Strategic Plan Successes

To the left of the image are 3 scenic images showing the skyline, the el paso county seal in the middle, and to the left the words El Paso County Colorado, Our Core Values

We have collaboratively updated the El Paso County Strategic Plan, creating a flexible framework that adapts to community drivers. This strategic plan serves as our primary guide for consistent decision-making.

Accountability is fundamental to our strategic plan. It features a dashboard of performance indicators and measures to ensure we remain on track and accountable. Our success is gauged by our progress, and we are committed to working together toward this goal.

Our core principles and values tell the story of El Paso County as a whole, our employees, and our community. We are proud of who we are and honored to serve our community with excellence.

OBJECTIVE SUCCESSES

INFRASTRUCTURE OBJECTIVE

Infrastructure Objective

Sustainably fund, manage, and improve public-owned infrastructure.

“This initiative is a testament to our Core Value of transparency. With the baseline assessments we now have, we’re positioned to make data-informed decisions that will support our citizens now and, in the years, to come.” – Sunny Bryant

Infrastructure Successes

  1. Complete a comprehensive inventory and condition assessment of public-owned infrastructure including Parks, Facilities, Fleet, Stormwater, and Roads.
    • Detailed Accomplishments:
      1. Completed a comprehensive inventory of public-owned infrastructure, significantly improving the management and maintenance of Parks, Facilities, Fleet, Stormwater, and Roads.
      2. Completed a comprehensive condition assessment of Roads, Fleet, and Facilities and identified gaps in condition assessment for Stormwater and Parks.
      3. Contracted with outside vendors to do a condition assessment of stormwater conveyance systems and to complete a Stormwater Master Plan/Capital Improvement Project Plan.
      4. Contracted with outside vendors to complete a comprehensive asset inventory and condition assessment for Parks.
      5. Continue to assess data from inventory and condition assessments and improve the quality of data.
  2. Implement a Comprehensive Asset Management Program.
    • Detailed Accomplishments:
      1. Finalizing an Asset Management Policy to direct and empower County staff to perform and participate in Asset Management best practices, improvements, and ongoing support.
      2. Will use the Asset Management Policy as a guideline to help develop the overall Asset Management Program.
      3. Completed the consolidation of positions from Parks into Public Works to establish a unified Asset Management Team. This streamlined operations and allowed for the expertise of the team to be used in multiple asset classes. In 2026, this team will also bring in the Facilities asset class allowing for a unified approach.
  3. Develop Infrastructure Asset Management Plans for each of the five major asset classes.
    • Detailed Accomplishments:
      1. Finalized a Strategic Asset Management Plan (SAMP) to discuss countywide assets.
      2. Finalized a Tactical Asset Management Plan (TAMP) for each of the five major asset categories.
      3. Identifying gaps in data and develop plans to address those gaps.
      4. Will continue to update plans as data becomes available.
  4. Define a multi-year financial strategy to determine how multi-year capital plans and operations/maintenance costs drive annual budget appropriation schedules to meet stated service levels.
    • Detailed Accomplishments:
      1. Gathering Data received from the Strategic Asset Management Plan and the Tactical Asset Management Plans to identify recommended funding levels, recommended prioritization of asset types and conditions, and comparing that to available funds to determine the best financial strategy.
      2. Performing condition assessment of stormwater and park assets to inform long-range planning efforts.
  5. Metrics and Impact
    • Working with Communications team to continue to share the work being done.
    • Visit elpasoco.com/strategic-plan-dashboard to view the county’s progress toward its long-term strategic goals

Infrastructure Awards

Public Works:​​

2024

  • Colorado Asphalt Paving Association (CAPA) – Best in Class – Asphalt Preservation Program.
  • Colorado Asphalt Paving Association (CAPA) – Best in Class – Asphalt Overlay Program
  • National Association of Counties – Achievement Award – Local Road Safety Plan.
  • National Association of Counties – Achievement Award – DPW Connects Program.
  • National Association of Counties – Achievement Award – Workforce Development Program.

2025

  • National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) – 100 Best Fleets in the Americas Award

2026

  • American Public Works Association (APWA) – Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award
  • National Association of Fleet Administrators (NAFA) – 100 Best Fleets in the Americas Award (#37, up from #65 in 2025)

Community Services/ Parks:​

2024

  • National Association of Counties – Achievement Award – Kite Festival
  • National Association of County Park & Recreation Officials – Universal Accessibility Category – Bear Creek Nature Center’s Visually Impaired Person (VIP) Trail
  • Visit Colorado Springs Excellence in Inclusion Award – Trailability, VIP, and all!
  • Trails and Open Space Coalition Trail Inclusivity Champion Award – Trailability, VIP, and all!
  • Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs – Summit Awards: First Place – Fair Flyer
  • Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs – Summit Awards: First Place – Fair Photo Person/Animal
  • Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs – Summit Awards: First Place – Fair Photo Other
  • Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs – Summit Awards: Second Place – Fair Guide
  • International Association of Fair and Events – Fairs under 100,000: First Place: Hall of Honors Communications Award – Social Media (Sensory Day)
  • International Association of Fair and Events – Fairs under 100,000: Second Place: Non-Fair Facility Usage Award Event Designed to Educate (Traffic Safety Event in partnership with Calhan School)
  • International Association of Fair and Events – Fairs under 100,000: Third Place: Innovation in Sponsorship Award – Sponsor Exposure (Ed Green Construction)
  • International Association of Fair and Events – Fairs under 100,000: Second Place: Innovation in Sponsorship Award – Community Impact (Autism Society of Colorado/Sensory Day)

2025

  • American Society of Landscape Architects – Merit Award for Analysis and Planning for the Paint Mines Interpretive Park Master Plan
  • National Association of Counties – Achievement Award – Volunteer Restoration Crew
  • Visit Colorado Springs – Sustainability In Action Award – Fountain Creek Nature Center
  • Rocky Mountain Association of Fairs – 1st Place: Photograph with People
  • International Association of Fairs and Events – 1st Place: Non‑Fair Facility Usage – Event

SERVICE QUALITY OBJECTIVE

Service Quality Objective

Improve the quality of county services with a qualified and engaged workforce dedicated to continuous improvement.

“Our commitment aligns with El Paso County’s Strategic Plan, focusing on the cornerstone of our mission: to improve the quality of County services with a qualified and engaged workforce dedicated to continuous improvement.” – Stacie Kwitek

Service Quality Successes

  1. Innovation Awards: Completed the inaugural cycle of nominations and selections, with the first annual luncheon scheduled for October.
  2. Solution Box: Implemented revised categories to enhance data collection.
  3. Employee Portal: Recommended updates to better showcase employee recognition opportunities.
  4. 30/60/90/365 Day Surveys: Revised our 30/60/90 Day Surveys and introduced a one-year survey to support retention during this critical milestone.
  5. Results That Matter Video: Recommended an agency-wide video to highlight achievements and celebrate successes across all Administrative Departments.
  6. Collaborated on Voice of Customer Efforts: Provided representation in mapping initiatives to improve understanding of the customer experience.
  7. Metrics and Impact: Highlight specific outcomes from these initiatives, such as improved employee satisfaction scores, reduction in onboarding time, or increased retention rates.

Service Quality Awards

Justice Services:

2023

  • NACo – El Paso County Community Corrections Video Victim Impact Statement Project

COMMUNITY TRUST OBJECTIVE

Community Trust Objective

Strengthen community trust through improved communications and transparency.

“A cornerstone achievement was the creation of dual platforms for our Strategic Plan Framework – an internal portal for employees and an external site accessible through the County website. This dual approach ensures that both our team and the public are well-informed and engaged with our strategic initiatives.” -Crystal LaTier

Community Trust Successes

  1. Voice of Customer Platform (In Progress): Launched a procurement process for a countywide Voice of Customer platform to create a consistent, agency-wide approach to gathering and responding to community feedback. Advances community trust by improving transparency, responsiveness, and ensuring resident voices directly inform decision-making.

  1. Four Factors of Trust (Implementation Planning): Developed a plan to integrate the Four Factors of Trust—civility, transparency, capability, and reliability—into employee development programs, with a dedicated training rollout beginning in 2026. Advances community trust by promoting consistent, respectful service and reinforcing clear, reliable communication across all departments.

  1. Citizen Connect (Program Development & Testing): Expanded Citizen Connect through customer journey mapping, internal system testing, and stakeholder engagement, including an upcoming focus on KPI development. Advances community trust by improving how residents interact with county services and increasing transparency in service delivery.

  1. Citizen College (Program Growth): Exceeded participation goals with 62 residents in 2025, a 37% increase over 2024. Advances community trust by increasing community awareness, understanding, and engagement with county operations.

  1. Ambassador Program (Awareness & Outreach Integration): Aligned outreach efforts to support the future Ambassador Program, identifying opportunities to expand awareness of county services and resources. Advances community trust by strengthening community partnerships and improving access to information.

  1. Online Services Expansion (DHS & Clerk and Recorder): Increased utilization of online services through improved communication and transparency around available digital tools in the Department of Human Services and Clerk and Recorder’s Office. Advances community trust by enhancing accessibility, efficiency, and visibility of county services.

Community Trust Awards

Communications:

2024

  • 3CMA Award of Excellence – PACT ACT Claims Clinic Communications Plan.

Financial Services:​

2024

  • GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award – El Paso County’s 2024 Budget Book. ​
  • GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award – EPC Public Health’s 2024 Budget Book. ​
  • NACo’s Best in Category for Financial Management Award – Digital transparency dashboard created for ARPA funding.

HEALTH AND SAFETY OBJECTIVE

Health and Safety Objective

Foster partnerships to support community efforts to improve health and safety.

“With the aid of our public-facing dashboard, we plan to unify these initiatives. This will allow our citizens to gain a comprehensive understanding of what we are working towards, and it will illuminate the broader picture of our efforts.” – Pete Carey

Health and Safety Successes

Detailed Accomplishments:

  • Focused efforts on better collecting and understanding county-wide efforts within health and safety initiatives across the County.

Health and Safety Awards

Planning:

2024

  • Code Enforcement Officials (CACEO) Juan Eagle Award