[{"_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",6513868,"mediaKeyId","5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88","parentId",5066382,"title","Commission proclaims July 4 and hears fireworks-safety briefing from TNT and state fire prevention staff","audioSeconds",1259,"startMs",1186000,"endMs",2445000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88&start=1186&end=2445","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88/thumbnail_1186000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513868/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Commission-proclaims-July-4-and-hears-fireworks-safety-briefing-from-TNT-and-state-fire-prevention-staff","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513868-84270298151f87609c83bba023d45b14/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579958&Signature=IRl3ENzprfnSm18Nc0huCFw2yYF0e6qaenzDRyhAd1VTxa5eOxgw4ZfxOMwOYMi6S64K2Qxd9~2rANFM20YJAnowYYWWeUBgatC~6c5jr5mNxMTuy84iZcXgiYqmrDc26WK3iPwNywft~HsDrFycH8anCgUebMV1jHBYU~GE7XmlIVtEq9ZHn5cRQcepU3SI8oCw8feOuwNIAIKHGt9LXyE5WBcGHoHFoXWnkWWxkKosOzuRmhVcMwG-KItXvk4gL4CJz8~utbK9CXdOYJRODC-2bfNj3Iuk-e~vQt~VlI9a4NNjtNI0neKBW0cAyu6IV1ipk~5LrZBHW8wy4-sIjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","El Paso County","date","2025-06-24T17:26:56.517Z","article","The Board of County Commissioners proclaimed July 4 as Independence Day for El Paso County during its June 24 meeting and heard a safety briefing from fireworks retailers and state fire-safety staff.

Chair Carrie Geithner read a proclamation recognizing the signing of the Declaration of Independence and formally \"proclaims July 4 as Independence Day in El Paso County and urges all residents to celebrate the birth of this great nation with patriotic displays of our flag, red, white, and blue, parades, and traditional firework displays.\" The proclamation as read referenced historical dates and the county's request that residents celebrate responsibly.

Bridal Cottrell, representing TNT Fireworks, thanked the board for the opportunity and encouraged families to follow local laws and safety guidance. Melissa Neff, community risk reduction specialist with the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, described the state's \"bucket brigade\" campaign, which provides large bucket stickers and small child-sized stickers and a QR code linking to safety videos in English and Spanish. Neff described outreach to libraries (including some out-of-state requests) and urged safe disposal of used fireworks by soaking them in a bucket of water before disposal.

Why this matters: Commissioners said fireworks stands are legal in the county and celebrated local traditions while emphasizing fire safety. Vice Chair Holly Williams and other commissioners suggested distributing the bucket-brigade stickers at high-traffic county locations such as the Department of Motor Vehicles and thanked local fire departments for public-education work.

Action and next steps: The proclamation was moved, seconded and adopted on a roll-call vote; commissioners later invited the public to help place flags outside Centennial Hall after the meeting. County staff said they will accept the safety materials from the presenters and distribute them to county agencies and fire departments.

Safety guidance emphasized during the briefing included supervising children, keeping water nearby, discouraging children from handling fireworks, and soaking used fireworks in water before disposal to prevent later ignition.

No formal ordinance or regulatory change was proposed at the meeting; the discussion focused on public education and the proclamation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Board of County Commissioners Meeting 6-24-2025","oneSentenceSummary","The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners proclaimed July 4 as Independence Day in the county and received a fireworks-safety presentation from TNT Fireworks and the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control promoting the \"bucket brigade\" safety campaign and materials in English and Spanish.","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},6513873,"Clerk unveils Ballot Verifier and wins approval to redraw and split crowded precincts for 2026",3752,2465000,6217000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88&start=2465&end=6217","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88/thumbnail_2465000.jpg","/articles/6513873/El-Paso-County/Colorado/Clerk-unveils-Ballot-Verifier-and-wins-approval-to-redraw-and-split-crowded-precincts-for-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513873-bc4b51facba91247d1ec0eec8a9dae26/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579958&Signature=H8zVUn-E94vXXTcWVavKJyJZ0SyvhYyojOw8fPvn~Yq~0xFQ92rZFTVe5AwC9XUWnwFI-46lCWqDKm10sPKmRVOL1vdD6J1zAwlb8DHizjfZ~YIeKoGrcGV7QXmElud8Ah8IDFNewzEr80sh~LMspzxFHl~omgThMpdJGLOKwXJ3zUL4cPAGXlzieYKQOWnWDOKTAAM8keZmVT225F6yIoz-5rAERu2t9JJkTzuJ5p~drsyDjYcG~GqY8XAhQ0LuFthrVNwC6XfV93xTxN99fudmmmU1SZq-Uj9CC-IImtcEmLQaltTKPCgCckUVu0usSJC~awrmB8qj9Jj1dAqyxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution June 24 to split and adjust precinct boundaries ahead of the 2026 election cycle after a presentation from El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleicher on election transparency tools and precinct planning.

Schleicher told the board the county launched \"Ballot Verifier,\" a public portal that allows users to review scanned ballot images alongside the cast-vote record and to see when a bipartisan team of election judges adjudicated a ballot. \"Every citizen in El Paso County can audit any election, any race, any question on the ballot,\" Schleicher said during the presentation and a video demonstration. The clerk's office said Ballot Verifier applies to 2024 elections and beyond and will be uploaded to the public portal after results are certified.

Why this matters: Ballot image access and cast-vote records provide a means for independent verification of how ballots were read and tabulated. The clerk's office demonstrated that images and adjudication notes are available, showing the adjudication timeline for individual ballots and allowing researchers or voters to compare tabulation with scanned images.

Precinct changes: Schleicher and Angela (Angie) Leith, division manager for elections, explained the county must keep precincts to no more than 1,500 active voters under Colorado law (Colorado Revised Statutes 1-5-101). The county is growing rapidly; Schleicher said the county has more than 508,922 active voters and about 751,000 residents. The proposed changes target roughly 10 overpopulated precincts, mostly in fast-growing eastern parts of the county. For example, the precinct covering Fort Carson was restructured into two administrative precincts (810A and 810B) so no single precinct exceeds legal thresholds; Leith explained military installations receive the same ballot and the split is an administrative measure to comply with voter caps.

Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt the precinct boundary changes. Vice Chair Holly Williams moved approval; the motion passed on a roll call with all five commissioners voting in the affirmative.

Implementation timeline and outreach: Schleicher said implementation of approved boundary splits will occur in summer 2025 and the new precinct boundaries will be in effect for the 2026 election cycle, giving parties and voters time to adjust. The clerk's office will notify affected voters by postcard or letter and provide information to political parties so precinct leaders can be identified.

Security and records: Schleicher addressed security concerns raised during the meeting, saying tabulation machines are not connected to the internet and are secured in 24/7 monitored facilities and that bipartisan teams of election judges adjudicate ballots together. He also said the county retains ballot images and related records for the periods required by law and is working to upload older images (2020 and 2022) where available.

Public comment and related concerns: Several public-comment speakers from a volunteer group, United Sovereign Americans, presented claimed irregularity statistics and asked the board to adopt a resolution addressing election integrity. Schleicher invited those speakers to meet with his office and provide their data so staff can research it; he noted he had not yet reviewed the specific materials they offered at the meeting.

The board's action: The precinct-change resolution passed 5-0 and will be implemented ahead of the 2026 primary and general elections.","El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleicher demonstrated a new Ballot Verifier tool that lets citizens review ballot images and cast-vote records, and the Board of County Commissioners voted 5-0 to adopt precinct boundary changes and splits to meet Colorado law and prepare for projected growth ahead of 2026 elections.",{"_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},6513878,"El Paso County reports clean 2024 audit; auditors find no federal grant findings",262,842000,1104000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88&start=842&end=1104","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5066382-b151948c8a17a57499f0a40aa482ce88/thumbnail_842000.jpg","/articles/6513878/El-Paso-County/Colorado/El-Paso-County-reports-clean-2024-audit-auditors-find-no-federal-grant-findings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513878-b8ab00685720fabb1a2be0dd886022d6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773579958&Signature=RaA6deU8vRKSEQkZMEbTdERQbU916wtmVtmHK3z2mD9BKBg3jH0xNT97Vp9uyCBuG6frjt2l4gUubJ4BajxGP~nCj0fx1-ztGxMCCAdnIng3ArqX~T1RQga222SU61dggScup4icSLXDFLniQiUu4mT30GQT5E8jkp-fBom9xGvWrvKGzK2AybFSik0vkYL~qbO349dAGk~mYULF-T7zqCgegPNf8fI4tgHqZovNObldVc4WJRFQseGn7MdrVxjGSvbmqbDMzabcMvV4J-X93Q9xzP7fVTKcgTsuKifOLvsKF3daIdDnFvbtqk8ZNBxNQZxMXzKZyDBR-cUd~Fj9RA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners heard a presentation June 24 showing the county received an unmodified, or \"clean,\" opinion on its 2024 financial statements and no findings in the federal single-audit testing.

Nikki Simmons, El Paso County chief financial officer, told the board the audit reflects work across county departments and that \"we have a completely clean audit. There are no adjustments to it, and no findings on our federal, grant funding.\" Ted Williamson, a partner at RubinBrown, the outside auditors, told commissioners the firm \"did issue an unmodified or clean opinion on your financial statements.\" Williamson said RubinBrown did not identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in internal controls during the audit.

Why this matters: an unmodified opinion indicates the auditors concluded the county's financial statements are presented fairly under generally accepted accounting principles for governments. The single audit examines compliance with federal requirements for major grant programs; RubinBrown tested five programs in 2024 and reported no instances of noncompliance that rose to the level of a finding.

Key details: Williamson said the county expended $129,800,000 in federal awards in 2024. RubinBrown's single-audit testing focused on five programs selected by federal threshold and risk criteria: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, workforce innovation funding, child support enforcement, child care and development funds, and adoption assistance. Williamson told the board the single-audit results and the county's annual comprehensive financial report will be posted to the federal clearinghouse and become publicly available.

County reaction: Commissioners thanked county finance staff and the auditors for work that produced the clean report. Commissioner comments praised the finance division's yearlong effort; Vice Chair Holly Williams and others said they were \"very proud\" of the clean audit and thanked staff for being \"good stewards of taxpayers' dollars.\"

Background and next steps: No formal action was required; the item was presented under department and committee reports (nonaction). The county will publish the audited financial statements and single-audit report on the federal clearinghouse portal as RubinBrown described.

The auditors said they conducted the financial statement audit under Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB) principles and followed auditing standards of the AICPA and Government Accountability Office for single-audit work.","County Chief Financial Officer Nikki Simmons and auditors from RubinBrown told the Board of County Commissioners that the 2024 annual comprehensive financial report received an unmodified (clean) opinion and the single-audit testing of major federal programs produced no findings.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission proclaims July 4 and hears fireworks-safety briefing from TNT and state fire prevention staff

Clerk unveils Ballot Verifier and wins approval to redraw and split crowded precincts for 2026

El Paso County reports clean 2024 audit; auditors find no federal grant findings