The El Paso County Free Prescription Discount Card saved residents $150,389.89 during its first year of availability. The program comes at no cost to El Paso County through its membership in the National Association of Counties (NACo) and provides instant discounts on prescription medications. The cards are free to all residents and can be a real lifeline for anyone whose prescription medication is not covered by his or her insurance. “I saved anywhere from 13 to 52% on my different prescriptions,” said resident Bob Wright, who says he used to have to choose between purchasing medication or food. “Around here, this El Paso County prescription discount card I think is one of the best things that ever happened," he said. “I now don't have to choose between buying food or my medicine thanks to this discount card.”

Since the cards first rolled out in June of 2009 5,986 citizens have utilized the program, 13,691 prescriptions were filled with an average savings of 22%. “This is a great program and we’re happy to provide it at no extra cost to our citizens and pass the savings directly on to our residents,” said Commissioner Sallie Clark, who along with Commissioner Amy Lathen, kicked off the program last year through the El Paso Citizen Outreach Group (COG) volunteer board. 26 counties in Colorado offer residents the free Prescription Discount Card and El Paso County ranks second, in purchases with the card and discounts through the card, to Mesa County where the card has been around for two and a half years.

COG Chairwoman Jan Doran said, "This is a win win for everyone. There are no eligibility requirements and no strings attached to receive the discounts," she said. "During these hard economic times, the Commissioners are to be commended for looking at new ways to pass on direct savings to those who need it most with no additional cost to County taxpayers."

You can pick up a free Prescription Discount Card at most County government locations including; the County Office Building on East Vermijo, the Department of Transportation on Akers Drive, the Parks Department Headquarters in Bear Creek Regional Park and the Fountain Valley Senior Center. An easy print version is also available on the main page of the El Paso County website and directly at: http://www.elpasoco.com/prescription_card.asp