Monument
I-25's gateway town between Denver and the Springs, top schools, Pikes Peak views, and Tri-Lakes charm
Monument sits at the literal high point of I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, about 50 miles south of Denver and 20 miles north of the Springs in El Paso County. Roughly 10,400 people live at the top of the Tri-Lakes area, and the pitch is short: a small-town gateway with a top-five school district and Pikes Peak out the window, reachable from two metros.
Browse all 20 Monument neighborhoods
By Jessica Car · Updated August 2026
Lifestyle & Culture
Monument anchors the Tri-Lakes community alongside Palmer Lake and Woodmoor, and the three share trails, events, and a good deal of identity. The New Santa Fe Trail and the 416-acre Fox Run Regional Park headline the outdoor menu, with Pike National Forest 15 minutes away. Downtown is growing into itself: Bistro on 2nd serves upscale New American, Goat Patch Brewing pours in a taproom with food trucks rotating outside, and a summer farmers market fills Limbach Park. Come December, the Palmer Lake hillside star lights up, a holiday tradition visible from I-25.
Grocery coverage is full for a town this size, with King Soopers, Safeway, a Walmart Neighborhood Market, and Natural Grocers.
- Aug 20recurringArt Hop: Downtown MonumentDowntown Monument · Downtown Monument businesses hold an evening art walk with gallery displays, book signings, and live music along the historic district.
- Aug 30recurringTri-Lakes Cruisers Car ShowSecond Street, Downtown Monument · The Tri-Lakes Cruisers club holds its 23rd annual car show along Second Street in downtown Monument, with proceeds benefiting Tri-Lakes Cares.
- Sep 19recurringMonument Pours in the ParkLimbach Park · Limbach Park hosts a craft beverage tasting with local breweries, wineries, distilleries, food vendors, and live jazz, with admission limited to guests 21 and older.
- Oct 14recurringEmpty Bowls Dinner & Silent AuctionLewis-Palmer High School · A dinner and silent auction offering a hand-crafted bowl, soup from local restaurants, and live music from school groups, with proceeds benefiting Tri-Lakes Cares.
- Oct 28recurringTri-Lakes Community & Business ExpoTri-Lakes YMCA · A free expo at the Tri-Lakes YMCA showcases area businesses, nonprofits, and community resources, with food available for purchase.
At a Glance
Who Monument Fits
Monument suits buyers who want a top-five school district, Pikes Peak views, and small-town Tri-Lakes character, with Colorado Springs an easy run and Denver reachable on a hybrid schedule.
The trade-offs are price and the northbound commute. At a $593K to $694K median, Monument runs well above the southern Pikes Peak communities, and the school district is what you are paying for. The Denver drive, while doable, is a 50 to 60 minute haul each way. Buyers who prioritize school quality and mountain-gateway character sit at the top of the Tri-Lakes corridor here; buyers chasing the same district for less money will look one town over to Palmer Lake.
Updated August 2026
Cost of Living in Monument
Estimated monthly cost at the $645,000 median home price and a $500 car payment. Open the calculator to adjust for your situation.
Estimated monthly cost
$5,554 – $5,754/mo
Covers housing, transportation, utilities, and groceries.
See the full breakdown: mortgage at today's rate, property tax at Monument's mill levy, utilities at local provider rates, and a gas estimate tuned to the commute distance. Adjust sliders to model your own budget.
Schools & Childcare
Compare schools across every metro community in the Schools & Parks guide.
Schools are the reason most buyers arrive. Lewis-Palmer School District 38 carries an A rating and the No. 5 ranking among Colorado school districts, and both Lewis-Palmer High and Palmer Ridge High earn A grades. At about 6,405 students, the district is small enough to feel like a town institution and performs like one of the state's best.
District boundaries are complex in Denver. Verify school assignment by address.
- Lewis-Palmer HS
- Palmer Ridge HS
- 6,405 students district-wide
- Average teacher salary competitive with Jeffco/Cherry Creek
- Daycare Centers
- 9+ preschool/daycare programs in Monument area
- Pre-K Availability
- Lewis-Palmer SD 38 Preschool & Early Childhood Programs (social, emotional, cognitive development focus); Palmer Lake Early Childhood Center
- Avg Monthly Cost
- $919/mo full-time average; preschool avg $891/mo
Commute & Transit
See drive and transit times for the whole metro in the Commute guide.
Monument is a car town with a walkable downtown core and no direct transit. Colorado Springs runs 20 to 25 minutes south on I-25; downtown Denver is 50 to 60 minutes north, a long haul that hybrid schedules make workable, and DIA lands 65 to 75 minutes out. For everything that does not require a highway, the 15-plus-mile New Santa Fe Regional Trail links Monument through the Tri-Lakes corridor to the Springs.
Get A Market Snapshot
What Homes Cost
Updated August 2026
The median home price runs $593K to $694K as of 2026 depending on the source, with some estimates ranging toward $792K. That is a clear premium over Fountain ($400K) and Peyton ($500K), and the school district is what the premium buys. The market is stable, the median household income is a high $129K, and overall cost of living lands about 6% below the national average.
Resources
The median property tax bill runs about $4,035 a year, with sales tax combining El Paso County, town of Monument, and state portions. Water comes from the Triview Metropolitan District or Woodmoor Water, with Mountain View Electric and Black Hills Energy covering utilities. Childcare averages about $919 a month full-time across 9-plus programs, with Lewis-Palmer pre-K and a Tri-Lakes YMCA. At 6,961 feet, plan on 60 to 70 inches of snow a year.
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Common QuestionsFAQ, Monument
What are the school ratings in Monument?
Monument is served by Lewis-Palmer School District 38, rated A by Niche and ranked #5 Best School District in Colorado (2026). Lewis-Palmer High School and Palmer Ridge High School both carry A grades. The district enrolls 6,405 students and is the primary draw for people relocating to the Tri-Lakes area. LP38 consistently ranks in Colorado’s top 5. Verify enrollment eligibility by address. District boundaries can be complex.
How long is the commute from Monument to Denver or Colorado Springs?
Monument sits at the midpoint of I-25, approximately 50 miles south of Denver and 20 miles north of Colorado Springs. Off-peak drive time to downtown Colorado Springs is 20–25 minutes (30–40 min rush hour). Denver is 50–60 minutes off-peak and 70–90 minutes during rush hour. DIA is 65–75 minutes via I-25 to E-470. There is no direct transit. The area is car-dependent.
What is the median home price in Monument?
As of 2026, the median home price in Monument ranges from $593K (Redfin, February 2026) to $694K (Zillow median sale). Realtor.com lists $792K. Prices vary widely by neighborhood. Year-over-year price change is +0.4% (Redfin), indicating a stable market. Median household income in Monument is $128,816.
What outdoor recreation is available in Monument?
The New Santa Fe Regional Trail offers 15+ miles of paved multi-use trail connecting Monument to Palmer Lake and Colorado Springs. Fox Run Regional Park provides 416 forested acres with trails, a playground, and disc golf. Monument and Palmer Lakes offer scenic fishing and picnic areas. Limbaugh Canyon features a short hike to an overlook of Palmer Lake and the Rampart Range. Pike National Forest access is 15 minutes west.
What is the cost of living in Monument?
Monument’s cost of living is approximately 6% below the national average according to ERI data. Median property tax is roughly $4,035 per year. Sales tax combines El Paso County, Monument town, and state rates. Median household income is $128,816 with a median age of approximately 38.
What dining options are available in Monument?
Monument’s growing downtown offers a range of dining options: • Bistro on 2nd, upscale New American cuisine • Black Forest Foods Cafe & Delicatessen • Goat Patch Brewing Company, community taproom with food trucks • La Rosa Southwestern Dining The Monument Farmers Market runs on summer Saturdays at Limbach Park.
What healthcare facilities are near Monument?
UCHealth Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs is approximately 20 minutes south. Denver’s hospital network is about 60 minutes north on I-25. The US Air Force Academy, located nearby, also has medical facilities for eligible personnel.