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Boll: Ideological divides remain in Douglas County—but Home Rule offers a path forward
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Rocky Mountain Voice, 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...
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Ganahl: Local voices, local values, local control–Home Rule for Douglas County
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Rocky Mountain Voice, 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...
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Rep. Brooks makes case for Douglas County Home Rule as ‘the path forward for liberty’
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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...
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Webb: A ‘yes’ vote for Home Rule is a vote for Douglas County’s future
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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....
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“Write your own rules?” Douglas County voters to decide if it’s time for Home Rule
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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...
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Home rule vs. housing order: Colorado Springs challenges Polis directive
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Approved, KRDO.COM, Local

Home rule vs. housing order: Colorado Springs challenges Polis directive

By Mackenzie Stafford | KRDO COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - On Tuesday, the Colorado Springs City Council decided to roll the dice on roughly $20 million in funding, according to the city's estimates. It comes after Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed executive order D 2025 - 005, which includes blanket statewide housing requirements aimed at improving affordability. The city claims that there are a handful of laws in the order that are not right for the Colorado Springs community. The only issue is that, as part of the executive order, not following these laws could put the city under noncompliance, which is a one-way ticket to getting those dollars pulled.At a city hall meeting on Tuesday, councilmembers voted 7 to 2 on a resolution to reaffirm Colorado S...
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Cities sue Polis over housing mandate, cite threat to local control
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Approved, Local, State, The Colorado Sun

Cities sue Polis over housing mandate, cite threat to local control

By Bente Birkeland | Colorado Sun A lawsuit filed Monday argues the state is violating the right of local governments to shape how they grow and develop Six “home rule” cities in Colorado are suing the state, alleging it has unconstitutionally usurped their local authority over land use and zoning as it pushes communities to allow denser housing development.  The lawsuit challenges the constitutionality of an executive order Gov. Jared Polis signed last week to withhold some state grants from local communities if they fail to implement a slate of recent housing laws. The cities say the order encroaches on the powers of both the General Assembly and the judiciary to say what the law is and is “beyond the governor’s authority.” The cities are also asking the courts to f...
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Rushed or responsive? Home rule proposal catches Douglas County off guard
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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...
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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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