All schools within the Lewis-Palmer School District 38 (D38) were shut down on Tuesday, December 16, following a potential threat directed at district facilities in the Monument area of El Paso County. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO) has launched an investigation into the alleged threat, prompting swift action from both law enforcement and school officials to ensure the safety of students and staff.

District officials announced that, in light of the ongoing investigation, Tuesday would be a remote workday for staff members. All student activities scheduled for the day were canceled, and exams originally planned were postponed to Wednesday and Thursday.

El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal emphasized the seriousness with which his office approaches such incidents. “Any threat to our schools is taken seriously and treated as credible until proven otherwise,” Roybal stated, underscoring the department’s commitment to student safety.

The district echoed this stance, confirming that they are actively coordinating with EPSO as the investigation continues. “We are working closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students and staff,” a D38 spokesperson said. “We will continue to communicate with families as more information becomes available.”

As of Tuesday, no further details about the nature of the threat had been released publicly. Authorities have not disclosed whether any suspects have been identified or if any arrests have been made.

District 38 serves the Monument area in northern El Paso County and includes several elementary, middle, and high schools. The sudden closure affected hundreds of families, with students and parents awaiting updates as law enforcement continues its work.

At this time, all D38 schools remain closed for in-person instruction for the day, with staff operating remotely. Exams are now set to take place on Wednesday and Thursday. The district has not yet announced whether normal operations will resume later in the week, pending the outcome of the investigation.