On June 24, 2025, voters first decide whether to explore Home Rule and elect a 21-member Charter Commission. Ballots will be mailed on June 2, 2025.

If home rule passes, that commission has 240 days to draft a proposed charter.

Residents then vote on the final charter in November 2025.

If the final charter passes, it would go into effect on January 1, 2026.

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners initiated the Home Rule process earlier this year, saying they want more localized control over county decisions. While that can sound appealing, it also comes with risks. Home Rule can give more power to local officials, and in this case, the commissioners pushing for it have a history of political infighting and questionable priorities.

The Commissioners have also stated they want a charter in place before the Colorado State Legislature reconvenes, raising concerns about the speed and transparency of the process. It’s important that this decision truly serves the people of Douglas County, not just those already in power.

• How elections are run

• How taxes are managed

• How county finances and property are managed

• The powers, responsibilities, and pay of elected officials

• Local rules for things like building codes, parks, hospitals, and public works

• Zoning and land use decisions

• Rules for creating local ordinances and managing parking facilities

• How public property is bought, sold, or leased

• How Parks and Open Spaces are managed and preserved

Resource: Issue Brief on Home Rule, 2020

The Douglas County Board of Commissioners has made it clear they want a Home Rule Charter in place before the Colorado State Legislature reconvenes. But rushing this process without careful, transparent public input could have serious consequences for our community:

• Concentration of Power: A hastily written charter could give more control to a small group of officials while reducing local input and fair representation.

• Vague Language, Big Risks: Without clear definitions and safeguards, Home Rule could open the door to abuse of power — leaving residents with little legal recourse.

• Weakened Accountability: A poorly designed charter could limit the community’s ability to hold county officials accountable, with no guarantees for transparency or oversight.

• Significant Costs: The county has already earmarked $500,000 for this campaign — and there’s no clear estimate for ongoing costs, including potential lawsuits against the state or the Charter Commission itself.

This process deserves to be open, deliberate, and built around the voices of the people — not rushed to serve the interests of a few.

The Home Rule Commission will be made up of 21 community members elected on June 24. It’s supposed to be a non-partisan group tasked with drafting a new charter for Douglas County.

But here’s what voters should know: all three sitting Douglas County Commissioners (George Teal, Abe Laydon, and Kevin VanWinkle) are also running for the commission, which is a serious conflict of interest since the charter could impact their salaries, responsibilities, and oversight.

Even more concerning, it’s been publicized that the commissioners have hand-picked and endorsed a slate of candidates they want on the commission. This raises real questions about the independence and fairness of the process.

I’m running as a candidate in District I, representing most of Parker and parts of Lone Tree, because our community deserves an independent voice — someone committed to transparency, fairness, and putting people before politics.Item description

Yes. In April 2025, a bipartisan group of Douglas County residents—including former Commissioner Lora Thomas (Republican), State Representative Bob Marshall (Democrat), and unaffiliated voter Julie Gooden—filed a lawsuit against the Douglas County Board of Commissioners. The suit alleges that the commissioners violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law by holding a series of closed-door meetings to plan the Home Rule initiative without proper public notice or transparency.

According to the lawsuit, the commissioners met privately multiple times since December 2024 to discuss and decide on placing the Home Rule question on the ballot. These meetings were not publicly announced, and the decisions were formalized during a brief 10-minute public meeting with only 24 hours' notice and no opportunity for public comment.

The plaintiffs argue that this process undermines public trust and transparency, especially given that the commissioners are also running for seats on the Home Rule Charter Commission—a body that could determine their own salaries and powers. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the resolutions related to the Home Rule initiative and to halt further actions taken without adherence to open meeting requirements.

This legal challenge highlights concerns about the rapid and opaque manner in which the Home Rule process has been advanced, emphasizing the need for greater transparency and public involvement in decisions that could significantly alter the county's governance.

No. I do not support Home Rule, especially the way it’s being rushed onto the ballot by our Board of County Commissioners with limited transparency and public input. This process feels more like a political power grab than a good-faith effort to serve Douglas County residents. Our community deserves better.

Should the Home Rule ballot measure pass, and I’m elected to the Home Rule Charter Commission, I would be committed to leading a transparent, community-driven process from day one. This means providing plenty of opportunities for public comment, community forums, and open discussions — because any potential changes to our county government should reflect the priorities and values of the people who live here, not just a handful of insiders.

I would also advocate for adding two additional at-large County Commissioner seats. Douglas County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Colorado, and our current three-person Board of Commissioners no longer reflects the size and diversity of our community. Expanding representation would help ensure broader perspectives and fairer decision-making.

Additionally, I would support a reevaluation of commissioner compensation to make sure it’s in line with counties of similar size and responsibly balanced within our county budget. Elected officials should serve the community — not themselves.

I am deeply committed to preserving our public open spaces, protecting the natural areas that make Douglas County special, and ensuring that future growth happens responsibly.

Above all, I would be a community-centered advocate, working to make sure all voices are heard and represented in this process. Whether you support Home Rule or have concerns about it, your voice matters — and I’m here to make sure it’s part of the conversation.

Item descripBecause if Home Rule passes, someone has to fight for the community’s voice in the process. I may oppose how this was brought forward, but if voters approve it, we need people at the table who will demand transparency, fairness, and accountability. I’m running to make sure this isn’t controlled by political insiders and backroom deals — and that every resident, no matter their background or beliefs, has a say in shaping the future of Douglas County.

Yes — but it’s important to understand that not all Home Rule charters are created equal. Denver’s charter has been in place for over a century and was built through years of public engagement and revisions. What’s happening in Douglas County is very different: it’s being rushed onto the ballot with little transparency or community input. The concern isn’t about the concept of Home Rule itself — it’s about how this process is being handled and who it’s designed to benefit.