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<\/p>\nMONUMENT, Colo. (KOAA) \u2014 Growth continues to be a major concern across parts of northern El Paso County, and at a recent community meeting hosted by a county commissioner candidate, that issue took center stage.<\/p>\n
Those concerns were voiced Monday night inside the Woodmoor Barn Community Center, where dozens of neighbors gathered to speak directly about what they\u2019re seeing and what they want from local leaders. <\/p>\n
\u201cI try to keep growth in check…unsustainable or unrealistic expanded growth in small amounts of time,\u201d said David Young, who attended the meeting.<\/p>\n
For Young and others, the issue isn\u2019t growth itself, but whether it\u2019s being managed responsibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve noticed even in the last two years\u2026 you can hear more noise,\u201d said Young. \u201cNoise pollution is going to happen, light pollution is going to happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Responsible growth was echoed throughout the room.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t mind growth… 1.3 million gallons of water a day,\u201d said Shelley Prissinotti. \u201cIt\u2019s just bad for us because we\u2019re on a well.\u201d<\/p>\n
For Prissinotti, water supply is the biggest concern, as is whether rapid development could strain already limited resources. Others share that worry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWater levels are declining\u2026 in the Woodmoor Water District, they\u2019re declining on average about 17 feet per year,\u201d said Roy Martinez.<\/p>\n
Martinez has been outspoken about water usage tied to development projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithdrawing upwards of about 13.2 million gallons of water per year\u2026 that\u2019s a lot of water out of an unsustainable source,\u201d he said. \u201cI personally have a real problem with that.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked what they want from local leaders, they say they want stronger oversight and a more balanced approach to development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI want them to look at putting rules in place as it relates to the county,\u201d said Martinez.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think responsible growth is acceptable, but don\u2019t just steal our water,\u201d added Prissinotti.<\/p>\n
For Young, it\u2019s also about preserving quality of life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow can we keep this place safe, less crime\u2026 less pollution, whether it\u2019s light or noise and keep the charm of some of these small towns,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
As northern El Paso County continues to grow, residents say the message is clear, they want leaders to listen and to find a balance between development and sustainability.<\/p>\n
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