About Us

What is the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority?

The El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority works together with local governments in El Paso and Teller County to fund, manage, and maintain a single reliable regional 911 system. The Authority provides shared infrastructure, equipment, training, GIS, and support that enables six separate 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs or 911 call centers) to serve the public efficiently and reliably.

The Authority does not answer 911 calls. Individual PSAPs answer calls. The El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority supports six PSAPs, three in El Paso County, and three in Teller County.

  • Colorado Springs Police Department
  • Cripple Creek Police Department
  • El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
  • Ft. Carson Emergency Communications Center
  • Teller County Sheriff’s Office
  • Woodland Park Police Department
El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority Mission Statement 

The El Paso-Teller County Authority shall provide the public reliable access to public safety agencies by managing high-quality, redundant, secure, and cost-effective 911 services while providing exceptional customer service to Authority stakeholders.

Why was the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority Created?

The El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority was created to provide a single regional organization responsible for planning, funding, operating, and maintaining the 911 system across El Paso and Teller Counties, rather than having each local government manage those responsibilities independently.

The Authority was established through an Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) that became effective June 1, 1989, and the separate governmental entity began operations in 1990 under Colorado’s Emergency Telephone Service Act.

The signers of the intergovernmental agreement, including representatives from counties, cities, municipalities, fire districts, and military installations, recognized that a regional 911 Authority using a regional funding model could provide a reliable 911 system for residents of El Paso and Teller Counties by:

  • Sharing the cost of expensive 911 technology, software, equipment, and infrastructure.
  • Reducing duplication by purchasing and maintaining systems collectively rather than individually.
  • Providing equitable support to all participating PSAPs, regardless of the size of the community they serve.
  • Planning for long-term investments in technology replacement, cybersecurity, Next Generation 911 (NG911) implementation, and system redundancy.
  • Creating consistent service levels for residents in El Paso and Teller Counties, and the 25 million visitors who visit each year.

How is the Authority Funded?

Under C.R.S. 29-11-102, Colorado’s Emergency Telephone Charge is a monthly fee collected by service providers to fund local 911 dispatch, equipment, and services. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) sets maximum caps.

The Authority administers the monthly 911 emergency telephone charge, as authorized by Colorado law and the Intergovernmental Agreement. This charge is not a public safety tax. Funds collected through the charge are restricted to eligible emergency communications purposes and support regional 911 services to include:

  • 911 call handling technology
  • Computer and network infrastructure
  • GIS and location data
  • Cybersecurity
  • Equipment, replacement and maintenance
  • Dispatcher training and quality assurance
  • Public education and outreach
  • Emergency notification capabilities
  • Next Generation 911 (NG911) initiatives
Historical Emergency Telephone Charge for El Paso and Teller Counties 
  • 1992 – 2004: $0.50 (applied to landlines only)
  • 2004 – 2017: $0.70
  • 2017 – 2026: $1.35
  • February 2026 – Present: $2.00

Current Emergency Telephone Charge Rates in Colorado

Regional cost-sharing has kept the emergency telephone charge below the state maximum cap.

Who Provides Oversight?

The Authority has a Board of Directors that provides governance, oversight, and strategic direction. The Board consists of nine members to represent:

  • The City of Colorado Springs (3) – Appointed by Colorado Springs City Council
  • El Paso County (2) – Appointed by El Paso County Commissioners
  • Teller County (1) – Appointed by Teller County Commissioners
  • Cities, Towns, U.S. Military, and Special Districts (3) - Appointed by seated Authority Board members.

 Authority Board Responsibilities

  • Represent the member jurisdictions and ensure the regional 911 system serves the needs of all participating communities.
  • Establish policies that govern the operation and administration of the Authority.
  • Approve the annual budget and oversee the responsible use of 911 emergency telephone charge revenue.
  • Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and the Intergovernmental Agreement.
  • Hire, evaluate, and provide direction to the Executive Director, who manages the Authority’s day-to-day operations.
  • Approve major contracts, capital projects, and technology investments that support the regional 911 system.
  • Provide financial oversight to ensure the Authority remains fiscally responsible.
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