Letter, May 7: No on Home Rule

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Letter to the editor at Colorado Community Media, May 7, 2025

After the Board of County Commissioners announced the home rule proposal, I invited them — on behalf of eight Douglas County Indivisible groups — to speak at a public meeting. I sent a letter, followed up by email, and proposed three dates. I received no response.

At a public event 10 days later, I personally spoke with Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal. Both claimed they hadn’t seen the invite but agreed a meeting was a good idea. Teal, citing a staff transition, gave me his card and asked me to resend the details — which I did that same day.

Three days later, a meeting appeared on the commissioners’ website — with the wrong date and location. I contacted Teal, and the incorrect listing was quietly removed. Since then, I’ve followed up multiple times. Still no response.

These commissioners looked me in the eye and promised to meet with us. They broke that promise.

If the board believes home rule is such a vital issue for Douglas County, why won’t they engage with the public at the public’s request? If they won’t honor a simple commitment to meet, how can we trust them with greater power?

That’s why I’m voting no on the home rule proposal. We shouldn’t give more authority to officials who refuse to show up and be accountable.

Carol Sorensen

Lone Tree