El PASO COUNTY, COLORADO
STRATEGIC COMMUNI & ENGAGE
Public communication is a strategic process that builds mutually beneficial relationships between organizations and the public. Building solid relationships with individuals, businesses, the military, and organizations within our community is vital to the success of County communications.
El Paso County Communications is committed to communicating transparent, accurate, timely information in accessible and engaging ways The County's communication plan engages with the public and allows for mutual understanding and collaboration
Communications are distributed through various mediums and tools, including print, web, digital newsletters, social media, electronic marquees, and alert systems El Paso County works closely with local print and broadcast news media outlets to deliver timely information about County government, programs, and events efficiently and proactively
El Paso County is committed to communicating transparent, accurate, timely information in accessible and engaging ways.
El Paso County provides crucial services to all residents regardless of association.
LOW TAXES - LOW COSTS
Our community prefers low taxes and limited government that focuses on providing essential and cost-effective public services.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
QUALITY PUBLIC SERVICES
To consistently deliver highquality services, we standardize, innovate, measure, remove waste, continually improve, collaborate, and tell our story.
PURPOSE VISION
El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.
TRUST THROUGH TRANSPARENCY
We build trust by transparently publishing data and analytics on our finances, the condition of our infrastructure, and our progress towards our strategic objectives.
We provide essential public services to the Pikes Peak Region in support of our residents, businesses, and communities, enhancing the freedom for all to thrive.
EL PASO COUNTY, COLORADO
OUR CORE VALUES
SERVICE FOCUSED ACCOUNTABLE TRANSPARENT
We make a difference in our community by serving the residents of El Paso County.
We are responsive to community needs. We are good stewards of County resources.
We are open, honest, and respectful in our work and communication.
TRUSTWORTHY COLLABORATIVE
We foster a county government that works for all. We inspire employees to passionately give their best while leveraging community partnerships for the meaningful benefit of our residents.
We listen to our community and act with honesty and respect in our interactions with co-workers and those we serve. We adhere to laws, policies, procedures, and professional standards.
AREAS OF FOCUS
CRISIS COMMUNICATION
Disseminate information to address a crisis that impacts residents or El Paso County's reputation.
02
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Intentional interaction with El Paso County residents and regional, state, and federal stakeholders.
INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS
Information dissemination within the El Paso County organizational structure through various forms including verbal, written, and digital.
MARKETING & BRANDING
Connecting internal and external stakeholder to the core values and strategic mission of El Paso County through the accurate representation of the El Paso County logos and marks.
MEDIA RELATIONS
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
Engaging regional, state, and federal stakeholders in an effective collaboration to benefit the residents and community as a whole within El Paso County.
Collaborating with all media outlets for the purpose of informing residents of El Paso County's mission, policies, and services to the Pikes Peak Region. 07
PUBLIC INFORMATION
Transparent and accountable communication of El Paso County values, mission, policies, and procedures through various platforms to the public at large.
PUBLIC RELATIONS
Implementing practical and collaborative communication practices to build mutually beneficial relationships with residents and regional, state, and federal stakeholders.
09
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Committment to consistent, systematic planning and execution of internal and external commmunication regarding information and promotion of El Paso County services.
TARGET AUDIENCES
EXTERNAL AUDIENCES
Residents
Business Leaders
Businesses
Neighborhood Organizations
Media
Emergency Response Organizations
School Districts
Educational Organizations
Community Partners
Nonprofits
Regional Governments (Cities, Towns)
State and Federal Legislators
Military Installations
Developers
Visitors
Tourists
Prospective Residents
INTERNAL AUDIENCES
Elected Officials
Employees
Boards & Committees
Volunteers
Building
solid relationships within our community is vital to the success of County communications.
KEY COMMUNICATORS
Anyone representing El Paso County government in an official capacity shall be a responsible communicator for the County. The success of this strategy is contingent upon the cooperation and participation of all El Paso County elected and appointed officials and their employees. Image can be readily undermined by irresponsible information dissemination.
EL PASO COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM
Chairman of the El Paso County Board
Members of the El Paso County Board
County Administrator
Elected Officials
Appointed Officials
El Paso County Communications Department
County Department Public Information Officers
All other designated staff of the above offices and departments
COMMUNCATION TOOLS & OUTREACH
TOOLS
All staff messaging
County Broadcast Channel
Crisis Communications (OEM)
Emergency Preparedness Exercises
External Newsletter - The Courier
Internal Newsletter - Connections
Media Relations
Meeting Support
Marketing Collateral
Open Records
Podcast - Beyond the Dais
Presentations
Press Conferences
Press Releases
Social Media
Talking Points for Commissioners and Staff
Website
Video Productions
OUTREACH
Annual County Fair
Collaboration with Partner Agencies
Community Outreach
Emergency Preparedness Exercises
State of the Region
Special Events
Video Productions
The County's communication plan engages with the public and allows for mutual understanding and collaboration.
SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
El Paso County
Nextdoor
Website
YouTube
County Clerk & Recorder
Website
YouTube
4th Judicial District Attorney
Website
Public Health
Website
YouTube
Pikes Peak Workforce Center
Website
YouTube
Sheriff
Website
YouTube
MEDIA POINTS OF CONTACT
COMMUNICATIONS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Vernon Stewart
719.520.5540
VernonStewart@elpasoco.com
COMMUNICATIONS DEPUTY DIRECTOR
Natalie Sosa
719.520.6250
NatalieSosa@elpasoco.com
DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INFORMATION OFFICER
Howard Black
719.520.6084
HowardBlack@elpasoco.com
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES INFORMATION OFFICER
Kristina Iodice
719.444.5533
KristinaIodice@elpasoco.com
PUBLIC HEALTH INFORMATION OFFICER
Michelle Beyrle
719.578.3239
MichelleBeyrle@elpasoco.com
PIKES PEAK WORKFORCE CENTER
Becca Tonn
719.499.0642
BeccaTonn@elpasoco.com
SHERIFF'S OFFICE INFORMATION OFFICER
Karla Schmidt
719.520.7141
KarlaSchmidt@elpasoco.com
COLORADO OPEN RECORDS REQUEST
Michael Madsen
719.520.6403
EPCCORA@elpasoco.com
EL PASO COUNTY SOCIAL MEDIA
Deborah Contreras
719.520.6569
EPCPIO@elpasoco.com
EL PASO COUNTY TV CHANNEL
Vernon Stewart
719.520.5540
EPCPIO@elpasoco.com
EL PASO COUNTY WEBSITE
Samantha Radomski
719.520.????
SamanthaRadomski@elpasoco.com