Guides - Story Seed Studios

Five guides. One room.

Land Use Episode 006 Companion

Nobody Told Laurel How Any of This Works.

The step-by-step map for how to participate in a land use hearing — from before an application is filed through the final vote and appeal. Built after Laurel Scowl showed up to a Board of County Commissioners meeting prepared, and got redirected because the process is invisible until you need it.

This guide covers

How to set up development alerts before a project is filed

How to build and submit an evidence binder

How to pool speaking time at a hearing

Colorado Open Records Act requests, certified mail, conflict of interest disclosure

What to do if the project passes — the 30-day appeal window

The Dais · Episode 006 — The Right Room Read the Guide →

Boards & Commissions Episode 000 Companion

Your County Runs on Volunteers

A directory of all 30+ El Paso County boards and commissions — what each one does, when it meets, and how to apply. Most seats are filled by everyday residents. Some are empty. All are open to the public. Includes the Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, Board of Health, Community Corrections, and more.

This guide covers

All 30+ active county boards with meeting times and locations

Current vacancies and how to apply

Which boards fund social services, housing, and public health

How to attend without being a board member

The Dais · Episode 000 — No One Gave You These Orders See All Boards →

Orientation The Map Companion

El Paso County — Newcomer's Civic Guide

A plain-language orientation to who governs what in El Paso County. Covers the difference between incorporated and unincorporated land, which body to contact for which problem, how the land use process works, and what red flags to watch for. Includes a full contacts directory and a quick reference table.

This guide covers

How to find out if you're in the city or unincorporated county

Board of County Commissioners, Planning Commission, City Council — who does what

Who to call for code enforcement, permits, roads, records

Red flags: consent agendas, short notice windows, jurisdictional bouncing

Complete contacts directory for all key county and city offices

The Dais · The Map — Special Edition Series Read the Guide →

Civic Participation The Map · Episode 2 Companion

How to Show Up — and What to Say

Real names. Real emails. The rooms that matter — and the room before the room. Built after Ambrocius Bodacious Bocephus arrived in El Paso County, tried every link, and eventually figured out what he had a right to ask for. The fixes are already in the budget. This guide tells you how to put them on the record.

This guide covers

The Planning Commission — the room before the room — and why it matters more

Ready-to-send email templates for Colorado Open Records Act requests

Copyable public comment questions for Board of County Commissioners meetings

Verified contacts for ADA compliance, open records, and the Clerk and Recorder

The ask for evening meetings — and how to put it on the record

The Dais · The Map — Episode 2 Read the Guide →

Financial Literacy The Import Economy · Curriculum

Lesson Zero — The Companion Curriculum

A four-part financial literacy curriculum for teenagers that connects personal budget math to how a city budget works. Starts with your own monthly spending. Ends with a letter to city council. All four workbooks are free, interactive, and printable. No civic interest required to start.

Four parts

Part A — How Much Do You Cost? (personal monthly budget)

Part B — What Are They Buying? (financial safety workbook)

Part C — What It Costs to Raise You (the family picture)

Summary + Jordan's Worksheets (sample docs and letter templates)

The Dais · The Import Economy Series Start with Part A →

Lesson Zero · All Five Parts

The curriculum, the worksheets, and the civic connection.

The math of a personal budget and the math of a city budget are structurally identical — money in, money out, the gap. Once you can read one, you can read the other. Lesson Zero is the bridge. Sample documents include a filled-in budget for a realistic 16-year-old in Colorado Springs, a future planning worksheet, and three versions of a letter to city council — from four-sentence first-timer to someone who keeps coming back.

Start with Part A Part B — Safety Part C — Your Year Summary Jordan's Worksheets

Who to contact and where to show up

Every number and link across all five guides in one place. Third Wednesday at 12:30 PM is the Community Development Advisory Committee — the most direct lever for organizations serving the people in these guides.

Quick reference contacts and links for El Paso County civic participation
What you need	Who / Where	Contact	Guide
Volunteer for a board	El Paso County Volunteer Office	Volunteer@elpasoco.com (719) 520-6555	Boards Guide
Attend a Board of County Commissioners meeting	Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade Ave · Tuesdays 9 AM	Read the agenda first	Newcomer's Guide
Community Development Advisory Committee	3rd Wednesday · 12:30 PM · 9 E. Vermijo Ave	Volunteer@elpasoco.com	Boards Guide
Track a development application	Development Application Review Portal	epcdevplanreview.com	Fight Guide
Request public records (Colorado Open Records Act)	Open Records Manager — Mike Madsen	MichaelMadsen@elpasoco.com (719) 520-6403	Show Up Guide
Submit planning comments	Planning & Community Development	PCDHearings@elpasoco.com	Fight Guide
File an ADA accessibility complaint	El Paso County ADA Coordinator	ADACompliance@ElPasoCo.com	Show Up Guide
Clerk and Recorder portal / records	Deputy Chief — Kristi Ridlen	KristiRidlen@elpasoco.com (719) 520-6226	Show Up Guide
Find your Board of County Commissioners district	BOCC website — district map	bocc.elpasoco.com	Newcomer's Guide
Find your special districts	Colorado Local Government Information System	dola.colorado.gov/lgis	Newcomer's Guide
Property tax assessment	El Paso County Assessor	assessor.elpasoco.com (719) 520-6600	Newcomer's Guide
Lesson Zero curriculum	The Dais · The Import Economy	Start with Part A	Import Economy
Submit a tip to The Dais	StorySeed Dropbox — anonymous accepted	dropbox.com/request/…	All guides
Human Trafficking Hotline	National Hotline — 24 hours, confidential	1-888-373-7888 · Text HELP to 233733	Lesson Zero Part B