Debate grows over Colorado Springs’ potential exit from regional 911 Authority

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The City of Colorado Springs is reemphasizing its decision to separate from the El Paso-Teller County 911 Authority (EPTC-911).

In statements from the city's police and fire chiefs and the mayor, officials say the decision to release extra information came after a period of recent public comments.

The city originally announced its decision to separate from the larger 911 authority in June of this year. According to the city, the decision was made to ensure public safety dollars were being directed to public safety needs within the city.

According to city officials, EPTC-911 does not directly handle emergency calls but instead acts as an administrative body that collects public funds and provides financial and technological support to 911 centers.

2025 Census Bureau data provided by the city shows Colorado Springs holds over 60% of the population across Teller and El Paso counties.

Officials say the data shows that Colorado Springs receives over 75% of the calls for the region. According to Mayor Yemi Mobolade, the city only receives 45% of the 911 funding.

The city says it estimated Colorado Springs residents paid over $13 million in phone surcharges for 911 calls. The new system would mean that money residents pay for phone surcharges would only go to Colorado Springs, instead of being split with the surrounding region.

In response, the Teller County Board of County Commissioners is urging Colorado Springs to reconsider its request to leave the El Paso-Teller 911 Authority, saying the regional system has been critical to emergency response for decades.

In a statement, commissioners said ending the partnership could weaken coordination during large-scale emergencies such as wildfires and floods, creating potential communication gaps across jurisdictional lines. They argued the current regional model has proven effective during past emergencies and warned that Colorado Springs' withdrawal could also strain other regional partnerships beyond emergency communications.

Teller County officials say they are calling on the Colorado Springs City Council to work with regional partners to strengthen the existing El Paso-Teller 911 Authority instead of dissolving the partnership.

A statement from the El Paso-Teller County 9-1-1 Authority can be read below:

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