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Monument, Colorado
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Monument is a home rule town situated at the base of the Rampart Range in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Monument is one of the three communities that make up the Tri-Lakes area, along with Palmer Lake and Woodmoor. Monument is bordered by Pike National Forest on the west, 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 and rolling plains to the east.[7] 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.[8] The town population was 10,399 at the 2020 United States census,[9] a 88% increase from a population of 5,530 in 2010 and a 528% increase from a population of 1,971 in 2000.
Key Information
History
[edit]
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.[10] However, three years later the name was changed to Monument after Monument Creek and Monument Rock in the west.[11] The first records of the town can be found in various volumes in the El Paso County Courthouse dating back to 1872.[11] With the help of the railroad, which brought in necessities, people started small businesses and started to create a town.
Geography
[edit]Monument is located at 39°04′52″N 104°51′45″W / 39.081024°N 104.862491°W.[12] It 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.[13] The town of Monument is situated on the southern slope of Palmer Divide, a significant geographical feature which separates the Arkansas and South Platte basins. According to the United States Census Bureau, Monument has a total area of 4.6 square miles (12 km2), all of it land.
Demographics
[edit]| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 125 | — | |
| 1890 | 177 | 41.6% | |
| 1900 | 156 | −11.9% | |
| 1910 | 149 | −4.5% | |
| 1920 | 192 | 28.9% | |
| 1930 | 192 | 0.0% | |
| 1940 | 175 | −8.9% | |
| 1950 | 126 | −28.0% | |
| 1960 | 204 | 61.9% | |
| 1970 | 393 | 92.6% | |
| 1980 | 690 | 75.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,020 | 47.8% | |
| 2000 | 1,971 | 93.2% | |
| 2010 | 5,530 | 180.6% | |
| 2020 | 10,399 | 88.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] | |||
As of the census[15] of 2020, there were 10,399 people (a 136% increase from 2000) with 3,798 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,703.7 inhabitants per square mile (657.8/km2). There were 3,746 housing units at an average density of 596.5 per square mile (230.3/km2), approx. 386.5% increase from 2000. As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of the town was 82.80% White alone, 1.52% Black or African American, 0.55% Native American, 2.41% Asian, 2.53% from other races, and 10.18% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 9.05% 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.
Government
[edit]
Monument is a home rule town and is under a home rule charter.[16] 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
[edit]By Colorado law, Monument 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 for almost all of the CDP is Lewis-Palmer School District 38.[21] 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.[22] The Lewis-Palmer district as a whole performs 15-20% better on CSAP tests than the Colorado state average.[23] 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.[21] Monument Academy is the only charter school and serves grades K through 12.
Organizations
[edit]The residents of Monument support and participate in 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][30] 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.[31]
- Several Boy Scout Troops including Boy Scout Troop 514 which is in possession of the Challenger flag,[32] the USA flag that was aboard the final ill-fated mission of the Challenger Space Shuttle.
- A chapter of Kiwanis International.[33]
- Friends of Monument Preserve, a volunteer organization that works in partnership with the US Forest Service to protect and maintain historical and recreational lands in and around Monument.[34]
- Tri-Lakes Cares, a volunteer-supported organization that primarily serves economically disadvantaged individuals in the Tri-Lakes area.[35]
Transportation
[edit]The greater Monument area is bisected north–south by 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), and in its transit through Monument passes over the top of 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.[36][37][38] State Highway 105 also runs east/west through Monument with the western terminus curving north to Sedalia and the eastern terminus dead-ending in to State Highway 83, which runs longitudinally through Black Forest,with the northern terminus leading to 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) 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.[39] There is widespread support for re-establishing a passenger rail connection spanning Colorado's Front Range Urban Corridor via the Front Range Passenger Rail Project.[40] In 2024, the project was granted $500,000 by the USDOT to research and devise a detailed active service plan in hopes of securing further funding.[41][42]
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.[43] 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 area as part of their Colorado Springs services.[44]
Climate
[edit]Monument experiences a hemiboreal continental climate (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.[45] Monument is part of the Front Range urban corridor and lies on the southern slope of 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.[46] 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.[47]
| Climate data for Monument, Colorado. (data from 1988-2003) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 70 (21) |
66 (19) |
73 (23) |
86 (30) |
93 (34) |
93 (34) |
98 (37) |
96 (36) |
89 (32) |
79 (26) |
72 (22) |
65 (18) |
98 (37) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 41.2 (5.1) |
42.6 (5.9) |
49.8 (9.9) |
56.3 (13.5) |
66.0 (18.9) |
77.5 (25.3) |
81.5 (27.5) |
79.7 (26.5) |
70.7 (21.5) |
60.7 (15.9) |
49.5 (9.7) |
40.4 (4.7) |
59.7 (15.4) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 15.8 (−9.0) |
17.0 (−8.3) |
22.9 (−5.1) |
29.1 (−1.6) |
38.0 (3.3) |
47.1 (8.4) |
52.4 (11.3) |
51.4 (10.8) |
43.8 (6.6) |
32.8 (0.4) |
22.4 (−5.3) |
15.6 (−9.1) |
32.4 (0.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −16 (−27) |
−26 (−32) |
−9 (−23) |
0 (−18) |
21 (−6) |
30 (−1) |
38 (3) |
35 (2) |
20 (−7) |
−4 (−20) |
−9 (−23) |
−27 (−33) |
−27 (−33) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 0.83 (21) |
0.56 (14) |
2.30 (58) |
3.09 (78) |
2.52 (64) |
2.51 (64) |
2.79 (71) |
3.03 (77) |
1.62 (41) |
1.34 (34) |
1.41 (36) |
0.81 (21) |
22.81 (579) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 13.5 (34) |
10.0 (25) |
22.3 (57) |
22.4 (57) |
3.1 (7.9) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1.4 (3.6) |
9.1 (23) |
15.9 (40) |
12.8 (33) |
110.6 (280.75) |
| Source: The Western Regional Climate Center[48] | |||||||||||||
Notable people
[edit]- Kevin J. Anderson, bestselling science fiction author[49]
- Jennifer Barringer, professional runner and Olympian[50]
- Bobby Burling, professional MLS player, attended Lewis-Palmer High School[51]
- Adrian Carrio, racing driver
- Chumped, members of the band: Anika Pyle, Drew Johnson, Dan Frelly [citation needed]
- Tom Clements, former director of the Colorado Department of Corrections, assassinated[52]
- Pat Garrity, former NBA player[53]
- Wayne Laugesen, journalist
- Robert Liparulo, thriller novelist[54]
- Frances McConnell-Mills, toxicologist[55]
- Jennifer Sipes, actress and model, born in Monument, attended Lewis-Palmer Elementary School[56]
- Paige Spiranac, professional golfer and model
- Matthew Ward, Christian musician and former member of 2nd Chapter of Acts
In popular culture
[edit]Monument is the setting of season 3, episode 12 ("Jus in Bello") of the fictional American television series, Supernatural.[57]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Active Colorado Municipalities". State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
- ^ "Monument, CO - Official Website". townofmonument.org.
- ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
- ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Monument, Colorado
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
- ^ "ZIP Code Lookup". United States Postal Service. Archived from the original (JavaScript/HTML) on November 4, 2010. Retrieved November 24, 2007.
- ^ "Town of Monument". www.townofmonument.net. Archived from the original on August 15, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
- ^ 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
- ^ "QuickFacts: Monument town, Colorado". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
- ^ 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
- ^ a b 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
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
- ^ "Monument Creek Headwaters: Reviews & Upcoming Events - the Gazette". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Government | Monument, CO". www.townofmonument.org. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "Lewis-Palmer School District #38". lewispalmer.org.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Monument Academy". Monument Academy.
- ^ Hall, Annette M. "El+Paso, Colorado (CO) Local Homeschool Support Groups". Local Homeschool.com.
- ^ a b Geography Division (December 17, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: El Paso County, CO (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 4, 2025. - Text list
- ^ "Explore Lewis-Palmer High School in Monument, CO". GreatSchools.org.
- ^ "Explore Boulder High School in Boulder, CO". GreatSchools.org.
- ^ "Home". www.mcpcusa.org.
- ^ "St. Peter's Catholic Church - Pages - Welcome to St. Peter Catholic Church". Archived from the original on March 30, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
- ^ "Trinity-monument.org". Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
- ^ "Mountain Community Mennonite Church". Mountain Community Mennonite Church.
- ^ "Tri-Lakes UMC". tlumc.org.
- ^ "Worship. Connect. Serve". New Life Church. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
- ^ "Tri-Lakes Chapel | Home". Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2010.
- ^ "Library Locations | Pikes Peak Library District". ppld.org. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "The American flag that survived the Challenger explosion". KUSA.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "Monument Hill Kiwanis". monumenthillkiwanis.org. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "About". Friends Of Monument Preserve. June 6, 2008. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ "About TLC – Tri-Lakes Cares". tri-lakescares.org. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ Gazette, Ellie Mulder and Kaitlin Durbin The. "'Bomb cyclone' aftermath around Colorado Springs: Relief for stranded drivers, trapped semis". Colorado Springs Gazette. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ McKee, Spencer. "The 9 'most dangerous' drives in Colorado, according to a local". OutThere Colorado. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ "Monument Hill proves to be a monumental challenge in winter conditions". KOAA. January 19, 2019. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ Horjus, Maren (February 28, 2024). "This Rail Expert Says a Front Range Passenger Train Would Be a Costly Disaster. Here's Why". 5280. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Trains, drivers stuck in traffic are likely winners as Colorado lawmakers reach finish". The Denver Post. May 2, 2024. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Home". Ride the Front Range. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Harnish, Rick (April 18, 2024). "Bringing Regional Rail to Colorado's Front Range". High Speed Rail Alliance. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Bustang Routes".
- ^ "Colorado Springs - Lyft". lyft.com. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Monument". Weatherspark.
- ^ "Colorado topographic map, elevation, relief". topographic-map.com. Retrieved August 31, 2022.
- ^ US Department of Commerce, NOAA. "Denver Seasonal Snowfall". www.weather.gov. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ "Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information". Western Regional Climate Center. Retrieved August 6, 2013.
- ^ "Science Fiction". archive.nytimes.com. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
- ^ "Jenny Simpson". US Track & Field. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Bobby Burling". MLS Soccer. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ Press |, The Associated (November 17, 2019). "Review of Tom Clements' murder investigation kept under wraps". The Denver Post. Retrieved February 2, 2020.
- ^ "Patrick Joseph Garrity (Pat)". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ "Robert Liparulo bio".
- ^ Varnell, Jeanne (1999). Women of Consequence: The Colorado Women's Hall of Fame. Johnson Books. p. 132. ISBN 9781555662141.
- ^ "Jennifer Sipes Video – Celebrity Interview And Paparazzi". OV Guide. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2013.
- ^ Sgriccia, Philip (February 21, 2008), "Jus in Bello", Supernatural, Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, Katie Cassidy, retrieved May 16, 2025
External links
[edit]
Media related to Monument, Colorado at Wikimedia Commons- Town of Monument official website
Monument travel guide from Wikivoyage
Monument, Colorado
View on GrokipediaHistory
Founding and Early Settlement
The settlement of what would become Monument, Colorado, began in 1865 when homesteaders arrived along the Palmer Divide, a high plain dividing the watersheds of the South Platte and Arkansas Rivers.[5] David McShane is recognized as one of the earliest settlers, establishing a homestead that year, serving as the area's first postmaster in 1869 and an El Paso County commissioner, and constructing a fort that served as a refuge for travelers between 1865 and 1868.[5] Henry Limbach and his family also arrived in the mid-1860s, contributing to the area's initial development through ranching activities.[14] In 1872, the area was formally established as Henry's Station, named after Henry "Dutch" Limbach, who operated a saloon there serving as a stagecoach stop.[14] This development coincided with the arrival of the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad on January 1, 1872, which designated the site as a key stop on its line from Denver to Colorado Springs, facilitating transportation and trade.[15] The station's position on the Palmer Divide made it a vital link for settlers moving westward. The name was changed to Monument in 1871, derived from a prominent geological rock formation known as Monument Rock, a large sandstone monolith at the base of Mount Herman that had long served as a landmark for travelers and Native American groups navigating the plains.[5] The early economy of the settlement revolved around ranching and dryland farming, including potato farming, with homesteaders raising cattle and cultivating crops suited to the semi-arid climate, supplemented by ice harvesting from local lakes and support services for the railroad such as freight handling and passenger accommodations.[14][5] Key infrastructure developments included the establishment of the first post office in 1869 at the McShane ranch.[15] Initial community buildings, such as Limbach's saloon and McShane's fort-turned-residence, formed the nucleus of the settlement, providing essential gathering and shelter spaces before more formal structures like a schoolhouse emerged in the 1870s.[5]Incorporation and Modern Growth
Monument was incorporated as a town on June 2, 1879, with an estimated population of around 100 residents at the time and Henry Limbach serving as its first mayor.[5][16] The community served primarily as a railroad stop along the Denver & Rio Grande line, facilitating commerce and travel.[15] It began transitioning from a railroad-centric outpost to a more balanced residential and agricultural hub, supported by local farming and ranching activities.[5] Throughout the 20th century, Monument's growth was influenced by its proximity to military installations in the region. The establishment of Camp Carson (later Fort Carson) in 1942 south of Colorado Springs brought economic activity and population influx to nearby areas, including Monument, as the facility trained thousands of soldiers during World War II.[17] Postwar suburbanization accelerated after the 1950s, driven by the expansion of Colorado Springs and the construction of the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1954, which spurred residential development in northern El Paso County communities like Monument.[15] This period marked a shift toward a suburban character, with the town's population remaining modest but steadily increasing amid broader regional urbanization. In the 21st century, Monument experienced a significant population boom, growing from 1,971 residents in 2000 to 10,399 by 2020, fueled by its appeal as a bedroom community for military personnel from nearby bases such as Fort Carson and the Air Force Academy, as well as professionals in Colorado Springs' defense and technology sectors.[18] Key milestones included multiple annexations in the 2000s that expanded the town's boundaries, such as the 431-acre addition approved in 2006 and further properties north of Baptist Road starting in 2008, accommodating new housing and infrastructure.[19][15] In 2022, voters approved a home rule charter with 68% support, granting the town greater local governance autonomy to manage its rapid expansion.[20]Physical Environment
Geography
Monument is located in northern El Paso County, Colorado, at coordinates 39°05′30″N 104°52′22″W, situated on the southern slope of the Palmer Divide, a ridge that separates the drainage basins of the Arkansas River to the south and the South Platte River to the north.[2] The town encompasses a total area of 6.89 square miles (17.8 km²), with 6.84 square miles (17.7 km²) of land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) of water, and its average elevation is 6,975 feet (2,126 m).[4][2] Monument lies at the eastern base of the Rampart Range, part of the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, with its western boundary adjoining Pike National Forest and approximately 20 miles north of Colorado Springs.[21] The town's topography features gently rolling wooded hills and valleys, traversed by streams such as Monument Creek, which originates in the Rampart Range and flows southward through the area.[7] Local initiatives, including the 2003 Parks, Trails, and Open Space Master Plan, have preserved significant open spaces to maintain these natural landscapes amid development. Environmentally, Monument forms part of the transitional High Plains ecosystem, characterized by ponderosa pine woodlands and grasslands, with influences from the adjacent Black Forest region to the east, known for its dense pine stands and foothill prairie habitats.Climate
Monument, Colorado, features a hemiboreal climate classified as Dfb under the Köppen system, marked by cold, snowy winters and mild, warm summers.[22] The town receives an average annual precipitation of 22.53 inches (572 mm), with about 100 inches (254 cm) of snowfall contributing significantly to this total. Average temperatures vary seasonally, with January lows around 18°F (-8°C) and July highs reaching 84°F (29°C).[23] Summers tend to be dry overall, punctuated by occasional afternoon thunderstorms that deliver the bulk of warm-season moisture, while winters bring heavy snowfall enhanced by orographic lift as moist air rises over the Front Range.[24][25] Notable historical extremes include the Great Blizzard of 1899, which dumped substantial snow across Colorado and caused widespread disruptions, including at least 24 fatalities in the state. In recent decades, regional climate change has driven warmer temperatures, with Colorado's statewide average increasing by 2.3°F (1.3°C) from 1980 to 2022, potentially exacerbating drought and altering precipitation patterns.[26][27] This climate shapes Monument's water supply, which depends on snowpack melt for streamflow and reservoirs, and bolsters outdoor recreation such as winter skiing and summer trail use, though warming trends threaten snow reliability and extend fire seasons.[28][29]Demographics
Population and Growth Trends
The population of Monument experienced significant expansion over the past decade, rising from 5,530 residents in the 2010 U.S. Census to 10,399 in the 2020 U.S. Census, an increase of 88%. This growth reflects the town's appeal as a suburban community north of Colorado Springs. The July 1, 2023, population estimate was approximately 12,600, and the July 1, 2024, estimate reached 13,408, continuing the upward trajectory with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.4% from 2010 to 2024.[4][30] Long-term trends underscore Monument's rapid development, with the population increasing by approximately 709% since 1970, when it stood at 1,656 residents (to 13,408 in 2024). This surge has been primarily driven by suburban migration from nearby urban centers like Colorado Springs and Denver, as families seek a balance of small-town charm and proximity to metropolitan amenities. Additional factors include an influx of military families associated with the nearby United States Air Force Academy and an uptick in remote workers following the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which accelerated relocation to desirable exurban areas.[31][1][32][33]| Year | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 1,656 | Colorado State Demography Office historical data[34] |
| 2010 | 5,530 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| 2020 | 10,399 | U.S. Census Bureau |
| 2023 (est.) | 12,600 | U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates[4] |
| 2024 (est.) | 13,408 | U.S. Census Bureau Vintage 2024 estimates[4] |
