Frequently Asked Questions
What is this issue?
This is a citizen-led effort to expand the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners from three members to five. It started in March with the 3 to 5 DougCo Petition. More than 20,000 Douglas County voters agreed that the people – not the politicians – should decide how our local government is structured and signed the petition to put in out the ballot for the November election. The goal is simple: to give you a more direct line to the commissioner who represents you,, strengthen accountability, and modernize our county government to meet the diverse needs of our 400,000 and growing community.
Who is behind this effort?
Douglas County residents. More than 20,000 of your neighbors signed the petition that put this on the ballot. More than 150 volunteers gave over 2,000 hours, and volunteers gathered about 70 percent of the signatures. Republican, Democratic and Unaffiliated voters all carried and signed petitions.
What do County Commissioners do?
County Commissioners are the elected representatives for a county’s residents. Douglas County Commissioners represent 400,000 residents and make decisions about how to allocate a budget of over $650 million tax dollars. Some of their powers and responsibilities include: Property taxes Land use and zoning, including parks and open space Water Roads and bridges Health and Human Services Board appointments and intergovernmental partnerships
How will this affect me as a resident?
Voting YES on this issue will: Provide more oversight on how your tax dollars are spent. ● Give you a more direct connection to your local commissioner. ● Ensure your community has a clearer voice in county decisions.
Why not keep the current system?
The current system was built for a smaller county. Since 1990, Douglas County has grown from 60,000 to over 400,000 residents. ● Communities have more diverse needs and concerns. ● Decisions have become more complex. The county’s budget has grown to over $650 million. ● Commissioners are stretched too thin to serve 40+ board and committee assignments. The existing three-member commission has even canceled their own biweekly meeting to do the business of the county because two commissioners were unable to attend.
Why expand the Commission from three to five members?
The Colorado Constitution allows voters to decide to expand county commissions from three to five members. Douglas County has grown significantly, but our governing structure has not kept pace. With three commissioners elected at-large: ● Only three people represent the needs and concerns of over 400,000 residents – with none directly accountable to you and your neighbors. ● Fewer perspectives drive decisions about our future. Decisions about how to spend over $650 million in tax dollars require only two people to agree. Many counties with populations similar to or larger than Douglas County use a five-commissioner model because it: ● Gives residents greater access to their local government. ● Encourages more thoughtful decision-making. ● Reflects the more diverse needs and concerns of growing communities.
Why elect some or all of the Commissioners by district?
With expansion and district-based elections, the county can move toward more direct representation, meaning: ● Commissioners are more closely tied to specific geographic areas. ● Residents have a clearer, more direct connection to their local government. ● Local priorities are better reflected in decisions.
How much will this cost?
Adding two commissioners will increase costs, primarily for salary and benefits. ● Commissioner salaries are set by the state legislature, not by the commissioners themselves, at $131,701 - $150,991. ● The estimated total cost for two additional commissioners (including benefits and other costs like computers, travel, etc.) is approximately $500,000 annually. To put that amount in perspective, it’s less than 1/10th of 1% of the $650 million county budget.
Will this raise my taxes?
No. This proposal does not include any tax increase. Any future tax decisions would still require: ● A vote of commissioners and/or ● Approval from voters
How would representation change?
Voting YES on this issue will allow voters to elect two additional representatives. It will also allow voters to decide how commissioners are elected. This is about how representation is structured, not who holds power. ● Voters will still elect commissioners. ● Elections will remain open and competitive. Voters will be able to decide how representation changes: Option 1: Five District-Based Commissioners ● All five commissioners represent specific geographic districts ● Each area of the county has a clearly defined representative ● Each commissioner represents about 80,000 residents. Option 2: Three District + Two At-Large Commissioners ● Three commissioners represent districts ● Two commissioners are elected at-large to represent the entire county ● Three commissioners represent about 133,333 residents each. Two represent all 400,000 of us. This ensures voters can choose the structure that best reflects their preferences for representation.
Why two options and which is better?
Representation matters—and there’s more than one reasonable approach. Providing options keeps the decision where it belongs – in the hands of the people, not the politicians. Both options have strengths. Five Districts: ● Stronger local representation ● Clear geographic accountability 3 District + 2 At-Large: ● Maintains countywide perspective ● Balances local and broader interests Rather than deciding for voters, this approach lets the community choose what it values most. 👉 View Upcoming Signing Locations