Your county runs on
volunteers.
There are 30+ boards and commissions shaping El Paso County right now — from water policy to noxious weeds to how developers pay for roads. Most seats are filled by everyday residents. Some are empty. All of them are open to the public.
Boards Directory
30 boardsThe hub. Five elected commissioners who set policy, approve budgets, sign contracts, and make final decisions on everything from road projects to liquor licenses.
Governs the regional 911 system — staffing, technology, dispatch protocols, and funding across police, fire, and EMS.
Governing body for El Paso County Public Health. Sets public health policy, approves the agency budget, and appoints the executive director.
Manages the pension system for county employees — investment oversight, actuarial assumptions, and long-term fund health.
Educates residents on county work, serves as citizen ambassadors, and assesses progress on the County Strategic Plan and budget.
Reviews rezonings, subdivisions, and development plans before they go to commissioners. Nine regular members, up to five associates.
Handles appeals when builders or property owners dispute building code decisions or enforcement actions.
Reviews and sets standards for contractor licensing in the region. Makes sure the people building homes and commercial structures are actually qualified.
Reviews and recommends updates to local building codes as construction technology evolves.
Coordinates stormwater and drainage infrastructure between Colorado Springs and El Paso County. Water doesn't follow political boundaries.
Determines which offenders can safely be placed in the community and under what conditions. Reviews approximately 25 referred cases per week.
Reviews how federal CDBG money gets allocated — housing rehab, infrastructure in lower-income areas, public services. Federal law requires community input on these dollars.
Advises on federal CSBG funding targeting poverty reduction — utility assistance, job training, emergency services for low-income residents.
Supports the Colorado State University Extension office — agricultural education, 4-H programs, nutrition outreach, and research-based community programs.
Manages the legal and financial structure of the county fairgrounds as a separate entity. Significant assets, contracts, and liability benefit from dedicated corporate governance.
Advises on programming and events for the El Paso County Fair. Works with 4-H and FFA to ensure the fair reflects the community it serves.
A financing entity the county uses to issue Certificates of Participation — funding capital projects like the Northeast Sheriff's Substation without a traditional bond election.
Administers affordable housing — Section 8 vouchers, public housing, and housing assistance for low-income residents.
Connects county government with community organizations to bridge gaps between programs. Focuses on people who fall between service eligibility gaps.
Reviews cases involving juveniles in the justice system and recommends diversion, treatment, and supervision. Community involvement leads to significantly better outcomes.
Plans for hazardous materials emergencies — chemical spills, industrial accidents, infrastructure failures. Required by federal law under EPCRA.
Advises on management of invasive plant species across unincorporated county land. Note: must own 40+ acres in unincorporated El Paso County to serve.
Advises on county parks, open space, and recreational facilities. Parks decisions involve tradeoffs between development and preservation.
Coordinates services for older adults — transportation, meal programs, caregiver support, benefits counseling. Federally funded through the Older Americans Act.
Provides community-level input into regional planning decisions — transportation, land use, and demographic planning. Regional planning needs resident perspective, not just planners.
Governs the library district — budget, policy, facilities, and programming across all branches. The library district is its own independent taxing entity.
Coordinates water planning and legislative monitoring across multiple regional providers. In a high-desert region with complex water rights, this board prevents fragmented decision-making on a critical shared resource.
Provides public oversight of how PPRTA voter-approved sales tax dollars get spent on road and transit projects.
Oversees the Pioneer Village Public Improvement District. Note: must be taxpaying elector within the District.
Reviews and recommends the road impact fees developers pay when new construction adds traffic burden. Getting the math right determines whether growth pays for itself.
Community oversight of the Widefield water district, which has a significant history with PFAS contamination affecting local drinking water.
Oversees federal workforce funding — job training, career pathways, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center. Connects schools, employers, and job seekers.
Meeting Calendar
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Your Seat Is Empty
You used to have somewhere to be. This is somewhere to be.
El Paso County has more than 40 boards and commissions actively seeking volunteers. You don't need a law degree or a political background. You need to live here, care about something, and show up. Most meetings are once a month. Some are quarterly. The nap potential is real, and so is the impact.
