By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice
Supporters call it a chance to protect local values and reclaim decision-making power. Opponents warn the benefits are overstated – and the risks misunderstood.
On June 24, Douglas County voters will weigh in on whether to create a Home Rule Charter Commission – and decide who should serve on it. The commission would be made up of 21 members, including six from each commissioner district and three at-large.
If the measure passes, the elected commission will draft a charter that could reshape county governance.
Ballots were mailed starting June 2. Drop boxes and in-person voting will remain open through 7 p.m. on Election Day.
Before voters decide, it’s worth understanding what’s at stake: Home Rule would give Douglas County the chance to write its own charter – a localized framework for how the county governs itself.
Two voices, two perspectives
To explore both sides of the debate, Rocky Mountain Voice reached out to commission candidates from opposing perspectives. The goal was not to endorse either person, but to hear directly from those who are engaged in the conversation and bring diverse insights to voters.
Priscilla Rahn is a schoolteacher, former principal, small business owner and former vice chair of the Colorado GOP. She supports forming a charter commission.
Steve Boand is a former Douglas County Commissioner and past financial consultant on water and municipal debt issues. He opposes forming a charter commission.
Each offered policy-based arguments, personal context and reflections on community concerns.
Supporters say it’s about self-determination
Proponents argue Home Rule could strengthen Douglas County’s ability to set its own course on issues like taxation, public safety and education – rather than waiting on or being constrained by state lawmakers.
“Home rule would allow us the ability to decide how much we were going to charge homeowners… That almost 50% across-the-board average tax increase negatively impacted so many of our residents,” Rahn said.
Rahn said Home Rule could also open new avenues for education funding and school choice: “We want to make sure that if parents have children who need something else, that they’re not hindered or they don’t have a barrier to accessing a great education in a charter school or classical [school],” she said.
Public safety and structural oversight are also part of her reasoning. “It’s important to continue electing our sheriff, coroner and assessor… and to keep term limits,” Rahn said, adding that Home Rule gives voters a chance to write those protections into law.
Rahn also said Home Rule could encourage more structured engagement with lawmakers at the state level. While counties must still comply with state law, she views the Home Rule designation as a way for Douglas County to formally define its priorities through a charter. This, she believes, gives the county a clearer platform from which to negotiate or request amendments to state legislation that may otherwise be applied uniformly.
Critics say the powers are limited—and misunderstood
Opponents argue that Home Rule doesn’t offer the sweeping authority many expect—and could open the door to unintended consequences or misuse of power.
Steve Boand, who served as a Douglas County Commissioner from 2005 to 2013, said the idea of Home Rule came up more than once during his tenure. “We looked at it in 2006 and again a couple of years later. It’s been on a two-year discussion rotation while I was on the board,” he said. “We just didn’t see anything that provided any meaningful benefit under local control.”
Boand said his board declined to pursue Home Rule because it conflicted with their principles. “We did not want to increase taxes. We were firm believers in TABOR. We did not want to extend term limits or increase salaries,” he explained.
He also expressed concern that Home Rule could allow county leaders to bypass voters on financial matters. “There are tools like Certificates of Participation and long-term leasing that can function as debt without being called debt,” Boand said. “With a charter, there’s a risk that they’ll get used to fund major projects – like a sports complex or a water deal – without going to the ballot.”
Today, Boand maintains that the core issue has not changed. “Out of the 10 pages of powers that home rule counties have, I’ve only found about six that are new – and maybe two or three would actually be acceptable in this county,” he said. “It doesn’t give us any additional powers. We’re still at the bottom of the rung just above statutory counties.”
He also warned voters not to assume Home Rule provides a fast track to override state law. “There are people who think this charter will give us the power to block state legislation. That’s a myth. Even with Home Rule, you’re still under state law where there’s statewide interest,” he said.
Survey data: A county divided on Home Rule
A Douglas County voter opinion poll conducted April 21–May 2, 2025, revealed a community with deeply mixed views on the Home Rule proposal. When asked, 54% of respondents said they’d vote no on Home Rule. Another 44% said they’d vote yes – signaling a closely divided electorate.
Economic concerns appeared to weigh heavily on residents. More than three-quarters of respondents – 77% – said their local taxes have risen faster than their ability to pay. That may explain why some see Home Rule as a way to reclaim fiscal control.
However, policy-specific questions yielded more nuanced results. Fifty-three percent of respondents said they would be more likely to support Home Rule if it included provisions to protect gun rights. Conversely, 59% said they would be less likely to support it if it allowed the county to ban DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) policies.
The results show tension between the appeal of local control and fears about how it might be used.
What happens if it passes—or fails
If voters approve the measure, the 21-member commission will begin meeting within 30 days of the election. The commission will have up to 240 days to research, hold meetings and draft a charter. If they meet that deadline, the charter will appear on the November 2025 ballot for countywide approval.
If the measure is rejected, Douglas County will remain a statutory county governed by existing state frameworks.
Rahn acknowledged the intensity of the task as well. “It’s going to take a lot of hours and a lot of commitment… that’s the commitment that everyone who runs is going to have to make,” she added.
Boand cautioned that the timeline is ambitious. “A good home rule charter takes far more than 60 days… most people who are on a charter commission have a lot of learning to do,” he said.
What voters must decide
Supporters see Home Rule as a way to secure local autonomy. Opponents worry about cost, confusion and overreach.The decision now rests with Douglas County voters.
Boand urged voters not to underestimate the scale of the decision. “Take the time to get it right,” he said. “In Colorado, Home Rule has always started from the citizens – not the government. And even if this passes, the idea that Douglas County can override state laws with a charter? That’s just not how it works.”
Rahn encouraged residents to consider which principles matter most to them—and vote accordingly. “I always tell people: know what your values are, trust your research, and write down what you want to see in your county government.” She added, “Then if you feel like you trust that your county government is going to live by your values, then you vote a certain way,” Rahn added. “But always make sure you know so that you can stand by and trust your decision.”
For more information on how to vote and review candidate names, visit: https://www.douglas.co.us/elections/june-2025-douglas-county-special-election
For details on the charter process, candidate listings by district, and Town Hall dates, visit: https://www.douglas.co.us/board-county-commissioners/home-rule-charter/