Rocky Mountain Voice

Menu

Tag: Douglas County

Douglas Co. Commissioner Lora Thomas says she was ‘evicted from my office’ amid political conflict
No Comments
Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice

Douglas Co. Commissioner Lora Thomas says she was ‘evicted from my office’ amid political conflict

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Lora Thomas has resigned from her position as Douglas County commissioner, a term which was to end in five weeks. According to a Denver 7 report, Thomas cites years of harassment by fellow commissioners George Teal and Abe Layden as the reason for her decision. In a press release and conference, Thomas reflected on her public service and the personal toll of the ongoing conflict. Thomas' resignation ends a career in public service which lasted decades. Before serving as a county commissioner, she broke barriers. She was the first woman captain and major in the Colorado State Patrol. She also served as Douglas County coroner, reducing office costs by 33% and rooting out internal corruption. Thomas noted her commitmen...
Read More
Douglas County School District considers consolidating elementary schools
No Comments
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Douglas County School District considers consolidating elementary schools

By Greg Perez | Fox 31 News The Douglas County School District will hold a community meeting at 9 a.m. Wednesday to discuss a possible school closure plan. According to a letter that was sent to families, district leaders want to consolidate up to six elementary schools in Highlands Ranch by August 2026. They said enrollment numbers have been dropping in the area and the figures are not expected to improve anytime soon. “DCSD is taking a proactive approach to address the challenges of growth and decline in the North Planning area. Since last school year, DCSD committees made up of leaders and community members have discussed the best ways to manage decline to benefit our students and families. We have not only learned from other districts in the same position but al...
Read More
Perry Park neighbors concerned over high radium levels in their drinking water in Colorado
No Comments
Approved, CBS Colorado, Local

Perry Park neighbors concerned over high radium levels in their drinking water in Colorado

By Olivia Young | CBS Colorado Neighbors in a Douglas County community are worried about the safety of their drinking water. It's happening in Perry Park, an unincorporated community west of Larkspur, which is home to natural red rock formations. The area's geology is naturally rich in minerals, including radium. Radium is a radioactive metal and has been linked to cancer. However, it is naturally occurring and the EPA allows small levels in drinking water. But a sample taken from Perry Park's water back in August was more than twice that limit. Perry Park neighbors are thirsty for answers, after receiving a notice in early October from the Perry Park Water and Sanitation District, stating that radium levels in their water are three to four times higher than normal. R...
Read More
You can watch Douglas County ballot boxes on a 24/7 livestream
No Comments
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

You can watch Douglas County ballot boxes on a 24/7 livestream

By Morgan Whitley | Fox 31 News As a mail ballot state, Colorado has been using drop boxes for the return of ballots for years, and one county is allowing residents to watch activity around the boxes whenever they please. According to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office, state law requires drop boxes to be kept under 24-hour video surveillance, and Douglas County has decided to add another layer of transparency during the 2024 election. Douglas County has made the surveillance video available for public viewing in a 24/7 livestream. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Read More
Colorado’s mountain lion hunting ban ballot measure faces Douglas County opposition
No Comments
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

Colorado’s mountain lion hunting ban ballot measure faces Douglas County opposition

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette A large Colorado county scattered with open space has voiced opposition to a state ballot measure proposed to outright ban the hunting of large mammal cat species. As the November election nears, Douglas County Commissioners on Tuesday passed a resolution condemning a state ballot measure prohibiting the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, or lynx. If the Proposition 127 measure is approved by Colorado voters in November, then hunting those species of animals would become a criminal offense — misdemeanor. The proposal also helps eliminate large cat hunting “big game” damage claims made with Colorado Parks & Wildlife. The proposition mentions trophy hunting, but that is already prohibited for these species. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENV...
Read More
‘Not the gold standard, a bit of fool’s gold’: Ganahl finds areas of election concern which must be addressed before Nov. 5
No Comments
Approved, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

‘Not the gold standard, a bit of fool’s gold’: Ganahl finds areas of election concern which must be addressed before Nov. 5

https://youtu.be/RgG-ysUlvq4 Ganahl talks about her concerns with Colorado's elections during a press conference outside the Capitol on Thursday afternoon. Lengthy analysis and research into one county’s 2022 election results has brought up some significant concerns, Heidi Ganahl, the Republican candidate for governor in 2022, announced Thursday in a press conference. “I’m concerned that Colorado’s elections are not the gold standard as proclaimed," Ganahl said, “but a bit of fool’s gold.” She is the founder and president of Rocky Mountain Voice, and a noted advocate for free and fair elections. “Verifying the integrity of election systems is not the exclusive role of law enforcement, but the right and duty of the citizens, and the delegated responsibility of...
Read More
‘Handouts don’t help’: How a Colorado county reduced homelessness by 86% in 2 years
No Comments
Approved, denvergazette.com, Local

‘Handouts don’t help’: How a Colorado county reduced homelessness by 86% in 2 years

By Noah Festenstein | Denver Gazette Amid a homeless crisis plaguing Colorado’s most populated city, a county just south of Denver claims to have found an effective solution to curbing homelessness in its communities. In a campaign to mitigate homelessness, Douglas County officials emphasized one simple message: “Handouts don’t help.” They urged residents, for example, against giving money to homeless people on roadways or sidewalks. From 2022 to 2024, Douglas County witnessed a steep drop in homeless people living on the streets, from 43 to six, according to a recent point-in-time count report conducted by several local third party nonprofits. READ THE FULL STORY AT THE DENVER GAZETTE
Read More
Douglas County to enforce camping ban on public property; each violation could be $1,000 fine
No Comments
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Douglas County to enforce camping ban on public property; each violation could be $1,000 fine

By Maddie Rhodes | Fox 31 News Soon, Douglas County will enforce a camping ban on public property with a potentially hefty fine. On Tuesday, Ordinance No. O-024-004, “Safe use of public property to limit public camping and prohibit temporary structures on public property within Douglas County, Colorado,” was adopted at the county’s Board of County Commissioners public hearing. According to the ordinance, this ban was “necessary” for public welfare, health and safety. While this ordinance was adopted, it won’t be in place for another month. Here’s what it means. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Read More
Douglas County bucks trend on handouts – and homeless population craters
No Comments
Approved, Fox News, Local

Douglas County bucks trend on handouts – and homeless population craters

By Christina Coulter  | Fox News Due south of Denver's homelessness crisis, a  Colorado county has nearly eradicated its own unhoused population with a simple message to its citizens: "Handouts Don't Help." Throughout Douglas County, there are about 70 signs with the message at intersections and roadways that were once popular hangouts for area panhandlers. Each sign directs citizens to DouglasHasHeart.org, where they can redirect their donations to the Douglas County Community Foundation. The county took to print media and advertisements online to spread the message through the community. "The thought dawned on me from a common sense standpoint – I saw a lot of people like my daughter feeling conflicted at an intersection," Republican Douglas County Commissioner Ab...
Read More
Plane crashes on Meridian Golf Course in Englewood, both occupants of plane walk away with only minor injuries
No Comments
Approved, kdvr.com, Local

Plane crashes on Meridian Golf Course in Englewood, both occupants of plane walk away with only minor injuries

By Morgan Whitley | Fox 31 News South Metro Fire Rescue responded to an aircraft crash at a golf course in unincorporated Douglas County. Just before 10 a.m. Wednesday, South Metro posted on X that crews were called to the Meridian Golf Course in Englewood on reports of an aircraft that had crashed and landed upside down. According to South Metro, the aircraft was a Cessna 172 with two people on board. Both victims were able to walk away, one with minor injuries and another with no injuries. READ THE FULL STORY AT FOX 31 NEWS
Read More