Kevin Leung
Values & Motivation
Do you personally support or oppose the move to Home Rule? Why or why not?
I'm against Home Rule for now. The Douglas County Home Rule initiative lacks citizen support. Douglas County's Home rule initiative didn't originate with our citizens. The June 24 election is a waste of $500,000; this cost could be avoided by holding the election during the regular scheduled election. Furthermore, the process's lack of transparency led to a lawsuit. According to a lawsuit, the three county commissioners' public business dealings lacked transparency. Allegedly, the commissioners held a short, unstreamed 10-minute public meeting to approve the home rule charter resolutions without public comment. Additionally, 21 home rule charter commissioners, secretly chosen to draft the charter, have been revealed by a news source. Before proceeding, we need a careful process to determine if this is what our residents need. Acting rashly would be a mistake right now.
Why do you want to serve on the Home Rule Charter Commission?
I decided to run to ensure that drafting these charters is more transparent and accountable to Douglas County residents, should voters opt to create such a commission. I'm the District 6 Board Director for South Metro Fire Rescue, covering East Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, and Castle Pines. I was also a Douglas County School Board Director from 2018 to 2021. My business has received the Colorado Governor’s Minority Business Award. I have extensive experience in the information technology sector, having been the former IT Manager at Jeppesen, a Boeing Company. With over thirty years in Douglas County, I have in-depth understanding of its history and demographics, and the professional and governmental experience also help me to handle this challenging project.
What do you see as the most important values that should guide the charter-writing process?
Clear communication, teamwork, measurable outcomes, and significant resident participation are key values when drafting the charter.
Approach to Governance & Representation
How would you ensure that the charter reflects the needs of all Douglas County residents - not just those in power or politically aligned?
Douglas County's future is important to all of us; therefore, the charter commission should represent diverse community groups to reflect our 380,000 residents' interests. In 1974, drafting Weld County's home rule charter consumed roughly seven and a half months. The vote did not take place until September of 1975. For Douglas County's charter to be successfully created, we must be inclusive and follow Weld County's lead by giving charter commissioners and residents plenty of time to draft and review it.
Checks and Balances
Should the County Commissioners have the power to appoint any or all elected positions such as Commissioner, Sheriff, Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, and/or Surveyor without a public vote as well as other boards such as library board, planning commission, water commission and others?
Absolutely not. The potential pitfalls of home rule charters include excessive power for local governments, undermining state oversight and uniformity, and reducing resident participation through power concentration.
Would you support or oppose charter provisions that limit the consolidation of power into the hands of a few officials?
I will not support that provision. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Resistance to Extremism
How would you respond if fellow commissioners proposed changes that would reduce public input, centralize control, or limit democratic participation?
Although precious, democracy is a fragile thing. Citizen participation in policy decisions is vital for a healthy democracy. I'll persuade my fellow commissioners to reject this change.
Community Engagement
What specific steps would you take to engage residents across the political spectrum, including those who may not trust this process?
Building on my experience as a School and Fire Rescue Board Director, I'll engage all residents, regardless of their political views or level of trust, through inclusive town halls to build relationships and foster trust.
Are there any community groups, institutions, or individuals you believe should be involved in shaping or reviewing the charter?
To create a charter that truly serves the community, collaboration with stakeholders is essential. Potential participants may include elected officials, community leaders, neighborhood groups, youth organizations, professional associations (lawyers, medical professionals, social workers, mental health providers), business leaders, and representatives from school districts, fire departments, water districts, metro districts, and homeowner associations.
Against home rule
YES
If home rule initiative passes, are in favor of...
Do you believe the Board of County Commissioners should retain sole authority over appointing library trustees, rather than allowing an independent library board to do so?
NO
Do you believe Douglas County should use Home Rule to opt out of the state minimum wage?
NO
Should the future Home Rule charter grant the County discretionary power to regulate local elections differently from state standards (e.g., voting access, procedures)?
NO
Do you oppose converting currently elected county positions—such as sheriff, coroner, or clerk and recorder—into appointed positions under a Home Rule charter?
NO
Do you support preserving current term limits for county commissioners and other elected officials and maintaining current campaign finance law any future Home Rule charter?
YES
In a future home rule charter, should the state, not county commissioners, retain the sole authority to approve changes to elected officials’ compensation?
YES
Do you support expanding the number of commissioners to 5, with 3 of them being elected by district and 2 at large?
YES
Are you prepared to stand alone, if necessary, to defend principles of transparency and fair representation?
YES
Is there anything else you would like voters to know?
Please vote for Kevin Leung in District 2 during the June 24 election for selecting Home Rule Charter Commissioners. If my illiterate parents did not teach me to shoot for the stars, I would never have dreamed of getting out of the slums in Hong Kong and going to the USA, the land of opportunity. For over three decades, my family called Douglas County, Colorado home. I served as an elected Director on the Douglas County School Board from 2018 to 2021. Currently, I serve as an elected Director on the South Metro Fire Rescue Board, overseeing a 200 million dollar budget and serving 572,000 residents. I additionally serve as a Commissioner for the Castle Pines Urban Renewal Authority. I hold two master's degrees from the University of Colorado and ran a successful business for 16 years, earning the Colorado Governor's Minority Business Award. I've had a thriving career in private sector IT. My previous role was senior IT manager at Jeppesen, which is part of Boeing. My professional, governmental, and personal ties to Douglas County guarantee I will advocate for all residents in creating fair and balanced charters.