Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations, Sept. 13 – County officials give updates

By Marlene Brown

The Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) held its General Membership meeting on Sept. 13. President Mike Aspenson acknowledged the member homeowners associations (HOAs) in the room. There were 22 HOAs represented of the 49 member HOAs, and guest speakers Meggan Herington and Jack Ladley.

Aspenson announced that the board elections will be held at the next meeting in November. Four positions are open. Harold Larson, member-at-large, will head the Nomination Committee. For more information and to discuss possible board positions, email info@nepco.com.

Guest speakers

Herington, executive director for Planning and Community Development for El Paso County since January 2024, has over 20 years of experience in various roles in planning and development. She was Planning Department director in Monument for a year, starting in June 2021. The responsibilities of the director include: department oversight with over 30 employees and knowing the current state legislation impacting county land use, zoning processes, and land development code updates.

The Planning Department is considered quasi-judicial. When dealing with zoning codes and land development, there are processes to deal with. It proceeds from a notice to a fair hearing to an evaluation of factors that pertain to the proposed use to decision-making.

Some of the legislation in the state Senate that pertains to code includes wildland fire protection and mitigation and structure hardening requirements including roofing, gutters, and vents. Regulations regarding materials used, retaining walls and fences, and trees and plants are followed. Trees and plants should be away from structures because they can become fuel for fire.

In May 2024, the update of the Land Development Code (LDC) began. In 2024-25, researching the old code and implementing new code led to a draft of LDC. Starting in September through February 2026, the draft will be available for public review, with adoption of the new LDC sometime in spring 2026. To look at the updates and/or participate in the Land Development Code project, go to www.elpasocountyldc.com.

Ladley, executive director of the Public Works Department, has been with the county since 2021. He has been deputy director and interim director since October 2024 and became director in July 2025. He is a 25-year veteran of the Air Force and has 38 years combined military and public-sector experience in infrastructure and operations.

Ladley oversees the Highway Division, Engineering, Fleet Management, and Resource Management, focused on budget management and procurement, and the Customer Service Division.

Some of the projects his department is currently working on:

• Hwy 105A roadway widening from Woodmoor Drive to Lake Woodmoor Drive.
• Hwy 105B widening improvements, Lake Woodmoor Drive to Martingale Road.
• Beacon Lite Road Improvements, south phase (Wakonda Way to Bricker Road).
• Deer Creek/Base Camp/ Microscope Road improvements.
• Furrow Road from Hwy 105 to Minglewood Trail.
• Struthers Road/North Gate Blvd drainage.
• Woodmoor Drive and Lake Woodmoor Drive intersection improvements.
• Baptist Road/Hodgen Road and Roller Coaster Road intersection improvements.

To report road damage or other county-related issues such as mowing needed, drainage maintenance, trash removal, or dead animal removal, go to www.citizenconnect.elpasoco.com and create a service request.

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NEPCO usually meets bi-monthly at The Barn, 1691 Woodmoor Drive, Monument. The next general membership meeting will be on Nov. 15, 10 a.m. to noon. After the board election, the guest speakers scheduled are County Commissioners Holly Williams (District 1) and Bill Wysong (District 3). For more information about HOA membership in NEPCO, email membership@nepco.org or go to www.nepco.org.

Marlene Brown can be contacted at marlenebrown@ocn.me.

Other Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) articles

• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations, Jan. 24 – NEPCO president urges more involvement (2/4/2026)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – County commissioners Williams, Wysong featured at meeting (12/4/2025)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – Developer reduces home sites, HOA affected state laws (7/31/2025)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO)- NEPCO hosts Colorado deputy commissioner of insurance (4/5/2025)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), Feb. 19 – Helping shape county land development code (3/1/2025)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – Jan. 11 – Fire mitigation efforts explained (2/1/2025)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – NEPCO gets an update on county planning and code enforcement (10/5/2024)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO) – County park planning manager discusses new parks (8/3/2024)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), May 11 – New legislation reviewed (6/1/2024)
• Northern El Paso County Coalition of Community Associations (NEPCO), March 9 – Council of Governments preparing wildfire protection plan (4/6/2024)