Alert

In observance of the Juneteenth federal holiday, all Douglas County Government offices will be closed on Thursday, June 19. Offices will reopen on Friday, June 20, for normal business. Ballot drop boxes and VSPC Services (opening Monday, June 16) will still be available. Many County services are available 24/7 by visiting online services.

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Board of County Commissioners

Douglas County Home Rule Charter

Home rule grants greater local control on issues important to the County, including public safety, property taxes, homelessness and land use.

June 24 Special Election results will be posted to DouglasVotes.com

Visit DouglasVotes.com
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About Home Rule

Counties that have their own Home Rule Charter are granted greater local control and authority and exemptions from some state laws.

On March 25, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners initiated the nine-step process for Douglas County to develop its own Home Rule Charter. View March 25 news conference.

Ultimately, Douglas County voters will decide. View media coverage.

Unlike a statutory form of government, which adheres to state-imposed rules and limitations, a Home Rule Charter provides the flexibility to address local challenges more effectively and innovatively. Colorado law provides 47 topics of authority for home rule counties, including limits on debt, tax and the use of parks and open space, for example. Ultimately, if approved by voters, the elected Home Rule Charter Commission would determine the topics included in the Charter.

Voters Will Decide

During two elections, Douglas County voters will ultimately decide if Douglas County should have its own Home Rule Charter:

June 24 Special Election: Voters will be asked 1) Whether to form a Charter Commission and 2) To select 21 Charter Commission Members.

Second Election: If the Charter Commission is formed by voters in June, voters will be asked in another election whether to approve the Home Rule Charter drafted by the Home Rule Charter Commission.

Learn More

  • On Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m., the Board will host a Home Rule Q&A. To answer as many voter questions as possible, this Q&A-focused event will be hosted online and via phone. Commissioners are prepared to go longer than one hour and answer your questions.
  • The Commissioners have been invited to present or meet with people interested in this concept. If your community group is interested in a presentation, please email BOCC@douglas.co.us
View the Home Rule Voter Guide

What’s Next?

State Statute defines nine steps for a County to become a Home Rule Charter County:

Learn more about Home Rule, the advantages and disadvantages, process, and charter content in our Home Rule in Douglas County Presentation.

The following candidates for the Home Rule Charter Commission will appear on the June 24 Special Election ballot.

The candidates are listed in the order they will appear on the ballot. Ballot order was determined by lot drawing.

 

The Douglas County Office of Clerk and Recorder is responsible for the conduct of each election, but individual candidates are responsible for providing information about themselves and their campaigns. Please search online for a candidate website or contact a candidate directly for information about the candidate.

District 1

  • Matthew M. Lunn
  • David Weaver
  • Mary H. Lynch
  • Emily Roth Suyat
  • Jack Hilbert
  • Jason Hamel
  • Darren Weekly
  • October Ann Levy
  • Jack Gilmartin
  • Toby Damisch
  • Laura Hefta
  • Irene Bonham
  • Julie Gooden
  • Bart Dorscheid

District 2

  • Jennifer E Green
  • Kevin Leung
  • Jae Mundt
  • Charles O’Reilly
  • Julien Bouquet
  • Barrett Rothe
  • Juli Watkins
  • Max Brooks
  • Tom J. Wiens
  • Tim Dietz
  • Douglas John Gilbert
  • Dave Gill

District 3

  • Robin Webb
  • Lora Thomas
  • Michael Lees
  • Priscilla Rahn
  • Bob Marshall
  • Sudee Floyd
  • Frank McNulty
  • Alicia Jean Vagts
  • Monica A Wasden
  • Matthew Burcham
  • Ted Harvey
  • Susan Meek
  • Lee Hudson Frame
  • Daniel Brown
  • Gordon B. (Spud) Van De Water
  • SuJeanne Foster

At-large

  • Steve Johnson
  • Kevin Van Winkle
  • Abe Laydon
  • Angela Thomas
  • George Teal
  • Mindy Bandimere-Jordan
  • Steven Arthur Boand

Not sure which District you are located in? Find out using this interactive map.

Learn More About Home Rule

Check out our list of frequently asked questions. Or ask your own using the form below!

Learn the Pros and Cons of adopting Home Rule in Douglas County, as explained by parties on both sides.

 

Home Rule Meetings

Town of Larkspur – Thursday, May 1 at 6 p.m.

Castle Rock Chamber – Tuesday, May 6, at 7:30 a.m., 420 Jerry St.

Town of Castle Rock – Tuesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 2nd Floor Atrium, 100 N Wilcox St., Castle Rock

HRCA Delegate and Board Meeting – Tuesday, May 20 at 6 p.m., Southridge Recreation Center in Highlands Ranch

Douglas County School District – Tuesday, May 27 at 8 p.m., 620 Wilcox St., Castle Rock CO 80104

Highlands Ranch Metro District Board – Tuesday, May 27 at 6 p.m., 62 Plaza Drive in Highlands Ranch

Live Town Hall – Wednesday, May 28 at 6 p.m., 100 Third St. Castle Rock

Liberty Girls – Monday, June 9 at 6:30 p.m., 9017 Old Tom Morris Circle

Home Rule Commission Candidate Event – Wednesday, June 11 at 6 p.m., Rock Bottom Brewery, 9627 E County Line Rd, Centennial, CO 80112

Home Rule Presentation at Westcreek – Monday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m., Mountain Community Firehouse, 15,000 Westcreek Rd. in Sedalia

Live Town Hall: Home Rule Q&A – Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m., Join online at douglas.co.us/townhall or via phone by calling 833-380-0668

 

Your Input Matters

Charter Commission Meetings will be open to the public. There will be three additional meetings specifically for public comment. To be notified about these meetings, please sign up for email notifications. Choose “Home Rule.”

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