- Monument, Colorado
-
Town of Monument, Colorado — Town — Monument, Colorado, Town Hall and Police Department
Location in El Paso County and the state of Colorado
Coordinates: 39°4′52″N 104°51′45″W / 39.08111°N 104.8625°WCoordinates: 39°4′52″N 104°51′45″W / 39.08111°N 104.8625°W Country 
United StatesState 
ColoradoCounty El Paso[1] Incorporated (town) June 2, 1879[2] Government - Type Home Rule Charter Municipality – Council-Manager government[3] - Town Manager Catherine Green - Mayor Travis Easton Area - Total 4.63 sq mi (12 km2) - Land 4.63 sq mi (12 km2) - Water 0 sq mi (0 km2) Elevation 6,975 ft (2,126 m) Population (2000) - Total 1,971 - Density 426.1/sq mi (164.4/km2) Time zone MST (UTC-7) - Summer (DST) MDT (UTC-6) ZIP code 80132[4] Area code(s) 719 FIPS code 08-51800 GNIS feature ID 0204795 Website Town of Monument Monument is a growing town situated on the Rampart Range in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Monument is bordered by Pike National Forest on the west, Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force Academy to the south, foothills and rock outcroppings to the north and rolling plains to the east.[5] It's one of the few town on I-25 that resides right on the base of the beautiful Rocky Mountains. The average high temperatures in the summer reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit, while the average winter low temperature is 12 degrees. In the winter Monument receives about 100 inches of snow, with a few warm, sunny days interspersed with the snowy ones.[5] The population was 1,971 at the 2000 census. Monument was first settled as a stop along the Rio Grande railroad in 1872, and the area was incorporated as a town called Henry’s Station in 1879, but the name was later changed to Monument.[6]
Monument is part of Lewis-Palmer District 38 schools. Colorado offers school choice, and in Monument there is support for public schools, private schools, charter schools, and home schools.[7] Monument is mainly home to small business, and has no manufacturing or big business. The residents of Monument support several community and religious organizations, including several churches, Tri-Lakes Cares, YMCA, and the SERTOMA service organization.
Contents
Government
A welcome sign outside of historic Monument.
Monument has a home rule charter government. This means that the governmental policy is established in a commission and then voted upon by the town council and board of trustees.[8] In this case, the Charter has provided for a council-manager form of government. Provisions are made for a town manager, a mayor, and a board of trustees.[8]
There are seven council members, including the mayor. The mayor is considered part of the town council, and has the same power as a council member. Council members are elected for overlapping 4 year terms, and the mayor is elected for four years as well. A vacancy in office will be filled by voters at a regular or special election, and another council member will be appointed in the meantime.[8] There is a set term limit of three consecutive terms for the mayor and the council members. All regular and special meetings must be open to the public, and people must be given the opportunity to be heard. Amendments can be initiated through the council, but such amendments cannot take effect unless approved by a majority of votes cast by the registered electors of the town.[8]
Geography
Monument is located at 39°04′52″N 104°51′45″W / 39.081024°N 104.862491°W.[9]Monument is north of Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force Academy, and east of the Rampart Range, which is the eastern front range of the Rocky Mountains. Monument Creek, a gentle mountain stream beginning in the Rampart Range, eventually tumbles down through Palmer Lake and the west side of Monument to become one of the main waterways flowing south through Colorado Springs.[10]
According to the United States Census Bureau, Monument has a total area of 4.6 square miles (12 km2), all of it land.
Climate
Monument, Colorado is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level.[11] While the State of Colorado typically has a continental semi-arid steppe climate,[12] and usually receives less than 20 inches of moisture per year Monument, due to its topography and elevation, does exceed that amount. During an average winter Monument receives 250% more snow than does the City of Colorado Springs, just 18 miles to the south.[13]
Demographics
As of the census[14] of 2000, there were 1,971 people, 725 households, and 550 families residing in the town. The population density was 426.1 people per square mile (164.4/km²). There were 770 housing units at an average density of 166.4 per square mile (64.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 91.98% White, 0.91% African American, 1.42% Native American, 0.96% Asian, 2.03% from other races, and 2.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.71% of the population.
There were 725 households out of which 45.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.1% were non-families. 19.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town the population was spread out with 32.9% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 38.3% from 25 to 44, 17.7% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $50,000, and the median income for a family was $54,211. Males had a median income of $41,071 versus $27,583 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,878. About 5.4% of families and 5.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.
History
Monument rock is the rock formation from which Monument derives its name.Monument’s first homesteaders arrived in 1865 to mark out the town’s preliminary shape, but settlement increased when Monument became a stop along the Rio Grande Railroad in 1872. The area was incorporated as a town called Henry's Station after prominent settler Henry Limbach on June 2, 1879, and the first town meeting was held July 3, 1879.[15] However, three years later the name was changed to Monument after Monument Creek and Monument Rock in the west.[16] The first records of the town can be found in various volumes in the El Paso County Courthouse dating back to 1872.[16] With the help of the railroad, which brought in necessities, people started small businesses and started to create a town. Since then, Monument has continued to develop into the town that it is today.
Education
Formerly Lewis-Palmer High School, this building now serves as the district office for Lewis-Palmer #38.Monument, by Colorado law, is a school-choice community. Because of this, there are opportunities for public schools,[17] private schools,[18] charter schools,[19] and home schooling groups.[20] The public school system is Lewis-Palmer School District 38. The Lewis-Palmer District ACT scores (at 23) are about 20% higher than the average state scores (at 19) in the two high schools (Palmer Ridge and Lewis-Palmer High Schools).[21] The Lewis-Palmer district as a whole performs 15-20% better on CSAP tests than the Colorado state average.[22]
Commerce
Monument commerce is made up mostly of small businesses, not manufacturers. Individually owned shops and services located in Monument Plaza offer a unique blend of quality shopping all within walking distance of one another. Located off Highway 105, shoppers will find galleries, home décor, book and specialty stores, as well as restaurants and professional service businesses.[23] Jackson Creek Center, a more recent commercial expansion of the Monument stores located west of I-25, offers a range of national chain store shopping mixed with smaller retail and service businesses, along with office condominiums and restaurants.
Organizations
The residents of Monument support many different organizations. It is home to various types of churches, such as Presbyterian,[24] Catholic,[25] Lutheran,[26] Mennonite,[27] Methodist,[28] and nondenominational.[29] Monument has several organizations that are unique to the community, and also several nationwide organizations. The local organizations in Monument and their mission statements include:
Tri-Lakes Cares: a community-based non-profit agency serving the Tri-Lakes area in Northern El Paso County, that improves people's lives by providing emergency assistance, self-sufficiency programs and other social services.[30]
Pikes Peak Library District: to inform, empower, inspire, and entertain through service and resources that respect individuals and ideas, foster discovery, and build community.[31]
The Griffith Center for Children: to provide troubled children the environment and opportunities to become healthy, participating and productive members of society.[32]
Also in Monument are the nationwide organizations:
Pikes Peak YMCA: To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.[33]
Monument Hill SERTOMA (SERvice TO MAn): To provide sponsorship of programs to aid the hearing impaired, and many other areas of need within the Tri-Lakes area, Colorado Springs and El Paso County.[34]
Transportation
Monument is accessed from Interstate 25 at exit 161. Colorado Highway 105 also runs through Monument. The Front Range Express (FREX) bus also serves the Monument Park and Ride near this exit.
Notable residents
- Wayne Laugesen, American writer, columnist, editorial page editor Colorado Springs Gazette
- Jesse McCormick, French Horn, The Cleveland Orchestra
- Kurt Lewis, actor, writer, and podcaster on Playing In Peoria
- Pat Garrity, Former NBA player, attended
- Jennifer Sipes, actress and model, born in Monument
- Bobby Burling, Professional MLS Player, attended Lewis-Palmer High School
- Kevin J. Anderson, New York Times bestselling science fiction author
- Joey Fillo, assistant hockey coach at Colorado State University
See also
- Colorado municipalities
- Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area
- Front Range Urban Corridor
- South Central Colorado Urban Area
References
- ^ name=COMun>"Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html. Retrieved 2007-09-01.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Home Rule Charter Commission. Home Rule Charter for the town of Monument, Colorado. August 1, 2000. As submitted to the Monument Board of Trustees by the Home Rule Charter Commission.
- ^ "ZIP Code Lookup" (JavaScript/HTML). United States Postal Service. http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
- ^ a b http://www.townofmonument.net/AboutMonument.html
- ^ Lavelett, Lucille. Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado. 2004. Published by Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. ISBN 0975598902. p. 7
- ^ http://www.localschooldirectory.com/city-schools/Monument/CO
- ^ a b c d Home Rule Charter Commission. Home Rule Charter for the town of Monument, Colorado. August 1, 2000. As submitted to the Monument Board of Trustees by the Home Rule Charter Commission. p. vii.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ http://events.gazette.com/monument-co/venues/show/1127001-monument-creek-headwaters
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ http://www.meteorologyclimate.com/world-climate-map.jpg
- ^ http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/stations/index.php?action=metadata&network_station_id=055733
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ Lavelett, Lucille. Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado. 2004. Published by Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. ISBN 0975598902 p. 14
- ^ a b Lavelett, Lucille. Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado. 2004. Published by Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. ISBN 0975598902 P. 7
- ^ http://lewispalmer.org/
- ^ http://petertherock.com/http://www.greatschools.org/colorado/monument/1838-Hope-Montessori-Academy/
- ^ http://www.monumentacademy.net/
- ^ http://localhs.com/?El%20Paso,CO
- ^ http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/co/1248#act_summary
- ^ http://www.greatschools.org/cgi-bin/co/district-profile/133#standards
- ^ http://www.trilakeschamber.com/tlmonument.html
- ^ http://www.mcpcusa.org/
- ^ http://www.petertherock.org/modules/wpages/
- ^ http://www.trinity-monument.org/
- ^ http://www.mcmcpl.org/
- ^ http://tlumc.org/
- ^ http://www.newlifechurch.org/, http://www.trilakeschapel.org/
- ^ http://tri-lakescares.org/Joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=35
- ^ http://www.ppld.org/AboutYourLibrary/admin/Policies/mission.asp
- ^ http://www.griffithcenters.org/gcc/index.php
- ^ http://trilakes.ppymca.org/
- ^ http://www.monumenthillsertoma.org/index.php/about-us
External links
- Town of Monument website
- CDOT map of the Town of Monument
- Monument travel guide from Wikitravel
- Tour Monument photos, videos, maps and other information
- Monument Academy
Municipalities and communities of El Paso County, Colorado County seat: Colorado Springs Cities 
Towns Calhan | Green Mountain Falls‡ | Monument | Palmer Lake | Ramah
CDPs Air Force Academy | Black Forest | Cascade-Chipita Park | Cimarron Hills | Ellicott | Fort Carson | Gleneagle | Peyton | Rock Creek Park | Security-Widefield | Stratmoor | Woodmoor
Unincorporated
communitiesFootnotes ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties
Categories:- Populated places in El Paso County, Colorado
- Towns in Colorado
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