Your go-to source for news, information, and resources about El Paso County Government.
Welcome to the El Paso County Media Relations Hub
We created this guide to help our media partners navigate El Paso County government and connect with the people and information
needed for accurate, timely reporting. Inside, you’ll find a quick overview of County services and responsibilities, key contacts, and
guidance for directing your requests.
Our Promise to You:
- Timely Information: We pledge to provide prompt and accurate responses to your inquiries.
- Open Access: You will have access to a wealth of resources, including press releases, media kits, and direct contacts within the county government.
- Regular Updates: Expect frequent briefings on county initiatives, decisions, and events.
- Support for Special Requests: We are ready to assist with any specific information needs, including interviews and special coverage.
Who We Are
El Paso County, Colorado, serves more than 750,000 residents across more than 2,100 square miles in the Pikes Peak region. From mountain communities to urban neighborhoods and eastern plains, the County encompasses eight incorporated cities and towns, along with unincorporated communities. Colorado Springs is the county seat.
The County is governed by a five-member Board of County Commissioners, with each commissioner elected to represent one of five geographic districts. The Board establishes policy and sets direction for County government. The County Administrator oversees daily departmental operations and implements the Board’s direction. Separately elected officials, including the Assessor, Clerk and Recorder, Coroner, Sheriff, Surveyor, and Treasurer, lead offices with distinct responsibilities.
County services touch everyday life through road maintenance, parks and open spaces, human services, elections, property assessment, public safety, emergency management, and veterans services. Some services reach residents countywide, while others, such as land use review, focus on unincorporated areas outside city and town boundaries.
How We Lead
Public trust depends on clear information and accountable government. El Paso County’s five core values guide how we serve our community and provide a foundation for our work with the media. We respect journalists’ independent role in informing residents, asking questions, and examining public decisions. County core values.
Service Focused:
We help reporters find the right contacts, understand County services, and access information that matters to residents.
Accountable
We take questions seriously and help explain County decisions, the use of public resources, and progress toward our goals.
Transparent
We communicate openly, provide useful context, and help reporters locate public information. When information cannot be shared, we explain the limitation.
Collaborative
We coordinate across departments and offices to connect reporters with knowledgeable sources, while respecting editorial independence.
Trustworthy
We prioritize accuracy, communicate honestly about what is known and what is still being verified, and address errors promptly.
Connecting with the El Paso County - Who to Contact
For Media Inquiries:
For media inquiries, interview requests, statements, or help identifying the right County contact, reach our team at:
Email: epcpio@elpasoco.com
Phone: 719-992-0090
Please include your outlet, topic, specific questions, deadline, and any interview needs so we can coordinate a response.
The Communications Executive Director or their designee serves as the County’s official spokesperson. Our department coordinates media requests for the following offices and departments:
- Board of County Commissioners
- County Administrator
- County Attorney
- Assessor
- Coroner
- Surveyor
- Treasurer and Public Trustee
- Public Works
- Economic Development
- Facilities
- Financial Services
- Digital, Strategy and Technology
- Government Affairs
- Human Resources
- Community Resources
- Parks
- Planning and Community Development
- Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management
- Colorado Workforce Pikes Peak
Colorado Open Records Act (CORA)
To request public records, visit El Paso County’s Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) page for the request form, records contacts, and guidance on office-specific procedures. The page also provides information about processing timelines and applicable fees.
For questions about CORA or to follow up on a request, contact:
El Paso County Open Records Manager
Michael Madsen | Open Records Manager
(719) 520-6403 | MichaelMadsen@elpasoco.com
A formal CORA request may not be necessary.
Additional County Media Contacts
El Paso County Clerk & Recorder’s Office
Kristi Ridlen | Chief Deputy and Communications & PR Manager
719-520-6226 (O) | 719-216-6580 (C) | krisitridlen@elpasoco.com
Quinn Ritzdorf | Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
719-520-7312 (O) | 719-644-8862 (C) | quinnritzdorf@elpasoco.com
Requests handled and additional guidance:
The Clerk and Recorder is one of the most public-facing offices in the county, with thousands of citizen transactions a day across four departments – Clerk to the Board, Elections, Motor Vehicle, and Recording.
- Clerk to the Board oversees Commissioner meetings, liquor and medical marijuana licensing, and property tax appeals.
- Elections conducts elections and maintains the county’s voter registration rolls.
- Motor Vehicle provides transactions for vehicle registrations, driver’s licenses, and other services.
- Recording provides marriage licenses, deeds, document recording, and access to plat maps.
Please include in your request the topic of your story and what information you are looking for. If you are trying to reach us after hours, please contact Kristi Ridlen at 719-216-6580.
El Paso County Department of Human Services
Paul Myers-Bennett | Communications & Public Relations Manager
719-444-5533 | PaulMyers-Bennett@elpasoco.com
Requests handled and additional guidance:
The El Paso County Department of Human Services (EPCDHS) responds to media inquiries related to child welfare and child protection; adult protective services; foster care, kinship care, and adoption; food, cash, medical, and child care assistance programs; adult financial and long-term care programs; child support services; and other programs that support the safety, stability, and independence of children, adults, and families. Additional information about EPCDHS programs and services is available at humanservices.elpasoco.com.
Media inquiries, including requests for interviews with DHS leadership, staff, or subject-matter experts, are coordinated through Communications & Public Relations Manager Paul Myers-Bennett at 719-444-5533 or PaulMyers-Bennett@elpasoco.com. EPCDHS administrative hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
To help us respond efficiently, reporters are encouraged to include the subject of the inquiry, specific questions, deadline, preferred response format, and contact information. Providing as much advance notice as possible allows EPCDHS time to identify the appropriate subject-matter expert and provide the most complete and accurate response possible.
Note: Because many DHS programs involve confidential client information, state and federal privacy laws may limit what EPCDHS can disclose regarding specific child welfare, public assistance, or individual client matters. When case-specific information cannot be provided, EPCDHS will make every effort to provide relevant general information about programs, processes, policies, or available aggregate data.
4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office
Kate Singh | Chief Communications Officer
719-520-6084 | katesingh@da4colorado.gov
Requests handled and additional guidance:
CCJRA/CORA requests can be made here: https://www.da4colorado.gov/ccjra/cora-requests
Additional information can be found at https://www.da4colorado.gov/media
El Paso County Public Health
J. Adrian Stanley | Communications and Public Relations Manager
719-505-0909 | AdrianStanley@elpasoco.com
Requests handled and additional guidance:
The El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) Communications Program is available to respond to your questions about local public health programs, services and topics. EPCPH is comprised of five divisions: Community Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Response, Environmental Health, Clinical Services, and Strategy, Data and Communications. To learn more about EPCPH programs and services, please visit elpasocountyhealth.org.
To create a media request, please contact EPCPH Communications and Public Relations Manager Adrian Stanley at 719-505-0909 or AdrianStanley@elpasoco.com. EPCPH hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. While the Communications Program tries to accommodate all requests when possible, late-day and after-hours requests may be more difficult to fulfill due to staff availability. Please allow lead time whenever possible.
When making a request, please include questions, deadline, whether you would like an interview or written response, and how you would like to conduct the interview (call, video call, in-person, etc.). If you require any specific accommodations for the interview, please include those details at the time of the request.
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
epsopio@elpasoco.com
Business Hours (non-emergency): 719-520-7141
After hours (emergency on-call): 719-701-1859
Requests handled and additional guidance:
Inquiries regarding operational and detention services in El Paso County.
Emergency messaging will always be sent out via X and email.
OUR VISION
El Paso County will be a trusted regional leader known for excellence in county service delivery.
