The Courier | El Paso County Newsletter - February 2023

COURIER

COURIER EDITORIAL BOARD

Welcome to our February issue of the El Paso County Courier. Last month, eight newly elected and reelected County Officials were sworn into their respective offices. This includes reelected District 1 Commissioner, Holly Williams; reelected District 5 Commissioner, Cami Bremer; newly elected Assessor, Mark Flutcher; newly elected Clerk & Recorder, Steve Schleiker; reelected Coroner, Leon Kelly; reelected Surveyor, Richard Mariotti; newly elected Treasurer, Chuck Broerman; and new El Paso County Sheriff, Joe Roybal. We also have a new Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (Cami Bremer) and new Vice Chair of the Board of County Commissioners (Carrie Geitner).

This issue will highlight each member of the newly elected/reelected Class of 2023. We will hear from new BOCC Chair Cami Bremer and what she is passionate about, and what called her to run for office. We will also learn fun facts about the rest of the Class of 2023. Hope you enjoy.

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There is a new sheriff in town! Joseph Roybal, El Paso County Sheriff, and seven other elected officials comprise the Class of 2023. The class was made official on January 10, 2023, during their respective Oath of Office – Swearing-in Ceremonies.

The class includes two reelected Commissioners, the Coroner and Surveyor, and welcomes a new Sheriff, Clerk and Recorder, Treasurer, and Assessor. These elected officials have at least one thing in common: a proven service record to El Paso County.

It’s true, the former Assessor Steve Schleiker is now the current Clerk and Recorder, and the former Clerk and Recorder, Chuck Broerman is now the current Treasurer and Trustee. But did you know that Sheriff Roybal and Assessor Flutcher both served as El Paso County employees for 27 years prior to their newly elected positions? Sheriff Roybal protected our community as an El Paso County Deputy Sheriff for over 27 years and served as our Undersheriff in 2022. Assessor Mark Flutcher served in the Assessor’s office for 27 years in roles including the Chief Appraiser and most recently Deputy Assessor.

What does this mean for the future of El Paso County? It means we are in trusted hands with elected leaders that have chosen to serve and protect our community. The class of 2023 are individuals with a commitment and loyalty to our region. These public servants offer nationally recognized leadership and decision-making skills, providing effective and innovative solutions.

As we start a new year, with a fresh class of leadership, El Paso County looks forward to new opportunities that will keep moving our region forward.

Cami Bremer

Commissioner Bremer is a leader with a bold vision for El Paso County. She is committed to creating an atmosphere where government entities work together, ensuring the community remains a safe and desirable place for everyone.

That passion is deeply rooted in the fact that Commissioner Bremer has found many of the things she treasures in El Paso County. Originally born and raised in Georgia, Bremer found her way to Colorado Springs for an internship during college, and knew immediately she wanted to begin her career here following college graduation. She married Eli Bremer – an Olympian and a member of the United States Air Force. After settling in Colorado Springs, Bremer worked for the City of Colorado Springs, the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, as a Regional Director for the American Heart Association, and in Community and Physician Relations for Penrose Cancer Center. She and her husband welcomed their son Struthers to their family in 2014.

Do you collect anything?

Commemorative Coca-Cola bottles

What is one thing you have tried that you’ll never do again?

The Gravitron

Which fictional character do you most relate to?

Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz

I’m committed to doing the next right thing for the long-term benefit of our community, and I always have our residents in mind with every decision made.

Last year was election season and El Paso County residents had ample opportunities to hear from those running for election regarding their economic and political goals for our region. On January 10, 2023, our newly elected officials were sworn in; for some their public service journey continued and for others, it just began. You know their names and their vision, but do you know them? We wanted to use this issue as an opportunity for you to get to know your El Paso County Officials a little better and on a more personal level.

HollyWilliams

OFFICE: Commissioner, District 1

If you could re-live a year of your life, what age would it be?

1986, working and living in Washington DC

What is the best gift you have received?

My piano

Which song best describes your 2022?

A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles

JosephRoybal

OFFICE: Sheriff

Pineapple on pizza?

Never

Which fictional character do you most relate to?

Han Solo

Which superpower would you never want to have?

I would never want the ability to see into the future

SteveSchleiker

OFFICE: Clerk & Recorder

What is something you have always wanted to learn to do?

Learn to play a guitar

Which fictional character do you most relate to?

Bugs Bunny ‐ Because of his free and easy attitude

Which superpower would you never want to have?

Super speed would be bad if I crashed into a wall!

ChuckBroerman

OFFICE: Treasurer & Public Trustee

What is the best gift you have received? Tools! Do you collect anything? Tools, tools, tools - I love to work on my car Fun fact?

I worked with the engineer who patented liquid crystal displays

MarkFlutcher

OFFICE: Assessor

What is one thing you have tried that you’ll never do again?

Frog legs

What is the best gift you have received?

A puppy at age 10

Which song best describes your 2022?

Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash

Dr.LeonKelly

OFFICE: Coroner

What is something you have always wanted to learn to do?

Gourmet cooking

Which fictional character do you most relate to?

Captain America

Do you collect anything?

I collect vinyl albums with a passion for mid-century jazz and soul

RichardMariotti

OFFICE: Surveyor

What is the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done? Moving to Colorado in 1979 from Indiana

What is one thing you have tried that you’ll never do again?

Rock Climbing - I have developed a fear of heights

What video game would you like to live in?

Oregon Trail

The beginning of a new year marks many changes here at El Paso County. The many departments, offices, and divisions that serve you are busy coordinating what they can do to best serve our residents in 2023. This month, enjoy relevant content on new resident-focused programs taking flight, as well as big changes rolling out to service programs. By informing you of changes in service, community events, and outdoor resources, our hope is to help you thrive.

This month, we have highlighted the Clerk & Recorder’s Office Keep Colorado Wild Program, El Paso County Public Health’s Care Coordination Program, Jones Park Open Space, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center’s Connect With A Vet Hiring Event, as well as changes to SNAP benefits.

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Parks & Recreation

El Paso County invites you to enjoy one of the region’s most historic outdoor spaces, Jones Park Open Space. The area’s rich history dates to the 1859 Gold Rush when many passed through the area along the Pikes Peak Wagon Road, where Capt’n Ellen E. Jack ran her lodge. She was known for her keen ability to wield a gun and shoot unwanted hasslers. Jones Park now serves as a diverse recreational hub with trail opportunities for hikers, mountain bikers, and motorcycles, with a popular trail named after Capt’n Jack.

Public Health

Recognizing the impact of the pandemic on our most vulnerable communities, El Paso County Public Health saw a new opportunity to offer additional support to those experiencing barriers to accessing community resources. In 2022, Public Health launched a new Care Coordination program to provide individualized assistance in navigating community resources and to reduce barriers by increasing easy access to critical services.

The care coordinators have assisted residents by connecting them with rental assistance, dental care, health insurance, employment resources, and more. The program which is free and has no eligibility requirements provides information, resources, and referrals; helps address barriers to accessing resources; and provides a personalized approach to meet the unique needs of each individual and family. The program demonstrates service excellence through customized care coordination and supporting residents throughout El Paso County communities to achieve optimal health. For more information, contact the Care Coordination team at HEACares@elpasoco com or (719) 575-8998

Clerk & Recorder

Enjoy the state’s beautiful parks and support local outdoors programs with the new Keep Colorado Wild Pass. A $29 pass fee is added automatically to your annual vehicle registration unless you opt out. Our El Paso County Motor Vehicle Branches can help with your registration needs. Visit https://cpw.state.co.us/ to learn more about this uniquely Colorado program.

Pikes

Peak Workforce Center

We will be hosting the “Connect-With-A-Vet” Hiring Event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 23, 2023, in the Elkhorn Conference Center, 1725 Woodfill Rd, Bldg 7300, Fort Carson, 80913 This annual event is open to active duty, retired military, veterans, and spouses or family members. This is an opportunity for our military community to meet with more than 40 vetted businesses, all with open fulltime positions. A variety of industries will be represented.

Human Services

All Coloradans who receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will see a reduction in their monthly benefit amount after February 2023. The temporary additional benefit amounts (emergency maximum allotments) are ending due to the result of congressional action.

This will impact individuals and families in El Paso County, as well as the local economy. For each month of 2022 in El Paso County, more than 37,000 households and 73,000 individuals received SNAP. Every dollar spent on SNAP benefits generates $1.67 in economic activity (Moody’s Analytics, 2021).

SNAP is not meant to cover all food needs for an individual or a family; it is a supplemental program. However, DHS employees know the SNAP and other assistance programs are critical supports to individuals and families as they seek to become self-sufficient. El Paso County DHS is working closely with community partners and nonprofits in our region to find ways to connect families and individuals to resources

El Paso County is updating the County’s 2040 Major Transportation Corridor Plan (MTCP) that was adopted in 2016. The plan’s purpose is to identify and develop the near- and longterm transportation actions and recommendations needed to preserve and improve the transportation system in unincorporated El Paso County.

How is the plan developed in the first place? Well, it’s a two-pronged approach, utilizing technical analysis and community and stakeholder input. ThisiswhereElPasoCountyresidents comein!

You can weigh in by taking our short survey(closesFebruary19)torankthe importance of these goals, or even provide additional goals if you think there’s something we overlooked! If you’d like to learn more before taking the survey, you can visit our website dedicatedtoallthingsMTCP.

In the Region

Committed to serving our community

Fiscally Responsible and Optimized

Improved Transportation Safety Connected Network of All Travel Modes

Efficient and Reliable

Well-Maintained Infrastructure

Sustainable and Resilient

SCAN

Viewpoint

A collection of photos from the region

F e b r u a r y

NATURE ADVENTURES 02

10 - 11 AM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Children ages 3-6, with an adult, will enjoy puppet shows or stories, crafts, hands-on activities, & discovery time on the trail.

WINTER FUN @ FOX RUN 04

10 AM - 2 PM | Fox Run Regional Park

Make a dif-FUR-ence this winter and spend the day at Fox Run Regional Park!

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9 AM | 200 South Cascade Avenue 80903

Our elected officials will be having their weekly Board of County Commissioners meeting at Centennial Hall Auditorium

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS 07

FISHING 101

3 - 5 PM | Bear Creek Nature Center

Come learn all about freshwater fishing as we explore the exciting opportunities our state has to offer

WINTER ON THE FRONTIER

10 AM - 12 PM | Fountain Creek Nature Center

Winters can be harsh on the front range. Join us to share stories and learn about winter survival techniques of earlier times.

LITTLE WONDERS

10 AM - 11:15 AM | Bear Creek Nature Center

Discover the world of nature with your 2 or 3 year-old with interactive activities and a short hike

DOING WHAT'S RIGHT

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