Monument, Colorado
Encyclopedia
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. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
, 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, Monument has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
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.
I-25, offers a range of national chain store shopping mixed with smaller retail and service businesses, along with office condominiums and restaurants.
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.
Pikes Peak Library District: to inform, empower, inspire, and entertain through service and resources that respect individuals and ideas, foster discovery, and build community.
The Griffith Center for Children: to provide troubled children the environment and opportunities to become healthy, participating and productive members of society.
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.
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.
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.
Rampart Range
The Rampart Range is a mountain range located in Douglas, El Paso, and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. It is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The range is almost entirely public land within the Pike National Forest....
in El Paso County
El Paso County, Colorado
El Paso County is the most populous of the 64 counties of the state of Colorado of the United States, now more populous than Denver County. The United States Census Bureau concluded that the county population was 622,371 in 2010. In recent years, the population had come closer to that of Denver...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Monument is bordered by Pike National Forest
Pike National Forest
The Pike National Forest is located in the Front Range of Colorado, USA, west of Colorado Springs and including Pikes Peak. The forest encompasses 1,106,604 acres within Clear Creek, Teller, Park, Jefferson, Douglas and El Paso counties. The major rivers draining the forest are the South Platte...
on the west, Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force Academy
United States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
to the south, foothills and rock outcroppings to the north and rolling plains to the east. 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. The population was 1,971 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 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.
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. 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
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
, and the SERTOMA service organization.
Government
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. 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.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. 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.
Geography
Monument is located at 39.081024°N 104.862491°W.Monument is north of Colorado Springs and the United States Air Force AcademyUnited States Air Force Academy
The United States Air Force Academy is an accredited college for the undergraduate education of officer candidates for the United States Air Force. Its campus is located immediately north of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States...
, and east of the Rampart Range
Rampart Range
The Rampart Range is a mountain range located in Douglas, El Paso, and Teller counties, Colorado, USA. It is part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The range is almost entirely public land within the Pike National Forest....
, which is the eastern front range of the Rocky Mountains
Rocky Mountains
The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range in western North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch more than from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in western Canada, to New Mexico, in the southwestern United States...
. 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, Monument has a total area of 4.6 square miles (11.9 km²), all of it land.
Climate
Monument, Colorado is located at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level. While the State of Colorado typically has a continental semi-arid steppe climate, 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.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 1,971 people, 725 households, and 550 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
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
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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’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. However, three years later the name was changed to Monument after Monument Creek and Monument Rock in the west. The first records of the town can be found in various volumes in the El Paso County Courthouse dating back to 1872. 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
Monument, by Colorado law, is a school-choice community. Because of this, there are opportunities for public schools, private schools, charter schools, and home schooling groups. 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). The Lewis-Palmer district as a whole performs 15-20% better on CSAP tests than the Colorado state average.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. Jackson Creek Center, a more recent commercial expansion of the Monument stores located west ofI-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, Catholic, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, and nondenominational. 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.
Pikes Peak Library District: to inform, empower, inspire, and entertain through service and resources that respect individuals and ideas, foster discovery, and build community.
The Griffith Center for Children: to provide troubled children the environment and opportunities to become healthy, participating and productive members of society.
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.
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.
Transportation
Monument is accessed from Interstate 25Interstate 25
Interstate 25 is an Interstate Highway in the western United States. It is primarily a north–south highway. I-25 stretches from Interstate 10 at Las Cruces, New Mexico, , to Interstate 90 in Buffalo, Wyoming, .Interstate 25 is the main north–south expressway through...
at exit 161. Colorado Highway 105 also runs through Monument. The Front Range Express (FREX)
Front Range Express (FREX)
Front Range Express is a commuter bus service operating between the cities of Colorado Springs, Denver, Greenwood Village, Monument, and formerly Castle Rock in Colorado. FREX operates on Interstate 25 except when exiting to make stops at each city...
bus also serves the Monument Park and Ride near this exit.
Notable residents
- Wayne LaugesenWayne LaugesenWayne Laugesen is an American columnist, video producer, gun rights activist and editorial page editor of the Colorado Springs Gazette. His editorials also appear in other newspapers from Gazette owner Freedom Communications, the tenth largest media company in the United States...
, 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 SipesJennifer SipesJennifer Marie Shakeshaft is an American actress and model living in Los Angeles, California.- Early life :Jennifer Marie Shakeshaft was born and raised in Monument, Colorado. She is the daughter of Kenneth Shakeshaft, an attorney, and Mary Shakeshaft, a real estate broker, the youngest of three...
, actress and model, born in Monument - Bobby BurlingBobby BurlingRobert Charles "Bobby" Burling is an American soccer player who currently plays for Montreal Impact of Major League Soccer.-College:...
, Professional MLSMajor League SoccerMajor League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
Player, attended Lewis-Palmer High SchoolLewis-Palmer High SchoolLewis-Palmer High School is a high school in Monument, Colorado. It is one of only two high schools in Lewis-Palmer School District 38, the other being Palmer Ridge High School.... - Kevin J. AndersonKevin J. AndersonKevin J. Anderson is an American science fiction author with over forty bestsellers. He has written spin-off novels for Star Wars, StarCraft, Titan A.E., and The X-Files, and with Brian Herbert is the co-author of the Dune prequels...
, New York Times bestselling science fiction author - Joey Fillo, assistant hockey coach at Colorado State UniversityColorado State UniversityColorado State University is a public research university located in Fort Collins, Colorado. The university is the state's land grant university, and the flagship university of the Colorado State University System.The enrollment is approximately 29,932 students, including resident and...
See also
- Colorado municipalitiesColorado municipalitiesThe U.S. state of Colorado currently has 271 active incorporated municipalities, including 196 towns, 73 cities, and two consolidated city and county governments.-Municipal government:...
- Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical AreaColorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical AreaThe Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area is a United States Census Bureau defined Metropolitan Statistical Area located in the Colorado Springs region of the State of Colorado. The Census Bureau estimates that the population was 647,758 in 2010, a 20.48% increase since 2000. The...
- Front Range Urban CorridorFront Range Urban CorridorThe Front Range Urban Corridor is an oblong region of urban population located along the eastern face of the Southern Rocky Mountains in the U.S. states of Colorado and Wyoming. The corridor derives its name from the Front Range, the mountain range that defines the west central boundary of the...
- South Central Colorado Urban AreaSouth Central Colorado Urban Areathumb|240px|An enlargeable map of the four-county South Central Colorado Urban AreaThe South Central Colorado Urban Area comprises the Colorado Springs Metropolitan Statistical Area, the Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Area, and the Cañon City Micropolitan Statistical Area in the central and south...