Special Election - Rocky Mountain Voice

Greeley Voters to Decide Fate of Sports Arena and Private Housing Development in Feb 24 Election

9Feb

By External OutletNo Comments

DENVER7, Approved, Local

Greeley Voters to Decide Fate of Sports Arena and Private Housing Development in Feb 24 Election

By Claire Lavezzorio | Denver7 Ballot question 1A would repeal zoning changes already approved by city council for entertainment district featuring sports arena, water park & hotel. GREELEY, Colo. — Greeley residents will soon cast their votes in a special election over the future of the Catalyst & Cascadia projects. Catalyst, a city-owned project planned for the city's west side off Highway 34, would include a sports arena for the Colorado Eagles, an indoor water park and hotel. A second component, Cascadia, involves private residential development. The Feb. 24 special election will ask voters to decide whether to repeal zoning changes already approved by the city council through Ballot Question 1A. Bill Rigler, spokesperson for the&n...

O’Reilly and Minary: What Douglas County’s Home Rule vote revealed—and how we move forward

11Jul

By Guest CommentaryNo Comments

Rocky Mountain Voice, Approved, Commentary, Local, Top Stories

O’Reilly and Minary: What Douglas County’s Home Rule vote revealed—and how we move forward

By Chuck O'Reilly, Russ Minary | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice Voters in Douglas County turned down the proposed Home Rule initiative by a wide margin—71% to 29%. But the result wasn’t simply a rejection of the idea itself. It also reflected deeper concerns about how the process unfolded and how residents were—or weren’t—brought into the conversation. It revealed how important transparency, timing and public trust are in shaping major decisions about the future of our county. As longtime Douglas County residents, we believe in responsive, local government. Home Rule can offer benefits when done right—but how we get there matters just as much as the destination. This election offered a case study in what happens when voters feel left out or rushed. Here are some of the maj...

Hancock: Highlands Ranch, not Douglas County, is where home rule makes sense

23Jun

By External OutletNo Comments

Substack, Approved, Commentary, Local

Hancock: Highlands Ranch, not Douglas County, is where home rule makes sense

By Michael A. Hancock | Commentary, Substack Why Power to the People Begins in Highlands Ranch, Not Douglas County Every political initiative has its preferred myth. In Washington, it’s bipartisanship. In Denver, it’s innovation. And now in Douglas County, it’s “home rule”—the promise that by voting yes, we can govern ourselves again. A simple idea, wrapped in stirring language. But myths become dangerous when they’re mistaken for plans. In recent weeks, a trio of county commissioners rushed a measure onto the June 24 special election ballot, asking voters to authorize the creation of a county home rule charter. The pitch is familiar: local control, freedom from State mandates, the chance to chart our own course. But there’s a problem—not with the idea of home rule itself, but how...

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

20Jun

By Guest CommentaryNo Comments

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

16Jun

By Heidi GanahlNo Comments

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’

16Jun

By External OutletNo Comments

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

11Jun

By External OutletNo Comments

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....

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

4Jun

By Jen SchumannNo Comments

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...

LPEA special election: Mail ballots due by May 20 as member frustrations grow

12May

By Jen SchumannNo Comments

Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

LPEA special election: Mail ballots due by May 20 as member frustrations grow

By Jen Schumann | Rocky Mountain Voice It’s crunch time for mail-in ballots in the La Plata Electric Association (LPEA) board election – and with contested seats and rising costs in the mix, turnout matters. Ballots have to be in LPEA’s hands by 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 20 – postmarks don’t count. With slow mail times a known issue, LPEA voters who haven’t yet mailed their ballot should drop it off in person or vote online through SmartHub. Online voting closes at noon on May 20. Paper ballots are due by 4 p.m. Results will be shared at the annual meeting on May 21, from 11:30 to 12:30 at LPEA’s Durango office. Drop boxes are located at: 45 Stewart Street, Durango 603 S. 8th Street, Pagosa Springs With four contested seats on the ballot this year, the stakes ar...

Home Rule Charter Commission candidates must file by April 24 in Douglas County

18Apr

By Jen SchumannNo Comments

Approved, Local, Rocky Mountain Voice, Top Stories

Home Rule Charter Commission candidates must file by April 24 in Douglas County

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice Writing the rules that will shape Douglas County’s future might sound like a job you’d rely on lawmakers to handle. But in this case, it could be your neighbor, your coworker – or you. Anyone interested in serving on the proposed Home Rule Charter Commission has until 5 p.m. Thursday, April 24 to turn in a nominating petition (https://www.douglas.co.us/june-2025-special-election-asks-douglas-county-voters-about-home-rule-charter-commission/). The commission will only move forward if voters approve it during the June 24 special election. If it passes, residents will also select who fills the 21 available seats—six from each of the county’s three commissioner districts, and three at-large (https://www.douglas.co.us/election...

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Tag: Special Election

Greeley Voters to Decide Fate of Sports Arena and Private Housing Development in Feb 24 Election

O’Reilly and Minary: What Douglas County’s Home Rule vote revealed—and how we move forward

Hancock: Highlands Ranch, not Douglas County, is where home rule makes sense

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

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

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

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

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

LPEA special election: Mail ballots due by May 20 as member frustrations grow

Home Rule Charter Commission candidates must file by April 24 in Douglas County

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