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Organizers outline May 17 Jeep off-road festival; county staff asked to study funding and logistics
Summary
Twin City Off Road Team presented a proposal for a one-day Jeep/off-road festival on May 17, 2025, seeking county assistance with promotion, safety planning and possible seed funding; Commissioners directed administration to analyze projected economic impact, logistics and potential funding sources and report back.
Organizers of a proposed Jeep off-road festival told the El Paso County Commissioners Court on Thursday they plan a one-day event on Saturday, May 17, 2025, east of the former Mount Shadow Lake and asked the court to consider supporting preliminary promotion, safety coordination and seed funding.
Yacmin “Yoko” Yee, founder and president of Twin City Off Road Team, described the event as a sanctioned “Jeep” festival with divisions for stock, modified and open vehicles and a festival area for vendors and sponsors. Todd (who gave his nickname as “Alaska”) told the court the organizers expect regional teams to attend and estimated 300–500 vehicles in year one, rising in subsequent years.
Why it matters: organizers projected direct event revenues of $50,000–$95,000 from fees, camping and merchandising (organizers’ estimate) and argued indirect spending on lodging, fuel and restaurants could multiply that local impact. County staff flagged the short lead time but supported a limited study of return on investment and logistics before any funding decision.
Organizers gave a preliminary budget and asks: $10,000–$15,000 for advertising and promotion, $5,000–$10,000 as seed money for obstacle construction, and additional in-kind coordination for parking, signage and safety. They described other estimated costs and revenue models and said initial projections assume 3 people per vehicle for overnight stays.
County staff described steps already taken or planned: Chandler Mills and the judge’s office said the district attorney’s office can issue Uber vouchers for impaired attendees; fire marshal and constable offices are reviewing permit and public-safety needs; the sheriff’s office and EMS would be asked to provide presence or mutual-aid support; the county’s economic development staff and Destination El Paso can assist with promotion and lodging coordination. County staff said they will work with the organizers, reach out to Horizon City and Destination El Paso, and return to the court with a preliminary ROI and a recommendation on possible funding and operational support.
Court action: no vote was taken. The court asked administration to compile numbers and logistics and to report back quickly given the event date. Organizers were told to expect additional follow-up from county staff.
