The Town of Monument is located in northwest El Paso County, approximately ten miles north of the corporate limits of Colorado Springs. In 1983, the Town had slightly over 800 people residing within its corporate limits which encompass roughly 485 acres. In recognition of the continued growth and change which is anticipated for Monument, the planning area extends beyond the corporate limits to include an area which may be considered the potential growth area of the Town.

Consistent with its motto - "Proud of Our Past, Confident in Our Future" - the Town of Monument initiated a planning study geared to providing diverse and sound future growth without sacrificing its strong heritage. Realizing the Town is confronted by many diverse development constraints and opportunities, the comprehensive plan addresses these challenges in a progressive yet rational manner. It should be emphasized that the plan does not advocate a particular rate of growth. The intent instead is to recommend a data and policy framework for accommodating growth in a manner which meets the needs and desire of the Town while ensuring that the demand for public services and facilities does not outstrip the Town’s capacity to provide them.

The Monument Comprehensive Plan is intended, as stated in Section 31-23-207, C.R.S. 1973, as amended, "…with the general purpose of guiding and accomplishing a coordinated, adjusted, and harmonious development of the municipality and its environs which will, in accordance with present and future needs, best promote health, safety, morals, order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare…" Contained in the plan is background information; planning issues, objectives, policies, and programs; functional planning recommendations; a downtown improvements program; future land uses; and implementation directions.

Planning entails more than the adoption of a comprehensive plan and associated regulatory devices. As depicted in Diagram 1, it is an on-going process requiring constant reassessment. When local problems, opportunities, needs, and desires change, the Town’s planning policies and programs should be amended to reflect new conditions.

Diagram 1 - Monument Comprehensive Planning Process

To ensure that the planning effort in Monument was responsive to the concerns and desires of its general population, citizen participation in the preparation of the comprehensive plan was actively encouraged.

A citizens’ advisory committee, consisting of interested residents, was formed to voice concerns and perceptions regarding Monument’s future. These volunteers met throughout the planning process to review mapped resource data and generate a list of community issues. These community issues formed the basis for identifying general planning issues and establishing community objectives.

With financing from El Paso County and funds appropriated by Senate Bill 525 (1979) through the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, the El Paso County Land Use Department provided technical assistance to Monument for the preparation of this comprehensive plan. By providing similar assistance to the nearby Town of Palmer Lake, the Land Use Department was able to coordinate both municipal plans with the comprehensive plan for the un-incorporated portions of Tri-Lakes. Growth policies, design recommendations, and implementation strategies were integrated to achieve continuity between plans while providing for distinct needs.

Monument, an area of relatively moderate growth, has the potential for attracting residential, commercial, and industrial development. The strength of its market will allow the Town to establish the type, quantity, and quality of development it desires to attract.

Appendix B contains information on historical population levels and population and housing projections.

Monument’s development potential is determined by a number of factors, including: (1) its location along the Colorado Front Range and in the Interstate 25 Corridor; (2) its proximity to the metropolitan area of Colorado Springs, the Air Force Academy, and rapidly urbanizing Douglas County; (3) an attractive natural setting which invites development and creates the potential for quality site and building design; (4) a strong local economy and promising business opportunities; and (5) the availability and capacity of public utilities and services. Additionally, nearby developments such as Woodmoor and Tri-Lands create a momentum for growth while setting a standard for future development.

Many residents of Monument view new development as beneficial to their individual and collective interests. The County, through its Tri-Lakes Comprehensive Plan, is responsive to this view and recognizes Monument as a commercial center for the Tri-Lakes area and as a location for higher density housing. The Town can thus work with the County to help assure that it develops and grows in a coordinated manner.

High quality development often exceeds local design standards and thus sets a precedent for both future development and design requirements. Developers of high quality projects need guarantees that subsequent development will increase rather than detract from the value of their projects. Since developers are therefore attracted to communities which set high standards for development, it is advantageous for communities to set and maintain high standards for both private and public projects. If Monument is to attract consistently high quality development, it must strengthen its design standards accordingly.

The major limitation for new development in Monument and the Tri-Lakes area is the scarcity of water. The June 1980 decision of the District Court (Water Division No. 2) in Pueblo held that water drawn from shallow wells at an elevation above the alluvium of Monument Creek is tributary to that Creek. This decision requires that new wells either tap the deep aquifers or provide supplemental water if shallow aquifers are tapped. This decision limits the amount of development which can occur in the area and increases the cost of providing water for that development.

The restriction on new wells is a relatively short-term solution to the continuing depletion of the area’s groundwater resources. In recent years the Town has been working toward long-term solutions involving more permanent alternate water resources. Until alternate water resources are provided, new development in the area will be limited and current water users will continue to be threatened with the depletion of their water source. Additional water information is provided in Chapter 3.

The first Monument area pioneers came from Iowa in the 1860’s. They established farms and built homes of stone. Two landmarks from those pioneer times are the large stands of willow trees north and to the east of Monument, and the Stone Fort on the old McShane property built for protection from indian raiders.

The Rio Grande Railroad was constructed in 1871 and brought commercial activity into the community. Monument became a center for shipping potatoes, grain, mill products and cattle. It was first called Henry’s Station.

Renamed for a nearby rock formation, the Town of Monument was incorporated on June 2, 1879 by public election. Many small businesses were established, including a physician, blacksmith, bottled beer business, carriage shop, cheese factory, general merchandise store, boots and shoes store, hides and pelts, newspaper, and builders. By the year 1880, the population had grown to 200 residents.

Water availability has always been a major concern for the citizens of Monument. An irrigation ditch was used in 1875. The first water system was installed in 1888, supplied by a well 60 feet deep. In 1923 a second well was drilled producing exceptionally pure water at a rate of 60 gallons per minute (GPM). Today Monument has six wells and is negotiating to purchase additional water rights.

The Monument Reservoir was constructed in 1889 by public subscription and State assistance to store water for the purpose of irrigation and the good of the people for recreation, fishing and swimming. Ice was sold from the lake in the early 1900’s.

Postal service began in 1869; David McShane was the first postmaster. Until 1959 the post offices were located in private homes or stores. The present post office was built in 1975 and has gained first class status.

The first park was donated in 1883 by Charles Adams and is called Limbach Park. It is located on Front Street. A second park on Beacon Lite Road, now called Pioneer Park, was acquired in the late 1960’s and is the site of Pioneer Hall which was used by the Town Board of Trustees and Monument Volunteer Fire Department in the early days for meetings. Monument’s largest park was developed in the 1980’s and is called Dirty Woman Creek Park after a pioneer woman who lived in an unkempt shack along the creek. The El Paso County Parks Department and Town of Monument built a playing field for soccer, baseball, and football, in addition to a fishing pond, and picnic areas. In 1982 the Tri-Lakes builders added a gazebo and play equipment area for children.

The Hook and Ladder House was the first fire house in Monument, built in 1894. The Monument Volunteer Fire Department was formally organized in 1949. Fire protection is now provided by the Woodmoor-Monument Fire Protection District.

In 1950 the Interstate 25 on the east side of Monument was opened. The Port of Entry opened in 1957. The proximity of the highway has caused the area’s tourist facilities and museums to flourish. Over 30,000 vehicles pass through daily.

In the 1870’s during the potato harvest, an annual Potato Bake was held. Over 1,500 people came to enjoy the event. Farmers and merchants donated everything. It was a day of fun and enjoyment, with music, dancing, games and free dinners. It was also good advertising for Monument potatoes.

Since the 1960’s Monument celebrates the Fourth of July with a parade, a foot race from Palmer Lake, and fireworks in the evening over Lake Woodmoor. This event attracts several thousand people each year.

With continued well-planned growth and development, Monument lives up to its motto: "Proud of our Past, Confident of our Future."