Some of the most vital positions in El Paso County government are up for election this year, including officeholders in charge of everyday government services.
Clerk and Recorder
The El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office oversees elections. It’s also where county citizens go for motor vehicle services, marriage licenses and property records. The current Clerk and Recorder, Steve Schleiker, is a Republican.
Recommended Stories
▶
Tracie Woods
Did not submit a voter guide response by publication time.
Steve Schleiker
Phone Number: 719-377-8360
Website: https://www.steveschleiker.com/
Mailing Address: 5540 Flag Way, Colorado Springs, CO 80919
Education: I am a proud 1987 graduate of Widefield High School and have continued to build on that foundation throughout my career. I hold a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management, a Master’s degree in Project Management, and an Executive MBA. I am also a Certified Colorado Election Official. Together, my education and professional training have shaped how I lead: using technology thoughtfully, managing complex work with care, and keeping public service at the center of every decision.
What is the first program/policy you plan to enact if elected?
My first priority will be an office-wide service audit of Elections, Motor Vehicles, Recording, and Clerk to the Board. We will measure wait times, processing times, costs, and customer feedback, then publish clear goals for improving service. I have already introduced tools that make services easier for our customers and our work more transparent; this audit will help us find the next practical improvements, reduce unnecessary steps, and make every visit easier for El Paso County residents.
What do you think are the top 3 needs for the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder’s Office?
The office’s top three needs are:
Secure, accessible, and transparent elections that voters can verify and trust
Faster, simpler Motor Vehicle and Recording services, supported by technology that makes life easier for customers; and
Well-trained, supported employees with the tools to serve people accurately and respectfully. Meeting these needs requires listening to residents, measuring results, and using taxpayer resources responsibly.
What do you think should be the top 3 priorities for the Clerk and Recorder’s Office?
My top three priorities are:
Protect election integrity and expand the tools that let our voters verify our work;
Make Motor Vehicle, Recording, and other services faster and easier to use, both online and in person; and
Support our employees while measuring performance, eliminating unnecessary steps, and spending taxpayer dollars responsibly. Every improvement should make a practical difference for the people we serve.
Coroner
The El Paso County Coroner’s Office investigates all sudden, unexpected and non-natural deaths. The coroner is involved in criminal and public health investigations, and compiles death statistics. As the largest coroner’s office in southeast Colorado, the El Paso County Coroner’s Office assists in death investigations for multiple surrounding counties. Emily Russell-Kinsley, a Republican, is the current coroner running for re-election unopposed.
Emily Russell-Kinsley
Email: [email protected]
Website: DrEmilyRussellKinsley.com
Mailing address: 4141 Sinton Road
Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Education: I am a board-certified forensic pathologist. I have a Bachelor of Science from Oklahoma State University and a medical doctorate from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. I completed a 4-year residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, Texas, and Forensic Pathology fellowship training at the Southwestern Institute of Forensic Sciences at the Dallas County Medical Examiner’s Office through the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, also in Dallas, Texas. I am board-certified in Anatomic and Forensic Pathology and a licensed physician in the state of Colorado. After completing my training, I began my career at the El Paso County Coroner’s Office in 2012 as an Associate Forensic Pathologist, was promoted to Deputy Chief Medical Examiner in 2019, served as EPC Acting Coroner in 2020, and began serving as Coroner on Jan. 1, 2025, after being appointed by the Commissioners.
Response: I was appointed to begin the position Jan. 1, 2025. Since that time, I have 1) restructured key positions in the office to allow for increased focus on data and identifying the unidentified, 2) improved education, training, communication, collaboration and morale within the office, and 3) advanced our abilities scientifically through new toxicology and more frequent genetic studies. I plan to continue advancing and seeing through all of those achievements to continue providing high-quality, independent and science-based service to the community.
Assessor
The El Paso County Assessor’s Office is in charge of property records. The assessor lists property and assesses both actual and taxable value. The current assessor, Mark Flutcher, is not running for re-election.
David “Muka” Traenkle
David “Muka” Traenkle, candidate for El Paso County Assessor (Submitted photo)
Phone number: 719-930-6816
Email: [email protected]
Website: muka4epco.com
Mailing address: 747 Crown Ridge Dr, Colorado Springs, CO 80904
Education: BA UCSC 1992; (University of California-Santa Cruz)
M.Ed. Adams State College 2003; (now Adams State University) Alamosa, CO. Certified Residential Appraiser 2020; coursework, 2500 hours mentorship, and state test.
What is the first program/policy you plan to enact if elected?
As the only candidate with relevant experience in the appraisal field, I would ensure that the office is meeting the high standards of data-driven, evidence-based assessments for ALL properties without fear or favor for the developers attempting to buy this office.
What do you think are the top 3 needs for the El Paso County Assessor’s Office?
First, the office needs to be transparent and serve the homeowners of El Paso County. Second, we need to ensure that we meet the highest standards of evidence-based practices. And finally, I will provide the experienced leadership to secure the County government as a service to the community, not to serve the donors and special interests.
What do you think should be the top 3 priorities for the Assessor’s Office?
Creating an office that has great customer service for homeowners and business owners in our county is the focus. This includes responsiveness and ease of valuation protests, transparency for our practices and procedures, and finally, professional, competent leadership to ensure we never get fined by the state for missed deadlines or shoddy practices.
Becky Fuller
Phone number: 719-459-9060
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://BeckyFuller.com
Mailing address: P.O. Box 49751, Colorado Springs, CO 80949
Education: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado Boulder, with areas of emphasis in accounting and entrepreneurship and small-business management.
What is the first program/policy you plan to enact if elected?
My first initiative will be to establish ongoing community feedback meetings with frequent users of the Assessor’s Office — realtors, lenders, insurance professionals, property owners and others — to identify practical improvements in service, information and accessibility. I will approach the office with a servant mindset. I have some improvements I want to make, but my priority will be to listen, understand how people use the office, and make it work as effectively as possible for our community.
What do you think are the top 3 needs for the El Paso County Assessor’s Office?
Continued investment in our experienced staff through training, resources and support so they can serve residents effectively.
Reliable technology, data, and processes that support accurate valuations, efficient operations and accessible information.
Strong communication and public education so residents understand the Assessor’s work, how property values are determined and how the Assessor fits within the broader property-tax system.
What do you think should be the top 3 priorities for the Assessor’s Office?
Expand public education beyond the Assessor’s Office so residents understand how property taxation and local government work, which officials are responsible for what, and how we can help them effectively advocate for change.
Treasurer
The El Paso County Treasurer’s Office is the custodian for county funds. The treasurer is in charge of collecting property taxes and administering processes for unpaid taxes. The office also audits and distributes revenues to taxing entities. The current El Paso County Treasurer is Republican Chuck Broerman, who is running for re-election unopposed.
Chuck Broerman
Phone number: 719-459-6065
Email: [email protected]
Website:broermanfortreasurer.com
Mailing address: 4141 Sinton Road, Colorado Springs, CO 80907
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business, Associate Degrees in Electro-Mechanical Engineering and Electronics
What do you think are the top 3 needs for the El Paso County Treasurer’s Office?
As the current County Treasurer, I plan to continue the modernization and transparency in all financial operations. The Treasurer’s Office recently completed and implemented a modernization of our office’s 45‑year‑old tax collection system. We are proud of that effort, which has greatly improved accuracy, efficiency and customer service for taxpayers. We are also the first in the country to offer a monthly pre-payment property tax service that makes it easier for homeowners on a fixed income. Building on that success, I will expand digital service options, strengthen internal controls and enhance public reporting so residents have clear, accessible insight into how their tax dollars are managed.
What do you think should be the top 3 priorities for the Treasurer’s Office?
Top priorities are safeguarding public funds, improving operational efficiency, and expanding taxpayer-facing services. Protecting county revenues through strong financial controls and responsible investing is essential. Streamlining internal processes and upgrading technology will reduce costs and improve accuracy. Lastly, enhancing services—such as easier online payments, clearer communication, and more accessible financial information via a public-facing dashboard—helps residents engage confidently with the Treasurer’s Office. These priorities ensure accountability, efficiency and strong public trust