El Paso County launches free property‑fraud alerts; clerk highlights motor‑vehicle revenue and weekend services

El Paso County Clerk and Recorder Steve Schleicher said the office recently launched a free property‑fraud alert program that notifies property owners by email if deeds, liens or similar documents are filed under their name.

"We just launched a new property fraud program...you can sign up for this and go in if anything is filed a lien a quick claim deed ... you’ll get an automatic email letting you know something has been initiated," Schleicher said, inviting listeners to register at epcrecords.com and to track up to 10 name variations.

Schleicher framed the program as a taxpayer benefit that can help property owners avoid costly legal work to clear title if unauthorized filings occur. He said the county rolled out new camera systems and other transparency measures to reduce public‑records costs and provide instant access to evidence for residents who raise concerns.

On non‑election services, Schleicher said the motor‑vehicle department is on track to process “over a quarter billion dollars in revenue” this year but that the county retains about 3.9 percent of that total; most funds are forwarded to the Colorado Department of Revenue. He gave staffing numbers for the clerk and recorder’s office — about 175 employees, including roughly 135 full‑time and 35 part‑time staff — and said motor‑vehicle staff receive specialized training to detect title and document fraud and to coordinate with the state’s motor‑vehicle investigation unit when necessary.

The office operates multiple branches (Schleicher named Fort Carson, Union Town Center and a Citizen Service Center near Garden of the Gods) and provides Saturday hours (8 a.m.–1 p.m. at Union Town Center) so residents do not have to miss work for services such as titling, licenses and marriage certificates. He also described clerk‑to‑the‑board duties — preparing agendas, resolutions and administering the County Board of Equalization, the second level of property appeals — and noted the office administers marijuana licensing and other administrative functions.

Schleicher asked residents to contact county staff with questions and to use the online resources the office provides. The property‑fraud alert and other recent changes, he said, are intended to be low‑cost protections that save residents money and speed responses to potential fraud.