Freedom of Expression

The Tri-Lakes area is home to a thriving artist community. Galleries display the works of local and regional artists, which reflect the character of the area. Notable galleries include the Folk Art Gallery, Bella Art & Frame, Winter Gallery and Pankratz Gallery in Monument. From May through October visitors and residents enjoy the Monument Town Art Hop, weekly featuring local galleries and supporting merchants. The arts, concerts and workshops are supported by local groups such as the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts.

Tri-Lakes Views is a community organization dedicated to historical preservation and showcasing the arts. The Artwalls Project, a pilot program, will showcase area artists on the facades of local buildings in Monument.

Southern Colorado has been a part of a rich and complex history which is preserved and shared in many museums. The Western Museum of Mining and Industry in Gleneagle emphasizes the technological history of metal mining and metallurgy, as well as the social history of the American Mining West. Exhibits include mining equipment and artifacts that recreate the area’s mining history. The Lucretia Vaile Museum features photos, historical artifacts and articles from the Palmer Lake, Monument and Palmer Divide areas and is an ideal place to learn about the history of the Tri-Lakes area. The United States Air Force Academy is a sprawling campus that includes the Academy, Falcon Stadium, a chapel and Arnold Hall, a museum honoring Air Force personnel.

Minutes south, Colorado Springs offers visitors a myriad of unique attractions, cultural events and museums. Climb Pikes Peak Summit aboard the “Cog Railway.” See cascading falls, cliff dwellings and mountain caves. Visitors can also enjoy the Olympic Training Center, the Pioneer Museum and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, as well as the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center.