View source for Monument, Colorado

{{short description|Town in Colorado, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Monument, Colorado
| nickname           = 
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities and towns in Colorado#Home rule municipality|Home rule town]]
| motto              = "Proud of our past, confident of our future"
| image_skyline      = 2nd Street in Monument Colorado.jpg
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Looking west along 2nd Street
| image_map          = El Paso County Colorado Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Monument Highlighted 0851800.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Monument in El Paso County, Colorado.
| pushpin_map        = 
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| pushpin_mapsize    = 
<!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Colorado}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Colorado|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso]]<ref name=COMun>{{cite web | url = http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | title = Active Colorado Municipalities | publisher = [[Colorado|State of Colorado]], Department of Local Affairs | access-date = September 1, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20091212060308/http://www.dola.state.co.us/dlg/local_governments/municipalities.html | archive-date = December 12, 2009 }}</ref>
<!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = Home rule town
| leader_title1      = Mayor
| leader_name1       = Mitch LaKind <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townofmonument.org|title=Monument, CO - Official Website|work=townofmonument.org}}</ref>
| leader_title       = Town manager
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title3      = 
| leader_name3       = 
| established_title  = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date   = 
| established_title2 = Incorporated (town)
| established_date2  = June 2, 1879
<!-- Area    --------------------->
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2019">{{cite web|title=2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2019_Gazetteer/2019_gaz_place_08.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 17.90
| area_land_km2      = 17.78
| area_water_km2     = 0.13
| area_total_sq_mi   = 6.91
| area_land_sq_mi    = 6.86
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.05
| area_water_percent = <!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 10399
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref name="USCensusEst2019CenPopScriptOnlyDirtyFixDoNotUse">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2019.html|date=May 24, 2020|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 27, 2020}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = 455.53
| population_density_sq_mi = 1179.80
<!-- General information  --------------->
| population_est     = 12088
| timezone           = [[Mountain Time Zone|MST]]
| utc_offset         = -7
| timezone_DST       = [[Mountain Time Zone|MDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -6
| coordinates        = {{coord|39|04|52|N|104|51|45|W|region:US-CO|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 6982
| postal_code_type   = ZIP code
| postal_code        = 80132<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup | format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = [[United States Postal Service]] | access-date = November 24, 2007 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20101104123722/http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | archive-date = November 4, 2010 }}</ref>
| area_code          = 719
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 08-51800
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2413009<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2413009}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|https://www.townofmonument.org/|townofmonument.org}}
}}

'''Monument''' is a [[List of municipalities in Colorado#Home rule municipality|home rule town]] situated at the base of the [[Rampart Range]] in [[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso County]], [[Colorado]], United States. Monument is one of the three communities that make up the [[Tri-Lakes, Colorado|Tri-Lakes area]], along with [[Palmer Lake, Colorado|Palmer Lake]] and [[Woodmoor, Colorado|Woodmoor]]. Monument is bordered by [[Pike National Forest]] on the west, [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] and the [[United States Air Force Academy]] to the south, Bald Mountain, True Mountain, and Spruce Mountain to the north, and [[Black Forest, Colorado|Black Forest]] and rolling plains to the east.<ref name="townofmonument.net">{{cite web|url=http://www.townofmonument.net/AboutMonument.html|title=Town of Monument|website=www.townofmonument.net|access-date=July 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815001622/http://www.townofmonument.net/AboutMonument.html|archive-date=August 15, 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Monument was first settled as a stop along the [[Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad|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.<ref>Lavelett, Lucille. ''Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado''. 2004. Published by Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. {{ISBN|0-9755989-0-2}}. p. 7</ref>  The town population was 10,399 at the [[2020 United States census]],<ref name="Census 2020">{{cite web| url=https://www.census.gov| title=QuickFacts: Monument town, Colorado| publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]| access-date=September 7, 2021}}</ref> a 88% increase from a population of 5,530 in [[2010 United States Census|2010]] and a 528% increase from a population of 1,971 in [[2000 United States census|2000]].

==History==
[[Image:Monument Rock.jpg|thumb|right|top|150 px|Monument Rock, the formation from which the town 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.<ref>Lavelett, Lucille. ''Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado''. 2004. Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. {{ISBN|0-9755989-0-2}} p. 14</ref> However, three years later the name was changed to Monument after [[Monument Creek (Arkansas River)|Monument Creek]] and Monument Rock in the west.<ref name="Lavelett, Lucille 2004. P. 7">Lavelett, Lucille. ''Through the Years at Monument, Colorado: The story of Monument Colorado''. 2004. Palmer Lake Historical Society, Palmer Lake, CO. {{ISBN|0-9755989-0-2}} P. 7</ref> The first records of the town can be found in various volumes in the El Paso County Courthouse dating back to 1872.<ref name="Lavelett, Lucille 2004. P. 7"/>  With the help of the railroad, which brought in necessities, people started small businesses and started to create a town.

==Geography==
Monument is located at {{coord|39.081024|-104.862491|type:city_region:US|format=dms|display=inline}}.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> It is north of [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|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.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://events.gazette.com/monument-co/venues/show/1127001-monument-creek-headwaters |title=Monument Creek Headwaters: Reviews & Upcoming Events - the Gazette |access-date=July 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711082639/http://events.gazette.com/monument-co/venues/show/1127001-monument-creek-headwaters |archive-date=July 11, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The town of Monument is situated on the southern slope of [[Palmer Divide]], a significant geographical feature which separates the [[Arkansas River|Arkansas]] and [[South Platte River|South Platte basins]]. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Monument has a total area of {{convert|4.6|sqmi|km2}}, all of it land.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 125
|1890= 177
|1900= 156
|1910= 149
|1920= 192
|1930= 192
|1940= 175
|1950= 126
|1960= 204
|1970= 393
|1980= 690
|1990= 1020
|2000= 1971
|2010= 5530
|2020= 10399
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
| align = right
| align-fn = center
}}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Monument had a population of 10,399. The median age was 39.0 years. 28.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 11.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.4 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A51800&in=state%3A08|website=[[United States Census Bureau]]|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL"/>

99.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.4% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A51800&in=state%3A08|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 3,580 households in Monument, of which 43.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 68.5% were married-couple households, 12.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 15.6% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 3,746 housing units, of which 4.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.2%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A51800&in=state%3A08|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 27, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| [[White Americans|White]] || 8,610 || 82.8%
|-
| [[African Americans|Black or African American]] || 158 || 1.5%
|-
| [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]] || 57 || 0.5%
|-
| [[Asian Americans|Asian]] || 251 || 2.4%
|-
| [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Other Pacific Islander]] || 1 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 263 || 2.5%
|-
| [[Multiracial Americans|Two or more races]] || 1,059 || 10.2%
|-
| ''[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (of any race)'' || 941 || 9.0%
|}

===2000 census===

There were 725 households, out of which 45.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.2% were [[Marriage|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&nbsp;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&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 31&nbsp;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.
==Government==
[[Image:Monument, Colorado Town Hall and Police Department.jpg|thumb|left|Monument town hall and police department]]
Monument is a home rule town and is under a home rule charter.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Government {{!}} Monument, CO |url=https://www.townofmonument.org/27/Government |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=www.townofmonument.org}}</ref> This means that the governmental policy is established by the Town Council. There are seven council members, including the mayor. The mayor is considered part of the Town Council, and has the same power as the other council members. 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 council appointment or by voters at a regular or special election. There is a set term limit of two consecutive terms for the mayor and council members. All regular and special meetings must be open to the public, and people must be given the opportunity to be heard.

==Education==
[[Image:Inez Johnson Lewis School.JPG|thumb|The former [[Inez Johnson Lewis School]], this building now serves as the [[Lewis-Palmer School District 38]] administration building.]]
By Colorado law, Monument is a school-choice community. Because of this, there are opportunities for public schools,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lewispalmer.org/|title=Lewis-Palmer School District #38|website=lewispalmer.org}}</ref> private schools,<ref>[http://petertherock.com/http://www.greatschools.org/colorado/monument/1838-Hope-Montessori-Academy/]{{dead link|date=August 2018}}</ref> charter schools,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.monumentacademy.net/|title=Monument Academy|website=Monument Academy}}</ref> and home schooling groups.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://localhs.com/?El+Paso,CO|title=El+Paso, Colorado (CO) Local Homeschool Support Groups|first=Annette M.|last=Hall|website=Local Homeschool.com}}</ref>

The public school system for almost all of the CDP is [[Lewis-Palmer School District 38]].<!--UNI 05820--><ref name=SDMap2020>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st08_co/schooldistrict_maps/c08041_el_paso/DC20SD_C08041.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: El Paso County, CO|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=2025-08-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st08_co/schooldistrict_maps/c08041_el_paso/DC20SD_C08041_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> 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 High School|Palmer Ridge]] and [[Lewis-Palmer High School|Lewis-Palmer.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatschools.org/modperl/achievement/co/1248#act_summary|title=Explore Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, CO|website=GreatSchools.org}}</ref> The Lewis-Palmer district as a whole performs 15-20% better on [[Colorado Student Assessment Program|CSAP]] tests than the Colorado state average.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.greatschools.org/cgi-bin/co/district-profile/133#standards|title=Explore Boulder High School in Boulder, CO|website=GreatSchools.org}}</ref> There are five public elementary schools in District 38: Lewis-Palmer Elementary, Palmer Lake Elementary, Kilmer, Prairie Winds Elementary, and Bear Creek Elementary.  There is one public middle school serving all of District 38: Lewis-Palmer Middle School.

The CDP extends into the [[Academy School District 20]].<!--UNI 01920--><ref name=SDMap2020/> [[Monument Academy]] is the only charter school and serves grades K through 12.

==Organizations==
The residents of Monument support and participate in many different organizations. It is home to various types of churches, such as Presbyterian,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcpcusa.org/|title=Home|website=www.mcpcusa.org}}</ref> Catholic,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.petertherock.org/modules/wpages/ |title=St. Peter's Catholic Church - Pages - Welcome to St. Peter Catholic Church |access-date=July 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100330132339/http://www.petertherock.org/modules/wpages/ |archive-date=March 30, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Lutheran,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trinity-monument.org/ |title=Trinity-monument.org |access-date=July 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926130057/http://www.trinity-monument.org/ |archive-date=September 26, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Mennonite,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mcmcpl.org/|title=Mountain Community Mennonite Church|website=Mountain Community Mennonite Church}}</ref> Methodist,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tlumc.org/|title=Tri-Lakes UMC|website=tlumc.org}}</ref> and nondenominational.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newlifechurch.org/ |title=Worship. Connect. Serve |publisher=New Life Church |access-date=August 22, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.trilakeschapel.org/ |title=Tri-Lakes Chapel &#124; Home |access-date=July 23, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100722052252/http://www.trilakeschapel.org/ |archive-date=July 22, 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Monument has several organizations that are unique to the community, and also several nationwide organizations. Some notable organizations in Monument include:

* The [[Pikes Peak Library District]] which serves Monument, Colorado Springs, and the surrounding areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Library Locations {{!}} Pikes Peak Library District |url=https://ppld.org/library-locations |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=ppld.org}}</ref>
* Several [[Scout troop|Boy Scout Troops]] including Boy Scout Troop 514 which is in possession of the [[Challenger flag]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=The American flag that survived the Challenger explosion |url=https://www.9news.com/article/news/the-american-flag-that-survived-the-challenger-explosion/73-282446925 |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=KUSA.com |language=en-US}}</ref> the USA flag that was aboard the final [[Space Shuttle Challenger disaster|ill-fated mission]] of the [[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger Space Shuttle]].
* A chapter of [[Kiwanis|Kiwanis International]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Monument Hill Kiwanis |url=https://monumenthillkiwanis.org/mhk/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=monumenthillkiwanis.org}}</ref>
* Friends of Monument Preserve, a volunteer organization that works in partnership with the [[United States Forest Service|US Forest Service]] to protect and maintain historical and recreational lands in and around Monument.<ref>{{Cite web |date=June 6, 2008 |title=About |url=https://fomp.org/about/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=Friends Of Monument Preserve |language=en-US}}</ref>
* Tri-Lakes Cares, a volunteer-supported organization that primarily serves economically disadvantaged individuals in the [[Tri-Lakes, Colorado|Tri-Lakes area]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About TLC – Tri-Lakes Cares |url=https://tri-lakescares.org/about-tlc/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=tri-lakescares.org}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The greater Monument area is bisected north–south by [[Interstate 25 in Colorado|interstate 25]] and can be directly accessed via exits 158 and 161. Interstate 25 serves as the primary land connection between Colorado's two largest population centers ([[Denver]] and [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]]), and in its transit through Monument passes over the top of [[Monument Hill (Colorado)|Monument Hill]], a geological ridge protrusion from the [[Front Range]] which frequently experiences hazardous road conditions, particularly in the winter months; automobile accidents and traffic jams are common in this stretch of interstate.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gazette |first=Ellie Mulder and Kaitlin Durbin The |title='Bomb cyclone' aftermath around Colorado Springs: Relief for stranded drivers, trapped semis |url=https://gazette.com/news/bomb-cyclone-aftermath-around-colorado-springs-relief-for-stranded-drivers-trapped-semis/article_1c19d3de-46c3-11e9-872a-f3b031ea5612.html |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McKee |first=Spencer |title=The 9 'most dangerous' drives in Colorado, according to a local |url=https://www.outtherecolorado.com/adventures/the-9-most-dangerous-drives-in-colorado-according-to-a-local/article_0e1137ec-7883-11ec-95f0-6b383af6ce84.html |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=OutThere Colorado |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 19, 2019 |title=Monument Hill proves to be a monumental challenge in winter conditions |url=https://www.koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/2019/01/18/monument-hill-proves-to-be-a-monumental-challenge-in-winter-conditions/ |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=KOAA |language=en}}</ref> [[Colorado State Highway 105|State Highway 105]] also runs east/west through Monument with the western terminus curving north to [[Sedalia, Colorado|Sedalia]] and the eastern terminus dead-ending in to [[Colorado State Highway 83|State Highway 83]], which runs longitudinally through [[Black Forest, Colorado|Black Forest]], with the northern terminus leading to [[Aurora, Colorado|Aurora]] and the southern terminus turning into Interquest Parkway on the north end of Colorado Springs.

A section of railway (formerly, the [[Colorado and Southern Railway]], now owned by [[BNSF Railway|BNSF]]) also runs parallel to interstate 25 through Monument, and is used primarily for coal transport. Passenger service used to be available along the railway southbound to Pueblo and northbound to Denver with connecting destinations, but was eventually discontinued by all carriers by 1971; as of 2024, passenger rail service remains unavailable in Monument.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Horjus |first=Maren |date=2024-02-28 |title=This Rail Expert Says a Front Range Passenger Train Would Be a Costly Disaster. Here's Why. |url=https://www.5280.com/this-rail-expert-says-a-front-range-passenger-train-would-be-a-costly-disaster-heres-why/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=5280 |language=en}}</ref> There is widespread support for re-establishing a passenger rail connection spanning Colorado's [[Front Range urban corridor|Front Range Urban Corridor]] via the [[Front Range Passenger Rail|Front Range Passenger Rail Project]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-05-02 |title=Trains, drivers stuck in traffic are likely winners as Colorado lawmakers reach finish |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2024/05/02/trains-front-range-rail-lawmakers-colorado-polis-transit-traffic-rtd/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=The Denver Post |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, the project was granted $500,000 by the [[United States Department of Transportation|USDOT]] to research and devise a detailed active service plan in hopes of securing further funding.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home |url=https://www.ridethefrontrange.com/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=Ride the Front Range |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Harnish |first=Rick |date=2024-04-18 |title=Bringing Regional Rail to Colorado's Front Range |url=https://www.hsrail.org/blog/front-range/ |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=High Speed Rail Alliance |language=en}}</ref>

The only form of public transportation that exists in Monument is a [[park and ride]] bus stop for the [[Bustang]], Colorado's inter-regional express bus service.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bustang Routes|url=https://ridebustang.com/routes-maps/|url-status= |access-date= }}</ref> Rideshare services like Lyft and Uber are becoming more accessible in Monument as a benefit of the town's close proximity to Colorado Springs. As of 2024, [[Lyft]] and [[Uber]] will service most of Monument and much of the [[Tri-Lakes, Colorado|Tri-Lakes area]] as part of their Colorado Springs services.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colorado Springs - Lyft |url=https://lyft.com/rider/cities/colorado-springs-co |access-date=2024-05-31 |website=lyft.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Climate==
Monument experiences a [[hemiboreal]] continental climate ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb'') with warm, relatively rainy summers and cold, snowy winters. The semi-arid climate keeps the [[dew point]] very low in Monument year-round which causes the air to feel quite dry.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Monument|url=https://weatherspark.com/y/3721/Average-Weather-in-Monument-Colorado-United-States-Year-Round#Figures-Humidity|website=Weatherspark}}</ref> Monument is part of the [[Front Range urban corridor]] and lies on the southern slope of [[Monument Hill (Colorado)|Monument Hill]]. The town is situated near the western terminus of the Palmer Divide, a low-grade [[ridge]] that extends eastward from the [[Front Range]] and has a significant impact on Monument's climate. With Monument Hill reaching 7,352 feet above sea level, Monument is one of the highest communities in the Front Range urban corridor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Colorado topographic map, elevation, relief |url=https://en-gb.topographic-map.com/maps/lr4a/Colorado/ |access-date=August 31, 2022 |website=topographic-map.com |language=en}}</ref> The combination of high elevation, unique geography, semi-arid climate, and freezing cold winter months results in the town of Monument receiving considerably more snow each year than its neighboring municipalities. Colorado Springs (20 miles to the South) and Castle Rock (22 miles to the North) receive an average of 33 inches and 56 inches of annual snow, respectively, whereas the town of Monument receives an average of 111 inches of snow per year.<ref>{{Cite web|last=US Department of Commerce|first=NOAA|title=Denver Seasonal Snowfall|url=https://www.weather.gov/bou/seasonalsnowfall|access-date=December 10, 2021|website=www.weather.gov|language=EN-US}}</ref>
{{Weather box
|location = Monument, Colorado. (data from 1988-2003)
|single line = Y
|collapsed = yes
|Jan record high F = 70
|Feb record high F = 66
|Mar record high F = 73
|Apr record high F = 86
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 93
|Jul record high F = 98
|Aug record high F = 96
|Sep record high F = 89
|Oct record high F = 79
|Nov record high F = 72
|Dec record high F = 65
|year record high F = 98
|Jan high F = 41.2
|Feb high F = 42.6
|Mar high F = 49.8
|Apr high F = 56.3
|May high F = 66.0
|Jun high F = 77.5
|Jul high F = 81.5
|Aug high F = 79.7
|Sep high F = 70.7
|Oct high F = 60.7
|Nov high F = 49.5
|Dec high F = 40.4
|year high F= 
|Jan low F = 15.8
|Feb low F = 17.0
|Mar low F = 22.9
|Apr low F = 29.1
|May low F = 38.0
|Jun low F = 47.1
|Jul low F = 52.4
|Aug low F = 51.4
|Sep low F = 43.8
|Oct low F = 32.8
|Nov low F = 22.4
|Dec low F = 15.6
|year low F= 
|Jan record low F = −16
|Feb record low F = -26
|Mar record low F = -9
|Apr record low F = 0
|May record low F = 21
|Jun record low F = 30
|Jul record low F = 38
|Aug record low F = 35
|Sep record low F = 20
|Oct record low F = -4
|Nov record low F = -9
|Dec record low F = -27
|year record low F= −27
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 0.83
|Feb precipitation inch = 0.56
|Mar precipitation inch = 2.30
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.09
|May precipitation inch = 2.52
|Jun precipitation inch = 2.51
|Jul precipitation inch = 2.79
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.03
|Sep precipitation inch = 1.62
|Oct precipitation inch = 1.34
|Nov precipitation inch = 1.41
|Dec precipitation inch = 0.81
|year precipitation inch= 
|Jan snow inch = 13.5
|Feb snow inch = 10.0
|Mar snow inch = 22.3
|Apr snow inch = 22.4
|May snow inch = 3.1
|Jun snow inch = 0.1
|Jul snow inch = 0
|Aug snow inch = 0
|Sep snow inch = 1.4
|Oct snow inch = 9.1
|Nov snow inch = 15.9
|Dec snow inch = 12.8
|year snow inch = 
|source 1 = The Western Regional Climate Center<ref name="WRCC">{{cite web
| url =http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?co5734| title =Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information | access-date =August 6, 2013 | publisher =Western Regional Climate Center }}</ref>
|date=August 2013

}}

==Notable people==
* [[Kevin J. Anderson]], bestselling science fiction author<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/books/99/11/28/reviews/991128.28scifit.html|title=Science Fiction|website=archive.nytimes.com|access-date=February 7, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Jennifer Barringer]], professional runner and Olympian<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usatf.org/Athlete-Bios/Jennifer-(Barringer)-Simpson.aspx|title=Jenny Simpson|publisher=US Track & Field|access-date=February 2, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Bobby Burling]], professional [[Major League Soccer|MLS]] player, attended [[Lewis-Palmer High School]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/bobby-burling |title=  Bobby Burling|publisher= MLS Soccer |access-date= February 2, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Adrian Carrio]], racing driver
* [[Chumped]], members of the band: Anika Pyle, Drew Johnson, Dan Frelly {{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
* [[Tom Clements (public official)|Tom Clements]], former director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, assassinated<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.denverpost.com/2019/11/17/tom-clements-murder-investigation-review-under-wraps/|title=Review of Tom Clements' murder investigation kept under wraps|last=Press {{!}}|first=The Associated|date=November 17, 2019|website=The Denver Post|language=en-US|access-date=February 2, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Pat Garrity]], former [[NBA]] player<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/garripa01.html|title =   Patrick Joseph Garrity (Pat)|publisher= Basketball-Reference.com|access-date = February 2, 2013}}</ref>
* [[Wayne Laugesen]], journalist
* [[Robert Liparulo]], thriller novelist<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertliparulo.com/news-info/about/|title =Robert Liparulo bio}}</ref>
* [[Frances McConnell-Mills]], toxicologist<ref>{{cite book|title=Women of Consequence: The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame|year=1999|last=Varnell|first=Jeanne|publisher=Johnson Books|isbn=9781555662141|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ER_kf0pWJZUC|page=132}}</ref>
* [[Jennifer Sipes]], actress and model, born in Monument, attended Lewis-Palmer Elementary School<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ovguide.com/jennifer-sipes-9202a8c04000641f8000000008bcda10|title= Jennifer Sipes Video – Celebrity Interview And Paparazzi|publisher= OV Guide|access-date= February 2, 2013|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140118181546/http://www.ovguide.com/jennifer-sipes-9202a8c04000641f8000000008bcda10|archive-date= January 18, 2014|url-status= dead}}</ref>
*[[Paige Spiranac]], professional golfer and model
*[[Matthew Ward (singer)|Matthew Ward]], Christian musician and former member of [[2nd Chapter of Acts]]

==In popular culture==
Monument is the setting of [[Season 3 (Supernatural)|season 3]], episode 12 ("[[Jus in Bello (Supernatural episode)|Jus in Bello]]") of the fictional American television series, ''[[Supernatural (American TV series)|Supernatural]]''.<ref>{{Citation |last=Sgriccia |first=Philip |title=Jus in Bello |date=2008-02-21 |work=Supernatural |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1032131/ |access-date=2025-05-16 |others=Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Katie Cassidy}}</ref>

==See also==
{{portal|Colorado}}
*[[Front Range Urban Corridor]]
*[[South Central Colorado Urban Area]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Commons category-inline|Monument, Colorado}}
*[http://www.townofmonument.org/ Town of Monument official website]
* {{Wikivoyage inline|Monument}}

{{El Paso County, Colorado}}
{{Colorado|show}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in El Paso County, Colorado]]
[[Category:Towns in Colorado]]