2024 Primary Election Voter Guide: District 3, Board of El Paso County Commissioners (2024)

Republican voters will choose among four candidates in the upcoming primary election to represent El Paso County's third commissioner district, the most competitive seat up for grabs this year after the Board of County Commissioners redrew district boundaries in 2023.

Colorado Springs Councilman David Leinweber, former Councilwoman Brandy Williams, state Rep. Don Wilson and neighborhood organizer and advocate Bill Wysong all face each other in the June 25 Republican primary race. They hope to succeed fellow Republican Stan VanderWerf, who cannot run again for the seat because of term limits.

Whichever GOP candidate wins the upcoming primary will face Naomi Lopez, a speech pathologist and the sole Democrat in the District 3 race, in the Nov. 5 general election. The victor will serve a four-year term.

The district covers central and western El Paso County and includes the west side and downtown Colorado Springs; the city of Manitou Springs; the towns of Green Mountain Falls, Palmer Lake and Monument; and unincorporated areas on the west side of the county including Ute Pass and those south of Cheyenne Mountain State Park.

District 3 is El Paso County's most politically competitive district on average, with a deviation from zero, or "even" competitiveness, of just under 1% in favor of Republicans.

The candidates answered questions for The Gazette's primary election voter guide about roads funding, growth and wildfire concerns, and what makes them stand out from their opponents.

David Leinweber

Republican, leinweberforco.com

Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not?

Public safety and infrastructure are top priorities for our county. We are a conservative county, one where we value our lifestyle— which includes lower taxes than anywhere else on the Front Range. But even in counties where taxes are higher, there never seems to be sufficient funding for roads, so the ability to maintain our roads and infrastructure is often inadequate. Instead of imposing new taxes, we should explore alternative funding sources and prioritize efficient use of existing resources, including working with the developer, Colorado Department of Transportation and partnerships with our fellow governments and municipalities pursuing partnerships as well as seeking federal grants and funding to address our shortfalls.

How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns?

As a current city councilmember, I am deeply committed to public safety. Balancing growth with wildfire concerns is a top priority. Recognizing that wildfires are a significant risk in Colorado, we must pursue smart-growth strategies that prioritize safety. Currently, El Paso County lacks a fire mitigation program, a gap we need to address urgently. I will advocate for implementing a comprehensive fire mitigation plan to reduce fuel loads across the county. Furthermore, I will ensure that all future developments incorporate strong fire mitigation measures from the outset. As evidence of this, I have voted against developments that lacked adequate fire evacuation plans. By working with local fire departments, environmental experts and community stakeholders, we can promote responsible development that safeguards our residents and respects our natural landscape. This approach guarantees that our growth is both smart and safe.

How can the county better handle growth?

El Paso County will continue growing, as we are a great place to live, work and play. However, it's critical we grow in a way that maintains the family-friendly reputation of our neighborhoods. We must continue to utilize growth strategies that put our current residents first and prioritize public safety, proper resources including water and fire mitigation, and evacuation plans while maintaining our community character and values. Maintaining low taxes and the quiet lifestyle valued by residents of unincorporated El Paso County is crucial, while also exploring alternative funding sources for essential infrastructure improvements. Transparent decision-making and community involvement are key to balancing growth with residents' desires and private property rights. By working closely with local fire departments, environmental experts and stakeholders, we can promote responsible development that safeguards our residents, respects our natural landscape and supports sustainable infrastructure. This approach ensures our growth is both smart and responsive to community needs.

What sets you apart from opponents in the race?

My commitment to making a positive impact, not merely seeking a position. With 27 years of successful small-business ownership and being a job creator at Angler's Covey, and founder of Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance, I deeply understand our community's needs. Our county grapples with a mental health and drug addiction crisis, directly resulting in increased crime, higher health care costs, public safety concerns, greater youth susceptibility, economic strain and community deterioration. Unlike the city, the county has a public health department, necessitating initiative-taking leadership. As a city councilmember, I've launched initiatives intended to combat issues like isolation and loneliness, contributing to our high suicide rate. For us to remain a county that is family friendly, keeps its residents safe, and maximizes our quality of life, we must take on this crisis. I am resolute in continuing this work at the county level.

Brandy Williams

Republican, brandywilliams.com

Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not?

I am intimately familiar with roads, from designing them to managing their construction and maintenance, as well as procuring funding for them. The definition of "adequate" will always be subjective. As a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority, the community has voted multiple times to continue to tax themselves and those who visit our beautiful region to dedicate additional funding to the roads in El Paso County. As a county commissioner, I will continue to partner with the Colorado Department of Transportation to ease congestion through Colorado Springs and throughout the entire county.

How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns?

As a fourth-generation El Paso County native and having lived here my entire life, I am intimately familiar with growth in the region. My family raised cattle both at the Flying Horse Ranch and where the Pine Creek Golf Club sits today. I have worked in the public and private sectors as a civil engineer, and it is incumbent upon the commission to ensure the county is planning for the future with every new development.

Unfortunately, many valuable lessons were learned with the Waldo Canyon fire that are applicable both in our city and the county, such as roof type, proximate distance of homes to each other and the importance of soffit vents. We must establish and foster partnerships between the Forest Service, El Paso County, the military community and all adjacent municipalities to keep all citizens safe during an emergency.

How can the county better handle growth?

Water is paramount for the future of the region. I applaud those in the community that are bringing forward solutions such as the Loop Project to provide redundancy to our water supply. As a former member of the Colorado Springs Utilities Board, the community deserves not only someone who understands water rights and delivery, but also has the drive and determination to ask the tough questions. Road infrastructure is also important for growth in our region, continuing to maintain our existing roads while implementing a vision to enhance connectivity and redundancy throughout the county.

What sets you apart from opponents in the race?

What sets me apart is that I am not a one-issue candidate, I am not looking for the next elected office, and my family has been in El Paso County for over 120 years. I am a career civil engineer with land-use experience, a history of working countywide with all municipalities and a track record of leadership. I was the chair of both the Transportation Advisory Committee for the Pikes Peak Area County of Governments and the Technical Advisory Committee of the Fountain Creek Watershed District, and I was elected by my peers within the region. I am the candidate that brings years of experience and leadership to the table, and being county commissioner is my next step in serving our community.

Don Wilson

Republican, wilsonforcolorado.com

Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not?

Funding for county roads is decided annually through the budget process and can be adjusted based on revenue. Although the county has made significant strides in improving main roads, residential streets still need more attention. Prioritizing efficiency and seeking federal and state funding opportunities could generate new dedicated project funds. Additionally, collaborating with local agencies to maximize fund usage will enhance cost-effective project management. Having previously been a member of the area council of governments, I have the experience of working with other organizations and entities to obtain funds and prioritize projects.

How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns?

Collaboration between Pikes Peak Office of Emergency Management, law enforcement and local fire districts already exists, but there is always room for improvement. County Commissioner District 3 is uniquely qualified to become a leader as growth and wildfire risk fluctuate; a one-size-fits-all plan would not be appropriate. Continuous investments in infrastructure that supports wildfire mitigation and response is essential. This includes improving access roads for firefighting equipment, ensuring adequate water supply for fire suppression, and enhancing the capacity and training of local response agencies. These efforts, coupled with active community engagement and education, will be critical in balancing growth and development with wildfire concerns.

How can the county better handle growth?

To effectively manage growth, it's essential to ensure that the necessary resources and infrastructure are in place for the area to continue thriving. Understanding factors such as water availability and future transportation needs is crucial. Conducting in-depth modeling and acquiring data to support these considerations will provide valuable insights into how our county can better manage growth.

It's important to engage the community. Community perspectives can change over time due to shifts in the surrounding area, making the need for regular reviews crucial. El Paso County has already increased the community notification area during the early stages of the development process, but additional opportunities should be created prior to the process beginning.

Additionally, community education programs, such as Planning 101, are excellent ways to foster ongoing dialogue. These programs give residents a better understanding of the development process and guide them on how to be productively involved.

What sets you apart from opponents in the race?

As a veteran of the Marine Corps, serving my country, state and community has always been a top priority. With experience at both the local and state levels, I have seen firsthand that our local governments are our communities' most valuable and effective assets. As a county commissioner, I would work collaboratively with my colleagues and the community to deliver clear, beneficial outcomes for our area. No other candidate possesses my level of familiarity with both local and state government, as demonstrated by the endorsem*nts of local leaders, such as Sheriff Joe Roybal, Commissioner Carrie Geitner, state House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, state Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, and the late Colorado Springs Councilman Keith King. Bringing this experience to El Paso County will introduce fresh perspectives and new possibilities. My proven track record of hard work and applying common sense to every task makes me the right choice to strengthen our already robust community.

Bill Wysong

Republican, billwysong.com

Do you think funding for roads for the county is adequate? Why or why not?

The roads have been struggling to keep up with the rapid population growth, heavy usage and extreme weather events that have accelerated wear and tear. Moreover, without the proper planning, county roads will always be behind the needs of the residents and the aggressive population growth the current leadership seeks to achieve. Currently, the county is having all their roads mapped and analyzed, which will provide a great starting point in developing a long-term solution. With the large area the county covers, and in the more rural parts of the county, the tax base is much smaller than in more populated areas. This discrepancy of road miles per capita makes funding more difficult. Larimer County has had some success we should model in adopting a multipronged approach to a similar funding challenge amidst explosive growth by implementing public-private partnerships, grants and state funding, and community involvement and bonds.

How do you plan to balance growth and development with wildfire concerns?

The challenge lies in the discrepancy between the large geographic area and smaller tax base in rural parts of the county, making it difficult to allocate sufficient resources. To balance growth and development with wildfire concerns, the county needs data-driven evacuation planning and analysis to ensure multiple safe egress points are available. The public deserves to know their evacuation times, maps with safe areas and impact of development to those times. Planning should be the critical focus, ensuring that growth and development coexist with the necessary infrastructure and evacuation capabilities. Marin County, California, just implemented a road-scoring software program that scores every road in the county for evacuation on three factors: vegetation, communication and road capacity (egress). These scores are then used to mitigate evacuation egress to improve chances of survival in a dire fire. I will champion the use of similar technology. We must stop trapping citizens.

How can the county better handle growth?

The county appears to have done a very good job in balancing the growth. That said, we should look to success stories like Loudoun County, Virginia, which is lauded for managing rapid growth, having recently transformed from a largely rural area into one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The blueprint is:

• Comprehensive planning with a general plan that laid out a clear vision for development, maintaining a balance between growth and preservation of open spaces.

• Investment in transportation infrastructure, including expanding roads, constructing new highways and enhancing public transit options.

• Ensure that public services such as schools, emergency services and utilities kept pace with growth.

• Economic development with business incentives, a technology sector focus, public engagement and citizen advisory boards, ensuring growth reflects the community's goals.

To maintain a high quality of life for El Paso County residents, we must balance development with preservation putting public safety first.

What sets you apart from opponents in the race?

I am not a politician, and my campaign is funded by and for the people of El Paso County, ensuring I owe no favors. My focus is solely on representing residents and addressing their needs. With 30 years of leadership experience in an international telecommunications company and as a business owner, I am well-equipped to manage large, complex budgets and find balanced solutions for county needs. My integrity has been demonstrated through roles as an Eagle Scout, Navy veteran, co-founder and president of Westside Watch and the Mountain Shadows Community Association. Over the past year, I've fought for citizens across El Paso County, including filing lawsuits to protect their fundamental right to public safety. This commitment to integrity and community has led me to this campaign. I am dedicated to working with citizens to make their voices heard and to make El Paso County the safest and healthiest county in America.