Voices from the County

I am writing to express my deep concerns regarding the Douglas County commissioners’ push for home rule and the misleading narratives they have used to justify this dramatic change in our county’s governance.

Douglas County’s home rule effort is secretive, rushed and for special interests. In March, commissioners spent 90 seconds placing a $500,000 special election ballot measure in a summer off-year election.

Voters in Douglas County are deciding whether to become a home rule county. Ballots are due next week, and the issue has stirred up a lot of strong feelings amidst competing claims about what it would mean for this fast-growing part of Colorado.

This is an informational newsletter to highlight some of the "Whoppers" told Tuesday night in the remote Town Hall

Conversation with D1 "Vote No" candidates.

Kyle Clark and Marshall Zelinger of 9NEWS weighed in on home rule and came to the same conclusion that the Vote No side has been saying all along: “those claims [about opting out of certain state laws] by Republican county commissioners don't check out.”

Nobody cares more about public safety than the Fraternal Order of Police. And they urge our community to VOTE NO on Home Rule

The Townhall on May 28 about home rule was hardly a town hall, as it was dominated by the county attorney and commissioners campaigning for their pet project. Only 7 questions were allowed and many of those were made by pro-home rule shills in the audience to bolster the home rule concept.

...home rule will create a significant cost for Douglas County residents with little benefit and possibly even cause harm. Home rule is not being initiated by the community which calls into question why it is being proposed at all.

Three former Commissioners share their reasons for joining together to oppose Home Rule

This episode is a deeper dive into the citizen survey results and it begs the question: why did Douglas County commissioners spend $500k on an election for a home rule status that a majority of us didn’t ask for and don’t want?

Anyone who has been paying attention to the clown show that is our Board of County Commissioners would ask of the home rule question, “… why would I want to give these characters more power?”

Less than 90 seconds. That is the time Douglas County’s commissioners spent discussing and voting for a $500,000 single-issue special election for Home Rule, the biggest political decision a county can make. This was done at a hastily called special meeting with only 24-hour notice and no public input invited or allowed.

Analysis of the DC 2023 Voter Opinion Poll raises serious questions about the commissioners’ transparency on that point for two critical reasons.

I'm voting NO on HOME RULE because the commissioners have failed to make a clear and convincing case to the people of Douglas County about why We the People--who have been totally LEFT OUT OF THIS PROCESS--will benefit.

What would a good faith effort at home rule look like? What would a bad faith effort look like, and why does it look like Douglas County? Who (or what) is behind the Yes on Local Control efforts? I would say this is my closing argument but you know there is going to be more news. Here’s a review and fact check of the one hour town hall on home rule in Douglas County. One whole hour! With some casual electioneering from the dais. Cool cool.

Compare the two columns below, and decide for yourself which position is grounded in frothy political propaganda and which one is supported with facts and evidence.

Having opened three schools and serving on the Board of Education in Douglas County, I have always been an advocate of “local control.” I believe that decisions are best made closest to the people who are impacted. This also ensures that decisions are a direct representation of the values and desires of the surrounding community. This was part of the joy when opening a new school as its culture became a unique reflection of the students and families who attended the school.

I'm voting NO on HOME RULE because the commissioners have failed to make a clear and convincing case to the people of Douglas County about why We the People--who have been totally LEFT OUT OF THIS PROCESS--will benefit.

I believe the county commissioners are doing this in a special election in June for lower voter turnout.