As of Monday, Traci Marques no longer works as the executive director and CEO of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, El Paso County spokeswoman Natalie Sosa confirmed Wednesday.

The departure appears to be abrupt, and it is unclear what transpired.

“We do not comment on personnel matters or specific circumstances regarding separation,” Sosa said in response to questions submitted about the situation.

The workforce center’s communications and public relations manager did not answer a request for an interview. Marques also did not respond to an inquiry seeking comments.

It is uncertain whether Marques’ exit is related to a lawsuit in which the Pikes Peak Workforce Center is suing two state agencies, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment and the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, over a dispute about pandemic-relief grant funding.

The state is calling for the workforce center to return about $828,400 over allegations of non-compliance with grant terms and conditions.

Both the workforce center and the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective or Opus Creative, a now defunct organization that used the money to pay unemployed and underemployed workers affected by the pandemic and mentors who provided workforce training and support services programs, deny any fraudulent activity or wrongdoing.

A settlement was reached Tuesday in Denver District Court, which will be up for a vote by the Consortium Executive Board on Friday.

The workforce center is a government agency that provides free services in El Paso and Teller County that connects businesses with job seekers and provides events and programs that build employment skills and job readiness.

Marques, a 2021 graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership’s signature program, has worked at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center for nearly 14 years and previously was deputy director.

Prior to that, she directed customer service and community outreach at the organization and was team lead for the business relations group.

The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment recognized Marques for improving and modernizing veterans’ services, and in 2018, then-Gov. John Hickenlooper appointed her to the Colorado Division of Youth Services Southern Region Community Board, a role she occupied for three years.

Crystal LaTier has been named as interim executive director of the workforce center, according to an internal letter sent to employees this week that The Gazette obtained. Some of it is now posted on the organization’s website.

“We are committed to supporting Pikes Peak Workforce Center staff and ensuring that operations, services and daily activities continue with minimal disruption,” the letter states.

LaTier, who has worked for the county since 2010, also is continuing in her roles as executive director of economic development for El Paso County and executive director of the El Paso County Housing Authority.

The job structure is part of a new organizational realignment that brings together economic development and workforce development functions, Sosa said.

“This integrated model reflects best practices used across Colorado and nationally and is designed to strengthen coordination, improve service delivery and better support the region’s economic growth,” she said.

“We recognize that a strong economy depends on both thriving businesses and a skilled workforce. By aligning business support, workforce development and community (development) efforts — and by leveraging federal and state resources — we are better positioned to build a robust, diversified economic ecosystem that strengthens regional competitiveness and expands opportunity throughout our region,” the letter says.