2026 Retirement Board Election

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Nikki Simmons serves as the Chief Financial Officer for El Paso County and has served the County for more than 15 years. She currently serves as Chair of the Board of Retirement and is running for a second term. For the County and the Retirement Plan, she provides strategic oversight and a steadfast commitment to fiscal stewardship on behalf of employees, retirees, and citizens. As the County’s CFO, she oversees Budgeting, Grant Management, Contracts and Procurement, Accounting, Payroll, and Accounts Payable. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and has been a Certified Public Accountant since 2005. Nikki has 26 years of experience in accounting, including several years at a local CPA firm where she conducted pension plan audits in accordance with Department of Labor and Internal Revenue Service standards. With a distinguished career in public finance, she is widely respected for her expertise, integrity, and collaborative leadership. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to local government and public service, she was named a 2025 recipient of a national award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for excellence in public service.

My name is Aaron Sims and I have worked for the El Paso County Department of Human Services since 2016. As a lead specialist, I have served our aging and adult citizens with public assistance programs as well as developed the county procedures for processing the Burial and Cremation assistance program, helping grieving families and developing community partnerships with local funeral homes. Growing up in Colorado Springs, I developed an interest in government, politics, and leadership while attending troop planning meetings during my time in the Boy Scouts. I have been a resident of Colorado Springs since 1988 and attended the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2004. I have worked as a United States congressional caseworker, a home healthcare agency administrative representative, and customer service representative in the insurance industry before finally coming to the Department of Human Services.

On my personal time I assist my wife with her dog grooming business. I enjoy being outdoors, hiking trails, spending time landscaping and gardening, and doing home projects, woodworking, and painting. I appreciate the time spent with my wife, our cat and dog, and we always look forward to an evening of board games.

Jessica Hardwicke began working at the El Paso County Department of Human Services in August 2011. Jessica has served as a Caseworker, Kinship Caseworker, Family Engagement Meeting Facilitator and Supervisor, Core Services Program Coordinator, Children, Youth and Family Services Assistant Manager in Support and Services, and has been in the role of Children, Youth and Family Services Manager over the In-House Services team since August 2021. Jessica played a role in bringing the Core Services Program back into DHS in 2017. Jessica currently serves as the county co-chair, working with CDHS staff and other counties for the Children and Family Services Review (CFSR). Jessica regularly collaborates with other teams within DHS, other County departments, and with community stakeholders. Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master’s in Business Administration. When not at work, Jessica enjoys time with her two daughters, husband, and puppies.

I was born and raised in Colorado Springs and am proud to call this community home. I have spent the last 24 years serving our community through a career in law enforcement as well as donating my time to serving numerous local non-profit organizations. These experiences have given me a deep appreciation for the dedication of all our county employees, regardless of their department and the importance of protecting the benefits they work so hard to earn. I care deeply about the long-term stability of our retirement system and would bring a thoughtful, grounded, and community-centered approach to serving on the Retirement Board. It would be an honor to serve you in this capacity.

I currently serve as Deputy Executive Director for El Paso County Public Works, bringing over two decades of experience in public service, engineering, and organizational leadership. As a licensed professional engineer and retired U.S. Navy Seabee, I have spent my career managing complex infrastructure programs, stewarding public resources, and making long-term decisions that balance fiscal responsibility with the well-being of employees and the community. I am deeply committed to ethical governance, transparency, and thoughtful oversight, and I would bring a steady, analytical, and service-oriented perspective to the El Paso County Retirement Board in support of its mission to safeguard the retirement security of county employees.

I’m a candidate for one of the voting member seats on the El Paso County Retirement Board of Directors.

I’ve proudly served El Paso County and our community for over 18 years, with more than 23 years in local government. I began my career with the Sheriff’s Office as a 911 dispatcher and later served as Public Information Officer. Today, I bring that same commitment to my role as Interim Executive Director of Communications, where I lead efforts to strengthen employee communication and public trust during critical moments. I’m running for the Retirement Board to continue ensuring employees have a strong, informed voice at the table, advocate for retirement benefits, and be a good steward of the retirement plan’s long-term financial health and sustainability—for today’s workforce and those to come. I understand the responsibility that comes with this role and will uphold the integrity and accountability that have defined my career in public service.

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