Woodland Park City Council voted unanimously Thursday to award management of Shining Mountain Golf Course to a local team of PGA professionals, proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month, endorsed conservation of 685 acres near the city, and heard public calls for stronger short-term rental enforcement and library fee relief — all at a meeting that served as the final regular session for Mayor Kellie Case and Councilmember George Jones ahead of the April 7 municipal election. The council also held two executive sessions related to the selection of a new municipal judge, one before the regular meeting and one after.
Golf Course Management Agreement
Council approved an independent services agreement with Monumental Golf Group, LLC to manage Shining Mountain Golf Course, with a target opening of May 1. The vote was 6-0, with a minor amendment correcting a year reference in the contract’s opening paragraph.
Assistant City Manager Rob Felts presented the selection process, which scored four competing proposals on intent, cost, experience, and locality. Monumental Golf Group received the top composite score. Felts said the city prioritized retaining control of course maintenance, the bar, and the event center — criteria Monumental Golf Group met most closely among the bidders.
Monumental Golf Group partners Jon Husby of Woodland Park and Mark Bacheldor of Monument addressed the council. Both are PGA professionals who run the PGA Golf Management Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, one of 16 such programs nationally. They described plans to build community engagement through instruction, player development, and family programming. A verbal offer has been extended to a head golf professional to handle day-to-day operations.
Pinestone Ranch Conservation
Council voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 942, Series 2026, supporting Palmer Land Trust’s grant application to Great Outdoors Colorado for acquisition and conservation of the 685-acre Pinestone Ranch property near Woodland Park. Parks and Recreation Director Cindy Keating presented the item, noting that Palmer Land Trust had introduced the property to the council at the March 19 meeting. Keating confirmed the resolution carries no financial obligation for the city — it serves as a letter of support for the grant application only.
Child Abuse Prevention Month
Mayor Case read a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Woodland Park. Corey Gorton, Vice President of Programs at Community Partnership Family Resource Center, addressed the council before the reading.
Gorton reported that the organization served more than 1,800 individuals through 10,000 services across 20 evidence-based programs last year. During the SNAP benefits crisis, food distribution quadrupled in three months, serving more than 100 new families, while the organization’s playgroup saw a 130 percent increase in attendance. The community garden produced more than 160 pounds of fresh produce redistributed through the food pantry. A return-on-investment study found that every $1 invested saves Teller County’s Department of Human Services nearly $3 in unopened child welfare cases and has contributed to a 63 percent reduction in child abuse and neglect — figures Gorton said were cited in the U.S. Senate.
Public Comment
Three residents addressed the council on unrelated topics.
Tim Miller, a staff member at the Woodland Park Public Library who lives in Divide, asked the council to waive Cultural Center amphitheater fees for the library’s summer reading program events, including a foam party, teen paint wars, and a ladybug release. Miller said the library has historically used the space without charge, but staff recently learned each event would now cost $250. He argued that residents who fund the library through taxes should not face additional city venue fees on top of that. No formal action was taken.
Tom Cadell of Woodland Park raised concerns about a neighbor who he said has operated as a short-term rental without using the property as a primary residence for five to six years. He cited a recent trespassing incident involving STR guests and asked how complaints are investigated, documented, and escalated, and whether city staff conducts on-site visits. City Manager Aaron Vassalotti confirmed staff is actively following up on the specific complaint.
Arnie Sparnins of the Sunny Glen neighborhood, attending online, noted the two-year anniversary of Ordinance 1472 — the STR business regulations known as Title V — and asked the council to schedule a review on a future agenda. He said implementation has revealed a gap: the code is ambiguous about what constitutes a violation while penalties are specific, leaving staff without clear legislative guidance. He called for a community input process before any revisions move forward.
Sales Tax Up 3.6%
Sales Tax Accountant Avery Stein reported that the city collected $625,090 in sales tax in January 2026, a 3.6 percent increase — $21,757 — over January 2025. Lodging tax came in essentially flat, up roughly 2 percent, which Stein said may signal the end of a period of softening. Stein said conversations with local businesses reflected an improving outlook.
Avenger Open Space Earns State Award
Keating announced that Avenger Open Space was selected as one of 18 recipients of the Colorado Lottery 2026 Starburst Award, given to projects funded with Colorado Lottery dollars. A people’s choice public vote among the 18 recipients is scheduled for July. Award representatives are expected to present to the council following the vote.
Reports and Upcoming Items
Mayor Case said she delivered her last State of the City address at the Cultural Center the morning of April 2 and encouraged residents to view the 2025 annual report on the city website.
In council reports, Mayor Pro-tem Catherine Nakai said the Utilities Advisory Committee meets April 8 and plans to take up a proposed greywater ordinance and continue water tap fee discussions. Councilmember Seth Bryant said Keep Woodland Park Beautiful’s Litter Bug Art Lab is scheduled for April 29, inviting all sixth graders from Woodland Park School District and Colorado Springs Christian Schools to participate in a cleanup and art project using collected litter, with presentations to the council on May 21. Councilmember George Jones reminded the public that DDA microgrants are open through May 1, and that denied applicants may appeal to the full DDA board.
Farewells
Councilmember Jeffrey Geer marked the occasion of Mayor Case’s final regular meeting as mayor and noted it was also Councilmember Jones’s last, saying he planned to say more at the April 17 meeting. Jones said he leaves the council in capable hands.
Other Business
The council approved the March 19 meeting minutes and the February 2026 Statement of Expenditures, totaling $1,363,939.93. An appointment to the Keep Woodland Park Beautiful Committee was tabled to the next meeting, as the applicant was not present. The council held a first executive session before the regular meeting to interview municipal judge candidates Jeremy Low and Joel Platt, then voted 6-0 to move into a second executive session after the regular meeting concluded to continue that discussion and instruct negotiators. City Manager Vassalotti reminded the public that election polls close Tuesday, April 7.
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