Palmer Lake is a Statutory Town in El Paso County, Colorado, United States. The population was 2,179 at the 2000 census. Palmer Lake was founded by General William Jackson Palmer in 1871. The town was soon incorporated in 1889. Palmer Lake is one of three communities in the Tri-Lakes region between Denver and Colorado Springs. Located near I-25 near two major metropolitan centers, Palmer Lake is a growing community on the Front Range. Downtown Palmer Lake, though small, features cozy restaurants, a library, town hall, and an historical museum. Visitors can enjoy fine dining, a coffee shop, bakery, antique shopping, botiques and art galleries. While much of the area is dedicated to residential development, the Tri-Lakes, Colorado region is known for its three lakes: Palmer Lake, Monument Lake and Lake Woodmoor. The town's water comes from two reservoirs in the mountains behind the town. Both reservoirs and Monument Creek, which flows out of them, are considered part of the town's watershed. Library services for the city are provided by the Palmer Lake Branch Library, located at 66 Lower Glenway in Palmer Lake.