Rocky Mountain Voice

Tag: Douglas County

Boll: Ideological divides remain in Douglas County—but Home Rule offers a path forward
Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Boll: Ideological divides remain in Douglas County—but Home Rule offers a path forward

By Laureen Boll | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As a 30-year resident of Douglas County, I’ve witnessed our community’s strength, resilience, and commitment to individual liberty. Yet, I was stunned in 2020 and 2021 when some community members surrendered their parental rights to government bureaucrats during the COVID-19 response, advocating for government-backed mandates on virtual learning, masking, and vaccinations.  Five years later, we face a similar battle with the proposed Home Rule ballot initiative. This is our chance to reclaim local control, and voters must consider the source of opposition to understand what’s at stake. The Promise of Home Rule Home Rule would empower Douglas County to design a government that reflects our values, not Denver’s one-siz...
Ganahl: Local voices, local values, local control–Home Rule for Douglas County
Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

Ganahl: Local voices, local values, local control–Home Rule for Douglas County

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice By now, you’ve probably received your ballot—and with it, an opportunity that could redefine how we govern ourselves. This vote will decide who sits on the commission responsible for drafting our Home Rule Charter. That document will set the tone for the future of Douglas County, and I believe it’s time we step up and take control of that future ourselves. If we choose Home Rule, we gain the power to tailor our government to meet our needs—not someone else’s idea of what those needs should be.  Let’s call it like it is—too often, the laws coming out of Denver are written without Douglas County in mind. We’re not just growing—we’re growing with purpose. And let’s be real, Douglas County has its own way of doing things. Home Ru...
Rep. Brooks makes case for Douglas County Home Rule as ‘the path forward for liberty’
Free State Colorado, Local

Rep. Brooks makes case for Douglas County Home Rule as ‘the path forward for liberty’

By Brandon Wark | Free State Colorado Voters in Douglas County will decide on June 24th, 2025 whether to create a Home Rule Charter Commission, and who to place on the Commission. If approved, this Commission will craft a new Home Rule Charter that voters will decide on during this November’s Election. If approved, this Home Rule Charter will make Douglas County the third Colorado County to become Home Rule. The Colorado Constitution allows Counties and Municipalities to adopt Home Rule status, which allows for more local control and greater flexibility to solve local issues. As you most likely know, the Colorado State Legislature has gone off the rails these past few years, passing legislation to restrict our rights, including our gun rights and parental rights. The Stat...
Webb: A ‘yes’ vote for Home Rule is a vote for Douglas County’s future
Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Webb: A ‘yes’ vote for Home Rule is a vote for Douglas County’s future

By Robin Webb | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice On June 24, 2025, Douglas County residents will have the opportunity to vote in a Special Election to decide whether to form a Home Rule Charter Commission and elect 21 commission members to draft a potential Home Rule Charter. As the leader of the Douglas County Republican Party, I believe this historic vote could pave the way for greater local control, flexibility, and self-governance, positioning Douglas County to address its unique needs more effectively. Here’s why voting “Yes” for Home Rule is the best choice for our county. What is Home Rule? Home Rule is a form of local governance that allows counties to create their own charter, essentially a local constitution, to define how the county is structured and governed....
A crisis of cradle and classroom: How Colorado’s baby bust is closing schools
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State, Top Stories

A crisis of cradle and classroom: How Colorado’s baby bust is closing schools

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice Colorado’s classrooms are getting quieter – not because kids are learning, but because there are fewer of them. Across the state, dropping birth rates and shrinking enrollment are forcing schools to close, merge – or sit half-empty. And the trend isn’t slowing down. In May, the Common Sense Institute released a report warning that Colorado’s birth rate has been declining since 2005 and has fallen faster than the national average since 2011. The report projects the state will lose more than 15,000 children under age 18 by 2030 – roughly the equivalent of the entire Thompson R2-J school district. Denver Public Schools is already deep into closures. According to CSI’s analysis, DPS has approved the closure of seven schools and partial restructur...
“Write your own rules?” Douglas County voters to decide if it’s time for Home Rule
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

“Write your own rules?” Douglas County voters to decide if it’s time for Home Rule

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 t...
Douglas County commissioners balk at legislation ‘impairing local control’
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Douglas County commissioners balk at legislation ‘impairing local control’

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Douglas County's commissioners are balking at several proposals at the state Capitol that they said would diminish local control. In a resolution, the commissioners said lawmakers have "repeatedly injected state policies into long-standing matters of local concern, including local elections and land regulation.”  The resolution, which the commissioners approved on April 22, identified four specific proposals surrounding commissioner board vacancies, building codes and permitting: READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Rushed or responsive? Home rule proposal catches Douglas County off guard
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Rushed or responsive? Home rule proposal catches Douglas County off guard

By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff On March 25, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to initiate a nine-step process to become a home rule county. If approved, Douglas would join Weld and Pitkin as the only counties in Colorado with a home rule charter.  The vote, however, surprised many residents. A source reported to the Rocky Mountain Voice that the discussion of home rule barely met the 24-hour state meeting notice requirement before it was added to a Special Business Meeting agenda.  No town halls were held in advance, and no community survey was conducted.  Instead, residents learned about the plan the day before the vote. Douglas County announced the decision, stating, “Without Home Rule, the Colorado legislature determines both the...