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El Paso County commissioners spotlight services, tools during National County Government Month
Summary
El Paso County Commissioners Carrie Geithner and Corey Applegate used a county podcast to outline county services, new transparency tools and ways residents can engage during National County Government Month, highlighting roads, public safety and volunteer opportunities.
El Paso County Commissioner Carrie Geithner, El Paso County commissioner for District 2 and chair of the Board of Commissioners, and Commissioner Corey Applegate, District 4, outlined county services and outreach efforts during a podcast marking National County Government Month.
"National County Government Month is an opportunity for us to really talk to the community," Geithner said, describing the month as a chance to explain what county government does and how residents can connect with it. Commissioner Corey Applegate said he was surprised by "just how big everything is and the overall scope of it," citing the range of departments and services the county funds.
The commissioners highlighted several county priorities and tools. Geithner pointed to a new snowplow tracker on the county website and said the county has launched a public dashboard to increase transparency and accountability. She also said the county has invested "millions and millions of dollars" in improvements to unincorporated roads without raising taxes, using one-time funds and budget reprioritization to increase paving and maintenance efforts.
Both commissioners described public safety and emergency coordination as central county responsibilities. Applegate described the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management's role coordinating responses across municipalities for incidents such as fires, floods and heavy snow. Geithner said the county supports small, local fire districts by asking what they need rather than taking over operations.
On public engagement, commissioners promoted Citizen Connect, the county website and a Citizen College program for residents who want an in-depth look at county operations. Applegate encouraged residents to attend board meetings in person or by phone, saying, "Meetings are almost every Tuesday during the week, 09:00, Centennial Hall, 200 South Cascade Avenue. Please come down ... do public comment for 3 minutes." Geithner added that meetings are streamed on multiple platforms for those who cannot attend in person.
The commissioners also urged residents to apply for volunteer advisory boards—such as community corrections, block grant and parks boards—and to contact their commissioners or staff via Citizen Connect for non-meeting requests.
The podcast episode serves as an informational outreach tied to National County Government Month; commissioners urged residents to visit the county website at www.elpasoco.com and follow El Paso County social channels for more details.
