Brandy Williams has her eyes on El Paso County’s future, and she sees fireworks.

Williams is running as a Republican in the crowded race to replace outgoing Stan VanderWerf on the Board of El Paso County Commissioners in District 3, promising to prioritize public safety, infrastructure and lower taxes.

The county has seen rapid widespread population and economic growth over the last decade, said Williams, 45. Likening its expansion to a mountain climbed, the lifelong resident and former Colorado Springs councilwoman said the county’s next step should be continuing that push.

“We really have made it to a point that we’re doing more with less. We have smooth operations, we’re bringing in talent, but it’s really taking it to the next level,” she said. “It’ll be setting off fireworks at the top of the mountain. … We’ve been working for the last (decade-plus) to really have a smooth working system. Now that we have that good foundation, we need to build on it.”

She wants to continue the Pikes Peak region’s focus on attracting top talent and businesses. For example, she wants to see a new rail spur and proposed industrial rail park come to fruition, planned to be built on more than 3,000 acres of rural land between Fort Carson and the Ray Nixon Power Plant in Fountain.

The project could bring about 6,000 jobs to El Paso County and provide redundancy for the military that would contribute to national safety, she said. Using rail, the Army can move heavy military vehicles and equipment to the nation’s coasts, where they can be shipped overseas.

Collaboration is key in continuing El Paso County’s growth, Williams said.

She will draw on her decades of experience as a professional engineer, including for the city of Fountain, and her past leadership on the Colorado Springs City Council and regional boards such as the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments to make and maintain key relationships with the various communities that make up El Paso County.

“I’ve worked with Manitou Springs, Monument, Palmer Lake, the city of Colorado Springs and El Paso County. I’ve always loved the collaboration and bringing people together. This role seems like I could take the experience that I gleaned on City Council and essentially take it up to a bigger level,” Williams said.

Seeing public safety as a team effort, Williams also wants to maintain good working relationships between the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office and municipal police departments such as those in Colorado Springs, Manitou Springs, Fountain and Monument. 

She wants to keep taxes low for residents so they can afford to buy houses and other goods, and can advance in their lifestyles. She praised recent efforts by El Paso County and Colorado Springs to bring property taxes in line with Colorado’s Taxpayer Bill of Rights, lessening the property tax burden for property owners.

“The more money you have moving in a community, the more ability and potential you have for success,” she said.

She believes El Paso County’s housing crisis — high demand and low supply — will even out and housing prices will stabilize in the coming years as the county and its municipalities bring more units online to accommodate the influx of new residents.

On her campaign website, Williams also said she understands the importance of connectivity and will prioritize safe and reliable roads if elected county commissioner.

Williams faces three other Republicans in the race for District 3, including Colorado Springs Councilman David Leinweber, Colorado House District 20 Rep. Don Wilson and James Dunkley, who does not have an online presence. Naomi Lopez, an educator and community advocate, is the sole Democrat in the race to date.

VanderWerf cannot run again for the seat because of term limits. He is running as a Republican for election to Senate District 12.

For Williams, whose family has roots in El Paso County as far back as the late 19th century, the race for District 3 is personal.

“For me, it’s giving back,” she said of her run for the seat, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. “I really want to share this place. I think it’s gorgeous.”

Brandy Williams

Courtesy of Brandy Williams