Letter: Douglas County's home rule election funded by special interests

Copied from the Denver Post, June 21, 2025

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. This guaranteed a low turnout and minimum citizen engagement for the most important decision a county can make.

Home rule became even shadier by advocates advancing false claims regarding how it could exempt a county from state laws, from firearm laws to the state minimum wage. The misrepresentations by home rule advocates became so acute that the sheriff spoke out against these misrepresentations in a public forum, and the Fraternal Order of Police now opposes home rule.

So why the rush, secrecy and mendacity? Follow the money. And what that trail shows is the pro-home rule campaign had just five donors contribute more than $110,000; three developer/business entities from outside Douglas County and the spouses of a developer/commissioner. And this does not include the large amounts of untraceable dark money from a “nonprofit” that has been spending to support the home rule campaign. Meanwhile, reports show the home rule opposition supported by hundreds of scrappy citizens who live in Douglas County, donating $34,000.

Which campaign is for special interests, and which is by and for the people?

— Bob Marshall, Highlands Ranch

— Editor’s note: Marshall is a state Representative for House District 43.