Applegate and Wysong Return to RSF

On Wednesday, June 18, 2025, County Commissioners Cory Applegate (CCD4) and Bill Wysong (CCD3) met with our membership to provide updates on their roles and the various committees and boards they serve on.

Cory Applegate’s Update

Cory discussed the integration of AI into El Paso County’s emergency strategic management planning. This technology will enhance tracking of wind patterns during storms and wildfires. He also shared that State Senator Larry Liston successfully advocated for reclassifying nuclear energy sources as safe. Colorado Springs Utilities is exploring nuclear options to replace decommissioned plants, such as Ray Nixon.

Cory provided insights into the Board of Health’s activities. Some citizens have expressed interest in a “10th Amendment-like” approach to prevent overreach in the event of another “plandemic,” citing concerns about mRNA vaccines and lockdowns. Members asked about the authority of county commissioners to exercise local control. Cory noted that the Board of Health is revising its strategic plans, and citizens are invited to attend the next meeting on June 25, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. on the third floor of the Citizens Service Center.

He also highlighted vacancies on county boards and encouraged members to visit www.elpasoco.com to view open positions and apply.

Bill Wysong’s Update

Bill shared details about his “Coffee with the Commissioner” events, with the next scheduled for Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. at Wesley Owen’s Coffee & Café near the Woodmoor Library in Monument. He announced that the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (www.pproem.com) has leased the Ladris AI tool, licensed for all fire districts, to model “what-if” scenarios and plan effective evacuations.

Bill also discussed his involvement in civil defense, noting that Colorado Springs is a potential target. Despite national security measures like the “Iron Dome” proposed in the One Big Beautiful Bill, local preparedness remains critical for scenarios where defenses are breached.

Q&A Session

Both commissioners opened the floor for questions. One member asked via text whether Colorado taxpayers might receive TABOR refunds due to increased state tax revenue from marijuana sales. Bill clarified that this decision is made at the state level, outside the county commissioners’ purview. He also noted that, despite El Paso County’s population exceeding 700,000, making it Colorado’s largest county, its tax rate is not the highest. For every $100 in taxes collected, only $6 funds county-controlled expenses, with the remaining $94 allocated to schools, sheriff’s offices, district attorneys, DHS, and other agencies. The county budget will be reviewed in detail in August.

Bill explained that El Paso County operates as an “arm of the state” under statutory guidelines, not as a “home rule” county. This limits its functions to areas like elections, the jail system, and county roads, with most tax revenue passed through to other agencies.

Another question addressed concerns about the proposed Buc-ee’s fueling station and store in Monument, which could use 1.2 million gallons of water annually and increase daily traffic by 8,000–20,000 vehicles. The Pikes Peak Water Authority will review this issue, and citizens are encouraged to voice their concerns.

Candice Stutzriem praised Margarita Ostermann for her successful texting campaign that helped defeat the Karman Line annexation. This led to a discussion about the Military Affairs Council forming a committee to address encroachment issues around military bases. A meeting was scheduled that afternoon with Brett Waters, Jeff Crank, and others to discuss these concerns. The unsigned executive order to relocate Space Force headquarters from Colorado Springs to Huntsville, Alabama, remains a priority. The county’s master plan suggests a two-mile development-free zone around military installations, balancing property rights, zoning, and evacuation planning. A 2018 joint land use study and the May 2021 master plan underscore the economic importance of military bases, contributing approximately 25% of city revenue and $8.6 billion at the county level.

Additional Updates

The commissioners introduced “Citizens College,” a program to educate residents about county department operations. A session is planned for October 13–18, 2025, where participants will visit five departments.

Brett Waters, the county administrator, was commended for reducing turnover by eliminating unnecessary positions and increasing pay for remaining staff, boosting morale and administrative efficiency.

A member raised concerns about the cancellation of Memorial Park’s free July 4th fireworks, a decades-long tradition halted during COVID. The event has shifted to ticketed or membership-based venues, limiting access. Plans to host it at the new Ford Amphitheatre with a $5 entry fee were noted, but its 8,000-person capacity is a concern. Commissioners encouraged citizens to provide feedback to the city.

The commissioners mentioned that temporary funding sources, like opioid crisis funding, are available, but no decisions have been made on their allocation. Residents can use the “Citizens Connect” feature on the El Paso County website to submit questions and connect with the appropriate department.