April 29, 2026 – El Paso County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) is providing the following road and construction updates for the week.

Ford Street Drainage Improvement Project

• Beginning on April 28, Ford Street will be closed between Galley Road and Seneca Road as part of an ongoing drainage improvements project near the intersection of Ford Street and Seneca Road. Drivers are advised to use Valley Street, Omaha Boulevard, Seneca Road, and Hathaway Drive during this closure.
• View the Ford Street Drainage Improvement Project webpage.

Beacon Lite Road Project

• Beginning on Monday, May 4, northbound Beacon Lite Road will be closed between Wakonda Way and Bricker Road as part of an ongoing project to upgrade Beacon Lite Road from gravel to asphalt, and improve curves, grades, and drainage. Northbound drivers are advised to detour via Wakonda Way, Aries Drive, Indi Drive, and Palmer Divide Road during this closure.
• View the Beacon Lite Road Project webpage.

El Paso County wishes to thank drivers in advance for their cooperation.

Safety Reminders:

• Please reduce speeds in and around work zone.
• Watch for workers, equipment, signs, and barricades.

Short-notice traffic or construction changes are shared as DPW Traffic & Construction Alerts on the County’s official social media channels and will appear in the following week’s “Weekly Update”.

For information about additional ongoing projects:

• visit the DPW Projects page
• check out the Cone Zone Map
• email: dotweb@elpasoco.com

El Paso County, Colorado, April 27, 2026 – The El Paso County Department of Public Works is proud to announce it has successfully completed the American Public Works Association (APWA) accreditation evaluation process and has been recommended for accreditation, a nationally recognized distinction that reflects excellence in public works leadership, management, and service delivery.

With this achievement, El Paso County is poised to become only the second county public works agency in Colorado to receive APWA accreditation, placing the Department among an elite group of agencies across North America committed to the highest standards of professionalism and operational performance.

APWA accreditation recognizes agencies that operate at a high level across nationally recognized management practices, reflecting excellence in leadership, service delivery, and operational performance.

“This achievement is a testament to the professionalism, dedication, and commitment of our entire Public Works team,” said Jack Ladley, Executive Director of Public Works. “Successfully completing the evaluation and receiving a recommendation for accreditation affirms that our department not only meets nationally recognized best practices, but is consistently delivering high quality services to the residents of El Paso County.”

Earning this recommendation required the Department to complete a comprehensive self assessment followed by a rigorous, independent evaluation conducted by a team of experienced public works professionals.

The Department demonstrated 100 percent compliance across nearly 300 nationally recognized management practices, spanning all major areas of public works operations, including:

• Strategic leadership and resource management
• Workforce capability and employee development
• Safety, risk management, and operational resilience
• Emergency preparedness and response readiness
• Infrastructure stewardship and long term asset management
• Customer service and community engagement

The accreditation process requires agencies to provide clear, documented evidence that policies and procedures are not only established but actively implemented and sustained. Final accreditation is awarded by the APWA Accreditation Council following review of the evaluation results.

“This milestone reflects our commitment to delivering high quality public services and being responsible stewards of public resources,” said Jeff Manchester, Deputy County Engineer and Accreditation Manager. “Achieving full compliance across nearly 300 nationally recognized management practices is a direct result of the discipline, coordination, and dedication of the El Paso County Public Works team.”

Upon final approval, El Paso County will join a select group of accredited public works agencies across North America. This designation not only validates current practices, but also provides a framework for ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement to better serve the community.

For more information about APWA accreditation, visit www.apwa.org.

El Paso County, Colorado, April 24, 2026 – The El Paso County Department of Public Works (DPW) Fleet Division has again been named one of the NAFA 100 Best Fleets in the Americas for 2026, earning a ranking of #37—an improvement from #65 in 2025. The recognition reflects the Division’s continued focus on reliable, cost-effective fleet services that support essential County operations.

The NAFA program evaluates fleet operations on leadership, efficiency, safety, innovation, and workforce development. El Paso County’s improved ranking highlights steady progress in each of these areas.

The Fleet Division maintains vehicles and equipment used across County departments, helping ensure services like road maintenance and public safety operations run without interruption. By keeping equipment reliable and managing costs, the Division helps departments serve residents efficiently and responsibly.

Recent efforts include expanding training and certification opportunities for staff, improving how data is used to plan vehicle replacements and control costs, and refining shop processes to reduce downtime. Collaboration with internal partners has also helped align resources and priorities to strengthen overall service delivery.

“This recognition reflects the work our team puts in every day to keep County operations running reliably,” said Chris Reynolds, Fleet Division Manager. “Our focus is on supporting the people who depend on these services by maintaining a fleet that is safe, efficient, and ready when it’s needed.”

Jack Ladley, Executive Director of the Department of Public Works, added, “This improved ranking shows the value of consistent, well-managed operations. The Fleet Division is helping ensure taxpayer resources are used effectively while supporting the services residents rely on.”

The Department of Public Works supports critical infrastructure and services across El Paso County, including maintaining the vehicles and equipment that keep operations moving safely and efficiently.

More information is available at publicworks.elpasoco.com/fleet-management/

April 21, 2026 – As winter weather recedes and construction season begins, the El Paso County Department of Public Works is encouraging residents to use its online “Cone Zone Map” to stay informed about roadway projects and permitted work that may affect travel.

Spring and summer are the busiest months for paving, preservation, drainage improvements, and other capital projects across the county. While this work can create temporary delays, these improvements are essential to maintaining safe, reliable roads and extending the life of public infrastructure.

El Paso County maintains more than 2,400 lane miles of paved roads and uses a Pavement Condition Index (PCI), a scale from 1 to 100, to measure the overall health of the roadway network. Through a strategic focus on preservation, the County works to improve roadway conditions each year and make cost-effective investments that extend the life of existing roads. Every $1 spent on maintenance today can save $6 to $10 in future reconstruction costs.

“Construction season is when we address winter damage, complete planned paving work, and advance long-term infrastructure improvements,” said Joshua Palmer, El Paso County Engineer. “Guided by our strategic planning and data-driven approach to measuring road conditions, the Cone Zone Map gives residents a clear picture of where County-led projects and permitted work are occurring so they can plan ahead and better understand the work taking place in their community.”

The Cone Zone Map provides a GIS-based view of:

• Active El Paso County Department of Public Works construction projects
• Active permits issued by the County for work occurring in the public right-of-way that may impact traffic
• Planned, current, and previous years’ paving, preservation, and capital improvement projects and studies

The map is updated as projects and permits move into active construction phases and is intended to help residents anticipate traffic impacts and plan routes accordingly. It complements project-specific notifications and other public outreach efforts.

Residents are encouraged to check the Cone Zone Map throughout construction season to stay informed about roadway activity in their area.

To view the Cone Zone Map, visit: https://epcdpw.maps.arcgis.com/apps/dashboards/972b351cd72f4343892e0f3944556117

El Paso County thanks residents for their patience and cooperation as crews work to maintain and improve the county’s roadway network throughout the construction season.

For more information and questions:

Website: www.elpasoco.com

Email: dotweb@elpasoco.com

Watch the video: https://vimeo.com/1185303970/6d3704c495?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

April 14, 2026 – The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners approved updates to the Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Program Criteria and Stormwater Ordinance.

The updates reflect evolving state and federal requirements under the Clean Water Act and ensure the County’s stormwater program remains aligned with current water quality standards while protecting the community for the long term.

“While these updates are driven by state requirements, we’ve been intentional about how they are applied—keeping them clear, practical, and informed by input from engineers, builders, and our state partners, said Carrie Geitner, Chair, El Paso County Board of County Commissioners. “Good policy both protects our waterways and allows for productive land use to meet the needs of our community.”

Stormwater runoff — rain and snowmelt that flows over roads, rooftops, and developed land — can carry pollutants into local creeks and downstream waterways if not properly managed. Since 2003, El Paso County has operated under a state-issued Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, which establishes standards for stormwater management to protect water quality, reduce flooding risks, and safeguard public infrastructure.

A central component of the update is the revision of technical standards for stormwater quality and erosion control, which apply to both private development and public projects. The revisions clarify requirements, strengthen inspection and documentation standards, improve alignment with state regulations, define long-term maintenance expectations, and add a new permit option for builders. The County worked closely with engineers, builders, and state partners to enhance clarity, consistency, and usability in the updated criteria.

The Board also approved updates to the County’s Stormwater Ordinance to align with state requirements and provide clear, consistent procedures for administering construction and post-construction stormwater standards. The amendments clarify enforcement and abatement processes and establish an inspection fee that applies only when follow-up inspections are necessary due to unresolved compliance issues. The fee is not applied to compliant projects and is intended to recover the cost of additional inspections — not to generate revenue.

“These updates help protect our local creeks and downstream waterways while ensuring development happens responsibly,” said Joshua Palmer, El Paso County Engineer. “By setting clear expectations and applying them consistently, we reduce long-term maintenance costs, protect public infrastructure, and support sustainable growth in our community.”

As statewide stormwater requirements continue to evolve, these actions ensure the County remains aligned with permit obligations while protecting natural resources that contribute to residents’ quality of life.

For more information about El Paso County’s Stormwater Program, visit the Department of Public Works website.

April 8, 2026 – Beginning April 9, 2026, El Paso County will implement new lane reductions on Struthers Road, along with continued traffic shifts on North Gate Boulevard near its intersection with Struthers Road, as part of an ongoing stormwater improvement project.

Northbound and southbound traffic on Struthers Road will be reduced to one lane in each direction just north of the North Gate Boulevard intersection. Westbound traffic on North Gate Boulevard will continue to be reduced to one lane through the project area.

Drivers should expect minor delays in the vicinity of the North Gate Boulevard and Struthers Road intersection. Alternative routes are advised during this work. Additional traffic impacts may occur as construction progresses.

Updates will be provided periodically throughout the duration of the project. Please refer to the map below for general traffic impacts.

Safety Reminders:

• Reduce speeds in and around the work zone.
• Watch for workers, equipment, signs, and barricades.

El Paso County wishes to thank drivers in advance for their cooperation.

For more information and questions:

Website: www.elpasoco.com

Email: dotweb@elpasoco.com

April 7, 2026 –

The El Paso County Board of Commissioners is seeking a community-minded citizen volunteer to serve on the El Paso County Housing Authority Board.

The Housing Authority Board is currently seeking one new member with knowledge and experience related to multifamily housing finance and/or development.

The El Paso County Housing Authority was established in 1993 by the Board of County Commissioners to help promote the availability of affordable, accessible housing in the county for persons of limited means. The Authority is composed of five commissioners appointed by the County Commissioners and is staffed by the County’s Economic Development Department. While the Authority was formed as a public housing authority pursuant to HUD guidelines, it was not established as a “typical” public housing authority to own public housing or administer HUD programs. Instead, it was formed to advise the Board of County Commissioners on matters regarding the issuance of bonds for the acquisition, construction, and rehabilitation of single and multi-family residential housing to provide more affordable housing opportunities for residents. In addition, the Housing Authority manages the Housing Trust Fund, which was established to provide funding to agencies with experience in the design and administration of innovative programs that address local housing needs.

Meetings are typically held on the second Wednesday of the month at 12:00pm (as necessary) at the Economic Development Office at 9 East Vermijo, Colorado Springs, CO.

The volunteer application is located at www.elpasoco.com and can be accessed at: https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer

Send completed applications to:

Board of El Paso County Commissioners

Attn: BCA

200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 100

Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2208

volunteer@elpasoco.com

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www.ElPasoCo.com

March 25, 2026 – The Board of El Paso County Commissioners is seeking a community-minded citizen volunteer to serve on the Fairgrounds Corporation.

The Fairgrounds Corporation is a non-profit corporation established by the Board of El Paso County Commissioners to acquire, manage, and/or hold a liquor license assigned to the El Paso County Fairgrounds; to support the use of the El Paso County Fairgrounds for special events which the consumption of alcohol is desired; and through its operation, to provide funding to support the El Paso County Fair, the El Paso County Fair and Events Complex, and the El Paso County 4-H program.

Meetings are held on the second Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at Swink Hall on the El Paso County Fairgrounds, 366 10th St Calhan, CO.

The volunteer application is located at www.elpasoco.com and can be accessed at: https://bocc.elpasoco.com/volunteer

Send completed applications to:

Board of El Paso County Commissioners

Attn: BCA

200 S. Cascade Ave., Suite 100

Colorado Springs, CO 80903-2208

volunteer@elpasoco.com

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www.ElPasoCo.com