Beyond the Dais - The Stories of El Paso County

This interview with Steve Schleiker, El Paso County's Clerk & Recorder, was recorded on December 9, 2025. In this episode, we talk about the recent election, what Steve's office is doing to combat property fraud, and the value of transparency. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Vernon Stewart, El Paso County's Executive Director of Community Resources, was recorded on November 25, 2025. In this episode, we talk about the creation of the (relatively) new Department of Community Resources and the value each division within that department brings to County residents. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with El Paso County's Chief Financial Officer, Nikki Simmons, was recorded on November 3, 2025. In this episode, we review the 2026 Proposed Budget, including how it is developed and how residents can participate in the process. The 2026 El Paso County Proposed Budget can be viewed on the El Paso County website by visiting https://admin.elpasoco.com/financial-services/budget-finance/county-budget/. The process is still ongoing, but more documents will be added to the site as they become available. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Meredith Nichols, Deputy Director for the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management, and Ben Bills, Public Information Manager for the El Paso/Teller County 9-1-1 Authority, was recorded on September 9, 2025. In this episode, we celebrate National Preparedness Month and discuss how residents can prepare for emergencies. There are many resources available to residents in El Paso County to help them prepare for emergencies. Some of those discussed in this episode include: PeakAlerts.orgPPROEM.com Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Chuck Broerman, El Paso County Treasurer and Public Trustee, was recorded on August 6, 2025. In this episode, we discuss the role the Treasurer plays in local government and a new program available to those who pay property taxes. If you are interested in learning more about the new property tax pre-payment plan, you can navigate to the Treasurer's page on the El Paso County website or visit https://escrowtaxes.com/. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Bill Wysong, El Paso County Commissioner for District 3, was recorded on June 3, 2025. In this episode, we discuss Commissioner Wysong's impetus for seeking elected office and what he's been able to learn in his first six months in the role. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Colorado Springs Utilities CEO Travas Deal was recorded on April 28, 2025. In this episode, we discuss how Travas got his start in utilities, what it takes to keep the power on, and some of the programs in place to assist Colorado Springs residents. For more information about Colorado Springs Utilities, please visit https://www.csu.org/. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Randi Davis of El Paso County and Stacy Houston and Mark O'Brien from Raymond James, was recorded on April 23, 2025. In this episode, we talk all about the Pikes Peak Down Payment Assistance program and its benefits to potential homebuyers. If you are interested in more information about the program, please visit https://pikespeakdpa.com/. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Sara Lobato, an Economic Development Analyst with El Paso County, was recorded on April 9, 2025. In this episode, we talk about the Pikes Peak Enterprise Zone and the upcoming redesignation process. How does it affect small businesses and non-profits in the region? How can residents benefit from all this great knowledge? Sara talks through all of it, while sharing opportunities for the public to provide their own feedback. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - for local governments that is! This interview with El Paso County Commissioners Carrie Geitner and Cory Applegate was recorded on April 3, 2025. In this episode, we talk about National County Government Month and the positive impact counties can have on their residents. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Cory Applegate, El Paso County Commissioner for District 4, was recorded on March 28, 2025. In this episode, we discuss Commissioner Applegate's entry into politics, his approach to learning, and the importance of resident interactions. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Christine Middleton, the Organizational Development Division Manager in Human Resources at El Paso County, was recorded on February 18, 2025. In this episode, we discuss the value of learning and how a culture of feedback benefits a workplace. If you are an El Paso County employee and want more information on training opportunities, please email the team at ERMTraining@elpasoco.com. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you have a story you want to share or know someone you feel should be highlighted, please email EPCPIO@elpasoco.com. If you are interested in hearing more of these stories, feel free to browse previous episodes or stay tuned for future editions of this podcast.

This interview with Steve Schleiker, El Paso County's Clerk and Recorder, was recorded on February 4, 2025. In this episode, we talk about the November 2024 election, how his office prepares leading up to the big day, and the benefits that were seen from creating new partnerships. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast.

This interview with El Paso County employees Luke Houser and Ross Williams was recorded on November 12, 2024. In this episode, we discuss the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and how it benefits residents of El Paso County. If you are interested in learning more about the CDBG program, you can visit the County website at https://admin.elpasoco.com/economic-development/community-initiatives/cdbg/. You can also contact Luke directly by emailing lukehouser@elpasoco.com or calling 719.520.6249. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast.

This interview with Angela Greene, a local business owner and Citizen Outreach Group board member, was recorded on October 10, 2024. In this episode, Angela outlines the upcoming Citizen College program and how it can benefit residents of the county. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.

This interview with Todd Marts, the Executive Director of El Paso County Parks and Community Services, was recorded on September 16, 2024. In this episode, Todd talks about the importance of the Parks system and shares information about the myriad programs available to residents. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.

This interview with Sean Markley, the Training Program Coordinator with El Paso County Public Works, was recorded on September 16, 2024. In this episode Sean talks about various training programs available within the department and how he got his start at Public Works. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.

This interview with Marshall Bosworth, the Division Director of El Paso County Veterans Services, was recorded on August 22, 2024. In this episode we discuss how the office can assist veterans in need and details about an upcoming claims clinic. If you would like to contact the Veterans Service office, you can email them at vet@elpasoco.com or call 719.520.7750. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.

This interview with Andrew Notbohm, the Executive Director of the Pikes Peak Regional Office of Emergency Management (PPROEM), was recorded on August 12, 2024. In this episode we cover the role PPROEM plays during disasters and how residents can best prepare for emergency situations. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.

This interview with Traci Marques, the CEO of Pikes Peak Workforce Center, was recorded on August 9, 2024. In this episode we talk about the Workforce Center's role in the region and the tools they use to assist both job seekers and businesses. Beyond the Dais aims to bring you stories about people making a difference in El Paso County, Colorado. If you are interested in more of these stories, including those about organizations and projects in the community that are putting ARPA grant funding to good use, please visit https://admin.elpasoco.com/el-paso-county-arpa-stories/ and stay tuned to future episodes of this podcast. To view a YouTube version of the recording, watch the embedded video below.