful and the flawed—and finding
joy in fantastic and outrageous ways. As Jenny’s mom says, "Maybe ‘crazy’ isn’t so bad after all." Sometimes crazy is just right.
The National Parks: An Illustrated History
By Kim Heacox (National Geographic) $50
This stunning book is a lavish celebration of the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. The very best of National
Geographic’s iconic photographs, combined with an illuminating history, presents a panorama of diverse properties from the multihued layers of the
Grand Canyon to the verdigris flame of the Statue of Liberty. Former Denali National Park ranger Kim Heacox traces the evolution of the Park Service’s
mission from protecting "scenery" to advocating for cultural and natural preservation and conservation, weaving in dozens of fascinating stories and
personalities.
Bats of the Republic
By Zachary Thomas Dodson (Doubleday Books) $27.95
This is a book that instantly transfixes, even before you start reading. The author is a book designer who co-founded Featherproof
Books out of Chicago, and his debut novel is a glorious demonstration of what old-fashioned paper can still do in the hands of a creative genius. Bats
of the Republic cumulatively is a book about the way books are made and the way stories work. Novels, Dodson suggests, are contraptions, jury-rigged
together with parts of other novels, archived letters, remembered conversations, maps, scraps of info, imagined journeys, and creatures real and
strange. Dodson has quite brilliantly exposed the gears and cogs whirring in the novelist’s imagination.
The Art of Memoir
By Mary Karr (Harper Collins) $24.99
Mary Karr, author of The Liars’ Club, offers a master class in the essential elements of great memoir—delivered with her signature
humor, insight, and candor. Synthesizing her experiences as a writer, reader, and renowned professor, Karr provides a unique window into the mechanics
and art of memoir that is both irreverent and entertaining. "In some ways," she says, "writing a memoir is knocking yourself out with your own fist,
if it’s done right."
Quick and Easy Italian Recipes
By The Silver Spoon Kitchen (Phaidon) $29.95
The 10th anniversary edition of this trusted and bestselling Italian cookbook presents over 100 simple, fast, and delicious recipes
to help the busy cook embrace the flavors and spirit of Italian cuisine at home with minimal fuss. With full color photographs and recipes that cooks
of all levels can master, the book includes Italian classics such as spaghetti alle vongole, risotto Milanese, fritto misto, and tiramisu.
The Ultimate Alphabet; Complete Edition
By Mike Wilks (Pomegranate) $50
Artist Mike Wilks set out in the 1980s to depict as many words as possible in 26 images corresponding to the alphabet. His
four-year painting odyssey resulted in a suite of magnificent compilations, all minutely detailed, masterfully rendered, and slightly surreal. Each
picture contains hundreds of items all starting with the same letter. The images were first published in a book in 1986 in the best-selling The
Ultimate Alphabet, and later in The Annotated Ultimate Alphabet, in which keys to the images were included. Now, The Ultimate Alphabet:
Complete Edition brings these two volumes together in one deluxe slipcase edition; one volume presents the paintings with introductory text by the
artist; the other offers the keyed drawings and alphabetical lists of words—all 7,825 of them!
Stop by and browse through some of our new selections. Choose some to enjoy yourself during these cool fall nights, or find some
special gifts for the readers on your list. Until next month, happy reading. ■
November library events:
Celebrate National Novel Writing Month
By Harriet Halbig
November is National Novel Writing Month. Come to the library alone or with your friends during several sessions throughout the
month and join in the creativity. The community room will be reserved on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 1 to 4; Saturday, Nov. 14 from 12:15 to 1:45;
Thursday, Nov. 19 from 2 to 4; Friday, Nov. 20 from 1:30 to 3:30 and Saturday, Nov. 28 from 10 to 1.
No registration is necessary and Wi-Fi is available.
Children’s programs
The Family Fun program for November, on Saturday, Nov. 14 from 2:30 to 4, is the chance to meet local children’s author Amber Isaac
and Cody, the Teeny Tiny Alpaca. Amber will share her book about Cody. It is a picture book for children that helps young readers learn about feeling
different and the value of being unique.
The Lego Club will meet on Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 to 11:30 a.m.
Fourth Fridays Kid’s Crafts will be on Friday, Nov. 27 from 4 to 5. This month’s craft is a "What I’m Thankful for Wreath" and is
recommended for children 5 and up.
Teen programs
Need help with math? Free tutoring is offered through the AfterMath program every Monday from 3:30 to 7. Bring your homework and
meet with an experienced tutor. No appointment is necessary.
Join us to watch The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1 and make a Mockingjay-inspired mini-crossbow on Saturday, Nov 7 from 1 to 3:30.
No registration required.
Adult programs
View the documentary The Life and Times of Gen. Wm. Jackson Palmer: Founder of Colorado Springs and the Denver & Rio Grande R.
R. (as seen on PBS) on Sunday, Nov. 15 at 2 p.m. Local filmmaker Jim Sawatzki will show his one-hour documentary with questions and answers to
follow. No registration necessary.
The Monumental Readers will meet from 10 to noon on Friday, Nov. 20 to discuss White Ghost Girls by Alice Greenway.
Palmer Lake Library events
The Palmer Lake Book Group meets at 9 a.m. on the first Friday of each month. Please call 481-2587 for the current selection.
November is Picture Book Month. Come and celebrate by hearing some of our favorite stories, write and illustrate you own picture
book, and play a game or two. The program will be on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 10:30.
Please note that all Pikes Peak Library District facilities will close at 6 p.m. on Nov. 25 and remain closed Nov. 26 in observance
of Thanksgiving.
Harriet Halbig may be reached at harriethalbig@ocn.me.
Palmer Lake Historical Society, Oct. 15:
George Washington comes to life
By Al Walter
President and former General of the Continental Army George Washington visited Palmer Lake Town Hall on Oct. 15 and provided a
brief history lesson and words of wisdom to an attentive audience of adults and schoolchildren. President Washington, as portrayed by Dave Wallace,
appeared in the uniform of a general of the Continental Army. Wallace explained the origin and components of the uniform, gave details of the use of
swords to communicate orders in battle, and described the use of muskets and "rifles" in the Revolutionary War.
Using volunteers from the audience, Wallace demonstrated the minuet and quizzed potential army recruits on the two important
questions they needed to answer before they could enlist. The two questions were: "Do you have two front teeth?" and "Are you over 18?" Teeth were
needed to rip the paper musket cartridges. Youngsters not old enough to join put a piece of paper in their shoe with the number 18 written on it so
they could say they answered truthfully when asked if they were "over 18."
Wallace cut an imposing figure as Washington and provided interesting details and facts regarding aspects of Washington’s childhood
and his rise to the presidency.
**********
On Thursday, Nov. 19, the Palmer Lake Historical Society presents Jane Milne, who will provide an in-depth look at the origins and
operation of the "orphan trains." Beginning in the 1850s, a welfare program known as the Orphan Train Movement transported orphaned and homeless
children from crowded Eastern cities of the United States to foster homes located mostly in rural areas of the West and Midwest. Milne provides a
fascinating look into this movement, which operated between 1853 and 1929. During that time about 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or homeless children
were relocated. The program starts at 7 p.m. at the Palmer Lake Town Hall.
Caption: Dave Wallace portrays General George Washington. Photo courtsey of the Palmer Lake Historical Society.
Art Matters:
Fine art as gifts: ideal or not?
By Janet Sellers
Fall is the biggest art sales time of the year with galleries in towns and cities nationwide. There’s something about the season
that brings the energy up a notch for art sales. This is true for the big art sales on the coasts (six figures and more) and the relatively smaller
local galleries in cities and towns. I’ve heard the market is best in the four-to-five figure range. Our local artists have a lot to offer this time
of year for artworks to purchase, or even gift certificates for the art. Many times, a person likes an artist’s work, or those at a gallery, and would
love to have a gift certificate to choose something special.
One idea to keep in mind for art at this time of year is that, if giving fine art or an artisan work as a gift whether you are the
artist or giving from one art lover to another, a hugely important factor is knowing if the art is what the person would like to have, and there are
great ways to determine that and not fail to please—sad but true.
The most obvious way to know how to give a gift of art is to ask the person directly if they have a preference or special artist or
subject they like to collect or own, and they just might. Some people have a definite idea and collect all things, say, in cats, dogs, owls,
elephants, turtles, horses, hummingbirds, etc. My students and I used to get juried into the annual fall show at Colorado College and a number of
visitors specifically asked for these images as they make it a habit collect them. Truth be told, at the time I didn’t know that was a "thing" but we
learned fast and made sure to include those subjects in our inventory.
Another good back pocket idea is to get a wish list—at least listen carefully for hints—for gifts of any season. In the art realm,
that is vital for making an optimal choice as a gift in art, which can be a very personal taste, unless you know for sure the recipient will want to
have an artwork as a gift. The right art as gift can be the best memory-maker in the world, you know. Our family has collected a number of favorites
over the years, but Dad was keen to listen and took Mom to the galleries and to scout out the favorites first.
Art events
This month begins art events at our venues that offer a range of art and artists to discover. Join them for the special shopping
and celebration events in November and December.
Bella Art and Frame Gallery offers the unique artwork of their local, member artists for the upcoming holiday season. Artists
are constantly putting up new work as their work sells, so be sure to buy the art you like now, or the next person just might get it instead. Bella
Art and Frame Gallery, 183 Washington St., Monument.
Palmer Lake Art Group will have a fall show, "Fall into Winter," Nov. 6, 7, 14 and 21. Opening reception is Friday, November 6,
5 to 7 p.m. The show will be open on the other days 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Show includes fine art, fine jewelry and fiber arts, at Mountain Community
Mennonite Church, 643 Highway 105, Palmer Lake.
Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TCLA) Member Artist Exhibition, paintings, sculpture, photography, and more, show runs through
Jan. 2. Meet the artists at the reception Nov 6, 6 to 8 p.m. TCLA, 304 Highway 105, Palmer Lake.
Wisdom Tea House hosts a new art show through Saturday, Nov. 20. "The Peep Show People Exhibiting Extraordinary Paintings,"
artwork from Carol Losinski Naylor’s art classes. Wisdom Tea House, 65 Second St., Monument.
Holiday pop up shops—the new ad hoc way to shop in style, have been a big hit nationwide and in Southern Colorado the last few
years. Pop up shops are local, last-minute trunk show/sale type venues that just "pop up" out of seemingly nowhere and discovered by word of mouth, so
keep an eye/ear open or you might miss the chance to get in on one. You can Google them for the Front Range and Tri-Lakes areas, or check out this
Facebook page for a fashionably incomplete list:
https://www.facebook.com/Local-Pop-Up-Holiday-Shops.
Caption: The Palmer Lake Arts Group annual holiday art market and sale was Oct. 3, 4, 5 at Palmer Lake Town Hall. Sales
proceeds go to the artists and to the group’s fund for scholarships for graduating high school art students. Above: From left, member artists
Margarete Seagraves, Beth Carroll, and Meredith Bromfield were instrumental in the success of the holiday sale.
Caption: Artist Ermie Knoth won top prize Oct. 9 for the first annual Miniature Fine Art Exhibit at Bella Art and Frame
Gallery. Entries had to be rendered no larger than 1/6th the natural size of the subject to comply with the traditional genre of miniature fine art.
Photos by Janet Sellers.
Janet Sellers is a Colorado artist and art teacher, making paintings and sculptures and mini-movies, too. Her public art sculptures
are in exhibitions in Colorado city and museum venues and throughout the Tri-Lakes area. Sellers lives in Woodmoor. She can be reached at
JanetSellers@OCN.me.
Snapshots of Our Community: W0TLM holds class, Oct. 3, 10
Caption:
The Tri-Lakes Monument Radio Association held a ham radio Technician Level class on Oct. 3 and 10. Thirty students
took the Federal Communications Commission class and 27 passed the exam. Amateur Radio W0TLM is open to all amateur radio operators or those
interested in becoming ham operators. The club meets on the third Monday of the month at various locations. For more information on this club’s
activities, contact joycewitte@gmail.co or visit www.W0TLM.com. Photo by Bob Witte.
Dizzy reenactment, Oct. 4
Caption: The Palmer Lake Star, the iconic symbol of Palmer Lake, is the world’s largest illuminated star, built in 1935 by
townsfolk and volunteer firemen, who still maintain it. On Oct. 4, local film producer Jim Sawatzki posed with Kitty Armstrong, her dog Charly, who
plays Dizzy the wonder dog who carried light bulbs and tools to the workers on the mountain, along with fellow cast of star builders, for the new film
celebrating The Star on Sundance Mountain. The film was formatted for PBS affiliates for 2016 release and was sponsored by the Intermountain Rural
Electric Association and the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department. It is Sawatzki’s 16th documentary on Front Range history. A bronze statue of Dizzy
sits in front of the Palmer Lake Town Hall for visitors to enjoy. Photo courtesy of Jim and Diane Sawatzki.
Empty Bowls celebrated 22nd year, Oct. 7
The 2015 Empty Bowls dinner was held on Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Lewis-Palmer High School. It was hosted by Monument Hill Kiwanis Club
and Service Leadership Clubs, Tri-Lakes Cares, and Lewis-Palmer School District 38 to benefit Tri-Lakes Cares. This was the event’s 22nd year.
Caption: Shanna Ellis dances with her nephew Noah Daly to the sounds of the Lewis-Palmer High School jazz band at the Empty
Bowls dinner. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
Caption: Maureen Borgia and Anne Schemec are longtime supporters and contributors to Empty Bowls. Photos above and below
courtesy of Monument Hill Kiwanis.
Caption: Jean Harris, left, and Harriet Halbig enjoy the food and atmosphere at the 2015 Empty Bowls event. Photo by Jackie
Burhans.
Caption: Dr. Lori Benton, D-38 director of Assessment and Gifted Education, set aside her pad and pen and picked up a soup
ladle at the Empty Bowls event.
Palmer Lake Inaugural 0.5 K Fun Run to benefit Awake Palmer Lake, Oct. 10
Over 600 kids, adults, and dogs showed up for the Palmer Lake Inaugural 0.5 kilometer Fun Run donned in their new Palmer Lake fun
run shirts, Broncos gear, lake-themed costumes, and a variety of other costumes.
The day included costume contests, an obstacle course, a donut aid station, cheerleaders cheering at the finish line, and of
course, beer, root beer, and doggy treats at the finish.
All the proceeds for race entry went to Awake Palmer Lake.
Caption: Dan and Sharon Bossie went all out for their run as the Awake the Lake Olympic Kayak Team.
Caption: Runners and walkers alike fueled up on donuts half-way through the fun run.
Caption: Jon, Max, and Kate Reisinger celebrated their costumed run with beer, root beer, and a big thumbs up. Photos by Audrey Burkart.
WMMI Harvest Festival draws 1,300 visitors, Oct. 10-11
By David Futey
On Oct. 10 and 11, the Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI) hosted its annual Reynolds Ranch Harvest Festival. More than
1,300 visitors had many activities to participate in.
Visitors went on a hay ride that circled the museum’s 27-acres, selected a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch held at the historic
Reynolds house, saw the operation of the blacksmith shop, interacted with the museum burros Chism and Nugget, took a daylight tour of the Haunted
Mines, visited with Civil War re-enactors, watched the operation of an apple cider press, heard spooky stories told in the museum’s mine drift,
learned how to gold pan from members of the Gold Prospectors of Colorado, and saw the operation of a variety of outdoor and indoor museum equipment.
Information on upcoming events at the museum is at www.wmmi.org.
David Futey can be reached at dfutey@ocn.me.
Caption: Young visitors carefully select a pumpkin from the pumpkin patch in the Reynolds Farm House yard.
Caption: Museum volunteer Douglas Ducote drives a tractor pulling festival visitors on a hay ride at the WMMI’s Reynolds Ranch
Harvest Festival.
Caption: Visitors to the WMMI Harvest Festival try their hand at striking it rich in the Gold Prospectors of Colorado panning troughs.
Photos by David Futey
D38 candidate forum, Oct. 14
Caption: As part of the 2015 coordinated election, a candidate forum was sponsored by the District Accountability Advisory
Committee at the administration building (Big Red) on Oct. 14. All of the candidates attended the forum and responded to questions in front of a live
audience as well as those watching the live stream video that was recorded. Candidates, from left to right: Mark Pfoff, Matthew Clawson, Lani Moore,
Gordon Reichal, Dale Bastin, Sherri Hawkins, Sarah Sampayo, and Kris Beasley. Photo by Jackie Burhans.
250 attend Tri-Lakes Women’s Club Wine and Roses event, Oct. 23
By Harriet Halbig
The Tri-Lakes Women’s Club’s 19th annual Wine and Roses event was held at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame on the evening of Oct. 23.
The event featured many wine distributors, food from a dozen local restaurants, live music, celebrity pourers from local media and
nonprofit organizations, and a silent auction.
Wine and Roses is one of two annual events sponsored by the group. The other is the Pine Forest Show in the spring. The proceeds
from both events benefit nonprofits in the Tri-lakes area. The group has donated over $800,000 to the community.
Caption: Barb Betzler and Susanna Beters were the organizers of this year’s event.
Caption: Mike McCarthy and Rose Dunphy of
the Tri-Lakes Music Association provided live music. Photos by Harriet Halbig.
Halloween festivities
Caption: During Monument’s Safe Trick or Treating event, costumed kids and adults safely strolled the sidewalks on a balmy Oct.
31. They enjoyed greetings and treats from the local shopkeepers and meeting local fire and police personnel with fire trucks to view. Photo by
Janet Sellers.
Caption: Monument businesses held their 12th Annual Safe Trick or Treating event on Halloween. Robyn Millheim, at Websites by
Robyn in the Monument Chapala Building, had her annual haunted house and gave out candy to more than 700 children brave enough to venture within!
Photo by provided by Robyn Millheim.
Caption: A family of Taekwondo students, from left, Emily Carlson, Dr. Linda Silviera-Carlson, and Amber Carlson enjoy the Kick
or Treat at the U.S. Taekwondo Center in Monument, where there was a packed crowd of costumed creatures and superheroes taking part in active games,
candy collecting, and more. Photo by Janet Sellers.
Monument Heights discussed
Caption: Morgan Hester, consultant to the Monument Planning Department, right, presented multiple land use ordinances to the
Monument Board of Trustees on Nov. 2. New Principal Planner Larry Manning, left, observed the proceedings. The Monument Heights rezoning proposal was
continued to the next meeting scheduled for Nov. 16 to give the trustees more time to consider the testimony given, but no new public comments will be
heard then. See related Monument Planning Commission article on page 1 for details on the application to change planned commercial development (PCD)
zoning to planned development (PD), which would instead mean a mix of housing including single-family attached and detached, townhome, and
multi-family, along Jackson Creek Parkway just south of Highway 105. Photo by Lisa Hatfield.
Monument apartment fire, Nov. 4
Caption: As OCN went to press, we learned that eight people were displaced from their homes on the night of Nov. 4 when
a fire started in the attic of the apartment building at 163 Washington Street in Monument. Firefighters had to break through the roof and the
ceilings of the second story apartments to fight the fire. Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District (FPD) received mutual aid from other districts
including Donald Wescott FPD, Black Forest FPD, Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department, and the United States Air Force Academy. The Colorado Springs
Fire Department backfilled the Tri-Lakes and Wescott stations. The Red Cross responded by midnight to assist the residents (and two cats) to find
temporary shelter, and the Pikes Peak Regional Fire Rehab Services was deployed to provided food and water to the firefighters on scene. The cause of
the fire is under investigation. Photo by Mike Wicklund.
Our Community Notices
By Judy Barnes, Events Editor
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.
Wednesday Senior Lunch at Big Red
Nov. 11: Chicken Caesar salad and garlic bread.
Nov. 18: BBQ pork sandwich, beans, coleslaw.
Nov. 25: No lunch, Happy Thanksgiving!
Rolls and butter are served with each meal except sandwiches. Dessert is also provided.
Lunch is at 11:30 a.m. at 146 Jefferson St., Monument (the School District 38 Administration Building). $3 voluntary donation.
Entertainment follows lunch. For more information, call Judy, 487-9067. An activity of Tri-Lakes Health Advocacy Partnership. (www.TriLakesHAP.org) Meals are provided by
Pinecrest Catering, Palmer Lake; Nikki McDonald, executive chef, 481-3307.
Black Forest Road closed at Kettle Creek
Heavy rain in the Black Forest area has prompted the immediate closure of Black Forest Road at Kettle Creek for safety reasons. Two
critical stormwater culverts along Black Forest Road over Kettle Creek were heavily damaged during summer flash flooding. Heavy rain has accelerated
the erosion problems underneath the roadway, forcing the immediate closure of the road between Swan and Shoup Roads. Weather permitting, construction
is expected to begin in March with completion in July. Approximately 5,000 cars per day travel over this area of Black Forest Road and will be routed
over an approximate three-mile detour using Swan, Herring, and Shoup Roads. For more information contact Dave Rose, 520-6540, cell: 337-9239,
DaveRose@elpasoco.com.
Work to start on I-25 bridge near Larkspur
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will begin work Nov. 6 to repair the northbound I-25 bridge over Upper Lake
Gulch Road, just east of Larkspur. Work includes milling, erosion control, upgrading the bridge surface, and repairs to the deck and piers. The
project is scheduled for completion in spring 2016. Drivers can expect lane shifts, a reduced 45 mph speed limit, and possible delays through the work
zone. For project updates, email UpperLakeGulch@gmail.com or call the project hotline at 303-582-1812. To receive updates about road conditions, visit
www.codot.gov and click on white envelope icon at the bottom of the page. Information about weekly lane closures is available at
https://www.codot.gov/travel/scheduled-lane-closures.html. Updated road conditions can be found at
www.cotrip.org, by downloading the CDOT Mobile app
or by calling 511 from anywhere in the state.
Black Forest Together (BFT) needs volunteers; Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays
BFT is searching for team leads, work team members, volunteer work groups, resource center office volunteers, and donations so that
they can help residents of burned areas of Black Forest do cleanup and mitigation of their properties. Workers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays, and
Saturdays through Nov. 21, weather permitting. For more information, please contact Donna, 495-2445,
BlackForestTogether@gmail.com, or come by
the Resource Center at 11590 Black Forest Rd., Suite 30, in the Forest Plaza Center Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
The El Paso County Board of Commissioners is seeking community-minded citizen volunteers to serve on the Citizen Review Panel, an
advisory board for the County Department of Human Services. Applications are due by Nov. 13. The volunteer application is located at
www.elpasoco.com.
Click on the "Volunteer Boards" link. For more information, call 520-6436 or visit www.elpasoco.com.
Forestgate Theatre Auditions, Dec. 1, 3, 5
Forestgate Theatre will hold auditions for Disney and Cameron Macintosh’s Mary Poppins Dec. 1, 3, & 5 (by appointment only).
Audition workshops will be available Nov. 19 & 21. Actors of all ages and dancers are needed. Performances are scheduled for Apr. 7-23. For
more information, call 216-3192 or visit www.forestgatetheatre.org.
Donate new unwrapped toys for
Santa on Patrol, by Dec. 18
Each year Chief Jake Shirk plays Santa with the help of elves from the local Fire and Police Departments. This year they will
deliver toys Dec. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can help by donating new, unwrapped toys and gift cards by Dec. 18, 5 p.m., to the Monument
Police Department, 645 Beacon Lite Rd.; Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department (TLMFD) stations 1, 2, & 3; or the TLMFD Administration building at 15455
Gleneagle Drive, Colorado Springs. For more information, contact Chief Shirk, 481-3253.
Grow Smart Monument group forming
Grow Smart Monument is dedicated to preserving open space and trails, recreational opportunities, natural resources, and community
character. Across the U.S., access to parks and open spaces has become a measure of community wealth; a tool for attracting businesses and residents
by guaranteeing quality of life and economic health. This group invites collaboration with developers and civic organizations in creating a path to
smart growth in our beautiful town. For more information, see the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/groups/growsmartmonument/ or email
growsmartmonument@gmail.com.
County warns of phone scam
The scam going around is not new. The caller claims to be a deputy from the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office. The caller informs the
victims they have active warrants for their arrest and need to mail a money card to the Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens that
no one from that office will ever call anyone to clear up a warrant. A warrant can only be cleared by turning yourself in at the Criminal Justice
Center after showing proper identification. If you receive a phone call of this nature, please call the Sheriff’s Office, 390-5555, to report it.
Election judges needed
El Paso County needs registered voters to serve as pollworkers on Election Day. For more information, visit
http://car.elpasoco.com/Election/Pages/ElectionJudgeInformation.aspx.
Mens’ a cappella singing group forming
Singers are wanted for a unique men’s singing group that will feature close harmony, a cappella singing, somewhat in the style of
the Four Freshmen and Vocal Majority. For more information, call John Hobson at 368-7833, or Phil Zara, 481-3197.
Monument School of Fine Arts, enroll now
Art and movie classes for kids and adults, every skill level. Join award-winning art classes for traditional art and painting
instruction. For more information, contact Janet Sellers, 387-1890, www.JanetSellers.com.
SunDance Studio Fall registration is open
Register now for dance and fitness classes for toddler through adult, gymnastics, tumbling, cheer, and more. 1450 Cipriani Loop,
Monument. For more information, contact 481-8208, www.thesundancestudio.com.
Monument Academy enrolling
Waitlists are moving, some seats are still available in this free public school of choice. For more information, contact 481-1950,
www.monumentacademy.net.
St. Peter Catholic School enrolling
The school offers full and half-day preschool, academics, athletics, and more. NCA accredited, state licensed, financial aid
available. Call or visit: 124 First St. Monument; 481-1855; www.petertherock.org.
SafeCare Colorado now in El Paso County
Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains (LFS) now provides SafeCare Colorado Services in El Paso County. SafeCare Colorado offers
proactive in-home, voluntary services that support at-risk families in understanding the health, development, and safety needs of young children. LFS
home visitors will deliver the SafeCare curriculum to parents through weekly visits over a four- to five-month period. The curriculum covers: Infant
and Child Health, Home Safety, and Parent/Child Interaction. The goal of SafeCare is to build parental skills and consistently reinforce positive
communication and problem-solving skills—helping to prevent child abuse. For more information, contact 303-217-5854, www.lfsrm.org.
Mountain View Electric Association Essay Contest, apply by Nov. 18
High school juniors can win an all-expense-paid trip to either Washington, D.C., or a week at Leadership Camp in the mountains.
"What does having electricity and the ‘cooperative difference’ mean to you?" is this year’s topic. For more information, contact 494-2670,
www.mvea.coop/community/essay-contest/.
Volunteer drivers needed
Help transport cancer patients to and from medical treatments. The American Cancer Society provides free rides through its Road to
Recovery program. For information about the Road to Recovery program or to volunteer, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.
Bustang & Park-n-Ride improvements
Bustang, the new interregional express bus service from the Colorado Department of Transportation, has begun. Along I-25, there are
seven round trips per day, Mon. to Fri., from Colorado Springs to Denver, with a stop at I-25/Monument Park-and-Ride. Single ride tickets from
Monument to Denver’s Union Station cost only $9, $7.50 for seniors. Each coach is equipped with restrooms, bike racks, free Wi-Fi, power outlets and
USB ports. Parking lot improvements include new asphalt paving, lighting, striping, signing, and new shelters equipped with lighting and infrared
heating units. For information or to buy tickets online, visit www.ridebustang.com, or phone 800-900-3011.
Become a CASA volunteer
Become a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate). CASA offers a volunteer opportunity like no other. As appointed representatives
of the court, CASA volunteers are empowered to make a lifelong difference in the lives of abused and neglected children. Learn more at
http://www.casappr.org/volunteer-colorado-springs/ or contact Kelly at 447-9898, ext. 1033 or
kellyp@casappr.org.
HAP needs volunteers
The Tri-Lakes Health Advocacy Partnership (HAP) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that serves and supports seniors in our
community. HAP currently needs volunteers, three hours a week; and active board members, eight to 10 hours a month. For more information, call HAP
board president, Dave Betzler, at 205-7651. (www.TriLakesHAP.org)
Donate live trees for Black Forest burn area
If you are doing wildfire mitigation, you might have good live trees to donate to Black Forest burned-out areas. The Black Forest
Together (BFT) Tree Donor Program is accepting live trees to be either transplanted in the Black Forest burn area or sold to support the cost of this
program. Trees up to 12 inches in diameter (or up to 38 inches around) are ideal. The size of trees is measured at ground level. For more information,
contact billmantia@aol.com.
Emergency Notification System update
If you registered for the Emergency Notification System (reverse 911) prior to July 2013, you may need to create a new account. Go
to www.elpasoteller911.org and select "sign up" on the registration page. If you are able to log in using your existing user name and password, no
further action is needed. If you get an error message indicating your email or password is invalid, press the sign-up button and create a new account.
If you need assistance, dial 785-1971 and a staff member will return your call.
Free transportation and
safety services for seniors
Mountain Community Senior Services offers free transportation and safety services to Tri-Lakes seniors. If you need a ride to a
medical appointment, grocery shopping, or the local senior lunches, a volunteer driver will be happy to help you. Call 488-0076 to leave a message for
the dispatcher. If you are in need of grab bars in the bathroom, a ramp to your door, or repair of stairs or railings, please call Cindy Rush,
488-0076, and leave a message. For more information, visit www.TriLakes-mcts-sshs.org
Free Senior Safety Handyman Services
Senior Safety Handyman Services is a unique program funded by the Pikes Peak Area Agency on Aging. It is designed to help seniors
(age 60 and over) in northwest El Paso County with safety-related handyman projects. Dedicated, paid contractors and volunteers install grab bars,
wheelchair ramps, railings, steps, etc., to help seniors to continue to live independently in their own homes. For service, call 488-0076 and leave a
message for Cindy Rush. For more information, visit www.TriLakes-mcts-sshs.org.
Volunteer drivers needed
Mountain Community Transportation for Seniors is a nonprofit, grant-funded organization that provides free transportation to
Tri-Lakes seniors 60 years old and over. The program needs additional volunteer drivers. For information, email MCSS at
mcseniorservices@gmail.com or
call the MCSS dispatch hotline at 488-0076.
Monument Marketplace Facebook page
Tri-Lakes residents can sell their used items, trade items, and chat about anything local goings-on at
www.facebook.com/groups/monumentmarketplace/.
Get volunteer help for your nonprofit
Due to popular demand, the Lewis-Palmer School District is adding a list of volunteer opportunities to its Youth Activities
Directory online. If your nonprofit has a need for volunteers for a one-time project or an ongoing effort and can use volunteers under age 18, obtain
a directory listing form on the district website www.lewispalmer.org under the community tab. Nonprofits may list their volunteer needs in the
directory free of charge. For information, call 785-4223 or email jstephen@lewispalmer.org.
Tri-Lakes residents with medical conditions
If you have a medical condition or a physical disability, please contact Jennifer at Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District,
484-0911, to register for emergency assistance if evacuation is required.
Tri-Lakes HAP Senior Center programs
The Tri-Lakes Health Advocacy Partnership Senior Citizens Center is next to the Lewis-Palmer High School Stadium (across from the
YMCA) and is open 1-4 p.m., Tue.-Fri., and earlier for scheduled activities. The facility has a lounge, craft room, game room, and multipurpose room.
Programs include bridge, pinochle, National Mah-jongg, line dancing, tea time, bingo, and more. Ping-pong, Wii video games, puzzles and board games,
refreshments, a lending library, computers with Internet connections, and an information table are also available. For information about programs for
seniors, visit www.TriLakesSeniors.org.
Senior Beat newsletter—subscribe for free
Each monthly Senior Beat newsletter is full of information for local seniors, including the daily menu of the senior lunches
offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in Monument. It also contains the schedule of the classes and events for the month at the Senior Citizens
Center. To subscribe, send an email with your name and mailing address to SeniorBeat@TriLakesSeniors.org. Senior Beat can also be viewed online at
www.TriLakesHAP.org.
Senior Safety Program
Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District offers a free senior safety program to all Tri-Lakes seniors. The program includes
smoke detector evaluations, home safety assessments, vial of life, and fire prevention. For information call 484-0911 or visit
www.tri-lakesfire.com.
County prescription discount program
El Paso County’s prescription discount program saved 10,000 residents $250,000 in discounted medicines over 18 months at no
additional taxpayer cost. People using the card saved an average of 23 percent. There are no eligibility requirements and no strings attached to
receive the discounts. You can pick up a free Prescription Discount Card at most county government locations or you can download your own personalized
prescription discount card on the county website (bottom of the front page) at www.elpasoco.com/. Any county resident without prescription coverage
can use this program. Even if you have insurance for prescription medications, the discount card might save you money on prescription medications your
existing plan does not cover. For information, visit www.elpasoco.com/ or call 520-6337 (MEDS).
Free gun-lock kit
The Monument Police Department is offering free firearm safety kits to local residents through a partnership with Project
ChildSafe, the nationwide firearms safety education program. Each kit contains gun safety information and a cable-style gunlock that fits most types
of handguns, rifles, and shotguns. The Police Department administrative offices at 645 Beacon Lite Rd. are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Drop
by during those times to pick up a free gun-lock kit. For information, phone 481-3253.
Our Community Calendar
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 info number for that event.
GOVERNMENTAL BODIES
- Tri-Lakes Wastewater Facility Joint Use Committee Meeting, Tue., Nov. 10, 10 a.m., 16510 Mitchell Ave. Meets
2nd Tue. each month. Info: Bill Burks, 481-4053.
- Triview Metropolitan District Board Meeting, Tue., Nov. 10, 5 p.m., 16055 Old Forest Point, Suite 300,
Monument. Meets 2nd Tue. each month. Info: 488-6868.
- D-38 Accountability Advisory Committee (DAAC) Meeting, Tue., Nov. 10, 7 p.m., Palmer Lake Elementary, 115 Upper
Glenway, Palmer Lake. Meets 2nd Tue. each month, location varies. Info: 488-4700, www.lewispalmer.org.
- Palmer Lake Sanitation District Board Meeting, Wed., Nov. 11, 10 a.m., 120 Middle Glenway. Meets 2nd Wed. each
month. Info: 481-2732.
- Palmer Lake Planning Commission Workshop, Wed., Nov. 11, 6 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent.
Meets 2nd Wed. each month. Info: 481-2953 (then press 0) or www.townofpalmerlake.com.
- Monument Planning Commission Meeting, Wed., Nov. 11, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd.,
Monument. Meets 2nd Wed. each month. Info: 884-8017.
- Woodmoor Water & Sanitation District Board Meeting, Thu., Nov. 12, 1 p.m., 1845 Woodmoor Dr., Monument. Meets
2nd Thu. each month. Info: 488-2525.
- Palmer Lake Town Council Meeting, Thu., Nov. 12, 6 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Meets 2nd
Thu. Each month. Info: 481-2953 (then press 0) or www.townofpalmerlake.com.
- Monument Board of Trustees Meeting, Mon., Nov. 16, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 645 Beacon Lite Rd.,
Monument. Meets 1st and 3rd Mon. each month. Info: 884-8017.
- El Paso County Planning Commission Meeting, Tue., Nov. 17, 9 a.m., 2880 International Circle (off Union Blvd &
Printers Pkwy). Meets 1st & 3rd Tue. (if required) each month. Info: 520-6300,
http://adm2.elpasoco.com/planning/agendas/pc/pc-agn.asp.
- Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District Board Meeting, Tue., Nov. 17, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 645
Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Normally meets 4th Wed. each month. Info: Jennifer Martin, 484-0911, www.tlmfire.org.
- Wescott Fire Protection District Board Meeting, Tue., Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Station 1, 15415 Gleneagle Dr. Meets 3rd
Tue. each month. Info: 488-8680.
- Palmer Lake Planning Commission Meeting, Wed., Nov. 18, 6 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent.
Meets 3rd Wed. each month. Info: 481-2953 (then press 0) or www.townofpalmerlake.com.
- Woodmoor Improvement Association Board Meeting, Wed., Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Woodmoor Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Dr. Meets
4th Wed. each month. Info: 488-2693, www.woodmoor.org.
- Lewis-Palmer School District 38 Board Meeting, Thu., Nov. 19, 6 p.m., Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St.,
Monument. Meets 3rd Thu. each month. Info: 488-4700.
- Monument Sanitation District Board Meeting, Thu., Nov. 19, 10 a.m., 130 2nd St. Meets 3rd Thu. each month.
Info: 481-4886.
- Donala Water & Sanitation District Board Workshop, Thu., Nov. 19, 1:30 p.m., 15850 Holbein Dr., Colorado
Springs. Meets 3rd Thu. each month except Nov. and Dec. Info: 488-3603.
- Academy Water and Sanitation District Board Meeting, Tue., Nov. 24, 6 p.m., Wescott Fire Station 1, 15415
Gleneagle Dr. Meets 4th Tue. each month. Info: 481-0711.
- Forest View Acres Water District Special Board Meeting, Thu., Dec. 3, 5:30 p.m., Monument Sanitation District
boardroom, 130 Second St. Normally meets 4th Thu. each month, 6 p.m. Info: 488-2110, www.fvawd.com.
- Academy Water and Sanitation District Board Meeting, Tue., Dec. 8, 6 p.m., Wescott Fire Station 1, 15415
Gleneagle Dr. Now meets 2nd Tue. each month. Info: 481-0711.
- Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District Board Meeting, Tue., Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m., Town Hall Board Room, 645
Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. Normally meets 4th Wed. each month. Info: Jennifer Martin, 484-0911, www.tlmfire.org.
LOCAL LIBRARY EVENTS
The Palmer Lake Library hours are Tue.-Fri., 10 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sat., 10 a.m.-2 p.m. 66 Lower Glenway. Info:
481-2587, www.ppld.org.
The Monument Branch Library hours are Mon.-Thu., 9 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri. & Sat, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun., 1-5 p.m. 1706 Lake
Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Aftermath, every Mon., 3:30-7 p.m. Free drop-in math assistance for students of all ages.
Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Paws to Read, every Mon. & Wed., 4-5 p.m. Let your child practice reading to a Paws to Read
dog. No registration required. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Storytime, every Tue., 10:30-11 a.m., 11:15-11:45 a.m. Ages 3 and up, with adult. Monument
Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Toddler Time, every Thu., 9:30 a.m. & 10:15 a.m. Rhymes & rhythms for one- and two-year-olds.
Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Palmer Lake Library: Storytime, every Wed., 10:30-11 a.m. Ages 3 and up, with adult. Palmer Lake Branch
Library, 66 Lower Glenway. Info: 481-2587, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library Teens: Mockingjay Part 1 Movie and Mini-Crossbows Craft, Sat., Nov. 7, 1-3:30 p.m. No
registration required. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Girl Scout Monthly Activity, Fri., Nov. 13, 4-5:15 p.m. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake
Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library Family Fun: Amber Isaac and Cody, the Teeny Tiny Alpaca, Sat., Nov. 14, 2:30-4 p.m. Local
children’s author Amber Isaac will share her book about Cody (www.codyalpaca.com). Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Tween Time Game Day, Fri., Nov. 20, 4-9 p.m. Enjoy fun games and food. Monument Branch
Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Family Program–LEGO Club, Sat., Nov. 21, 10-11:30 a.m. Duplos for the little ones, Legos for
the rest. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Fourth Fridays Kids Crafts, Fri., Nov. 27, 4-5 p.m. Ages 5 and up, make "What I’m Thankful
For" wreaths. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Homeschool Program: Pinecone Christmas Ornament Making, Mon., Nov. 30, 1-2 p.m. Monument
Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Girl Scout Monthly Meeting, Fri., Dec. 4, 4-5:15 p.m. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake
Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library Family Program: An American Nutcracker Ballet, Sat., Dec. 5, 2-2:30 p.m. Five girls will each
celebrate her unique American heritage while dancing to Tchaikovsky’s timeless classic. The entire performance of An American Nutcracker
can be seen Dec. 13 at Palmer Ridge High School. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Pikes Peak Library District’s Kids Web: Kids Web at www.ppld.org features resources for school reports and homework,
Tumblebooks––free online read-along books, and a Fun & Games link. A "grown-ups" link has information about local school districts,
home-schooling, and more.
- Monument Library: Socrates Café, every Tue., 1-3 p.m. This group focuses on a deeper look into philosophy,
religions, spirituality, and the common threads among humanity. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Senior Chats, every Wed., 10 a.m.-noon. All seniors are welcome to share conversation and a cup of
coffee in this casual discussion group. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Beginning Computer Classes. Check at the desk for the schedule of free classes Wed. mornings for
beginner computer users. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Palmer Lake Library: Palmer Lake Knitting Group, every Thu., 10 a.m.-noon. Knit with other knitters. Palmer
Lake Branch Library, 66 Lower Glenway. Info: 481-2587, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Colorado Chapter of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Free Documentary Film
Screening, Sun., Nov. 8, 1-4:45 p.m. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Yoga Class, Wed., Nov. 11, 12:30-1:30 p.m. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr.
Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Come Write In! Sat., Nov. 14, 12:15-1:45 p.m. Adults, teens: Celebrate National Novel Writing
Month (NaNoWriMo) by writing alone or with friends at the library. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: The Life and Times of Gen. Wm. Jackson Palmer: Founder of Colorado Springs, Sun., Nov. 15,
2-3:30 p.m. Local filmaker Jim Sawatzki will show his one-hour documentary, followed by Q & A. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr.
Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Life Circles, Mon., Nov. 16, 9:30-11 a.m. Get inspiration and structure for writing your
memories or history. Meets 1st & 3rd Mon. each month. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Monumental Readers Book Club, Fri., Nov. 20, 10-11:30 a.m. All are welcome to this spirited
group. Meets 3rd Fri. each month. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Come Write In! Fri., Nov. 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m. Adults, teens: Celebrate National Novel Writing
Month (NaNoWriMo) by writing alone or with friends at the library. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Tri-Lakes Knitters & Crafters, Fri., Nov. 20, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Drop in to share ideas, get
help. Meets 1st and 3rd Fri. each month. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: Clare Wissinger, 481-8442,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Irene Sutherland Book Signing, Sun., Nov. 22, 2-4:45 p.m. Monument author Irene Sutherland
will give a presentation on her book, Martin’s Memoirs by Martin Delohery. Followed by a meet & greet and book signing. Monument Branch
Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Come Write In! Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Adults, teens: Celebrate National Novel Writing
Month (NaNoWriMo) by writing alone or with friends at the library. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Bonfils Blood Center Community Blood Drive, Sat., Nov. 28, 10 a.m.-5:45 p.m. Monument Branch
Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Tri-Lakes Knitters & Crafters, Fri., Dec. 4, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Drop in to share ideas, get help.
Meets 1st and 3rd Fri. each month. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: Clare Wissinger, 481-8442, www.ppld.org.
- Monument Library: Life Circles, Mon., Dec. 7, 9:30-11 a.m. Get inspiration and structure for writing your
memories or history. Meets 1st & 3rd Mon. each month. Monument Branch Library, 1706 Lake Woodmoor Dr. Info: 488-2370,
www.ppld.org.
The Library Channel (Comcast 17) broadcasts 24/7. See live simulcasts of programs, recorded presentations, a schedule
of Library events, children’s story times, an adult literacy program, El Paso County Commissioners meetings, and much more. Find the schedule
online at www.ppld.org, then click on the link "Happenings @ Your Library," then click on the "Comcast 17" link to search the schedule.
WEEKLY AND MONTHLY EVENTS
- Monument Hill Kiwanis Club Breakfast Meeting, every Sat., 8 a.m., Monument Hill Country Club, 18945 Pebble
Beach Way, Monument. Guests are welcome to the weekly meetings that feature speakers on a variety of topics and a free hearty buffet breakfast.
Join the 140+ men and women of the Tri-Lakes area who work together on a wide variety of projects to support our community. Info: Bill Healy,
278-8393.
- Monument Community Yoga, every Sat., 9 a.m., Woodmoor Community Center, 1691 Woodmoor Dr., Monument. All
levels. Cost: cash donation. Info: BePresentYogaLLC@gmail.com.
- Free Workshop at Monument Natural Grocers, every Sat., 10-11:30 a.m., 655 W Hwy 105, Monument. Patty Moore,
MNT, presents various health-related topics. Info: 487-0448.
- Bingo by the American Legion, every Sat., game sales start at 6 p.m., games start at 7 p.m., the Depot
Restaurant, in Palmer Lake. Proceeds go to scholarships and other community support activities. Info: 481-8668,
www.americanlegiontrilakespost911.com/bingo.htm.
- Outdoor Plein Air Oil Painting Demo, with art class afterward, every Sat.-Sun., 3-5 p.m. For plein air art fun
join Janet Sellers and get free local scene coloring pages while she demos at Monument Lake, Palmer Lake, and other local scenic spots. RSVP &
Info: janetsellers10@gmail.com, 387-1890.
- Holy Trinity Anglican Church Sunday Worship, every Sun., 8:30 a.m.; teaching & community time
(preschool-adult), 10 a.m.; family service with children’s church, 10:45 a.m. 13990 Gleneagle Dr. Nursery available all morning. Info: 505-8021,
www.HolyTrinityAnglicanChurch.org.
- Tri-Lakes Reformed Church Sunday Worship, every Sun., 9:45 a.m., Woodmoor Community Center, 1691 Woodmoor Dr.,
Monument. Info: www.trilakesreformed.org.
- Catriona Cellars Sunday Brunch, every Sun., 9:30-noon, 243 Washington St., Monument. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sat.
11 a.m.-9 p.m. RSVP & Info: 481-3477.
- Cathedral Rock Church Sunday Service, every Sun., 10 a.m., Tri-Lakes YMCA, 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy, Monument.
Info: www.cathedralrockchurch.org.
- Best Dog Free Puppy Socialization Sessions, Monument Plaza, 481 W. Hwy 105, #203, Monument. Find out about the full
range of classes offered. Info: 648-9122, www.bestdogltd.com.
- Women’s A.A. Step Study, every Mon., 6 p.m. Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd. Info:
481-0431.
- Yin Yoga Classes, every Mon., 6:30-7:45 p.m., Yoga Pathways Studio, 755 Hwy 105, West End Center, Suite A (3⁄4
mile west of Safeway). A slow yoga practice; all levels welcome. First class always free. Info: Deb Harano, 338-8467;
DimensionsYoga@gmail.com.
- Monument Hill Kiwanis Bingo, every Mon., 7:30 pm, Carefree Bingo, 3440 N. Carefree Circle, Colo. Springs. All
proceeds benefit those in need in the Tri-Lakes Community. Info: mark.zeiger@gmail.com.
- Senior Lunches, every Mon. & Thu., except the 1st Thu. each month and holidays, Tri-Lakes Monument Fire
Protection District Administration Complex, 166 Second St., Monument. Arrive 11:30 a.m., dine at noon. Stay for free bingo the 2nd Thu. each
month. Cost: $2. Info: Dorothy Myers, 481-4189; Maggie Nealon, 488-3037.
- Transmission Meditation: Group Meditations every Mon. & Thu., 7 p.m., in Palmer Lake. The simplest, most potent
way to serve humanity and help transform our world. Dynamic aid to personal growth. Info: 303-494-4462, TransmissionMeditation.org.
- Western Museum of Mining & Industry (WMMI), open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-4 p.m., daily guided tours at 10 a.m. and 1
p.m. (included in admission). Cost: $8 adults, $7 military/AAA, $6 seniors & students, $4 children 3-12, free to children under 3 & museum
members. WMMI is located at 225 North Gate Blvd. (I-25 Exit 156 A). Info: 488-0880, info@wmmi.org,
www.wmmi.org.
- HAP Thrift Store, open Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m., 790 Suite D, Hwy 105 (between Palmer Lake and Monument). Nov.
specials: 20% off all picture frames and toys, 50% off all books; Nov. 27-Dec. 5: 25% off all Christmas items. Periodic 1/2 price sale on selected
items. Every Wednesday, Every Month Senior Discounts: 20% off everything for 62 years or older. All proceeds support Tri-Lakes Senior Programs. If
you have furniture to donate, call 488-3495 for a pickup. Info: www.trilakeshap.org.
- Tri-Lakes YMCA Senior Coffee, every Tue., 9:30-11:30 a.m., 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy, Monument. Members and
non-members are welcome. Seniors, come socialize and have coffee and snacks in the front lobby. Sign up to bring snacks. Free. Info: 630-2604,
hbrandon@ppymca.org, www.ppymca.org.
- Yarny Birds Stitch Group, every Tue., 10 a.m. & 6 p.m., 790 Hwy 105, #C, Palmer Lake. An open group for
knitters, crocheters, and fiber arts of any type. Classes starting soon. Info: 377-0403, yarnbirdfibers@gmail.com.
- Al-anon Meeting: Monument Serenity, every Tue., 7:30-8:30 p.m., Ascent Church, (formerly the Tri-Lakes Chapel)
1750 Deer Creek Rd., Monument. Info: Kay, 481-9258.
- The Villa Palmer Lake, 1/2 price bottles of wine (select wines, with entrée purchase) every Tue., open mic on
Thu. Nights, 8-10 p.m. 75 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. RSVP & Info: 481-2222, www.theVillaPalmerLake.com.
- Gleneagle Sertoma, every Wed., luncheon meeting at Liberty Heights, 12105 Ambassador Dr., (off Voyager Blvd in
Colorado Springs). Interesting speakers and programs; all are welcome. Info: Call Garrett Barton, 433-5396, Bill Bristol, 481-3366,
www.gleneaglesertoma.org.
- Senior Citizen Luncheons, every Wed., noon-1 p.m., D-38 Learning Center, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. Tri-Lakes
Health Advocacy Partnership (HAP) invites area seniors for lunch & activities. Free blood pressure screening 1st & 3rd Wed. $3 donation requested.
Info: 484-0517.
- Tri-Lakes Church of Christ Wednesday Night Fellowship Meal (Free) & Classes, every Wed., 6-7:30 p.m., 20450
Beacon Lite Road, Monument (Corner of Beacon Lite & County Line Roads). Info: 488-9613, gregsmith@trilakeschurch.org,
www.trilakeschurch.org.
- Al-anon Meeting: Letting Go, every Thu., 9-10:10 a.m., Tri-Lakes Chapel, room 209, 1750 Deer Creek Rd.,
Monument. Info: Kay, 481-9258.
- A.A. Big Book Study, every Thu., 7 p.m., Family of Christ Lutheran Church, 675 W. Baptist Rd. Info: 481-0431.
- Foot Care Clinic, Wed., Nov. 11, Senior Center located across the street from the Tri-Lakes YMCA, on the
Lewis-Palmer High School campus. A registered nurse examines your feet and provides foot care advice, toenail trimming. Cost: $30 for a 30-min.
visit. Meets 2nd Wed. and last Fri. each month, by appointment only. Info & appointments: call the Visiting Nurse Association, 577-4448.
- Black Forest AARP Potluck Lunch & Meeting, Wed., Nov. 11, noon, Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black
Forest Rd. All ages welcome. Meets 2nd Wed. each month. Info: Chuck, 749-9227, or aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com.
- Senior Bingo at Old Monument Town Hall, Thu., Nov. 12, Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Protection District
Administration Complex, 166 Second St., Monument, after the noontime senior lunch. Come for lunch at 11:30 a.m., then stay and play. Free! Prizes!
Meets 2nd Thu. each month. Info: Maggie Nealon, 488-3037.
- Bridge, Thu., Nov. 12, 12:30-3:30. Tri-Lakes Senior Center located on Lewis-Palmer High School campus. Walk-ins
are welcome. Meets 2nd and 4th Thu. each month. Reservation suggested: call Roger and Syble, 488-2669.
- Legacy Sertoma Dinner Meeting, Thu., Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., Monument Hill Country Club, 18945 Pebble Beach Way,
Monument. New members and visitors welcome. Meets 2nd & 4th Thu. each month. Info: Ed Kinney, 481-2750.
- Ben Lomond Gun Club, Tri-Lakes Chapter, Thu., Nov. 12, 7 p.m., Tri-Lakes Fire Station 1, 18650 Hwy 105 west of
Monument near the bowling alley. Meets 2nd Thu. each month. Info: 481-3364.
- Palmer Lake Art Group, Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m., Mountain Community Mennonite Church, 643 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. A
variety of art programs are offered after the social gathering and business meeting. Guests welcome. Meets 2nd Sat. each month. Info: 487-1329,
www.palmerlakeartgroup.com.
- El Paso County Hazardous Materials & Recycling Collection Facility, Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 3255 Akers
Dr., Colorado Springs. Open the 2nd Sat. each month as well as Mon.-Thu., 7 a.m.-5 p.m., accepts porcelain fixtures, common recyclable items,
household hazardous waste, various electronics, and TVs up to 19-inch diagonal. Accepts documents from private households for shredding, up to two
legal paper-sized boxes. Bring a nonperishable food item for Care and Share. Info: 520-7878,
http://adm.elpasoco.com/Environmental_Services/Solid_Waste_Management.
- Alzheimer’s Support Group, Sat., Nov. 14, 10-11:30 a.m., Church at Woodmoor, 18125 Furrow Rd. Meets 2nd Sat.
each month. Info: LaVonne Putman, 488-2557.
- NEPCO Meeting: Commissioner Darryl Glenn speaks on County Issues, Sat., Nov. 14, 10 a.m.-noon, New Monument
Town Hall & Police Building, 645 Beacon Lite Rd., Monument. All are welcome to this bi-monthly meeting of local homeowners associations. Info:
481-2723 or visit www.nepco.org.
- Amateur Radio W0TLM (Tri-Lakes Monument Radio Association), Mon., Nov. 16, 7 p.m. All amateur radio operators
or those interested in becoming amateur radio operators are welcome. Meets 3rd Mon. For meeting place and info contact Joyce Witte, 488-0859,
Joycewitte@gmail.com; or visit www.W0TLM.com.
- Tri-Lakes Home Educators’ Support Group, Mon., Nov. 16. Meets 3rd Mon. each month for support, information,
field trips, and special events. Info: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TLHESGmembers or
tlhesgmembers-owner@yahoogroups.com.
- Senior Tea, Tue., Nov. 17, 1-3 p.m., Senior Center at Lewis-Palmer High School (across from the YMCA). Come
early to socialize, bring a salad or dessert to share. Meat dishes and tea provided. Voluntary donations welcome. Meets 3rd Tue. each month. Info:
Irene C., 484-0517.
- Caregivers Support and Brainstorming Open House, Tue., Nov. 17, 2-4 p.m., Lifting Spirits Adult Day Center, 755
Hwy. 105 Unit C, Palmer Lake. Meets 1st and 3rd Tue. each month. Info: Linda, (303) 579-8114.
- Fibromyalgia Support Group, Tue., Nov. 17, 5 p.m., Police Station, 7850 Goddard (1 block off Academy on Kelly
Johnson near Chapel Hills Mall), Community Room just inside main entrance. A DVD will play 5-6 p.m.; meeting starts at 6 p.m. Share concerns and
success stories and talk to a D.O. Learn how you can become pain-free. No charge, no products sold. Meets 3rd Tue. each month. Info: 481-2230.
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7829, Tue., Nov. 17, 7 p.m., Monument Hill Country Club 18945 Pebble Beach Way,
Monument. New members welcome. Meets 3rd Tue. each month. Info: Post Commander Joe Carlson, jcarlson@vfw7829.org, 488-1902,
www.vfw7829.org.
- Ladies Auxiliary to V.F.W. Post 7829, Wed., Nov. 18, 7 p.m., Monument Hill Country Club, 18945 Pebble Beach
Way, Monument. New members welcome. If you are a female relative of a veteran who served on foreign soil during war or other military action, you
may be eligible. Meets 3rd Wed. each month. Info: Kathy Carlson, 488-1902, carlsonmkc@aol.com.
- Drummers! Wed., Nov. 18, 6:30-8 p.m., Yoga Pathways, Suite A, West End Center, 755 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. Free
and open to the public. Bring any kind of drum or other hand percussion instrument. Beginners welcome! Usually meets 3rd Wed. each month. Verify
date & time: Char, 488-3138.
- Tri-Lakes Lions Club, Thu., Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. social, 7-8 p.m. meeting, Sundance Mountain Lodge, 1865 Woodmoor
Dr., Monument. Meets 3rd Thu. each month. Info: David Prejean, 434-7031.
- Palmer Lake Historical Society: "Orphan Train," Thu. Nov. 19, 7 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley
Crescent. Jane Milne brings this true hardship story to life. The program is free to the public. Meets 3rd Thu. each month except December. Info:
Pat McCarthy, 659-1363; www.palmerdividehistory.org.
- Monument Hill Farmers Market Winter Indoor Market, Sat., Nov. 21, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Grace Best, 66 Jefferson St.,
Monument. Many new vendors plus all your old favorites! Local honey, jams, pastries, cheese. Meets every third Sat. through April. Info: 592-9420.
- Little Log Kitchen Free Meal, Sat., Nov. 21, noon, 133 High St., Palmer Lake. Sponsored by Little Log Church
every 3rd Sat. Info: 481-2409.
- Senior Social, Wed., Nov. 25, 1-4 p.m., Fellowship Hall of the Black Forest Lutheran Church, 12455 Black Forest
Rd. Meets 4th Wed. each month. Info: www.aarpchapter1100blackforest.weebly.com.
- Foot Care Clinic, Fri., Nov. 27, Senior Center located across the street from the Tri-Lakes YMCA, on the
Lewis-Palmer High School campus. A registered nurse examines your feet and provides foot care advice, toenail trimming. Cost: $30 for a 30-min.
visit. Meets 2nd Wed. and last Fri. each month, by appointment only. Info & appointments: call the Visiting Nurse Association, 577-4448.
- Caregivers Support and Brainstorming Open House, Tue., Dec. 1, 2-4 p.m., Lifting Spirits Adult Day Center, 755
Hwy. 105 Unit C, Palmer Lake. Meets 1st and 3rd Tue. each month. Info: Linda, (303) 579-8114.
- American Legion Tri-Lakes Post 9-11, Tue., Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., Depot Restaurant, Hwy 105 & Primrose St., Palmer
Lake. New members welcome. Meets 1st Tue. each month. Info: 481-8668, www.americanlegiontrilakespost911.com.
- Monument Homemakers Club Monthly Potluck Lunch & Meeting, Thu., Dec. 3, 11:30 a.m., Tri-Lakes Fire Department
Administrative Building, 166 Second St., Monument. Meets 1st Thu. each month except Jan. and unless D-38 is delayed or closed due to bad weather.
Newcomers welcome. For a ride to the meeting, call Faye Brenneman, 488-0076. RSVP & info: Irene Walters, 481-1188, or Bev Wells, 488-3327.
- Palmer Divide Quiltmakers, Thu., Dec. 3, 7 p.m., Church at Woodmoor, 18125 Furrow Rd. Meets 1st Thu. each
month. Info: pdq504@gmail.com.
- Tri-Lakes MOMS Club Monthly Meeting, Fri., Dec. 4, 10 a.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Normally
meets 1st Fri. each month. Info: monumentmomsinfo@gmail.com,
https://m.facebook.com/MonumentMomsClub.
- Lifting Spirits Adult/Senior Day Service Open House, Mon., Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m., 755 Hwy. 105 Unit C, Palmer Lake.
Caregivers, find out how to make your lives easier. Refreshments served. Meets 1st Mon. each month. Info: Linda, (303) 579-8114.
- Guitar Lessons: New students buy three, get one free. All ages, levels, styles. Info: Mike, 487-8435.
- Lupus Support Group. If you suffer with an autoimmune disease and want to connect with others, you are welcome to join
this group. Info: dmbandle@hotmail.com.
- Myasthenia Gravis Association of Colorado Support Group. Location varies. For information, call Carolyn, 488-3620,
www.4-mga.org, 303-360-7080, 4mga@4-mga.org.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- Black Forest Arts & Crafts Guild Fall Show & Sale, Thu.-Sun., Nov. 5-8, Thu.-Sat., 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sun., 10
a.m.-2 p.m., Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Rd. (just N. of Shoup. Please note that Black Forest Road is closed north of the
Community Center.) The free show offers crafts, baked goods, and more from more than 90 artisans and culinary guild members. A portion of all sale
proceeds will benefit the guild’s scholarship fund and the Black Forest community. Info: 495-3035 or www.BFACG.org. Info: 495-3035,
http://bfacg.org.
- Downtown Monument Holiday Open House, Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7. Catch the holiday spirit with special promotions,
refreshments, holiday decorations, and door prizes. Info: www.monumentmerchants.com.
- Lillian’s of Monument Holiday Open House, Fri.-Sat., Nov. 6-7, 10 a.m-5 p.m. Sat., 251 Front St., Suite 4,
Monument. New fashions, $10 deals. Info: 488-3550, www.lillians.com/monument,
www.facebook.com/lilliansofmonument.
- Opening Reception for 2015 Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA) Member Artist Exhibition, Fri., Nov. 6, 6-8
p.m., Great food, drinks, and live music, free! Exhibition runs until Jan. 2, 2016. Info: www.trilakesarts.org, 481-0475.
- Holiday Open House Book Signings at Covered Treasures, Sat., Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 105 2nd St, Monument.
Nancy Jurka and Kay LaBella will sign their collectible children’s book, The Bright Star of Palmer Lake. Info: 481-2665,
www.coveredtreasures.com.
- Pine Creek Bazaar & Silent Auction, Sat., Nov. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., 10750 Thunder Mountain Rd., Colo. Springs. The
annual holiday craft bazaar benefits the Pine Creek High School Instrumental Music Program. Grandma’s Kitchen opens 11 a.m. Info:
www.pcbandboosters.com/bazaar.html.
- History of the Palmer Lake Star & Dinner, Mon., Nov. 9, 6-9 p.m., Colorado Springs Masonic Hall, 1150 Panorama Dr. Jack
Anthony, presenter. Cost: $17. RSVP & Info: posse@dewittenterprises.com.
- Monument Academy Veterans’ Day Assembly: "Honoring All Who Have Served," Wed., Nov. 11, 9:45 a.m., 1500 Village
Ridge Point, Monument. All are invited to a tribute performance by students, a keynote speaker, and music by The United States Air Force Academy
Band, Academy Winds. Breakfast at 8:30 a.m. for veterans and active duty along with one guest. RSVP & info: 481-1950 ext. 1240.
- Tri-Lakes Economic Development Corporation State of the Region, Thu., Nov. 12, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., District
38 Administration Building, 146 Jefferson St., Monument. Speakers are Sam Bailey from the Colorado Office of Economic Development and
International Trade, Dirk Draper from the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance, and Danette Lilja from the Tri-Lakes Economic Development
Corporation. Cost: $30. RSVP & Info: www.trilakeschamber.com, Julie Matalus, 481-3282,
icontact@trilakesedc.com.
- Lewis-Palmer High School Musical: "Urinetown," Thu.-Sat., Nov. 12-14, 7 p.m.; also a 2 p.m. Sat., 1300 Higby
Rd., Monument. Cost: $10, Students/seniors $8. Tickets: www.showtix4u.com (search for Urinetown). Info:
jclark@lewispalmer.org.
- Yoga Project National Fundraiser All-Levels Yoga Class, Fri., Nov. 13, 5-6 p.m., Yoga Pathways
Studio, 755 Hwy. 105, Suite A (West End Center, 3/4 mile west of Monument Safeway). Class led by Raleigh Dove. Free to vets and active-duty
military. Suggested donation $10. Info: 481-4137, www.YogaPathwaysStudio.com.
- Black Rose Acoustic Society Open Stage headlined by Dakota Blonde, Fri., Nov. 13, 7-9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
p.m., Black Forest Community Center, 12530 Black Forest Rd. at Shoup Road. Cost: $10 general, $5 BRAS members, $5 nonmember students with ID.
Info: Joe Maio, 528-6119, jrmtn@comcast.net, www.blackroseacoustic.org.
- St. Peter Holiday Boutique, Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., 124 First St., Monument. More than 50 local vendors
showcase handcrafted jewelry, sewn creations, arts and crafts, bake sale, and other handmade goodies. Lunch available. Exciting raffle baskets.
Free admission. Info: 481-1855, www.petertherock.org.
- Help for the Holidays in the Midst of Loss, Sat., Nov. 14, 10:30-11:30 a.m., The West End Center, 755 Hwy 105,
Palmer Lake. The holiday season can be a stressful time for those who have experienced a loss–whether a loved one, a relationship, a job, or your
health. Learn ways to cope and bring hope back into this season. Free. RSVP & Info: Annie Campanaro, 358-1010.
- Tri-Lakes Y Parents Night Out, Sat., Nov. 14, Dec. 5, Dec. 12, 4:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy.,
Monument. For ages 3-10, must be potty trained. Dinner, bounce house, gym games, crafts, a movie, swimming for ages 7 up. Cost: Members $18,
non-members $28. RSVP & Info: 481-8728.
- Tri-Lakes Community Blood Drive, Tue., Nov. 17, 3-7 p.m., Tri-Lakes Cares, 235 Jefferson St., Monument. No
appointment needed, just walk in. Please bring driver’s license or ID. Info: 776-5714.
- Gleneagle Women’s Club Arts and Crafts Fair, Fri., Nov. 20, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Holy Trinity Church, 13990
Gleneagle Dr. Free admission. Info: Tsilla, 599-9046.
- Buffalo Grass Acoustic Society Open Stage featuring Jody Adams Band, John McGann, Rob Tobiassen, Fri., Nov. 20,
Show starts at 7 p.m., free jam session starts at 5:30 p.m., Cowboy Church of Peyton, 15504 Bradshaw Rd., Peyton. Cost: Adults, $5; Members, $3;
Kids under 16 free. Info: 495-0733, info@buffalograssacoustic.org,
www.buffalograssacoustic.org.
- Stars Alive: An Evening with the Legends at Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts (TLCA), Fri., Nov. 20, 7 p.m., doors
open 6:30 p.m., 304 Hwy 105, Palmer Lake. Live performances with tribute artists performing the music of the legendary stars they impersonate:
Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, Marilyn Monroe, and Elvis. Advance tickets: TLCA Members $16, Non-members $20. Day of show: TLCA members $20,
Non-members $24. Tickets & Info: www.trilakesarts.org, 481-0475.
- Alpaca Holiday Extravaganza, Sat.-Sun., Nov. 21-22; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun., Black Forest
Community Club, 12530 Black Forest Rd. Meet alpacas and shop for clothing and accessories as well as fleece, yarn, and more. Free; children
welcome. Info: 495-6693, http://secab-extravaganza.weebly.com/.
- Rocky Mountain Music Alliance (RMMA) Concert: Piano Concerto Night, Sat., Nov. 21, 7 p.m., Tri-Lakes United
Methodist Church, 20256 Hunting Downs Way, Monument. Grieg and Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concertos. Reception follows concert. Cost: $10 online, $12
at door. Students with ID and children free. Tickets & Info: www.rmmaonline.org, Coleen Abeyta, 630-8165,
Coleen.Abeyta@gmail.com.
- Free Traditional Thanksgiving Dinner at Rosie’s Diner, Thu., Nov. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., 411 Hwy. 105, Monument.
Tri-Lakes and Black Forest residents who, for whatever reason, will be unable to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with friends or family at
home, and first responders on duty Thanksgiving day are invited to enjoy a free Thanksgiving dinner at Rosie’s Diner. Reservations are suggested
because seating is limited. Reservations must be made by Nov. 13 with Madeline at the Town of Monument, 963-1524. More information is also
available at: www.TriLakesHAP.org/CCT.
- Tri-Lakes Y Black Friday Drop n Shop, Fri., Nov. 27, 12:30-5:30 p.m., 17250 Jackson Creek Pkwy., Monument. For
ages 3-10, must be potty-trained. Lunch, bounce house, a movie, other fun holiday activities, swimming for ages 7 up. Cost: Members $30,
non-members $40. RSVP & Info: 481-8728.
- Wisdom Tea House Holiday Afternoon Tea, Fri., Nov. 24-Jan. 16, 65 Second St., Monument. Cost: $30. RSVP & Info:
481-8822, www.wisdomteahouse.com.
- Western Museum of Mining and Industry (WMMI): The Gold Assay Process: Magic or Chemistry? Sat., Nov. 28, 10
a.m.-1 p.m., 225 North Gate Blvd at 1-25 Exit 156A. Discover how ore is processed to extract gold. This fast-moving, interactive assay
demonstration will overview the math, mechanics, and chemistry of this exciting process. Cost: adults $8, military/AAA $7, seniors/students $6,
children 3-12 $4, free to children under 3 & museum members. RSVP to rsvp@wmmi.org or 488-0880. Info:
www.wmmi.org.
- Small Business Saturday Book Signings at Covered Treasures, Sat., Nov. 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., 105 2nd St,
Monument. Heather Buchman will sign her two series, "And Then You..." and "Linger," 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Anna Blake will sign her book Stable
Relation noon-2 p.m. Info: 481-2665, www.coveredtreasures.com.
- Palmer Lake’s Traditional Chili Supper & Annual Star-lighting Festival, Sat., Nov. 28, 4:30-7 p.m.,
Star-lighting at 7 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Join the tradition and enjoy chili, potato soup, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls,
and more. Cost: $8 adults, $3 children under 12. Proceeds go to the Palmer Lake Volunteer Fire Department. There will be hayrides, roasting
marshmallows over an open fire, Christmas carols, Santa, bucket drawings and silent auctions, with one lucky winner chosen to light the star! Info
or to donate prizes: Jeannine at the Rock House Ice Cream shop, 488-6917; or Toni, 481-2953.
- Monument Hill Kiwanis Club’s 10th Annual North Pole at Tri-Lakes Arts and Crafts Fair, Sat., Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-6
p.m., Grace Best, 66 Jefferson St., Monument. Browse hundreds of handcrafted items perfect for holiday gifts and stocking stuffers. Holiday music
by various D-38 school groups throughout the day and the Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Cookie Walk. Admission is free with nonperishable food
items, toys, or cash donations for Tri-Lakes Cares. Info: www.monumenthillkiwanis.org, or contact Bob Nissen, 304-8705,
Bob@mifigroup.com.
- Tri-Lakes United Methodist Church Cookie Walk and Craft Sale, Sat., Dec. 5. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Grace Best School,
66 Jefferson St., Monument. Come early to get your choice of delectable homemade Christmas cookies and unique crafts! Proceeds benefit the
Tri-Lakes Neighborhood Nurse Program, TLUMC Scholarship Fund, and other local charitable causes. Info: women@tlumc.org.
- Small Town Christmas, Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Celebrate the season with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus
along with activities and crafts for children, hayrides, open houses, and other special events in Historic Downtown Monument. Tree-lighting at
Limbach Park 5-6 p.m. Info: 425-8889, info@monumentmerchants.com.
- Small Town Christmas at Covered Treasures Bookstore, Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., 105 2nd St, Monument. Stop
in for refreshments, browse books and gifts, meet some children’s authors. 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Janelle Diller and Lisa Travis will sign their young
reader series, "The Pack-and-go-Girls;" Leslea Wahl will sign The Perfect Blindside, a young adult adventure novel set in Colorado. Carmella
LaVigna Coyle will visit 1-3 p.m. Her latest title from the "Do Princesses..." series is, Do Princesses Make Happy Campers? Info: 481-2665,
www.coveredtreasures.com.
- Psychic Fair and Christmas Sale at The Open Door Books and Gifts, Sat., Dec. 5, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., 251 Front St.,
Suite 8, Monument. Info: 487-9076.
- Palmer Lake Yule Log Pot Luck Dinner, Tue., Dec. 8, 6 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Circle. Please
bring a potluck dish to share and place settings for your family. Info: 481-2953.
- Annual Handbell Christmas Concert, Sat., Dec. 12, 7 p.m., Monument Community Presbyterian Church, 238 Third
St., Monument. Bells, chimes, organ, brass, saxophones, recorders, and vocal selections. Free; everyone is invited! Info: Betty Jenik, 488-3853.
- Annual Palmer Lake Yule Log Hunt, Sun., Dec. 13, 1 p.m., Palmer Lake Town Hall, 28 Valley Crescent. Trek up the
mountain in search of the Yule Log. Hunt participants should arrive 11 a.m.-noon. The winner will ride the Yule Log back to town and get the first
cup of wassail. Non-hunters can stay warm indoors with carols and stories. Info: 481-2953.
Our community calendar carries listings on a space-available basis for Tri-Lakes events that are sponsored by local governmental
entities and not-for-profit organizations. We include events that are open to the general public and are not religious or self-promotional in nature.
If space is available, complimentary calendar listings are included, when requested, for events advertised in the current issue. To have your event
listed at no charge in Our Community Calendar, please call (719) 339-7831 or send the information to calendar@ocn.me or P.O. Box 1742, Monument,
Colorado 80132.