The Monument Town Council continued its discussion of an ordinance to create paid parking kiosks at Monument Lake after residents raised concerns.

The move was made during the council’s May 18 meeting.

The idea was developed by the town’s Citizens Service Levels Advisory Committee, a group created last year to examine the town’s services and revenue streams in light of budget limitations.

Potentially charging $5.25 per day, the parking plan would apply to the lakeside lot as well as overflow parking on Mitchell Avenue. Town staff estimated that parking revenue would net between $26,000 and $53,000 per year. That money would go toward maintenance of the parking lots and the lake.

Town Manager Madeline VanDenHoek said that use of the lake was increasing at the same time the town has expanded amenities.

Some residents voiced concerns over the plan. Terri Hayes, president of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said charging at the lake could discourage visitors, who may also go to Monument.

“They will head up to Palmer Lake because it’s a bigger lake and it’s a way not to pay,” she said.

Palmer Lake also charges for parking at the trailhead to the Palmer Lake Reservoir, but the town has free parking options near its pedestrian bridge and baseball field, according to its website.

Residents of the Lake of the Rockies community said they were worried about lake visitors parking in the lakeside neighborhood to avoid paying.

“I know that we are going to have a huge issue with people parking on the street,” said Eddie Jones, Lake of the Rockies Metropolitan District president.

Others were hoping Monument could create a resident exemption or discount on the parking fees. VanDenHoek said that the idea was considered, but that a permit program for residents would create more overhead costs for the town.

Mayor Mitch LaKind suggested pushing back the council’s vote to July to allow a discussion about mitigating harm to Lake of the Rockies. He also wanted to explore permit options for residents who already pay town taxes that fund lake maintenance.

“The people who live in the town limits should have some benefit,” he said.

AI policy

Council adopted an Artificial Intelligence use policy for town employees. Because AI is rapidly developing, the policy will be reviewed twice a year.

“I think this is a strong foundational policy to get us started,” Monument Director of IT Will Wilson said while acknowledging that managing AI would present a moving target for a while

Stormwater

Council adopted a proposed 2026 stormwater master plan, which was an approved component of the town’s comprehensive plan. IUt represents a comprehensive update to the town’s outdated 2006 stormwater plan.

“This is not the end of the process,” Planning Manager Dan Ungerleider said. “It’s actually the painful beginning.

“You’ll see very specific recommendation throughout the plan. We have capital improvement recommendations anywhere from tens of thousands to millions of dollars that we’re going to have to take a look at and plan for.”

Ungerleider said that grants and partnerships would be essential in paying for many of the projects.

Doug Fitzgerald contributed to this report