Thomas Lachocki
Chair
First Term
Aug. 2022 – Aug. 2025
Second Term
Aug. 2025 – May 2028
Janna Blanter
3rd Vice Chair
First Term
June 2023 – May 2026
Andrew Dwyer
Member
First Term
June 2025 – May 2028
Vincent Prins
Vice Chair
First Term
Aug. 2022 – Aug. 2025
Second Term
Aug. 2025 – May 2028
Jane Newman
Secretary
First Term
June 2023 – May 2026
Bryan Williams
Member
First Term
June 2025 – May 2028
John Wallace
2nd Vice Chair
First Term
Aug. 2022 – Aug. 2025
Second Term
Aug. 2025 – May 2028
Abriana Cuvelier
Member
First Term
November 2025 – May 2028
Jill Sevits
Member
First Term
November 2025 – May 2028
Commissioner Bill Wysong
Commissioner Liaison
Council Member
Board of County Commissioners
Todd Marts
Staff Liaison
Executive Director
Parks Department
El Paso County is updating its public comment process for public meetings to ensure consistent procedures and improve meeting efficiency. As part of the update, El Paso County staff will no longer call participants for public comment. Multiple avenues for providing public input will remain available. This change will take effect on Jan. 13, 2025.
Residents are encouraged to share input in the following ways:
- In person during public meetings: Meeting schedules and agendas are available at: https://www.agendasuite.org/iip/elpaso
- By email: Contact information for Commissioners and departments is available at: https://www.elpasoco.com/contact-us/
- Through Citizen Connect: Submit comments and questions to El Paso County Commissioners at: https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com
- ADA Accommodations: Requests should be submitted at least 24 hours prior to the meeting. Visit https://www.elpasoco.com/digital-accessibility or call 719-520-6464.
Park Advisory Board Responsibilities
It is the County Park Advisory Board member’s responsibility to demonstrate an active interest in the goals, objectives, and issues involving the County’s regional parks, trails, open space, facilities, and programs.
Specific areas of responsibility requiring formal recommendation to the Board are as follows:
- Subdivision and land development matters within the unincorporated areas of the County.
- County Parks annual operating budget.
- County Parks long-range goals for the acquisition and development of County regional parks, trails, open space, and facilities.
- Issues which specifically relate to policies, philosophy and objectives involving County Parks.
The Park Advisory Board meets every second Wednesday of the month.
Location: Centennial Hall, 200 S. Cascade, Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Start time: 1:30 p.m.
The El Paso County Park Advisory Board is proud to announce Barbara Downs as the recipient of the 2025 Volunteer of the Year Award. Recognized for over a decade of extraordinary service, Ms. Downs was formally honored during the Board’s meeting on January 14, 2026.
Ms. Downs is a cornerstone of the Bear Creek Dog Park community. Her dedication goes far beyond standard volunteering; she is found at the park nearly every day, performing essential tasks such as waste removal, invasive species management, and park maintenance. As a leader in the Bear Creek Dog Park Friends Group, she has been instrumental in the success of major annual events, including “April Stools,” “Creek Week,” and “Ghouls & Stools.”
“Barbara’s proactive stewardship and commitment to park etiquette ensure that Bear Creek remains one of the premier dog parks in the nation,” the Board stated in the official proclamation. “Her service is a lasting tribute to the power of community involvement.”
The El Paso County Park Advisory Board extends its deepest gratitude to Ms. Downs for her tireless efforts in keeping our public spaces beautiful and safe for all users—two-legged and four-legged alike.
If you are interested in volunteering in our parks, email us at Parks@elpasoco.com for more information.