Former Commissioners Jointly Oppose Douglas County Home Rule

Copied from a column in Colorado Politics, dated 6-12-25, link

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As former Douglas County commissioners who served in the 1980-2020 era, we have the deepest respect for our county and its residents, and that is why we are compelled to speak out against the June 24 ballot question asking voters if they want to study Home Rule for Douglas County. A "Yes" vote on 1A would form a Home Rule Charter Commission. That Charter Commission would draft the Charter creating a new framework to restructure a county government that has been successful for more than 150 years. This process has been rushed and has not included the essential voices of We the People. We are opposed.

This initiative was planned for months by the commissioners behind closed doors, with the first public knowledge coming when the three commissioners spent less than 90 seconds discussing and voting on this massive political shift — with no opportunity for public comment. The commissioners announced a $500,000 off-year special election with only two months before ballots were mailed, inadequate time for voters to educate themselves on a monumental issue that will affect Douglas County for decades. Favored political insiders knew of this plan and filed paperwork with the Secretary of State creating a dark-money nonprofit corporation supporting home rule at exactly the same time as the commissioners made their first public announcement — a classic example of special interests getting special treatment!

In the only two exclusively home rule counties of Weld and Pitkin, their processes were both initiated by grassroots efforts to rein-in out-of-control commissioners.  Each process took more than a year with extensive citizen involvement and more than 30 public meetings. Here in Douglas County, the public has been invited to but one town hall in which only seven questions were addressed despite thousands in attendance. When frustrated citizens demanded their questions be answered, Commissioner Abe Laydon threatened them with arrest for “disrupting a public hearing.” Need we any more proof that, when it comes to home rule in Douglas County, the people of Douglas County need not apply? Even after the fact, transparency on this subject is nonexistent! 

Supporters of Home Rule claim it would give the county power to override state laws like gun control, immigration enforcement and grocery bag fees, but these claims aren’t supported by the Constitution, state law or court precedent.  The Colorado Constitution does not allow counties — even under Home Rule — to preempt state law, period. Misleading claims such as these betray either a fundamental misunderstanding or a deliberate misrepresentation. Neither is acceptable.

This home rule ploy by the Douglas County commissioners is really nothing more than a power grab. The Douglas County GOP Chair circulated a list of hand-picked proposed charter commission candidates before this matter was even placed on the ballot, raising significant concerns about partisan political stacking. Opposition to home rule has been a nonpartisan, grassroots effort focused on facts and truth. No deep pockets. No dark money. No special interests. Just an overwhelming number of citizens deeply concerned about whose deep pockets are threatening the county’s future, and why.

The fact the commissioners are running as at-large Charter Commission candidates is a blatant conflict of interest. Home Rule allows a charter commissioner to alter term limits, salaries and even turn elected positions into appointed ones. Regarding organization and structure, if it’s in the charter, it will happen, leaving commissioners with the plausible deniability of “We didn’t do it; the charter commission did!” 

Douglas County is already the safest, most prosperous and healthiest county in the state — a fact the commissioners themselves proudly cite. If that’s true, what’s the emergency? What is broken the commissioners and their cronies are trying to fix?

This isn’t about good governance. It’s not about “local control.” It’s about less control for you and more power for them!

That’s why we urge all Douglas County residents to vote NO on this rushed, costly, and unnecessary Home Rule special election!

Clark Huff

Douglas County Commissioner 1987-1990

Steve Boand

Douglas County Commissioner 2005-2012

Lora Thomas

Douglas County Commissioner 2017-2024