1 00:02:02,272 --> 00:02:06,647 Good morning and welcome to the Board of County Commissioners meeting. 2 00:02:06,647 --> 00:02:08,709 Today is Tuesday, September 15th. 3 00:02:08,709 --> 00:02:11,959 We do begin each of our meetings with an invocation, 4 00:02:11,959 --> 00:02:16,646 and this morning we have Pastor Jeff Anderson from Faith Outreach Advisory, 5 00:02:16,646 --> 00:02:21,208 Congressman Crank's office, and we would invite you to stand and join us. 6 00:02:21,208 --> 00:02:22,637 Good morning, everybody. 7 00:02:22,637 --> 00:02:24,244 This is a scripture memory, 8 00:02:24,244 --> 00:02:28,352 or scripture verse that comes to my mind this morning is Romans 8:18. 9 00:02:28,352 --> 00:02:32,639 It says, for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not 10 00:02:32,639 --> 00:02:33,174 sufferings of this present time are not worthy to 11 00:02:33,174 --> 00:02:36,449 be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us. 12 00:02:36,449 --> 00:02:40,557 And that especially is apropos for the Applegate family at this time. 13 00:02:40,557 --> 00:02:42,462 Should we bow together and pray? 14 00:02:42,462 --> 00:02:46,331 Our Heavenly Father, we thank you for the beauty of this weekend. 15 00:02:46,331 --> 00:02:49,427 Thanks for the sunshine. Thanks for the clear skies. 16 00:02:49,427 --> 00:02:52,344 Thanks for the beauty of the mountains around us. 17 00:02:52,344 --> 00:02:57,286 Thanks for opportunity to be with family that we have and As we think about family, 18 00:02:57,286 --> 00:02:59,548 we especially think of the Applegates. 19 00:02:59,548 --> 00:03:02,525 We pray for Commissioner Cory and would ask, Lord, 20 00:03:02,525 --> 00:03:07,109 for the entire Applegate family that you'll give them comfort at this time of 21 00:03:07,109 --> 00:03:07,407 you'll give them comfort at this time of loss. 22 00:03:07,407 --> 00:03:08,716 We thank you that Mrs. 23 00:03:08,716 --> 00:03:13,241 Applegate had a long history and testimony of walking with you, knowing you, 24 00:03:13,241 --> 00:03:17,230 serving our community very, very well, and she'll be dearly missed. 25 00:03:17,230 --> 00:03:21,992 We just pray, Lord, that you'll bless the family as they grieve and as they make 26 00:03:21,992 --> 00:03:26,398 preparations for lots of different adjustments that need to be made in the 27 00:03:26,398 --> 00:03:26,755 adjustments that need to be made in the coming 28 00:03:26,755 --> 00:03:28,839 days and weeks. We would ask, Lord, 29 00:03:28,839 --> 00:03:33,185 for this meeting that you would bless us with your presence, your wisdom, 30 00:03:33,185 --> 00:03:36,995 your direction. We pray for all of our county workers this week, 31 00:03:36,995 --> 00:03:41,698 especially during this season when they're trying to accomplish much before the 32 00:03:41,698 --> 00:03:46,401 weather changes. We pray that you'll keep all of our workers safe and pray that 33 00:03:46,401 --> 00:03:51,402 they'd be able to accomplish much and pray that you'll give our commissioners wisdom 34 00:03:51,402 --> 00:03:55,272 in the decisions that they make today. Pray in Jesus' name. Amen. 35 00:03:55,272 --> 00:03:59,543 Commissioner 36 00:03:59,543 --> 00:04:02,746 Williams, 37 00:04:02,746 --> 00:04:09,508 if you'd lead us in 38 00:04:09,508 --> 00:04:14,135 the Pledge of 39 00:04:14,135 --> 00:04:20,897 Allegiance. Item 3. 40 00:04:20,897 --> 00:04:23,893 Item number 3 is staff emergency items, 41 00:04:23,893 --> 00:04:27,810 and I'm unaware of any staff emergency items today. 42 00:04:27,810 --> 00:04:29,040 Item 4. 43 00:04:29,040 --> 00:04:33,624 Item number 4 is changes, postponements, and notice of the next meeting. 44 00:04:33,624 --> 00:04:37,571 I'm unaware of any changes or postponements to today's agenda, 45 00:04:37,571 --> 00:04:41,646 and the next meeting will be Tuesday, September 22nd at 9:00 AM. 46 00:04:41,646 --> 00:04:43,015 Item 5. 47 00:04:43,015 --> 00:04:47,866 Item number 5 is the consent calendar including items 5A through 5N1. 48 00:04:50,210 --> 00:04:55,244 Okay, is there anyone here who wishes to speak on an item on the 49 00:04:55,244 --> 00:04:57,053 consent calendar today? 50 00:04:57,053 --> 00:05:00,829 Seeing none, I'll bring it up here for a motion. 51 00:05:00,829 --> 00:05:04,315 Move approval of the consent calendar. 52 00:05:04,315 --> 00:05:05,086 Second. 53 00:05:05,086 --> 00:05:07,351 Okay, it's been moved and seconded. 54 00:05:07,351 --> 00:05:09,617 I'll ask if there are any comments. 55 00:05:09,617 --> 00:05:13,371 Seeing none, I'll begin the vote with Commissioner Wysong. 56 00:05:13,371 --> 00:05:14,562 Aye. 57 00:05:16,320 --> 00:05:16,336 Aye. 58 00:05:16,336 --> 00:05:17,662 Commissioner Williams? 59 00:05:17,662 --> 00:05:17,840 Aye. 60 00:05:17,840 --> 00:05:23,447 And the chair votes aye. That passes 4-0. 61 00:05:26,447 --> 00:05:26,689 Item 6. 62 00:05:26,689 --> 00:05:31,250 Item number 6 is a proclamation recognizing Constitution Day and 63 00:05:31,250 --> 00:05:32,746 Citizenship Day 2026. 64 00:05:32,746 --> 00:05:36,808 Lauren Nelson, Vice Chair, Board of County Commissioners. 65 00:05:36,808 --> 00:05:41,863 Good morning. I move the following proclamation recognizing Constitution Day 66 00:05:41,863 --> 00:05:42,062 proclamation recognizing Constitution Day and 67 00:05:42,062 --> 00:05:43,459 Citizenship Day 2026. 68 00:05:43,459 --> 00:05:45,454 Whereas in the summer of 1787, 69 00:05:45,454 --> 00:05:50,176 delegates throughout the United States gathered at Independence Hall in 70 00:05:50,176 --> 00:05:51,972 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 71 00:05:51,972 --> 00:05:57,359 intent on building a government that would stand the test of time and protect the 72 00:05:57,359 --> 00:06:01,017 hard-won freedoms secured during the Revolutionary War. 73 00:06:01,017 --> 00:06:05,938 And whereas 239 years later, the document they produced, our Constitution, 74 00:06:05,938 --> 00:06:08,465 remains the bedrock of our government, 75 00:06:08,465 --> 00:06:13,719 one rooted in equality under the law and an unyielding commitment to individual 76 00:06:13,719 --> 00:06:19,173 liberty. And whereas the framers of our Constitution divided political power among 77 00:06:19,173 --> 00:06:19,239 Constitution divided political power among 3 78 00:06:19,239 --> 00:06:21,235 separate and coequal branches, 79 00:06:21,235 --> 00:06:24,826 and further between the federal and state governments, 80 00:06:24,826 --> 00:06:28,550 ensuring that a government of the people, by the people, 81 00:06:28,550 --> 00:06:32,541 and for the people would remain accountable to its citizens, 82 00:06:32,541 --> 00:06:35,999 from whom all legitimate political power is derived. 83 00:06:35,999 --> 00:06:40,788 And whereas for 239 years, America's Constitution has guided our growth, 84 00:06:40,788 --> 00:06:42,118 Shaped our progress, 85 00:06:42,118 --> 00:06:46,441 and defined us as a nation of sacred laws and fundamental values. 86 00:06:46,441 --> 00:06:48,103 And whereas, on this day, 87 00:06:48,103 --> 00:06:53,025 we celebrate the signing of the Constitution and the American citizens who 88 00:06:53,025 --> 00:06:53,291 Constitution and the American citizens who have 89 00:06:53,291 --> 00:06:58,611 devoted their lives to implementing the framers' vision for the world's grandest 90 00:06:58,611 --> 00:07:00,607 experiment in self-government. 91 00:07:00,607 --> 00:07:05,927 And whereas, the law that established Constitution Day was modified in 2004 with 92 00:07:05,927 --> 00:07:06,127 Constitution Day was modified in 2004 with the 93 00:07:06,127 --> 00:07:11,248 passage of an amendment to include recognition of individuals who have become 94 00:07:11,248 --> 00:07:11,514 recognition of individuals who have become U.S. 95 00:07:11,514 --> 00:07:16,701 citizens. Now, therefore, the Board of County Commissioners of El Paso County, 96 00:07:16,701 --> 00:07:22,288 Colorado hereby recognizes September 17th as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day in 97 00:07:22,288 --> 00:07:27,808 El Paso County and encourages citizens and residents to show their appreciation for 98 00:07:27,808 --> 00:07:31,798 the Constitution of the United States by studying its words, 99 00:07:31,798 --> 00:07:35,988 educating the younger generation about its enduring importance, 100 00:07:35,988 --> 00:07:41,375 and recognizing the unparalleled success of the system of government It helped to 101 00:07:41,375 --> 00:07:46,496 create. Done this 15th day of September, 2026, at Colorado Springs, Colorado. 102 00:07:46,496 --> 00:07:50,620 The Board of County Commissioners of El Paso County, Colorado. 103 00:07:50,620 --> 00:07:55,741 Chair Carrie Geitner, Vice Chair Lauren Nelson, Commissioners Holly Williams, 104 00:07:55,741 --> 00:07:57,603 Bill Wysong, Cory Applegate. 105 00:07:57,603 --> 00:08:01,527 Attested to by Steve Schleicher, County Clerk and Recorder. 106 00:08:01,527 --> 00:08:04,795 Second. 107 00:08:04,795 --> 00:08:07,311 Okay, that has been moved and seconded, 108 00:08:07,311 --> 00:08:10,731 and we do have a couple of guest speakers here today, 109 00:08:10,731 --> 00:08:15,893 so I'm going to first I'm going to ask Dr. Josh Vandiver to please come forward. 110 00:08:15,893 --> 00:08:20,538 Please do introduce yourself, and we look forward to hearing your words. 111 00:08:20,538 --> 00:08:25,089 Thank you, Commissioners, and it's a pleasure to join you. My name is Josh 112 00:08:25,089 --> 00:08:25,642 pleasure to join you. My name is Josh Vandiver. 113 00:08:25,642 --> 00:08:30,070 I teach up at the University of Colorado in our Colorado Springs campus. 114 00:08:30,070 --> 00:08:32,652 I teach a class called Constitutional Law. 115 00:08:32,652 --> 00:08:36,035 We also have a class called Civil Rights and Liberties. 116 00:08:36,035 --> 00:08:40,524 So we divide up the Constitution between the Bill of Rights and so forth— 117 00:08:40,524 --> 00:08:43,230 that's the Civil Rights and Liberties class— 118 00:08:43,230 --> 00:08:45,751 And I teach the constitutional law class, 119 00:08:45,751 --> 00:08:48,887 which looks at separation of powers and federalism. 120 00:08:48,887 --> 00:08:53,745 I was asked to say a little bit about some of the opportunities and some of the 121 00:08:53,745 --> 00:08:57,681 challenges that I find as a teacher teaching constitutional law. 122 00:08:57,681 --> 00:09:00,018 So what are some of the opportunities? 123 00:09:00,018 --> 00:09:02,416 Well, out on the street, people ask me, 124 00:09:02,416 --> 00:09:05,737 this must be a terrible time to teach politics, right? 125 00:09:05,737 --> 00:09:09,303 And I said, no, this is the golden age. This is fantastic. 126 00:09:09,303 --> 00:09:13,301 When everything's being debated, when everything's up for debate, 127 00:09:13,301 --> 00:09:16,990 this is the time that we get to study the foundations again. 128 00:09:16,990 --> 00:09:21,664 So we have several Supreme Court cases recently around separation of powers. 129 00:09:21,664 --> 00:09:25,538 Trump v. Anderson, the eligibility to be on the ballot in 2024. 130 00:09:25,538 --> 00:09:30,212 So a federalism case. We have a separation of powers case recently, Trump v. 131 00:09:30,212 --> 00:09:32,487 United States, presidential immunity. 132 00:09:32,487 --> 00:09:36,607 And of course, we had the big birthright citizenship case, Trump v. 133 00:09:36,607 --> 00:09:39,866 Barber, recently. So we talk about those in my class. 134 00:09:39,866 --> 00:09:44,970 We also think about Some of the movements in politics today that are putting up our 135 00:09:44,970 --> 00:09:49,890 Constitution for debate. Have you heard of the Democratic Socialists of America? 136 00:09:49,890 --> 00:09:53,949 So I use this as an example from the left, that in their platform, 137 00:09:53,949 --> 00:09:57,946 they're calling for the abolishment of the Senate, the US Senate, 138 00:09:57,946 --> 00:10:02,619 and also getting rid of the presidency and the Supreme Court and having them 139 00:10:02,619 --> 00:10:07,724 appointed by the legislature directly, the Congress. So big questions are at stake. 140 00:10:07,724 --> 00:10:10,798 From the right, you have the Convention of States, 141 00:10:10,798 --> 00:10:14,734 calling for an amendment process initiated not through Congress, 142 00:10:14,734 --> 00:10:16,148 but through the states. 143 00:10:16,148 --> 00:10:20,023 They're calling for amendments around term limits for Congress, 144 00:10:20,023 --> 00:10:21,990 for a balanced budget amendment. 145 00:10:21,990 --> 00:10:26,725 They're not there at that threshold yet of states having a meeting to propose 146 00:10:26,725 --> 00:10:28,632 amendments, but getting closer. 147 00:10:28,632 --> 00:10:30,169 But there's the question, 148 00:10:30,169 --> 00:10:33,920 if you did have that meeting of states to propose amendments, 149 00:10:33,920 --> 00:10:38,901 would they be restricted to those topics? Or could they propose other amendments? 150 00:10:38,901 --> 00:10:42,468 So everything's up for debate now, which is very exciting. 151 00:10:42,468 --> 00:10:46,711 Those are the opportunities. The challenges I see briefly are, one is 152 00:10:46,711 --> 00:10:47,203 challenges I see briefly are, one is history. 153 00:10:47,203 --> 00:10:50,770 So I also teach ancient Greek and Roman political history. 154 00:10:50,770 --> 00:10:53,906 Why do we have a Senate at all? The Roman Republic. 155 00:10:53,906 --> 00:10:57,903 So thinking about classical Greek and Roman history, I would say, 156 00:10:57,903 --> 00:11:00,794 is essential to understanding the Constitution. 157 00:11:00,794 --> 00:11:02,946 Ideas like mixed constitutionalism, 158 00:11:02,946 --> 00:11:07,620 where you have some monarchical powers like the executive, you have an upper 159 00:11:07,620 --> 00:11:07,989 like the executive, you have an upper house, 160 00:11:07,989 --> 00:11:12,662 a Senate, and you have a lower house that's so representative of the people. 161 00:11:12,662 --> 00:11:16,475 Again, that derives from the ancient Greek and Roman heritage. 162 00:11:16,475 --> 00:11:17,705 So one challenge is, 163 00:11:17,705 --> 00:11:22,686 are we teaching that history such that students could understand our Constitution 164 00:11:22,686 --> 00:11:22,809 students could understand our Constitution by 165 00:11:22,809 --> 00:11:25,392 understanding those Greek and Roman roots? 166 00:11:25,392 --> 00:11:28,405 The other challenge I find relates to federalism. 167 00:11:28,405 --> 00:11:32,955 I put together the first-ever pocket edition of the Colorado Constitution. 168 00:11:32,955 --> 00:11:35,661 I brought some copies for the commissioners, 169 00:11:35,661 --> 00:11:40,827 because I find that students are sometimes unaware we even have constitutions at the 170 00:11:40,827 --> 00:11:45,500 state level. So one of the shocking things I try to introduce to them at the 171 00:11:45,500 --> 00:11:49,498 beginning of Con Law is the federal Constitution is an incomplete 172 00:11:49,498 --> 00:11:50,297 Constitution is an incomplete Constitution. 173 00:11:50,297 --> 00:11:53,741 It doesn't mention counties, for instance. Or education. 174 00:11:53,741 --> 00:11:58,045 So where do you look for those things? State constitutions, of course. 175 00:11:58,045 --> 00:12:01,735 So the complete American Constitution, I argued to students, 176 00:12:01,735 --> 00:12:05,425 is the 50 state constitutions plus the federal Constitution. 177 00:12:05,425 --> 00:12:10,590 So everybody has some reading to do to get up on the complete American Constitution. 178 00:12:10,590 --> 00:12:14,464 So I'm happy to share some of these first-ever pocket editions. 179 00:12:14,464 --> 00:12:17,662 of the Colorado Constitution with the commissioners. 180 00:12:17,662 --> 00:12:22,520 Commissioner Bill's already got one and pointed out that it will soon be out of 181 00:12:22,520 --> 00:12:27,501 date. Probably so, but we will update it through our center at UCCS for the study 182 00:12:27,501 --> 00:12:27,624 through our center at UCCS for the study of 183 00:12:27,624 --> 00:12:32,298 government and the individual. Thank you for your time and for your service. 184 00:12:32,298 --> 00:12:37,146 Thank you so much for your words. And next we have Mr. 185 00:12:37,146 --> 00:12:42,892 Ed Hopkins, member of the Constitution Study Group at Church for 186 00:12:42,892 --> 00:12:49,361 All Nations. 187 00:12:52,361 --> 00:12:58,640 I'd like to thank everybody for the resolution that you are proposing. 188 00:12:58,640 --> 00:13:05,367 I think it's a wonderful thing to recognize that there is a Constitution in 189 00:13:05,367 --> 00:13:05,726 recognize that there is a Constitution in this 190 00:13:05,726 --> 00:13:11,736 country and that we are supposed to be following that Constitution, 191 00:13:11,736 --> 00:13:15,234 or at least not stepping outside of it. 192 00:13:15,234 --> 00:13:21,782 But the Constitution is only one of 3 founding documents that govern this 193 00:13:21,782 --> 00:13:22,500 founding documents that govern this country. 194 00:13:22,500 --> 00:13:27,613 The first, of course, is the Declaration of Independence. 195 00:13:27,613 --> 00:13:31,649 Without it, we would not have a Constitution. 196 00:13:31,649 --> 00:13:37,031 And of course, also the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. 197 00:13:37,031 --> 00:13:41,068 When we look at the timing of these 3 things, 198 00:13:41,068 --> 00:13:48,334 the Declaration of Independence was July 4th, 1776. That wasn't the Constitution. 199 00:13:48,334 --> 00:13:54,702 That was the Declaration of Independence. What were we separating from? 200 00:13:54,702 --> 00:14:01,430 We were separating from a tyrannical government that sought to rule and not 201 00:14:01,430 --> 00:14:01,878 government that sought to rule and not serve 202 00:14:01,878 --> 00:14:08,426 the people. Secondly, the Constitution wasn't formed until 2 years later— 203 00:14:08,426 --> 00:14:11,566 or excuse me, 20 years later, 1787. 204 00:14:11,566 --> 00:14:18,204 The Constitution came forth as a ruling document for the states to follow. 205 00:14:18,204 --> 00:14:25,649 The states have the opportunity to provide a constitution that is in agreement with 206 00:14:25,649 --> 00:14:31,479 the federal Constitution, not outside of it, but as a part of it. 207 00:14:31,479 --> 00:14:33,991 Just as this gentleman said, 208 00:14:33,991 --> 00:14:40,539 the state constitutions are supposed to be in compliance with the federal 209 00:14:40,539 --> 00:14:45,024 Constitution. Finally, the Bill of Rights in 1791. 210 00:14:45,024 --> 00:14:51,751 The Bill of Rights are not an inclusive listing of all of the rights of the 211 00:14:51,751 --> 00:14:52,379 listing of all of the rights of the people. 212 00:14:52,379 --> 00:14:59,107 It is simply a recognition that the rights do not come from the government, 213 00:14:59,107 --> 00:15:00,990 but from Creator God. 214 00:15:00,990 --> 00:15:07,538 The Constitution is a guiding instrument And I want to correct something. 215 00:15:07,538 --> 00:15:13,997 We often think that there are 3 branches of government that are coequal. 216 00:15:13,997 --> 00:15:18,751 That is not true. The executive is the most powerful, 217 00:15:18,751 --> 00:15:21,711 and the judiciary is the weakest. 218 00:15:21,711 --> 00:15:25,389 In fact, if you look at the Constitution, 219 00:15:25,389 --> 00:15:29,784 it only says that we are to have a Supreme Court. 220 00:15:29,784 --> 00:15:35,435 It does not say that we have 9 or 15 or 3 judges in that court. 221 00:15:35,435 --> 00:15:42,790 We could have a Supreme Court with one man or one woman in a closet with a candle, 222 00:15:42,790 --> 00:15:46,737 because the Constitution does not spell out, 223 00:15:46,737 --> 00:15:53,913 nor does any other document spell out exactly what the Supreme Court is supposed 224 00:15:53,913 --> 00:15:54,092 exactly what the Supreme Court is supposed to 225 00:15:54,092 --> 00:15:58,039 be. Finally, to understand the Constitution, 226 00:15:58,039 --> 00:16:02,973 you have to understand the Declaration of Independence. 227 00:16:02,973 --> 00:16:05,036 I would recommend that— 228 00:16:05,036 --> 00:16:12,301 and I feel really strange coming up here talking to you people because you should 229 00:16:12,301 --> 00:16:12,481 talking to you people because you should be 230 00:16:12,481 --> 00:16:14,544 instructing me on this. 231 00:16:14,544 --> 00:16:19,567 But the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, 232 00:16:19,567 --> 00:16:26,743 and finally the Constitution of the United States are what has kept this country 233 00:16:26,743 --> 00:16:34,278 free. It is what has kept this country the longest democratic republic in the world. 234 00:16:34,278 --> 00:16:40,646 Since our Constitution, the French have had 17 different constitutions. 235 00:16:40,646 --> 00:16:48,092 And yet ours continues to stand as long as we abide by it, as long as we follow it, 236 00:16:48,092 --> 00:16:54,909 and as long as we don't try to go outside of it. This country will continue. 237 00:16:54,909 --> 00:17:00,470 As soon as we start messing with the Constitution, with rules, 238 00:17:00,470 --> 00:17:05,762 with bureaucratic administrations and administrative rules, 239 00:17:05,762 --> 00:17:08,005 this country won't stand. 240 00:17:08,005 --> 00:17:14,194 I thank each one of you for your continued service to this community. 241 00:17:14,194 --> 00:17:19,217 I thank you for the opportunity to come here. Thank you. 242 00:17:19,217 --> 00:17:22,985 Oh, there is one thing at the very bottom. 243 00:17:22,985 --> 00:17:27,828 I said, I think everyone, everyone has a copy of this. 244 00:17:27,828 --> 00:17:35,184 At the very bottom of the first page, it asks a question. I'm not going to ask it. 245 00:17:35,184 --> 00:17:40,207 It's for you to ask yourselves. Thank you for your time. 246 00:17:40,207 --> 00:17:45,991 Thank you. Okay, we appreciate our guests coming, and thank you for your words. 247 00:17:45,991 --> 00:17:51,482 I'm going to bring it up here to commissioners for their comments before we 248 00:17:51,482 --> 00:17:51,921 commissioners for their comments before we take a 249 00:17:51,921 --> 00:17:53,825 vote. Commissioner Wysong. 250 00:17:53,825 --> 00:17:56,144 Thank you, Madam Chair. 251 00:17:56,144 --> 00:18:02,900 When we were kind of prepping for the Independence Day and the, uh, 252 00:18:02,900 --> 00:18:09,858 The proclamation for where we kind of started with the Declaration of 253 00:18:09,858 --> 00:18:12,983 Independence. At the same time, 254 00:18:12,983 --> 00:18:20,546 the Second Continental Congress started with the Articles of Confederation, 255 00:18:20,546 --> 00:18:24,176 also began drafting in 1776 in June. 256 00:18:24,176 --> 00:18:31,940 Adopted in 1777, but it wasn't ratified until 4 years later because the whole 257 00:18:31,940 --> 00:18:37,587 idea behind the Articles of Confederation was, you know, 258 00:18:37,587 --> 00:18:40,511 all 13 colonies had to agree. 259 00:18:40,511 --> 00:18:48,074 And it was— they didn't want to make a mistake of creating a central power. 260 00:18:48,074 --> 00:18:54,527 However, As you remember, the Revolutionary War started in 1775. 261 00:18:54,527 --> 00:18:58,460 And so you had all this stuff going on. 262 00:18:58,460 --> 00:19:05,115 And after the war, General Washington and a number of others said, 263 00:19:05,115 --> 00:19:12,677 we're going broke. We need to have some kind of centralized government that 264 00:19:12,677 --> 00:19:18,828 dealt with national defense, et cetera, at a very high level. 265 00:19:18,828 --> 00:19:23,668 So they wrote— started writing the Constitution. 266 00:19:23,668 --> 00:19:30,323 Being drafted in May of '87, and as Commissioner Nelson just read, 267 00:19:30,323 --> 00:19:34,659 that it was signed on September 17th, 1787, 268 00:19:34,659 --> 00:19:40,407 and it was ratified by New Hampshire being the 9th state. 269 00:19:40,407 --> 00:19:48,272 Well, they changed it from the Articles of Confederation that you needed a 2/3 270 00:19:48,272 --> 00:19:55,935 majority. Because they would never get all 13 colonies at the time to agree. 271 00:19:55,935 --> 00:20:00,372 So we learned so much, you know, in that 15, 272 00:20:00,372 --> 00:20:07,733 20-year period from before the Revolutionary War all the way through the, 273 00:20:07,733 --> 00:20:13,682 you know, the signing and ratification of the Constitution. 274 00:20:13,682 --> 00:20:16,102 We went through so much. 275 00:20:16,102 --> 00:20:16,302 Yeah. 276 00:20:16,562 --> 00:20:19,095 As, as an infant country. 277 00:20:19,095 --> 00:20:25,175 And we owe such a debt of gratitude to our founding fathers. 278 00:20:25,175 --> 00:20:31,559 You know, history, you don't understand it when you're younger. 279 00:20:31,559 --> 00:20:34,396 And it's been phenomenal to, 280 00:20:34,396 --> 00:20:40,881 to be able to learn and look at things in a completely different 281 00:20:40,881 --> 00:20:43,819 perspective, looking back at, 282 00:20:43,819 --> 00:20:49,595 at how blessed we have been by what our founding fathers, 283 00:20:49,595 --> 00:20:55,371 and as our 2 guest speakers have talked about, that it's, 284 00:20:55,371 --> 00:21:01,248 it has taken a lot of effort to modify and make it better. 285 00:21:01,248 --> 00:21:07,834 And we just, we're very lucky. So with that, thank you very much. 286 00:21:07,834 --> 00:21:11,720 Commissioner Williams. 287 00:21:11,720 --> 00:21:15,139 Thank you. I can keep my comments fairly short. 288 00:21:15,139 --> 00:21:17,684 So 30-some years ago, 35 years ago, 289 00:21:17,684 --> 00:21:22,412 my degree from University of Virginia was in American government, 290 00:21:22,412 --> 00:21:28,013 and because you couldn't call it political science at Jefferson's University, 291 00:21:28,013 --> 00:21:29,977 and early American history. 292 00:21:29,977 --> 00:21:35,141 And, um, I think there's a lot of interesting issues right now that are 293 00:21:35,141 --> 00:21:35,505 interesting issues right now that are being 294 00:21:35,505 --> 00:21:40,378 debated Probably the 2 most interesting are birthright citizenship, 295 00:21:40,378 --> 00:21:44,306 and I think that who has control of the ballot system— 296 00:21:44,306 --> 00:21:49,543 does the state or the federal? So those are things that, um, interest me 297 00:21:49,543 --> 00:21:50,343 are things that, um, interest me personally. 298 00:21:50,343 --> 00:21:56,089 And then the 3rd thing on, on the issue of mailing ballots and how we vote, um, 299 00:21:56,089 --> 00:22:01,908 the only branch of government that is not controlled by Congress that is written 300 00:22:01,908 --> 00:22:05,545 into the Constitution is that darn Postal Service. 301 00:22:05,545 --> 00:22:11,291 And, um, wouldn't it be much better if we had not put that in the Constitution, 302 00:22:11,291 --> 00:22:15,510 in my opinion? Um, but mostly I'm just thankful, you know, 303 00:22:15,510 --> 00:22:20,965 that I was able to be born in the United States and have this Constitution. 304 00:22:20,965 --> 00:22:25,984 There's so many different countries and, um, we have so much freedom. 305 00:22:25,984 --> 00:22:30,857 and so many rights. And I think that was demonstrated a lot by the, 306 00:22:30,857 --> 00:22:33,112 the World Soccer Cup this year, 307 00:22:33,112 --> 00:22:39,149 just how amazed people were by the things that Americans can do and the way we live 308 00:22:39,149 --> 00:22:44,750 our lives. And so to be born in this country, I think, is indeed a privilege. 309 00:22:44,750 --> 00:22:49,332 And that's the one thing I'd like to stress more than anything. 310 00:22:49,332 --> 00:22:51,878 Thank heavens for the Constitution. 311 00:22:51,878 --> 00:22:56,387 But more than anything, I'm just thankful to be a citizenship— 312 00:22:56,387 --> 00:23:00,097 citizen of the United States of America. Thank you. 313 00:23:00,097 --> 00:23:05,362 I'll add some of my comments now as we traditionally allow the reader of the 314 00:23:05,362 --> 00:23:07,232 proclamation the last word. 315 00:23:07,232 --> 00:23:12,705 I want to thank you for coming today and for speaking to us, and in particular, 316 00:23:12,705 --> 00:23:18,524 I really appreciate the thoughtfulness of Being excited about opportunities to speak 317 00:23:18,524 --> 00:23:21,018 to students about what is happening. 318 00:23:21,018 --> 00:23:24,690 And you asked some very important questions, I think, 319 00:23:24,690 --> 00:23:27,946 about do we have the background that is needed? 320 00:23:27,946 --> 00:23:29,747 One of the things I think, 321 00:23:29,747 --> 00:23:34,319 as someone who's been involved in education for quite a few years, 322 00:23:34,319 --> 00:23:38,407 is that we've begun to think about our education system as, 323 00:23:38,407 --> 00:23:40,485 does this help them get a job? 324 00:23:40,485 --> 00:23:45,334 And I had a college professor many, many years ago who said, you know, 325 00:23:45,334 --> 00:23:49,560 that's not the point. That's not the point of why we're here. 326 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:54,964 And while I do think preparing students for the world is important and we want 327 00:23:54,964 --> 00:23:55,241 for the world is important and we want them 328 00:23:55,241 --> 00:24:00,714 to be successful, a huge part of that we've just skipped over is that you can't 329 00:24:00,714 --> 00:24:00,852 we've just skipped over is that you can't be 330 00:24:00,852 --> 00:24:03,831 successful unless our nation is successful, 331 00:24:03,831 --> 00:24:09,304 and that we have a responsibility as self-governing citizens to understand what 332 00:24:09,304 --> 00:24:09,442 self-governing citizens to understand what it 333 00:24:09,442 --> 00:24:11,313 is that we should be doing. 334 00:24:11,313 --> 00:24:13,599 And when you lose that framework, 335 00:24:13,599 --> 00:24:17,478 we're in real danger of losing what we have as a nation. 336 00:24:17,478 --> 00:24:23,159 And so I agree that it's so important for us to continue to educate and talk about 337 00:24:23,159 --> 00:24:26,069 those things and have those great debates. 338 00:24:26,069 --> 00:24:31,334 You're right, there were probably many years where no one was debating those 339 00:24:31,334 --> 00:24:31,819 years where no one was debating those things. 340 00:24:31,819 --> 00:24:37,638 It wasn't at the forefront of their minds. So there is tremendous opportunity there. 341 00:24:37,638 --> 00:24:41,794 And I'm really grateful for you just sharing that bit today. 342 00:24:41,794 --> 00:24:45,327 I hope maybe somebody is watching and thought, huh, 343 00:24:45,327 --> 00:24:50,662 I hadn't really thought about how those things impacted what our founders did 344 00:24:50,662 --> 00:24:51,008 things impacted what our founders did here. 345 00:24:51,008 --> 00:24:53,156 But you're right, they debated, 346 00:24:53,156 --> 00:24:58,213 they talked about a lot of these historical governments previous and what 347 00:24:58,213 --> 00:24:58,490 historical governments previous and what they 348 00:24:58,490 --> 00:25:03,547 wanted to do differently and how they were going to avoid those problems. 349 00:25:03,547 --> 00:25:08,327 Certainly, I don't think that there is anything perfect in the world, 350 00:25:08,327 --> 00:25:13,661 but I think that they did a very diligent job of thinking through history and 351 00:25:13,661 --> 00:25:19,065 through governments and trying to set up a system that would avoid some of the 352 00:25:19,065 --> 00:25:22,875 pitfalls of systems that we have seen around the world. 353 00:25:22,875 --> 00:25:28,279 And it is critical for us to understand that the abolishment of the Senate and 354 00:25:28,279 --> 00:25:28,625 that the abolishment of the Senate and those 355 00:25:28,625 --> 00:25:33,544 things would certainly be very disruptive. And we have history already. 356 00:25:33,544 --> 00:25:38,324 We don't need to repeat it to know what would be good for our nation. 357 00:25:38,324 --> 00:25:42,411 But it is something that we need to continue to strive for. 358 00:25:42,411 --> 00:25:48,230 And it's why I think I know I and probably many others on this board thought we need 359 00:25:48,230 --> 00:25:52,802 to keep doing this proclamation. We want to keep talking about it. 360 00:25:52,802 --> 00:25:56,820 We want people To think why do we think this is important? 361 00:25:56,820 --> 00:26:02,016 I'm also looking forward to checking out that Colorado pocket constitution. 362 00:26:02,016 --> 00:26:04,164 That's an exciting one to have, 363 00:26:04,164 --> 00:26:09,775 and it is most certainly something that is always in my mind as we debate so many 364 00:26:09,775 --> 00:26:14,209 things that in both our federal founding and our state founding, 365 00:26:14,209 --> 00:26:17,465 and in fact it is in our Colorado Constitution. 366 00:26:17,465 --> 00:26:23,076 That we as a people believed that what we were doing here, this great experiment, 367 00:26:23,076 --> 00:26:28,480 was divinely inspired and that there was some greater purpose and some greater 368 00:26:28,480 --> 00:26:32,498 guidance. And so that is so deeply rooted in our founding. 369 00:26:32,498 --> 00:26:36,100 And I think that that continues to be debated today. 370 00:26:36,100 --> 00:26:38,802 But I think when we read the documents, 371 00:26:38,802 --> 00:26:44,413 you understand how critical all of those pieces are to our founding and that they 372 00:26:44,413 --> 00:26:46,768 really, truly cannot be separated. 373 00:26:46,768 --> 00:26:48,293 All that to say, I am— 374 00:26:48,293 --> 00:26:53,835 continue to be excited about hearing more and more people trying to decipher the 375 00:26:53,835 --> 00:26:58,823 Constitution, hearing more debate and discussion among school districts. 376 00:26:58,823 --> 00:27:03,949 I know mine just a year ago added some additional requirements for seniors 377 00:27:03,949 --> 00:27:08,937 graduating so that they would have a better understanding of history and 378 00:27:08,937 --> 00:27:09,699 better understanding of history and government. 379 00:27:09,699 --> 00:27:14,410 I think that those conversations will continue to be had. Thank you. 380 00:27:14,410 --> 00:27:16,904 I know that there's a lot of debate, 381 00:27:16,904 --> 00:27:20,783 but every time I hear people say America is a democracy, 382 00:27:20,783 --> 00:27:24,524 I cringe a little because it's so much more than that. 383 00:27:24,524 --> 00:27:27,919 And I remind people constantly, I think the best, 384 00:27:27,919 --> 00:27:32,560 most accurate description is that we are a constitutional republic. 385 00:27:32,560 --> 00:27:34,223 And that may seem small, 386 00:27:34,223 --> 00:27:39,695 but when you see what we're hearing today in terms of the people using the word 387 00:27:39,695 --> 00:27:43,921 democracy, you understand why words matter in those contexts. 388 00:27:43,921 --> 00:27:49,117 So much because our Constitution protects the minority in a way that a pure 389 00:27:49,117 --> 00:27:54,590 democracy does not. Our Constitution requires that we respect individual rights 390 00:27:54,590 --> 00:27:54,867 requires that we respect individual rights in a 391 00:27:54,867 --> 00:27:57,361 way that a pure democracy would not. 392 00:27:57,361 --> 00:28:00,617 When you look back at those founding documents, 393 00:28:00,617 --> 00:28:03,596 I think every time democracy was mentioned, 394 00:28:03,596 --> 00:28:06,782 it was sort of with disdain from our founders. 395 00:28:06,782 --> 00:28:10,038 And there's a good message to be learned there. 396 00:28:10,038 --> 00:28:12,671 It's not that people aren't important, 397 00:28:12,671 --> 00:28:17,728 and it's not that the people's voice in their government isn't important, 398 00:28:17,728 --> 00:28:23,339 but it's also important that we remember that people have individual rights given 399 00:28:23,339 --> 00:28:23,478 that people have individual rights given to 400 00:28:23,478 --> 00:28:28,466 them by God, and that no loud majority, no— I think that's a good point. 401 00:28:28,466 --> 00:28:33,107 Amount of will or tyrannical will should be able to take that away. 402 00:28:33,107 --> 00:28:37,680 I take that as a very important piece of the work that we do here. 403 00:28:37,680 --> 00:28:41,698 And really, again, just grateful that you were here today. 404 00:28:41,698 --> 00:28:47,170 Thank you for continuing to educate the many youth that come through your doors 405 00:28:47,170 --> 00:28:47,378 many youth that come through your doors and 406 00:28:47,378 --> 00:28:52,851 making sure that we keep this debate alive and that we keep those conversations 407 00:28:52,851 --> 00:28:57,354 alive. With that, I'm going to turn it over to Vice Chair Nelson. 408 00:28:57,354 --> 00:29:02,918 Great comments. I might be a little repetitive because I had some similar 409 00:29:02,918 --> 00:29:03,604 repetitive because I had some similar thoughts, 410 00:29:03,604 --> 00:29:07,186 but, um, thank you for being here this morning. 411 00:29:07,186 --> 00:29:10,083 I recognize that as I've gotten older, 412 00:29:10,083 --> 00:29:16,028 I have grown more and more interested in history and our Constitution and the, 413 00:29:16,028 --> 00:29:18,314 the foundation of our country, 414 00:29:18,314 --> 00:29:24,336 and So I am envious of the students that get to come and learn from you because 415 00:29:24,336 --> 00:29:24,641 get to come and learn from you because when 416 00:29:24,641 --> 00:29:30,129 I was in college, I was more interested in— I mean, not that that's bad, 417 00:29:30,129 --> 00:29:34,778 but science. And my background is food science and nutrition. 418 00:29:34,778 --> 00:29:38,970 And I worked in product development for a lot of years. 419 00:29:38,970 --> 00:29:42,781 And so now being in this role and in recent years, 420 00:29:42,781 --> 00:29:47,659 I find how important it is to understand our country's founding. 421 00:29:47,659 --> 00:29:53,452 And I love thinking about how the Declaration of Independence set the vision 422 00:29:53,452 --> 00:29:53,985 Declaration of Independence set the vision for our 423 00:29:53,985 --> 00:29:58,787 country, and then the Constitution was the how for that vision. 424 00:29:58,787 --> 00:30:03,894 And thinking about the importance of having equality under the law, 425 00:30:03,894 --> 00:30:09,229 that we have fair treatment by our government, by our law enforcement, 426 00:30:09,229 --> 00:30:12,659 that everyone is treated with respect and Um, 427 00:30:12,659 --> 00:30:16,165 that there is a justice system that preserves. 428 00:30:16,165 --> 00:30:20,281 And even as we sit as a Board of County Commissioners, 429 00:30:20,281 --> 00:30:24,092 sometimes we are under pursuing land use hearings, 430 00:30:24,092 --> 00:30:28,970 and it's a quasi-judicial process where we're acting as a judge. 431 00:30:28,970 --> 00:30:34,153 And so we wear many hats as commissioners where we are policymakers. 432 00:30:34,153 --> 00:30:39,489 We are approving the budgets for our sheriff's office and our district 433 00:30:39,489 --> 00:30:40,251 sheriff's office and our district attorney's 434 00:30:40,251 --> 00:30:42,232 office. We are, as I said, 435 00:30:42,232 --> 00:30:48,330 sitting more as a judge reviewing evidence to determine if someone can use their 436 00:30:48,330 --> 00:30:52,827 property the way that they're petitioning their government. 437 00:30:52,827 --> 00:30:58,925 And so, it's just so important that we maintain those guardrails and respect for 438 00:30:58,925 --> 00:31:05,098 individual liberty and recognizing the different branches of government and their 439 00:31:05,098 --> 00:31:09,824 role, where the Supreme Court are the interpreters of the law. 440 00:31:09,824 --> 00:31:15,617 Congress are the policymakers and then executive enforcing and executing the 441 00:31:15,617 --> 00:31:15,998 executive enforcing and executing the laws. 442 00:31:15,998 --> 00:31:22,019 And just, I so appreciate that people might think now is a difficult time to be 443 00:31:22,019 --> 00:31:24,077 having these conversations, 444 00:31:24,077 --> 00:31:30,251 but I couldn't agree more that it's so important and important to be able to have 445 00:31:30,251 --> 00:31:36,425 civil discourse. And I find as I've been out in the community talking with folks, 446 00:31:36,425 --> 00:31:42,751 I am so grateful for the individuals who are willing to have a conversation with me 447 00:31:42,751 --> 00:31:48,620 and not just get upset and angry and then not be able to engage in that civil 448 00:31:48,620 --> 00:31:54,718 discourse. And it's so important that we maintain the ability to share ideas and 449 00:31:54,718 --> 00:31:54,946 maintain the ability to share ideas and let 450 00:31:54,946 --> 00:31:59,824 the best ideas rise. And I mean, it's the beauty of our country. 451 00:31:59,824 --> 00:32:02,949 That we can have a difference of opinion. 452 00:32:02,949 --> 00:32:09,047 And I appreciate Commissioner Geithner pointing out that we are not a democracy. 453 00:32:09,047 --> 00:32:10,952 That would mean mob rule. 454 00:32:10,952 --> 00:32:14,763 And that instead, we're a constitutional republic, 455 00:32:14,763 --> 00:32:17,888 which protects for difference of opinion. 456 00:32:17,888 --> 00:32:22,919 And yes, we use the democratic process, but that's very different. 457 00:32:22,919 --> 00:32:29,016 And so I am grateful to have been born in this country and Love the fact that we 458 00:32:29,016 --> 00:32:34,276 respect the individual, that we have the ability to pursue happiness. 459 00:32:34,276 --> 00:32:36,638 And as I sit as a commissioner, 460 00:32:36,638 --> 00:32:42,279 I take very seriously that the role of government is to protect taxpayers, 461 00:32:42,279 --> 00:32:47,385 safeguard individual freedoms, and respect private property rights. 462 00:32:47,385 --> 00:32:53,254 And those principles are how Anyone in leadership should be making decisions. 463 00:32:53,254 --> 00:32:57,446 And is it preserving our freedoms and the Constitution, 464 00:32:57,446 --> 00:33:03,544 what's embedded in the Constitution and the vision set out in the Declaration of 465 00:33:03,544 --> 00:33:07,126 Independence, or is it pulling us further away? 466 00:33:07,126 --> 00:33:13,224 So just grateful that we are able to spend some time focusing on this today and— 467 00:33:13,224 --> 00:33:14,236 Thank you. 468 00:33:15,639 --> 00:33:17,844 I look forward to continuing to learn more myself. 469 00:33:17,844 --> 00:33:21,450 Okay, thank you for all of the comments today. 470 00:33:21,450 --> 00:33:27,722 Um, that has been moved and seconded, and so we will move forward with our vote, 471 00:33:27,722 --> 00:33:30,466 beginning with Commissioner Wysong. 472 00:33:30,466 --> 00:33:31,258 Aye. 473 00:33:31,258 --> 00:33:32,406 Vice Chair Nelson. 474 00:33:32,406 --> 00:33:32,713 Aye. 475 00:33:32,713 --> 00:33:34,346 Commissioner Williams. 476 00:33:34,346 --> 00:33:34,492 Aye. 477 00:33:34,492 --> 00:33:36,866 And the chair votes aye. That passes 4-0. 478 00:33:36,866 --> 00:33:55,934 And now we will take a brief recess for a photograph. 479 00:36:39,630 --> 00:36:40,278 I'll call this meeting back to order. 480 00:36:40,327 --> 00:36:56,643 We are on item 7. 481 00:37:06,319 --> 00:37:10,235 Item number 7 is comments by elected officials and commissioner liaison 482 00:37:10,235 --> 00:37:10,676 officials and commissioner liaison reports. 483 00:37:12,160 --> 00:37:16,283 Okay, do we have any countywide elected officials in the room to speak 484 00:37:16,283 --> 00:37:17,638 today? I don't see any, 485 00:37:17,638 --> 00:37:20,877 so I believe we'll just start with Commissioner Wysong. 486 00:37:20,877 --> 00:37:23,285 Thank you, Madam Chair. 487 00:37:23,285 --> 00:37:28,416 Um, last week was PPACG, uh, board meeting parts. 488 00:37:28,416 --> 00:37:35,431 We had our land use meeting And then a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at 489 00:37:35,431 --> 00:37:40,876 Cheyenne Mountain, which was a very moving ceremony. 490 00:37:40,876 --> 00:37:47,577 And then had the honor to read the tribute letter for one of our 491 00:37:47,577 --> 00:37:54,801 deputies who received the Purple Heart for wounds that he received in 492 00:37:54,801 --> 00:37:57,419 Afghanistan in September. 493 00:37:57,419 --> 00:37:57,565 Thank you. 494 00:37:58,362 --> 00:38:02,540 of 2011. Due to bureaucratic what-have-yous, 495 00:38:02,540 --> 00:38:08,521 it took a long time for that Purple Heart to be, um, processed, 496 00:38:08,521 --> 00:38:15,167 and being able to participate, uh, it was a, a very moving experience. 497 00:38:15,167 --> 00:38:19,440 Uh, this week, um, and actually this evening, 498 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:26,846 we'll be going up to Chupita Park where we've got a meeting with the community 499 00:38:26,846 --> 00:38:31,498 that large area of unincorporated El Paso County. 500 00:38:31,498 --> 00:38:37,670 And then later on in the week will be a Military Affairs Council, 501 00:38:37,670 --> 00:38:42,132 and then we have the downtown annual breakfast. 502 00:38:42,132 --> 00:38:49,063 And so it's like kind of the last week, got a lot going on. So thank you. 503 00:38:49,063 --> 00:38:52,112 Vice Chair Nelson. 504 00:38:52,112 --> 00:38:58,509 I just want to report out on our Community Services Block Grant meeting that took 505 00:38:58,509 --> 00:39:00,325 place Friday afternoon. 506 00:39:00,325 --> 00:39:06,643 Um, we were working through wordsmithing our community action plan and strategic 507 00:39:06,643 --> 00:39:09,012 plan, and those documents, um, 508 00:39:09,012 --> 00:39:13,987 had to have been voted on to then be submitted up to the state. 509 00:39:13,987 --> 00:39:20,147 And, uh, this will allow these federal dollars that float through the state to 510 00:39:20,147 --> 00:39:22,832 counties to then be administrated— 511 00:39:22,832 --> 00:39:26,938 administered in our community for combating poverty. 512 00:39:26,938 --> 00:39:31,756 And our Community Services Block Grant board, advisory board, 513 00:39:31,756 --> 00:39:35,625 has come to an agreement that we are looking for— 514 00:39:35,625 --> 00:39:40,048 I loved the verbiage that one of the board members said, 515 00:39:40,048 --> 00:39:43,759 that we're looking for pathways out of poverty. 516 00:39:43,759 --> 00:39:49,919 And so not just filling the gap, but truly equipping people with skills or Um, 517 00:39:49,919 --> 00:39:56,079 behaviors that will help them reach self-sustainability and human flourishing. 518 00:39:56,079 --> 00:40:02,397 And so it was a, um, productive meeting. We didn't quite finish all of the work. 519 00:40:02,397 --> 00:40:07,925 We went 45 minutes over. It was, you know, 4:15 on a Friday afternoon. 520 00:40:07,925 --> 00:40:14,084 And so decided to kind of table some of the remaining work till, till a future 521 00:40:14,084 --> 00:40:14,479 the remaining work till, till a future date. 522 00:40:14,479 --> 00:40:20,086 So we'll be scheduling a special meeting to complete, uh, some of that. 523 00:40:20,086 --> 00:40:26,720 But Um, looking forward to continuing that work in ensuring we're distributing these 524 00:40:26,720 --> 00:40:32,011 funds wisely in our community to help people, um, reach prosperity. 525 00:40:32,011 --> 00:40:37,934 And then this week I have 4th Judicial District Community Corrections Board 526 00:40:37,934 --> 00:40:38,566 District Community Corrections Board meeting. 527 00:40:38,566 --> 00:40:44,173 I just sit as a liaison, I'm not a voting member to that board, so, uh, 528 00:40:44,173 --> 00:40:48,358 hopefully my schedule will allow for me to listen in. 529 00:40:48,358 --> 00:40:53,886 And then Wednesday evening is a Library Board of Trustees meeting, um, 530 00:40:53,886 --> 00:40:59,888 which I think I do have a conflict that evening, but I might try to listen a 531 00:40:59,888 --> 00:41:00,441 evening, but I might try to listen a little, 532 00:41:00,441 --> 00:41:05,100 uh, as before my other, uh, appointment. So thanks so much. 533 00:41:05,100 --> 00:41:07,940 Commissioner Williams? 534 00:41:07,940 --> 00:41:11,166 Uh, yes. So this week I do have, um, 535 00:41:11,166 --> 00:41:16,183 the United in Service celebration at Norris Penrose, um, 536 00:41:16,183 --> 00:41:19,499 on Thursday night and Friday morning, 537 00:41:19,499 --> 00:41:24,427 I do believe I have the Downtown Partnership breakfast. 538 00:41:24,427 --> 00:41:26,846 Um, also I participate, um, 539 00:41:26,846 --> 00:41:33,477 on the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments Drive Smart board, which is, 540 00:41:33,477 --> 00:41:34,283 Governments Drive Smart board, which is, you know, 541 00:41:34,283 --> 00:41:41,810 really an effort to encourage citizens to drive more carefully in the best way with, 542 00:41:41,810 --> 00:41:44,856 uh, the little money that we have. 543 00:41:44,856 --> 00:41:45,042 Thank you. 544 00:41:45,162 --> 00:41:46,627 So, um, to do that with. 545 00:41:46,627 --> 00:41:51,631 And then if you aren't aware, Commissioner Applegate did lose his mother this, uh, 546 00:41:51,631 --> 00:41:55,720 past week, and so there is a celebration of life for her on Friday. 547 00:41:55,720 --> 00:41:59,321 Then I just wanted to say one of my favorite times of year. 548 00:41:59,321 --> 00:42:04,081 Um, we spent some time with some of my friends last night discussing some, um, 549 00:42:04,081 --> 00:42:06,522 issues that are coming up on the ballot, 550 00:42:06,522 --> 00:42:11,527 and I believe the clerk and recorder is printing out the big yellow sample ballots 551 00:42:11,527 --> 00:42:16,409 this week, which, um, we used to always use when we would go and vote in person. 552 00:42:16,409 --> 00:42:19,216 So I'm going to go over and get some of those. 553 00:42:19,216 --> 00:42:23,793 But I know our blue book's coming out, our county issue book is coming out, 554 00:42:23,793 --> 00:42:28,615 and I'm going to pick up some of the big yellow sample ballots because I really 555 00:42:28,615 --> 00:42:28,859 yellow sample ballots because I really look 556 00:42:28,859 --> 00:42:33,741 forward this time of year primarily to all of the issues that are on the ballot. 557 00:42:33,741 --> 00:42:38,684 I think it's very fascinating that we get this opportunity to vote on the issues, 558 00:42:38,684 --> 00:42:42,163 um, and I enjoy seeing what people are saying about them. 559 00:42:42,163 --> 00:42:46,984 And then I will point out that there are some issues in other counties that are 560 00:42:46,984 --> 00:42:50,890 fascinating to me. So Douglas County has an issue on the ballot, 561 00:42:50,890 --> 00:42:53,820 particularly to go to from 3 to 5 commissioners. 562 00:42:53,820 --> 00:42:56,505 I think that it's fascinating to watch that. 563 00:42:56,505 --> 00:43:00,899 I haven't been involved in any of the politics behind the scene on that, 564 00:43:00,899 --> 00:43:03,950 but I think that'll be a fascinating one to watch. 565 00:43:03,950 --> 00:43:08,345 And I know Pueblo County also has some interesting issues on the ballot, 566 00:43:08,345 --> 00:43:11,457 or at least one to raise a sales tax. Or something. 567 00:43:11,457 --> 00:43:14,386 So I enjoyed this time of the year just because, 568 00:43:14,386 --> 00:43:19,269 primarily because of the issues on the ballot. I think they're very fascinating. 569 00:43:19,269 --> 00:43:19,879 That's it. 570 00:43:19,879 --> 00:43:22,757 Okay, lots going on this week. 571 00:43:22,757 --> 00:43:29,952 I will be participating in a chronic disease prevention group tomorrow with 572 00:43:29,952 --> 00:43:33,598 the— as a liaison for Board of Health. 573 00:43:33,598 --> 00:43:40,217 I also have both the library board as a liaison to that and also fair 574 00:43:40,217 --> 00:43:47,701 advisory. And then also on Friday, it is steering meeting time again with CCI. 575 00:43:47,701 --> 00:43:52,497 So we will be talking about legislative proposals. 576 00:43:52,497 --> 00:43:58,637 Though it seems that the legislative session is far off, it— we, 577 00:43:58,637 --> 00:44:05,449 we are always planning. And so I will be participating in that as well. 578 00:44:05,449 --> 00:44:12,164 And with that, I believe we are ready to move to item Item number 8 is 579 00:44:12,164 --> 00:44:18,592 community service organization reports, and there are none. Item 9. 580 00:44:18,592 --> 00:44:22,298 Item number 9 is public comment on items not scheduled on the agenda. 581 00:44:22,298 --> 00:44:25,359 The commissioners welcome communication in various forms. 582 00:44:25,359 --> 00:44:28,796 However, the public comment period is not intended for dialogue, 583 00:44:28,796 --> 00:44:32,287 and commissioners do not engage in conversation during this time. 584 00:44:32,287 --> 00:44:36,530 Members of the public seeking responses to specific questions are encouraged to 585 00:44:36,530 --> 00:44:38,732 submit inquiries through Citizen Connect. 586 00:44:38,732 --> 00:44:42,491 And Madam Chair, I'm unaware of anyone signing in to speak except now. 587 00:44:42,491 --> 00:44:45,811 Thank you. 588 00:44:45,811 --> 00:44:51,601 Last week— Laurel Skow. Last week I was caught in Hurricane Lowell on Kauai. 589 00:44:51,601 --> 00:44:57,620 The morning after revealed what the storm left behind: a brown, churning ocean, 590 00:44:57,620 --> 00:45:01,810 debris covering the beach, blocked roads, and no power. 591 00:45:01,810 --> 00:45:05,467 The Tri-Lakes has also been through a hurricane. 592 00:45:05,467 --> 00:45:08,286 It made landfall here on August 27th. 593 00:45:08,286 --> 00:45:11,867 2 weeks ago, I stood here sad and disappointed. 594 00:45:11,867 --> 00:45:15,829 Now the pattern is unmistakable, and I'm just angry. 595 00:45:15,829 --> 00:45:21,466 On July 23rd, Walden residents made criteria-based case against the Walker 596 00:45:21,466 --> 00:45:21,771 criteria-based case against the Walker Road 597 00:45:21,771 --> 00:45:27,866 rezoning. Chair Geithner said they did not understand the process or the rule of 598 00:45:27,866 --> 00:45:30,152 law. She opposed both denials. 599 00:45:30,152 --> 00:45:36,399 5 weeks later, 158 residents opposed the Buc-ee's appeal with sourced evidence and 600 00:45:36,399 --> 00:45:36,475 Buc-ee's appeal with sourced evidence and 6 601 00:45:36,475 --> 00:45:40,513 hours of testimony grounded in the code and criteria. 602 00:45:40,513 --> 00:45:46,303 Chair Geithner said her guess was that the residents opposed Buc-ee's first, 603 00:45:46,303 --> 00:45:51,027 learned about C-1 later, then decided the project did not fit. 604 00:45:51,027 --> 00:45:56,589 Twice she portrayed residents as uninformed about the process and reduced 605 00:45:56,589 --> 00:45:57,274 uninformed about the process and reduced carefully 606 00:45:57,274 --> 00:46:02,150 prepared criteria-based cases to mere expressions of opposition. 607 00:46:02,150 --> 00:46:05,198 That dismissal was the eye of the storm. 608 00:46:05,198 --> 00:46:11,216 Craig Dossey led planning when the 2021 master plan replaced 10 citizen-written 609 00:46:11,216 --> 00:46:11,521 master plan replaced 10 citizen-written area 610 00:46:11,521 --> 00:46:13,654 plans with a countywide map. 611 00:46:13,654 --> 00:46:19,521 The plan calls the Tri-Lakes the most well-established northern community and 612 00:46:19,521 --> 00:46:19,826 well-established northern community and says 613 00:46:19,826 --> 00:46:23,711 future development should align with its character. 614 00:46:23,711 --> 00:46:28,816 Yet at Walker Road, Chapter 3 labels the land suburban residential, 615 00:46:28,816 --> 00:46:33,920 while Chapter 4 places it in a large lot priority development area. 616 00:46:33,920 --> 00:46:40,244 In June, representing MA Infrastructure, Dossey acknowledged the inherent conflict. 617 00:46:40,244 --> 00:46:45,805 He said he could take ownership of a possible mapping error or oversight, 618 00:46:45,805 --> 00:46:50,681 then ask commissioners to judge the area by what it is becoming. 619 00:46:50,681 --> 00:46:53,729 At the September 3 code rewrite meeting, 620 00:46:53,729 --> 00:46:59,671 Black Forest and Tri-Lake residents objected to this urban drift and asked the 621 00:46:59,671 --> 00:47:04,243 county not to build a new code on an unresolved master plan. 622 00:47:04,243 --> 00:47:06,681 12 days after the Buc-ee's vote, 623 00:47:06,681 --> 00:47:11,785 Matt Dunstan and Vertex returned with new Walker Road applications. 624 00:47:11,785 --> 00:47:15,442 They moved the denied RM-12 from south to north, 625 00:47:15,442 --> 00:47:20,851 replaced it on the south with RS-5000, and submitted a PUD for Track B. 626 00:47:20,851 --> 00:47:26,794 Vertex letter of intent states El Paso County has historically planned for the 627 00:47:26,794 --> 00:47:27,099 County has historically planned for the land 628 00:47:27,099 --> 00:47:32,051 included within the MA subdivision to develop in an urban manner. 629 00:47:32,051 --> 00:47:34,489 The master plan never says this. 630 00:47:34,489 --> 00:47:39,898 Craig Dossey turns one side of an acknowledged conflict into a supposed 631 00:47:39,898 --> 00:47:40,431 acknowledged conflict into a supposed history 632 00:47:40,431 --> 00:47:46,374 supporting 3 new submissions. This is the broken system the hurricane exposed. 633 00:47:46,374 --> 00:47:52,621 Exposed documents meant to protect this community are reinterpreted toward greater 634 00:47:52,621 --> 00:47:56,583 density while residents are dismissed as uninformed. 635 00:47:56,583 --> 00:48:00,621 When these projects come before you, we will be here. 636 00:48:00,621 --> 00:48:06,411 We know the record and the process. What are you going to tell us this time? 637 00:48:06,411 --> 00:48:11,613 Thank you. Is there anyone else who wishes to speak 638 00:48:11,613 --> 00:48:14,468 during public comment today? 639 00:48:14,468 --> 00:48:17,834 Okay, item 9— excuse me, item 10. 640 00:48:17,834 --> 00:48:22,312 Item number 10 is the called-up consent calendar, and there are no items called 641 00:48:22,312 --> 00:48:22,482 calendar, and there are no items called up. 642 00:48:22,482 --> 00:48:23,661 Item 11. 643 00:48:23,661 --> 00:48:27,674 Item 11 is department and committee reports, non-action items, and there are 644 00:48:27,674 --> 00:48:27,938 reports, non-action items, and there are none. 645 00:48:27,938 --> 00:48:29,003 Item 12. 646 00:48:29,003 --> 00:48:32,006 Item 12 is the addendum, and there are no addendums today. 647 00:48:32,006 --> 00:48:33,415 Item 13. 648 00:48:33,415 --> 00:48:37,493 Item 13 is the executive session, and there is no request for executive session. 649 00:48:37,493 --> 00:48:41,797 Okay, with that, we've come to the end of this agenda. This meeting is adjourned.