Letters, April 7: Commissioners lack transparency. What are they hiding?

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Letters to the editor at Colorado Community Media, April 7, 2025

Recently, I became aware of a private meeting by the Parker Conservatives where the topic of the Home Rule proposal was being discussed. ALL THREE Douglas County commissioners were invited to speak. Not 1, not 2, but all 3 commissioners. This meeting is a “private event exclusively reserved for members, affiliates and guests of the conservative community. We maintain a closed-door policy to ensure a focused and confidential environment for our discussions. Media representatives are expressly not invited …”

And these meetings take place in a private venue.

I don’t begrudge a private meeting by any group. That is their prerogative. But when ALL THREE commissioners are attending a private event, it sure tells me that what they are telling a group about the Home Rule proposal is not good for the county.

And what about Open Meeting laws? This is a clear violation of that. “Section 24-6-402(2)(b). The Open Meetings Law defines a “meeting” as “any kind of gathering, convened to discuss public business, in person, by telephone, electronically, or by other means of communication.” Section 24-6-402(1)(b).”

I just have to wonder what the commissioners are hiding when they hold private meetings to discuss a proposal with a significant impact and expense to those of us who live here?

Be available to all constituents through public meetings, and be accountable for what you want to do.

Carol Sorensen

Lone Tree

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I am writing concerning the home rule vote that the board of county commissioners has scheduled for June 24, 2025 and the 21 home rule committee members that have been released to oversee the home rule charter. My overall concern is the speed and lack of transparency that Commissioners Teal, Laydon and Van Winkle have used in deciding to hold a special election and form this committee comprised of all very right wing GOP members. In a county where the majority of the voters are unaffiliated and some are Democrats, I believe a more equitable way to form the committee would have the membership be proportional to the percentage of each party’s registered members. As to the timing, I do not understand why this is being rushed through without at least one meeting in each district to let us know this is being considered and then have a question and answer period. In addition, this rushed vote will cost the taxpayers $500,000 because it is a special election.

I am also of the mind that home rule in this instance is being sought for reasons that are not to help Douglas County or the citizens, but rather to try to circumvent various state laws. As Mr. Teal said in a text message that has been posted on various platforms, he does not believe Dougco would have to follow any of the laws passed by the Colorado state legislature last term. I don’t believe he is correct. As recently as last month Weld County lost a home rule court case and had to follow state redistricting laws. All court cases come at a cost to taxpayers.

My final concern is that several of the people on the 21-member committee have state, county and local level jobs where they have sworn to uphold all laws. I am particularly concerned about Rep Max Brooks, DA George Brauchler, Sheriff Weekly and Parker Town Council member Laura Hefta. These people have all taken oaths to uphold the law and are now on a committee being formed to ultimately opt out of state laws. I see this as a conflict of interest for all involved.

If the commissioners are truly working in our best interest, they would slow this process down and get the proper amount of public input, form a balanced committee, save taxpayer money and hold election on an already scheduled election date and not tell constituents that they can opt out of all state laws. I believe a no vote on home rule on June 24, 2025 is in the interest of Dougco.

Kim Carroll

Parker