Dining
Notable
- Bistro on 2nd (upscale New American)
- Black Forest Foods Cafe & Delicatessen
- Goat Patch Brewing Company (taproom + food trucks)
- La Rosa Southwestern Dining
Farmers Market
Monument Farmers Market (summer Saturdays, Limbach Park)
Monument
By Jessica Car · Updated July 2026
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.
What Homes Cost
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.
Community Snapshot
At a Glance
Parks & Outdoors
New Santa Fe Regional Trail, 15+ miles paved, connects Monument to Palmer Lake and Colorado Springs
Monument Lake / Palmer Lake, scenic reservoir with fishing and picnic areas
Fox Run Regional Park, 416 acres, forested trails, playground, disc golf
Limbaugh Canyon, short hike to overlook Palmer Lake and the Rampart Range
Pike National Forest access, 15 min west
Housing Market
Market Snapshot
Tools
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
$5,411 – $5,811/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.
Life Here
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.
Arts & Culture
Events
- Palmer Lake star lighting (holiday tradition visible from I-25)
- Monument Farmers Market
- Tri-Lakes 4th of July Celebration
- Art Hop, downtown gallery walks
Pets
Dog Parks
Fox Run Dog Park (5 fenced acres inside Fox Run Regional Park, separate small/large dog areas, bag dispensers, benches, shade)
Trails
- New Santa Fe Regional Trail (15+ mi, leashed)
- Fox Run Regional Park (417 acres, leashed on trails)
- Limbaugh Canyon
- Pike National Forest (15 min)
Vets
- Monument Veterinary Clinic (Dr. Erin DeTurck)
- Woodmoor Veterinary Hospital & Pet Lodge
- Banfield Pet Hospital (inside PetSmart, Jackson Creek Pkwy)
- Mountain Lake Family Vet
- VCA Front Range Animal Hospital
Pet Stores
- PetSmart (Jackson Creek Pkwy)
- local pet supply shops
Education
Schools & Childcare
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.
A
Lewis-Palmer School District 38
#5 Best School District in Colorado (Niche 2026)
- Lewis-Palmer HS
- Palmer Ridge HS
- 6,405 students district-wide
- Average teacher salary competitive with Jeffco/Cherry Creek
Early Childhood
- 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
Summer Camps
Tri-Lakes YMCA programs; private camps in the Tri-Lakes area
Getting Around
Commute & Transit
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.
Colorado Springs (downtown)
20–25 min
Rush hour: 30–40 min
I-25 south
Denver (downtown)
50–60 min
Rush hour: 70–90 min
I-25 north, long but doable for hybrid workers
DIA
65–75 min
I-25 to E-470
No direct transit, Car-dependent. Nearest transit is Mountain Metro (Colorado Springs).
The Bottom Line
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.
The Practical File
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.
Updated June 2026
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Common Questions
FAQ, 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.