Colorado Springs advances plan to split from regional 911 authority
Colorado Springs intends to separate from the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority and create a standalone city 911 authority, a proposed move that still requires approval from the Colorado Springs City Council.
Police Chief Adrian Vasquez and Fire Chief Randy Royal set out the city’s position in a joint statement dated July 15, 2026. The statement follows the city’s June announcement that it intended to separate from EPTC-911.
The city has not confirmed a Council vote or a final date for any transition. It also has not specified the eventual cost of a standalone authority or the operational effect on people calling 911.
Why the city is seeking a change
City officials cited concerns about revenue distribution, funding equity and differing technology plans within the regional authority. They also identified representation and administrative costs as issues that need to be addressed.
Colorado Springs said it cannot continue under a model in which city residents and businesses disproportionately subsidize costs outside the city. The statement did not provide audited figures to quantify that assertion.
The proposal concerns the organization that provides the regional framework for emergency-dispatch governance. If approved and implemented, the change could alter the governance, funding and technology arrangements connected to emergency dispatch for Colorado Springs and surrounding jurisdictions. Officials did not state how service for callers would change.
Regional agreement remains under discussion
Separation is not the only path the city says it is willing to consider. Colorado Springs officials said they remain open to a restructured regional agreement with EPTC-911 partners.
For the city to remain in a restructured authority, officials identified four minimum conditions: a new intergovernmental agreement, equitable representation on the governing board, a defined funding formula and reform of administrative costs.
Those conditions distinguish the city’s stated position from a final exit. Colorado Springs has announced its intent to separate, but it has not been confirmed to have left EPTC-911.
The next known decision point is City Council consideration of a standalone city authority. At the same time, discussions about a possible regional restructuring remain open. No deadline for a Council decision or a regional agreement was provided in the July 15 statement.