El Paso County proclaims April 2026 as National County Government Month; local businesses, veterans groups outline county support programs

The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously March 31 to proclaim April 2026 as National County Government Month and heard invited guests describe how county programs and partnerships support local businesses, veterans and residents.

Brianne Powers, representing Caliola Engineering, told the board that Colorado’s Enterprise Zone tax credits were “incredibly valuable for Caliola,” helping the woman‑owned firm expand its office and hire locally. Powers thanked Sarah Lobato and the El Paso County economic development team for support that she said made the expansion “seamless.”

Bob McLaughlin of Mount Carmel Veterans Center described the organization’s use of Community Development Block Grant funds to operate a wrap‑around model for veteran homelessness, pairing veterans with case managers and offering vocational training and behavioral‑health support. McLaughlin said the center’s Transitional Housing Initiative cohort has achieved an “88 percent retention” rate and cited an annual stand‑down event that typically reaches about 110 veterans.

Paula Linares, a constituent services specialist, urged wider adoption of the county’s CitizenConnect portal to file service requests and track cases. Linares said the tool has logged close to 43,000 service requests since 2018 and more than 6,500 in 2025 to date, with under 1,400 registered users overall; she described the portal as improving accountability and follow‑up.

Natalie Sosa, interim director of communications, highlighted a County Government Month website, downloadable activity book for students and options for classroom participation. Sosa directed residents to www.elpasoco.com for materials and noted additional outreach coordinated with economic development.

Commissioners praised departmental work in veterans services, public works, human services and communications and said the month is an opportunity for civic education. The board approved the proclamation on a 5–0 roll call and recessed briefly for a photograph.

The county’s proclamation text, read into the record, cites El Paso County as Colorado’s most populous county with “over 750,000 residents,” notes county investments in roads and infrastructure, and enumerates services provided by county departments. The proclamation urges residents to access county programs through open houses and digital engagement during April.