The Courier - Volume 2, Issue 1

COURIER

AN EL PASO COUNTY PUBLICATION

State of the Region Address

Investing in Infrastructure and Rapid Response

One of the standout achievements Commissioner Bremer highlighted was the significant investment in infrastructure, with an addition of $44 million to the county's roads budget since 2021 This investment has already borne fruit, with last year seeing the improvement of 160 miles of roads The county's resilience was tested in June when catastrophic rainfall led to the closure of 45 county roads and five bridges In response, the Department of Public Works, in collaboration with the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, remarkably reopened most of those roads and bridges within 48 hours

Accessibility and Community Engagement at the Forefront

El Paso County's dedication to accessibility was illustrated with the opening of the Visually Impaired Persons (VIP) trail of the Songbird Trail at Bear Creek Nature Center The trail is a beacon of accessibility with interpretive signs, audio devices to read these signs, and a tactile rope system, allowing visually impaired visitors to experience the trail independently.

Furthering its mission to connect with residents, The Department of Public Works launched the "DPW Connects" program, a collaboration with Careers in Construction Colorado This partnership is specifically designed for high school juniors and seniors, offering immersive work-based learning experiences, informative tours, and presentations about El Paso County Public Works

The launch of an improved Citizens Connect app has enhanced resident engagement, enabling them to communicate more effectively with county officials and report local issues

Supporting Veterans and Housing Initiatives

Recognizing the significant veteran community in El Paso County, the commissioners approved funding for three new Veterans Service Officers to assist veterans in navigating the Veterans Administration network

The Economic Development Department's collaboration with the El Paso County Housing Authority is addressing the affordable housing challenge head-on Projects like Paloma Garden, The Launchpad, Silver Key senior housing, and Bentley Commons are set to bring 342 affordable housing units to fruition, including dedicated units for veterans

Workforce Development and Public Safety

The Pikes Peak Workforce Center has been a key player in supporting the local economy, serving over 1,700 employers, hosting numerous job fairs, and aiding

nearly 27,000 clients with job search and training opportunities

Commissioner Bremer highlighted the region's public safety efforts, noting El Paso County's strategic significance on a national level as the official home of the U S Space Command She commended the remarkable work of El Paso County Coroner Dr Leon Kelly, the dedication of District Attorney Michael Allen in pursuing justice in high-profile cases, and the initiatives led by Sheriff Joe Roybal aimed at improving outcomes for incarcerated veterans.

A Bright Horizon for El Paso County

Commissioner Bremer concluded the event with a message of hope and confidence in the future: "The state of our region is not just good, it's great." This optimistic outlook, rooted in the year's collaborative achievements, sets a tone of anticipation and enthusiasm for what lies ahead for El Paso County

El Paso County Commissioner Cami Bremer speaks to a crowd of nearly 500 at the State of the Region held at the UCCS Ent Center for the Arts on February 15, 2024

PHOTO BY STELLAR PROPELLER PHOTOGRAPHY

Message from the County Administrator

Bret Waters El Paso County Administrator

OUR COMMITMENT TO PROGRESS AND OUR DEDICATION TO MAKING DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS PUTS THE RESIDENTS OF EL PASO COUNTY AT THE FOREFRONT OF EVERYTHING WE DO.

Welcome to the revamped version of our now quarterly newsletter This shift from a monthly publication to a quarterly one marks a strategic move towards a more efficient and engaging approach to keeping you, our residents, informed and connected

Our commitment to progress and our dedication to making data-driven decisions puts the residents of El Paso County at the forefront of everything we do Our programs and services are designed with your needs and priorities in mind, ensuring that we continue to foster a community that thrives on trust, collaboration, transparency, accountability and being service-focused

We will continue providing comprehensive updates, insights, and stories that matter most to our community We will delve deeper into the subjects that impact you directly, from health and safety to community development and our strategic direction Our recently adopted strategic plan will be a key driver on this journey. Thank you for your continued support and engagement

Vernon’s View

In El Paso County, we're constantly enhancing our communication with you, our residents This journey is driven by making our interactions as accessible and meaningful as possible. Initiatives, like the Citizen Connect App and Commissioners on the Road, have started to change how we connect, offering direct lines for feedback and service requests As we look to the future, we're exploring new technologies to improve our communication further Introducing new technologies keeps us at the forefront of government communications and provides quicker responses and greater participation, ensuring our services evolve with your needs. This effort is a collaborative process We see each new tool and platform not as a milestone of success but as a step toward better service Your feedback is crucial in this ongoing improvement, guiding us to refine and adjust our approach Together, we're working to make El Paso County a place where communication with your government is straightforward, your input informs our actions, and every resident has the tools they need to be actively involved. Let us know how we are doing. You can email directly at epcpio@elpasoco com, or to just be in the know, sign up to receive news and information directly in your email inbox by scanning the QR code below

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Vernon Stewart Communications Executive Director

COURIER

The Courier is a quarterly newsletter produced by the El Paso County Department of Communications. Each issue features insight into El Paso County and the services the county provides

Communications Department

VernonStewart-ExecutiveDirector

NatalieSosa-DeputyDirector

AmyJoFields-MarketingCommunicationsManager

ScottAnderson-Communications&PublicRelationsManager

MichaelMadsen-OpenRecordsManager

DeborahContreras-Digital&SocialMediaSpecialist

SamRadomski-Webmaster

MaryPope-Communications&OpenRecordsSpecialist

Celebrating El Paso County

April is County Government Month, and an opportunity for those of us in government to reflect about how the County interacts with its residents Local government aims to be the glue that holds a community together, building trust and working with residents to find solutions to the pressing challenges

Trust is key in any good relationship, and it's no different between residents and their local government County governments are right there in the neighborhood, making sure everyone's voice is heard and everyone's needs are met By working together, we not only solve problems, but we come up with new ideas for the future

El Paso County aims to do this by being open and honest about what we are up to. From public meetings to sharing information about important events such as the annual El Paso County Fair, our goal is to let everyone know what's happening and why When people know what’s going on, they feel more engaged and connected to their local government

In the spirit of County Government Month, we extend a heartfelt invitation to you, our valued community members, to deepen your involvement with local government Engage with us join the conversation on our social media platforms, be present at public meetings, submit feedback via the Citizen Connect app, or interact with our podcast by sharing your insightful comments.

Your engagement is vital Together, hand in hand, we will illuminate the path to a brighter future Share your perspective, become a part of the dialogue, and let's shape a community that reflects our collective vision and values.

Wildfire Season Ahead

As we enter wildfire season, residents are urged to protect their homes and properties proactively Dry conditions prevalent at various times of the year significantly elevate the risk of wildland fires, making it crucial for individuals to participate in wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts

Protecting residences from wildfire is a shared responsibility, and one key strategy is establishing defensible space around structures Creating a defensible space can protect personal property and structures, reducing the chance of structures fueling a wildfire A defensible space also helps limit fire spread to neighboring homes and surrounding vegetation.

Here are some essential tips for creating defensible space zones around buildings:

Clear the Area: Remove combustible materials around the house, including wood piles, shrubs close to buildings, and wood mulch

Consider using rock mulch as a safer alternative

Upgrade Roofing: Replace cedar shake roofs with new low-flammability shingles to minimize fire risk

Siding Replacement: Consider replacing wooden siding with nonflammable options such as stucco or fire-resistant materials

Trim Trees: Keep trees on the property well-trimmed to ensure that branches are not hanging over or too close to structures, reducing th risk of ignition

Gutter Maintenance: Regularly clear roof gutters of debris to prevent potential fire hazards

Taking these proactive measures can greatly enhance the chances safeguarding homes and structures against wildfires By investing time effort into creating defensible space and implementing fire-resis measures, residents can significantly reduce their properties' vulnerabilit wildfires and contribute to the overall safety of their communities

As wildfire season approaches, residents of El Paso County need to rem vigilant and proactive in their efforts to mitigate fire risk By work together and adhering to these wildfire prevention guidelines, individ can help protect lives, property, and the natural environment from devastating impacts of wildfires For

WorkforceCenterAwards$248,000in EmployeeDevelopmentFunds

In February, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center reviewed applications from 24 local businesses and nonprofits for PPWFC’s Employee Development Funds program, offered twice annually.

The funding for this popular program comes from the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

This round, 20 companies were selected, based on a scoring rubric that awards more points for smaller companies, for those in high-demand industries, and for proposed training that will make the business more competitive, while also advancing the employees’ careers and wages

About 225 employees in our region will benefit from this training, which ranges from Six Sigma to airline aluminum anodizing to Wildland Fire Safety After their staff completes the training in June, the Workforce Center will reimburse these companies for more than $248,000, bringing increased economic vitality to the Pikes Peak region as businesses and individuals benefit from new skills and opportunities.

AprilisChildAbusePreventionMonth

Commissioners and staff setting pinwheels to promote the social and emotional well-being of children and families.

Efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect are ongoing year-round. However, April as Child Abuse Prevention Month is an opportunity to highlight how everyone has a role in strengthening families

One official responsibility of the El Paso County Department of Human Services is child protection That work depends on reports that meet state-determined criteria for DHS involvement There is one hotline for everyone across the state: 1-844-CO4-Kids In 2023, El Paso County had 23,567 calls reported to the hotline

The safety and well-being of children is supported by the concern and reports of neighbors, friends, and family members, as well as mandatory reporters Reporting concerns is not about “getting a family in trouble ” However, it may lead to connecting a family with critically needed assistance and support Preventing child abuse and neglect means connecting families to resources and equipping them with skills so that homes are safe places for children

DedicatedCodeEnforcementOfficerTargets HomelessEncampments

Did you know that El Paso County has a Code Enforcement Officer dedicated to locating homeless encampments in unincorporated areas of the County? This Code Enforcement Officer works closely with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and private property owners to ensure the safe removal of unauthorized individuals and to ensure the property is left free of trash and debris

Most homeless encampments in unincorporated El Paso County are located on private property, and it is the financial responsibility of each individual property owner to remove the trash and debris resulting from encampments on their property. To assist with the cleanup costs associated with homeless encampments, property owners may be eligible for reimbursement up to a certain percentage of the costs for each cleanup Certain conditions apply and applications are subject to approval For more information, please email HCenforcement@elpasoco com

In November 2023, an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) between El Paso County and the City of Colorado Springs was approved that allows for the County to obtain the services of the City’s Quality of Life team for the cleanup of homeless camps on an as-needed basis The IGA is a combined effort between the County and City to prioritize the public safety and welfare of its citizens and improve the overall general appearance of the community

To report a homeless encampment in the County, email the property address or location details to HCenforcement@elpasoco com

HazardousWasteNoMore

Non-Household Generators in El Paso County and Teller County now have a cost-effective and environmentally sound way to dispose of hazardous waste through the Very Small Quantity Generator (VSQG) Program The program is available for non-household generators such as businesses, churches, non-profits, schools, etc

The VSQG Program is fee-based and operated in accordance with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division Guidelines

A VSQG designation limits the type and quantity of waste that can be accepted

A VSQG is designated as an entity that generates no more than 100 kilograms (about 220 pounds) of non-acute hazardous waste and no more than 1 kilogram (about 2 2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste in any calendar month and never accumulates more than 1,000 kilograms (approximately 2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste or 1 kilogram of acutely hazardous waste on-site at one time. [40 CFR 262.14]

Pre-registration is required for the program Waste is accepted by El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility by appointment only For more information, visithttps://communityservices elpasoco com/vsqg/or call 719 520 7878

BigWinforElPasoCountyParks

El Paso County Parks & Community Services wins big for Pineries Open Space

The Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) have been awarded a work grant valued at over $68,000. Mile Hile Youth Corps - Southern Front Range will work seven weeks in 2024 to construct trails and conduct weed monitoring at Pineries Open Space This grant has perfect timing, as the open space incurred damage to many trails during the June 2023 weather events

Funds for this project were awarded by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), which receives a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds, to the Colorado Youth Corps Association for use by accredited conservation service corps The goal of the program is to employ crews throughout the state on critical outdoor recreation and land conservation projects in partnership with local governments and open space agencies

El Paso County Public Health Launches

Innovative Visualizations of Local Health Data

El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) recently launched two innovative dashboards that feature data visualizations of two important health issues: suicide and overdose.

The goal of the public health data dashboards which are aligned with EPCPH’s Strategic Plan and Community Health Assessment is to enhance transparency and increase access to timely, relevant, and credible information

“Local data is foundational to understanding county health issues, identifying trends, and creating data-driven strategic plans and actions to address the needs,” said Susan Wheelan, director of El Paso County Public Health “This marks the first time data visualizations are accessible for leading health issues as part of our El Paso County, Colorado, Community Health Assessment ”

Overdose dashboard

The overdose dashboard includes information on drug overdose counts and rates over time, in addition to breakdowns by sex, race/ethnicity, age, type of drug involved, and more This dashboard also features a specific section on fentanyl to highlight the role it has played in drug overdose deaths

Suicide dashboard

The suicide dashboard features detailed information on suicide death counts and rates over time, in addition to breakdowns by sex, race/ethnicity, age, manner, and more In addition to being identified as leading health issues through the Community Health Assessment process, the suicide and overdose dashboards aim to provide a more comprehensive look at these complex public health issues

The Community Health Assessment (CHA) is required to be completed every five years, as statutorily required by the Colorado Public Health Act The CHA is a comprehensive report which describes the overall health of El Paso County communities, using local data to assess the leading causes of death and identify the top health needs

Learn more at www elpasocountyhealth org

VIEWPOINT

A collection of photos from the region