[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6541352,"mediaKeyId","3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e","parentId",3514808,"title","County CFO reports modest sales-tax growth, construction use tax gains","audioSeconds",196,"startMs",3489000,"endMs",3685000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e&start=3489&end=3685","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e/thumbnail_3489000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6541352/El-Paso-County/Colorado/County-CFO-reports-modest-sales-tax-growth-construction-use-tax-gains","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541352-8634223665888b7f46b2cbfe2336bf7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557748&Signature=FL~W0qv1kNLvLOmbvc9ZfmDOwh8oQZguYjOksUFjGv9qnyWItfUQqYZWo9X88J8fltuxpLRhROeUDYGJt0JxeeCkZ-pA-6bkSQAEynjX1SP67cgaBbjAeIk6kh4zfzSdK5KjXq4KT-jJ01FYYC7JP5UYntj-X-18m60a~lc7pL-Wd7svIB2ueuGSoIqQ68MnBfpAyH8-NYU06njR~zxjyyT3dtSgW0H5x0521Ljy83VxSt64Tu1GgUqDiX4SHmdm2IuX1X2SoauafqLllrMTufjDDohKfIvUNFNmKP1~ZuASTMVQnlpJnzlFzNZENS97TMw1IsBah1JiwfDrEAhOJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County","date","2025-05-27T14:49:23Z","article","Nikki Simmons, El Paso County chief financial officer, presented the county’s sales and use tax collections on May 27, 2025, reporting mixed results through March and April collections.

Simmons said retail collections remitted to the Colorado Department of Revenue for March 2025 were up 5.13% compared with March 2024; year-to-date retail collections were up 0.71%. She said the county’s budget had assumed a 3.5% increase and that current collections were trailing that projection.

Simmons reported that automobile use tax (collected through the Clerk and Recorder when vehicles are registered) was down about 8% for the month and down about 4.26% year to date; she noted that automobile-related sales tax and use tax can move differently depending on whether sales tax is paid at the dealership or use tax is paid at registration. Use tax collected by regional building for construction materials was up 11.57% for the month of April and up about 20% year to date, which Simmons said aligns with regional building’s permitting trends.

Overall, Simmons said combined collections were up 5.21% for the month of April and were just under 1% year to date. She said the first three months of the fiscal year showed revenue $915,000 below budget projections and that the county continues to monitor revenues as it plans the 2026 budget. Simmons pointed commissioners to more detailed monthly reports and an “attachment A” breakdown by industry available on the county website.

Commissioners did not ask follow-up questions during the presentation; Vice Chair Williams later used the public-comment period to clarify a property-tax calculation after a speaker’s remarks and said the PPLD levy represented a much smaller share of her personal property tax bill than a commenter had asserted.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners 5-27-2025","oneSentenceSummary","El Paso County Chief Financial Officer Nikki Simmons reported April collections and March consumer activity showing modest year-to-date growth, with construction-related use tax up substantially year over year.","taxTitle","El Paso County, Colorado","taxId",5790,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541357,"County proclaims June rodeo and fair part of El Paso County's Western heritage",792,1777000,2569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e&start=1777&end=2569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e/thumbnail_1777000.jpg","/articles/6541357/El-Paso-County/Colorado/County-proclaims-June-rodeo-and-fair-part-of-El-Paso-Countys-Western-heritage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541357-7438bb227f30fe53fb76e4d00551ec02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557748&Signature=bReuO1sgSVf7cIMoqbZ2T7h-gUUMhGNvzo3JumEYVsast9UiZy3Xawti39Gbdu2QXCaIujPLg90SoN3jS6Anmv1dO4xZJoQPGSnx5WYLnP9xNTjRUmh0ZQ3Z780piR9-qnSjUfpqYwwvVuTPEofJrYDjHBI2jc5gvM06l7MN19h7OrNpWUPvZ5iPzpH~EhMTZ-3uE69m5fkCeRAf0gV6UkVdkphuywMJyisxJb0RkRwXYZdtk~9t4o9LlaBCe3TwMoVCNFp2WJc9P9Y3M5jY0tpRmowf3oYJ3NEJKKT3-6Cw-xu4ivdjN9TL0zP5TrbG3e2dAdl~Sej~bkfyihWXwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 27, 2025, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved a proclamation recognizing the county’s Western heritage and urging businesses and county departments to encourage employee participation in related events.

Vice Chair Holly Williams read the proclamation during the meeting and moved its adoption; the motion passed 4-0. The proclamation named several events and dates: the Colorado Springs Western Street Breakfast on June 18; the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo (also described at the meeting as the NFR Open at the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo) with performances from July 8 through July 12 at the Norris Penrose Event Center; and the El Paso County Fair opening July 12 and running through July 19 at the county fairgrounds in Calhan.

Representatives of the rodeo described the event to commissioners. Laurie Carroll, vice president of the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo board, said the rodeo dates back to 1937, that proceeds support local military families, and that the event expects more than 200 contestants and 30,000–35,000 spectators. Corliss Palmer, who directs the Girls of the West program, summarized the selection process for the Girl of the West and said the competition is July 10. Emma Considine, introduced as the 2025 Girl of the West, described the rodeo lineup and promotional details: she said about 250 contestants will compete for more than $1,000,000 in payouts across seven performances, with evening shows starting at 7 p.m., matinees at noon, free shuttle parking available and vendor activities on the grounds.

Commissioners thanked rodeo organizers for their volunteer work and noted the event’s role in honoring military service members and promoting local heritage. The board paused briefly after the vote for a photograph with rodeo representatives.

The proclamation passed by roll call with Commissioners Bill Wysong, Corey Applegate, Vice Chair Holly Williams and Chair Carrie Geithner voting “aye.”","The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners adopted a proclamation recognizing local Western heritage and publicized upcoming events including the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo and the county fair.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6541362,"Commissioners approve Pikes Peak Library District trustee appointment after public objections",768,977000,1745000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e&start=977&end=1745","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3514808-bcde0bac1eeec3d73c60f9a4cc26101e/thumbnail_977000.jpg","/articles/6541362/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Commissioners-approve-Pikes-Peak-Library-District-trustee-appointment-after-public-objections","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6541362-33726a1f4cd06f723530f486cbe9fb37/orig.mp4?Expires=1770557748&Signature=axLgbWR8bxQe3ImmQNR52DTESKNSfDfe-iXyv~~qNIZev0sxesyaD24OJsqwFPH61RWn7eXijz~5FaHzV3mvZd1vbZ8uSCfp79lC71cn~bb8nBUrvyFS3bYz-mavk1H~KPGvDgQsmAeSb2ntJWkoEoAwPgHPfbnTih1iysloRSdjzMwyOf5KaMlM~xa4OHsB8oi8Ks3Q8GBCJ0~vKOMBt2m2RUCbSeWpzfAe0k5VL1sXIuhq07bc~A~vSgadD2csmTYxtR2C36aDY5QIEYCM7m8qN2WkLzayjwfC-tp56TB-eAPAz0wsQ3X3CHZkgbFD-527Hpf5JyKmNTPvT4D3DQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","On May 27, 2025, the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners voted 4-0 to approve the consent calendar, which included the appointment of Kenny Kenayuki to the Pikes Peak Library District (PPLD) Board of Trustees.

The appointment drew multiple public speakers who said the nomination process lacked transparency and questioned the nominee’s qualifications. Lisa Bigelow told commissioners she objected to “the process, the lack of transparency and accountability,” saying the joint interview process excluded the public and did not allow all finalists to be interviewed by all liaisons. Carla Powers said the nominee had been advised not to discuss a past lawsuit publicly and added the application did not demonstrate financial expertise relevant to the library district’s needs. Catherine Chukas urged commissioners not to confirm the nominee, saying the district manages a levy and needs trustees with “financial responsibility about Colorado public finance laws.” An online commenter (name not specified) likewise urged commissioners to reject the confirmation, arguing the library board had shut the public out of decisions and that the appointment process was rushed.

Commissioner Bill Wysong said he had received many emails and agreed the nomination process would benefit from more public involvement; he said he lives in the area affected by the Rockrimmon Library closure. Chair Carrie Geithner (speaking during later remarks defending procedure) said the appointment process follows state statute and open meetings law and that representatives making these appointments may use different methods, including phone interviews or conversations, to evaluate candidates. Geithner also disputed claims that a formal vote was improperly taken, saying minutes and attorneys were present during the meeting where the joint committee acted.

The consent calendar was moved and seconded during the meeting and was approved by roll call: Commissioners Bill Wysong, Corey Applegate, Vice Chair Holly Williams and Chair Carrie Geithner all voted “aye.” The meeting record lists the consent calendar as items 5a through 5k1; the appointment to the PPLD was included on that calendar.

The speakers who opposed confirmation sought greater transparency in the oversight and appointment process for the PPLD Board of Trustees and said they were concerned about library branch closures and fiscal stewardship. Commissioners acknowledged the public concern but stated the legal process for appointments is governed by state statute and that the joint committee followed the procedures available to it.

No formal motion specific to the trustee appointment was recorded separately from the consent calendar vote, and no additional information about the nominee’s application materials or the joint-committee deliberations was included in the public record presented at the meeting.

The board did not set any follow-up task on the record at the meeting regarding the PPLD appointment; several commissioners said they would consider how to increase public engagement in similar processes going forward.","El Paso County commissioners approved the consent calendar May 27, which included the appointment of Kenny Kenayuki to the Pikes Peak Library District Board of Trustees; several residents urged the board to reject the nominee and criticized the appointment process.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

County CFO reports modest sales-tax growth, construction use tax gains

County proclaims June rodeo and fair part of El Paso County's Western heritage

Commissioners approve Pikes Peak Library District trustee appointment after public objections