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e c t i o n 1 . T h e B a s i c s
El Paso County Structure
El Paso is the most populous county in the State of Colorado It also covers a large geographic area roughly the size of the State of Rhode Island
As a government entity, El Paso County exists to provide services to citizens and residents. Some of those services – such as running elections for President, administering assistance programs, seeking justice for victims of crimes, or running the jail – are provided to people who live in the County regardless of whether they live in a city or an unincorporated area. Other services – such as road maintenance or planning for future development – are provided only to people who live outside of the boundaries of a city (normally referred to as “unincorporated areas”).
Citizens elect five County Commissioners to provide strategic guidance to the organization and represent voters’ interests regardless of whether someone lives in a city or an unincorporated area. The Board of County Commissioners (“the BOCC” or “the Board”) appoints two executive level staff members: a county administrator and a county attorney. The county administrator is responsible for implementing the direction received by the Board, including running the day-to-day operations of the organization. The county attorney provides the Board with legal advice and legal services to county departments.
Directing Staff
Due to this structure, the department that works with your board or commission is accountable only to the county administrator. It is important that staff and volunteers alike understand the role your volunteer board or commission plays within the broader organization. Do not give staff members assignments or directives without proper coordination with the county administrator or their designee.
Contact the county administrator or the department executive director if you observe any unethical or inappropriate behavior on the part of any staff member that works with your volunteer board or commission
Key Concepts
El Paso County provides crucial services to citizens and residents whether they live within a city or in the unincorporated areas of the jurisdiction.
The Board of County Commissioners hire a county administrator, who carries out the Board’s direction and runs day-to-day operations.
The staff that supports your volunteer board or commission reports only to the county administrator. You are not permitted to give staff members assignments or directives.
