Statement from Sheriff Roybal Regarding the City of Colorado Springs’ Announcement to Leave The El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority

Emergency communications are the backbone of public safety. As your Sheriff, my responsibility is to ensure the people of El Paso County receive reliable, coordinated emergency services regardless of jurisdictional boundaries. Following the City of Colorado Springs' announcement regarding the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority, I want to share my perspective, my commitment to transparency, and the steps I am taking to protect the regional partnerships essential to keeping our communities safe.

FROM THE EL PASO COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WEBSITE

El Paso County Sheriff Joseph Roybal issued the following statement in response to the City of Colorado Springs’ announcement of its plan to leave the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority in 2027:

“The El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority (EPTC-911) was established in 1989 to provide coordinated emergency communications services across El Paso and Teller Counties. Today, the Authority serves 10 municipalities, 23 fire protection districts, and multiple military installations, while managing six 911 call-taking and dispatch centers throughout our region.

The relationship between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority has never been stronger. Together, we have worked diligently to ensure the highest level of emergency communications services for our residents, first responders, and partner agencies.

As testament to our strong collaboration, this afternoon, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Law Enforcement Bureau Chief Andrew James was elected Chairman of the Board. I look forward to his leadership and continued partnership as the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority advances its critical mission of delivering quality public safety services to our community alongside the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

EPTC-911 provides essential services far beyond answering emergency calls. The Authority supports public safety operations through personnel funding, quality assurance, training, information technology, GIS mapping, public education, Peak Alerts Emergency Notification System, and regional interoperability. Additionally, the EPTC-911 provides a fully functional backup Communication Center in the event a Primary Communication Center becomes unusable.

Most importantly, during critical incidents, with the help of the Pikes Peak Regional Communications Network, all emergency personnel across participating agencies maintain the ability to communicate through interoperable radio systems — a capability which has proven essential for public safety during large-scale emergencies, such as the Waldo Canyon Fire and the Black Forest Fire.

The importance of coordinated emergency communications has been recognized nationwide since the tragedy of September 11, 2001, when interoperability challenges highlighted the need for unified communication systems among emergency responders.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center dispatches law enforcement, fire agencies, and military installations throughout the region. As the leading public safety official in El Paso County, I believe the mission of public safety is not confined by municipal boundaries or ZIP codes. I view emergency services as a regional responsibility, and it is our duty to ensure all residents — regardless of jurisdiction — continue to receive reliable, uninterrupted emergency communications services.

Funding received through the 911 Authority has also allowed my Office to discontinue charging several smaller local agencies for dispatch services, eliminating additional costs to taxpayers in communities including the City of Fountain, Manitou Springs, Green Mountain Falls, Cascade, and Security.

My Office remains committed to doing everything within our power to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality dispatch services for all our partners and the communities we collectively serve.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Regional Communications Center currently dispatches emergency and non-emergency calls for the following agencies in the Pikes Peak region:

Black Forest Fire/Rescue Protection District

Calhan Police Department

Calhan Fire Protection District

Cascade Fire Protection District

Cimarron Hills Fire Protection District

Crystal Park Volunteer Fire Department

Edison Fire Protection District

Ellicott Fire Protection District

El Paso County Sheriff’s Office

El Paso County Wildland Fire

Falcon Fire Protection District

Fountain Police Department

Fountain Fire Department

Green Mountain Falls Marshal’s Office

Green Mountain Falls Chipita Park Fire Department

Hanover Fire Protection District

Manitou Springs Fire Department

Manitou Springs Police Department

Monument Fire Protect District

Monument Police Department

Palmer Lake Fire Department

Palmer Lake Police Department

Peyton Fire Protection District

Pikes Peak State College Police Department

Security Fire Protection District

Southwest Highway 115 Fire Protection District

Schriever Space Force Base 911

Stratmoor Hills Fire Protection District

Tri-County Fire Protection DistrictUnited States

Air Force Academy Fire Department

I have spoken with the El Paso County Commissioners and Teller County Sheriff Jason Mikesell, and we remain aligned in our commitment to maintaining effective regional emergency communications and public safety coordination.

Additionally, my Office has submitted requests pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) seeking factual information regarding authorizations, allotments, and funding safeguarded by the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority for the City of Colorado Springs, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, and the Teller County Sheriff’s Office. As the duly elected Sheriff, I remain committed to transparency and will release the distribution of funds designated for my Office, the City of Colorado Springs, and Teller County, as provided by the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority, to ensure transparency for our citizens in the coming days.

As discussions continue, I am hopeful the City of Colorado Springs will continue to work collaboratively with my Office to identify equipment and systems which remain compatible with existing emergency communications infrastructure. Ensuring interoperability among agencies across our region is essential to protecting public safety during emergencies and large-scale incidents.”

You may find the original article on the El Paso County Sheriff's Office website here.