Residents urge support for child-welfare staff and criticize ICE; commissioners vote to enter executive session on pending litigation

Two members of the public used the meeting’s public-comment period on April 7 to press the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners on child-welfare supports and immigration enforcement, and the board approved an executive session to confer with county attorneys on pending litigation.

Ren Trudeell of Monument praised county staff but urged the board to provide more financial resources and mental-health support for child-welfare workers, saying that proclamations help morale but that staff burn out without funding. "Throw some money at them," Trudeell said, urging the county to replace lost state and federal funds and provide better community supports.

Gavin Rainey, a community and political activist, said prior support for sheriff's cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement now "disgusts" him following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Freddy. "If even one commissioner spoke out and said ICE does not belong in this community, they would listen," Rainey told the board.

Later in the meeting the county attorney's office requested an executive session "pursuant to CRS 246424B and E" to discuss litigation filed by Diaz in U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, case number 2023 CV 02230, and to develop negotiation strategy and receive legal advice. The board voted 5-0 to move into executive session after taking photos with Human Services staff and planting pinwheels; no further details were disclosed in open session.