Vickie Tonkins

District 5 - Democratic Party

How does your experience make you qualified to represent the people?

My background is all about service. I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational
Management and have managed offices for a CPA as well as run the office for
Business Development for the City of Hickory, and the co-founder for The Destiny
Project, Inc. I also have a Master’s Degree in Education Administration and
Supervision. I helped start James Irwin Charter Middle School where I hired staff,
managed the budget, and oversaw student discipline. I was a member of the D-11
Mill Levy Override Committee for three years. The Mill Levy Committee oversees
tax dollars to make sure they go to the designated areas. A professor for the
University of Phoenix from 2009-2017, I taught Critical Thinking. I was a
Facilitator/Trainer in Staff Development for corporations throughout Colorado as I
worked for ComPsych Corporation. I am a Case Consultant for attorneys who
represent foster children, and have done so from 2017-present.

What are your top policy priorities?

The number one complaint that I hear from constituents is that elected officials in
El Paso County do not listen to them. The people of El Paso County want to be
heard by the people who govern them. ALL elected officials need to see
themselves as servants to the people and not lords over the people. One thing
that I see will assist constituents with this issue, of not being heard, is having
town halls as well as have Commissioner Meetings that will accommodate the
people who work during the day and cannot attend 9 am meetings.
I would like to have a meeting at least once a month, in the evening, so more
citizens in our county can participate. I will also work toward sending out
information to constituents on a regular bases so they will be aware of items
discussed at the County Commission Board Meetings so they can avail
themselves to be present to discuss their concerns.

Government should SERVE the people, NOT burden them.

Safe Communities:

I will listen to the concerns of constituents and not ignore them. All constituents’
concerns are important and they should be acknowledged. People feel safer in
their communities if they know they are being heard by those who serve them.
Crime cost El Paso County $466 Million in 2025 and that averages to about $1,603
per household. We have an Overall Crime Rating of a D with Violent Crime at and
C and Property Crime at a D. We must build partnerships with the authorities in
our county and focus on results that actually reduce crime. Simple things like
having Neighborhood Watch in areas that are known to have high crime will be a
practical start. Each person in El Paso County has 1 in 144 chances of having a
crime committed upon them. One is to many.

Building Responsibly:

Make sure the natural resources in our community are not squandered by
building irresponsibly. I am not opposed to growth but I do believe it must be
done with respect to the citizens as well as our water and other natural resources.
While 300 years of water is a lofty goal it is difficult to keep that when we do not
follow the Master Plan for building in El Paso County. People are concerned about
big developments, Data Centers and other sprawling building projects. The water
experts have stated that we may have a water problem at the rate we are building
and that has to be considered in every large development we have. We average 15
to 22 inches of water per year in El Paso County. Can these large developments
help us sustain the 300 years of water?

Constitutional Liberties being protected:

The laws that are being passed by our legislature needs to be pushed backed on
as many are unconstitutional and is causing great harm to El Paso County
citizens. The rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the bedrock to
our freedoms and they should not be infringe

What is one issue you think is being overlooked in this race, and how would you address it? 

I am running to represent the people of El Paso County because they have been
ignored long enough. I will listen to the constituents. The Government
departments too often overspend — and that must stop because taxes keep
rising. Just like you and I live within a budget, so should our government. I will
fight for responsible spending, innovative solutions, and efficient services that
make government more effective, more productive, and less invasive to the
people it is supposed to SERVE.

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