Monument

Located directly above the Air Force Academy, Outer Monument appeals to buyers in search of new and luxury homes with scenic views. “Outer Monument residents live in the foothills of Mt. Herman,” says Realtor Melanie Weseman of Citadel Realty LLC. “That’s where Monument Rock is, too, which is the formation the area is named for. It’s a slower-pace lifestyle, but many new homes are going up because there’s a high demand but no more room further south in Colorado Springs.” Homes start in the high $400,000s and exceed $3 million, emphasizing new constructions and luxury homes. Buyers searching for a suburban feel will find single-family contemporary craftsmen in the Willow Springs Ranch master-planned community. Here, new builds start at $460,000 and cap at $755,000. Up to six bedrooms and four bathrooms span 4,300 square feet and include fenced-in backyards with gravel and grass; grass is more expensive and harder to maintain due to the terrain. Boost your budget into the $800,000s to find larger versions of these homes in Forest Lakes, closer to the foothills of Mt. Herman. Luxury homes start at $1 million, with five bedrooms and four bathrooms across 6,000 square feet. These properties sit on acreage and have grassy yards with manicured lawns out front and private back decks to take in your scenic surroundings. Students can attend Bear Creek Elementary, Lewis-Palmer Middle and Lewis-Palmer High Schools; all received overall A’s from Niche and are part of highly-rated school districts. Great Schools gave the elementary school a 7/10, the middle school a 6/10 and the high school a 9/10. Students will either need to drive or carpool to school, but they’re all within 10 minutes of your home. Additionally, Lewis-Palmer High School has a 96 percent graduation rate, with Colorado State University as teens’ top choice for higher education. Baseball fields, a basketball court and a sheltered pavilion make up the main amenities at Dirty Woman Creek Park. The park’s unique name originates in the 1860s from soldiers who consistently passed by an unkept lady who lived in a shack along the creek. A playground and outdoor amphitheater are at the center of community events at Limbach Park in Downtown Monument. Outdoor adventure awaits at Monument Lake, where residents often fish, kayak and paddle board on the water. More options await at the popular Fox Run Regional Park – 7 miles from home. Grocery shop at Safeway or take Interstate 25 south for 4 miles and arrive at King Soopers and Walmart Supercenter. These are your closest options for running errands, but malls like The Promenade Shops and Chapel Hills Mall sit about 14 miles or half an hour from home. Dozens of fast-food and chain restaurants fill these shopping centers, but local options, like La Casa Fiesta, await back home in Monument. Brightly colored umbrellas and a fountain adorn the patio, with heaters keeping you warm on cool nights. Locals appreciate La Casa Fiesta’s friendly staff and would recommend ordering the carne asada and house margaritas. In Outer Monument, new and luxury houses appeal to buyers searching for a scenic setting, children attend highly-rated public schools, and residents live within a short drive to mountainous trails and local grocery stores; here, residents feel this community is their version of ‘the whole package.’

A golf course community that doesn't require a tee time, Kings Deer is characterized as a luxurious suburb, north of Colorado Springs, with beautiful views of the state's vast countryside and mountain ranges. "It is a great place to live for families," Aimee Fletcher, with Fletcher Team & Associates and Kings Deer local, says. "The neighborhood has great schools and a close community." The neighborhood does not have any sidewalks but does have walking trails and pathways. Fletcher says the trails offer beautiful views of the surrounding lakes and mountains. The CAP Index crime and safety score is one out of ten, with the national average being four out of ten, with lower numbers indicating fewer crime and safety concerns. Kings Deer upscale homes sit on rolling hills with acres of space between neighbors and driveways longer than a football field leading to the house. Very few trees stand taller than the houses in the neighborhood, with uninterrupted views of the sky, the green forest on the horizon and the Colorado mountains from the front porch. "Many of the homes are custom-built with large lots, wells, and septic," Fletcher says. Home prices range from around $775,000 for a split-level house with an attached garage to nearly four million dollars for a two-story estate facing Pikes Peak, also known as America's Mountain by locals. HOA fees are around $350 a year, with homes selling, on average, after 102 days on the market, compared to the national average of 42. Students can start their educational journeys at Prairie Winds Elementary, an A school according to Niche. Prairie Winds offers activities and events for students, like the Battle of the Books and Creative Hair Spirit Day. "Prairie Winds is a super awesome school; they have so much love for the kids, and they feel safe," Fletcher says. Students could go to Lewis-Palmer Middle School, which receives an A-minus. Lewis-Palmer offers clubs and courses for students, like builders' club, summer band camp and architecture course. Teenagers may attend Palmer Ridge High School, an A institution that offers sports like football, basketball and softball. Palmer Ridge played in the 2023 state championship football game and won the 4A state championship in basketball and gymnastics. Palmer Ridge and Lewis Palmer High, the other local high school, share academics, so students can cross over depending on their career path needs and what courses each school offers. "In junior and senior year, they can do automotive and sign language, among other career start programs; both schools are in sync," Fletcher says. The luxury of Kings Deer is on full display with the King's Deer Golf Club, a signature destination of the neighborhood. The 18-hole championship golf course and club hosts events like the Beer Series Scrambles. Pre-paid single membership pricing is $3,700 for a single membership, $1,400 to add a spouse and $900 to add a child. Residents can enjoy the Fox Run Regional, a wooded escape with trails for biking and hiking and stunning views of the mountains and lakes. In Monument to the west is Limbach Park, a popular 1,800-acre space with walking trails, picnic tables and green space that hosts live music and other events. Residents will need a vehicle since the neighborhood offers no public transportation options. Kings Deer is about 27 miles north of Colorado Springs and 53 miles south of Denver, with some people commuting to Denver for work. Denver International Airport is a major airport hub about 64 miles away. Residents can walk or bike around the neighborhood for leisure but won't be able to walk to go grocery shopping or run errands. Residents' shopping needs are a short trip away, down Interstate 25, for daily essentials, including Safeway, the neighborhood's closest grocery store. Further down the interstate are big-name retailers like Walmart, Kohls and Home Depot. Residents may stop in nearby downtown Monument for local boutiques and eateries. Rosies' Diner is an all-day breakfast shop in a polished chrome and neon building resembling a classic mid-1900s diner. They can also stop by Black Forest Foods Cafe and Deli, which is well-known for its sandwiches and other deli foods. Terry Hayes, President and CEO of the Tri-Lakes Chamber of Commerce, says Kings Deer is primarily a residential neighborhood where people live but drive to Monument or other nearby communities for shops and eateries.