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Douglas County explores establishing its own home rule charter
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Approved, denvergazette.com

Douglas County explores establishing its own home rule charter

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Douglas County commissioners voted on Tuesday to explore establishing a home rule charter, arguing the move would allow the county to carve a path that is different than where the state is headed.     Establishing home rule, officials said, gives commissioners and the county more local control. "Douglas County seeks more local control, freedom from state laws via Home Rule Charter," the county said in a news release. If the county ultimately adopts its own home rule charter, it would become the first sole Colorado county to do so in more than 45 years. Only Pitkin and Weld counties are currently under home rule charters out of Colorado's 64 counties. "For too long, we have watched as reckless state policies have made Colora...
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Ganahl: Smears and fearmongering—The fight for John Adams Academy and school choice in Douglas County
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Approved, Commentary, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Ganahl: Smears and fearmongering—The fight for John Adams Academy and school choice in Douglas County

By Heidi Ganahl | Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In Douglas County, Colorado, a battle over education choice is brewing as efforts to open a new classical charter school, the John Adams Academy, face fierce opposition. Spearheading the initiative is Ellie Reynolds, a Sterling Ranch resident and mom, and Kim Gilmartin, a seasoned advocate for school choice, who has helped launch multiple classical charter schools across the state.   However, the journey to establish this school in Sterling Ranch, a rapidly growing community with no existing school, has been met with aggressive and, at times, deeply personal hostility. The John Adams Academy, modeled after three successful classical charter schools in California, aims to provide an American classical leadership education...
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Camping at Sandstone Ranch a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ firefighters, residents warn
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Camping at Sandstone Ranch a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ firefighters, residents warn

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Douglas County calls it a ‘pilot program.’ Opponents call it a ‘firestarter kit.’ Despite fire safety warnings, financial concerns and widespread public opposition, county officials are moving forward with the pilot project to allow primitive camping at Sandstone Ranch. Commissioners haven’t budged despite 500-plus public comments, a CORA request revealing near-zero support, community-led petitions and two local government resolutions against the project. At a recent meeting, Commissioner George Teal suggested the project could still be abandoned, signaling cracks in the county’s insistence on moving forward. "Perhaps it’s something that we will abandon after taking a look at it," Teal said. For now, however, the co...
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As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

As commissioners are ‘ignoring their own constituents’ public organizing over Sandstone Ranch primitive camping proposal

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice A battle is brewing over the future of Sandstone Ranch Open Space. Douglas County’s proposal to introduce primitive camping at the site has sparked overwhelming opposition from residents, firefighters and local organizations. With fire dangers looming, a lack of emergency response infrastructure and no prior public input, critics are calling the plan reckless and dangerous. Residents have mobilized, gathering more than 1,000 signatures on a petition to stop the plan, and two local government bodies have already passed resolutions formally opposing the initiative. A public awareness event is planned for Saturday, and concerned citizens are preparing to speak out at the next board of county commissioners meeting. “We’re ...
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Douglas Co. declares support for bill allowing Colorado law enforcement to work with ICE
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Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Douglas Co. declares support for bill allowing Colorado law enforcement to work with ICE

By Noah Festenstein | The Denver Gazette Douglas County law enforcement officials on Wednesday declared support for legislation to flip a state law that has barred local officials from working with federal immigration agents. If approved by the Democrat-controlled legislature, it would reinstate a bill allowing local law enforcement to work with federal immigration officials with a focus on those who commit crimes. That bill was repealed in 2013. State Sen. Mark Baisley, Rep. Max Brooks and Rep. Chris Richardson are trying to garner support for Senate Bill 25-047 but realize it will be difficult to get it passed. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
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In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties
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Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

In a shifting of chairs, Republican parties have new leadership in many Colorado counties

By BRIAN PORTER | Rocky Mountain Voice The only constant in life is said to be change. That certainly is the way it may feel for those in a number of county Republican parties around Colorado. From El Paso to Weld to Washington counties and other places dotting the map, new party leadership has been put in place during biennial reorganization, and more could be. In Adams County, both U.S. Reps. Lauren Boebert and Gabe Evans spoke before Laura Garcia-Pascoe was elected as the new county Republican chairwoman. "Let’s win big together this cycle," wrote Boebert in a Facebook post and photo with Garcia-Pascoe, after her election. On Monday, during his weekly grassroots call, former Sen. Kevin Lundberg noted Sandra Aste had been named the Larimer County chair. "I am really exc...
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Douglas County deputies reunite with family they saved from crash with stolen vehicle
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Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Douglas County deputies reunite with family they saved from crash with stolen vehicle

By Alliyah Sims | KDVR-TV Fox 31 News Quick work and thinking by Douglas County Sheriff’s deputies protected a family of pedestrians from getting hit by a driver in a stolen vehicle at a grocery store. FOX31 spoke exclusively with them about their heroic actions after reuniting with the family they saved. Deputies Trent Hoffman and Connor Lacey face new challenges every day at work. “I don’t know what I’m going to run into,” said Lacey. “Who I’m going to find.” READ THE FULL STORY AT KDVR-TV FOX 31 NEWS
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Longmire resigns Douglas Co. planning post in protest of treatment Commissioner Thomas received
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Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Longmire resigns Douglas Co. planning post in protest of treatment Commissioner Thomas received

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Editor's note: This is a developing story and may be updated. Jay Longmire quit the Douglas County Planning Commission this week, protesting what he called years of alleged "bullying, antagonization, abuse, and slander" of Commissioner Lora Thomas by fellow commissioners George Teal and Abe Laydon. "Effective immediately, upon the conclusion of this planning meeting, I’m submitting my resignation as a commissioner on the Douglas County Planning Commission. I find that I must stand on principle. I’m resigning in protest to the way former Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas has been treated by Commissioners George Teal and Abe Laydon over the past several years," Longmire said. He accused Teal and Laydon of stripping...
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Commissioners from Douglas County return from visit to Washington, D.C.
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Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Commissioners from Douglas County return from visit to Washington, D.C.

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado A few member of Douglas County Board of County Commissioners recently traveled from one "D.C." to another. Republican commissioners George Teal, Abe Laydon and Kevin Van Winkle were in Washington D.C. for President Donald Trump's inauguration. It comes after the board unanimously passed an immigration resolution in the county last week voicing support for Trump's policies and "legal" immigration while affirming Douglas County's status as a "non-sanctuary county." READ THE FULL STORY AT CBS COLORADO
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‘A Red county in a Blue state’: Douglas Co. officials lay groundwork for cooperation with Trump
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Approved, coloradopolitics.com, Local

‘A Red county in a Blue state’: Douglas Co. officials lay groundwork for cooperation with Trump

By Noah Festenstein | Colorado Politics Douglas County officials traveled to Washington, D.C., in time for President Donald Trump’s inauguration, saying they want to lay the groundwork for cooperation with the new administration, even as they noted they represent a "red county in a blue state." The local delegation included Commissioners Kevin Van Winkle, Abe Laydon and George Teal. Also Joining them was Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly and 23rd Judicial District Attorney George Brauchler. Despite missing the inauguration, as the ceremonies were moved inside due to cold weather, Laydon told The Denver Gazette they met with U.S. senators and representatives to discuss wildfire mitigation, human trafficking, public safety, micro-transit and keeping Space Command in Colorado. ...
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