El Paso County Public Health is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado and serves the estimated 735,822 residents of El Paso County and visitors. El Paso County includes the cities and towns of Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Calhan, Fountain, Green Mountain Falls, Monument, Palmer Lake and Ramah. The median age of El Paso County residents, according to the 2010 Census Bureau, was 34. Eighty percent of residents are white, 17 percent are Hispanic, 6 percent are black, and 4 percent are other race and ethnicities.

El Paso County Public Health was established in 1872 as a City Health Department, and then became an organized County Health Department in 1939. Public Health provides a broad spectrum of services to address ongoing and critical public health and safety issues.

Who We Are

El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH) was established in 1872 as a City Health Department, and then became an organized County Health Department in 1939. Public Health provides a broad spectrum of services to address ongoing and critical public health and safety issues.

Agency Organization

Mission

Our mission is to promote and protect public health and environmental quality across El Paso County through people, prevention and partnerships.

Vision

Our vision is for all El Paso County residents to live in thriving communities
where every person has the opportunity to achieve optimal health.

Values

  • Integrity
  • Service Excellence
  • Collaboration
  • Innovation
  • Data-Driven
  • Respect
a group of people standing around a table with supplies on it

Board of Health

El Paso County Public Health is governed by a nine-member Board of Health, which establishes policy, approves the agency’s budget and appoints the Public Health Director. Each member serves in a voluntary capacity for a maximum of two consecutive five-year terms upon appointment by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners.

The Board is made up of two current County Commissioners, one Colorado Springs City Council member, one elected official from another municipality within El Paso County, an active or retired physician, an active or retired medical professional, a business or financial professional, a nonprofit, public or private or public education professional and a citizen-at-large member. The Board meets regularly once each month, and additionally as needed.

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Meeting Information

Strategic Plan

A strategic plan is created when an organization’s leadership outlines goals, objectives, and the organization’s vision for the future. For a public health agency, much of the planning process a normal organization would go through to create a strategic plan is followed. However, public health must also adhere to all foundational public health services when creating a strategic plan.

EPCPH has approached the strategic planning process in a methodological manner. As each section of the plan is outlined, agency leadership has taken into account the following foundational principles:

  • Decision-making & prioritization
  • Resource allocation
  • Transparency
  • Flexibility
  • Alignment

The updated strategic plan will be launched in second quarter 2024.

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Our agency divisions, programs and services are aligned with Colorado’s seven core public health services to assure high-quality public health services to all El Paso County residents and fulfill our agency’s mission and vision.

Administration and Governance: Establish and maintain programs, personnel and operations; implement public health laws, policies and procedures; secure and manage financial resources.

Assessment, Planning and Communications: Analyze local, regional and state data sources; create Community Health Assessments and Public Health Improvement Plans; develop public health messaging and communications.

Communicable Disease Prevention, Investigation and Control: Monitor, detect and report disease; investigate and control diseases and outbreaks; assure immunizations using established standards.

Emergency Preparedness and Response: Promote preparedness by participating in all-hazards planning and training; prepare for and respond to emergencies; implement an emergency communication strategy; coordinate with other responders.

Environmental Health: Assure food safety; protect and improve air, land and water quality; assist with regulatory compliance; mitigate effects of environmental hazards.

Prevention and Population Health Promotion: Promote healthy living through policies and programs; promote physical and behavioral health with an emphasis on health equity; develop community-specific solutions to address prevention priorities.

Vital Records and Statistics: Record and report vital events (births and deaths); issue birth certificates and death certificates.