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Board of County Commissioners

Home Rule Charter

Board of Douglas County Commissioners initiates process to become a Home Rule County. Citizens will decide during elections.

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

About Home Rule

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 43 topics of authority for home rule counties, including limits on debt, tax and the use of parks and open space, for example. Ultimately, the elected Home Rule Charter Commission will 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.

Nov. 4 Coordinated Election: Voters will be asked whether to approve the Home Rule Charter drafted by the Home Rule Charter Commission.

Learn More

  • Mark your calendar for a Live Town Hall at 6 p.m. May 28. Details will be posted soon.
  • 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 [email protected]
Download the Fact Sheet

What’s Next?

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

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.”

FAQs

Are there other counties in Colorado that have their own Home Rule Charter?

Yes. Weld, Pitkin, Denver and Broomfield.

How does Home Rule grant greater local control?

According to State Statute, Home Rule status grants greater local control and authority by two means:

  • Explicit statutory authority and statutory exemptions such as public health and safety, collective bargaining, structure of government, opting out of state property tax reductions, local fees and licenses, animals and zoning.
  • Implied exemptions and discretionary authority including local control and local issues.

What will it cost the County to implement this?

There is a cost for the special election, which could be as much as $500,000. Because the Nov. 4 Coordinated Election is already scheduled, there is no additional cost to the County.

Which of the municipalities in Douglas County are home rule municipalities?

All cities and towns in Douglas County are home rule municipalities, including the City of Castle Pines, City of Lone Tree, Town of Castle Rock, Town of Larkspur, and Town of Parker. Highlands Ranch is a metro district located in unincorporated Douglas County.

Who nominates the Charter Commission members?

Voters will elect Charter Commission members during a Special Election on June 24. To appear on the ballot, you must submit a Candidate Nomination Petition, acquire 25 valid voter signatures, and deliver the petition to the Douglas County Elections office by 5 p.m. on April 24, 2025. Learn more at www.douglas.co.us/election

How can I be involved in the Home Rule process?

There are several ways to stay engaged in this process. Any eligible voter can follow the process to appear on the June 24 Special Election ballot. Visit douglasvotes.com for details. If voters vote to move forward with the Home Rule Charter on June 24, at least 3 public meetings will be held. In addition, you can submit comments and questions below.

How would Home Rule affect current gun laws?

Colorado law permits a Home Rule County to design its structure of government and its function as it relates to the internal affairs of the county, where such function is not prohibited by the Constitution or state law.

Ultimately, the Charter Commission will determine what laws, issues, and topics are included in the County Charter. However, property rights including some laws related to guns could be included.

Under Home Rule, would there be any disruptions in the state funding for the County?

No. Becoming a Home Rule Charter will not affect Douglas County’s ability to receive state funding

Are there any specific issues that the Board is planning to address with Home Rule?

Home Rule Charter will be drafted by the elected Home Rule Charter Commission. The Board’s goal is to give the Douglas County Community a chance to draft their own foundational document and allow the County to be free from some state laws.

Can residents expect to see additional sales taxes because of Home Rule?

No.

Will Home Rule apply to Highlands Ranch Metro District?

Yes. Highlands Ranch is an unincorporated area within Douglas County, and is not served by a city. Instead, Highlands Ranch is served by Highlands Ranch Metro District, Highlands Ranch Community Association and Douglas County.

What role will the Charter Commission members fill?

The role of Home Rule Charter Commission Members includes preparing the first charter for the county, gathering community ideas and information, and presenting the charter to the citizens for a vote.

How will checks and balances for the Board remain in place under Home Rule?

The Home Rule Charter Commission will draft the charter, which will include the structure of government for Douglas County. It will be up to the elected Commission to establish checks and balances.

Under Home Rule, who would write and decide on new regulations?

The elected Home Rule Charter Commission would write the County’s charter – which would then go to voters for approval.

Should citizens vote to draft the Home Rule Charter on June 24, when will the charter be available for the public to review?

Certified language is required 60 days before the election. The proposed charter will be posted on the County website and in a newspaper of record. Voters will have months with the charter before voting.

Can you differentiate between the capabilities of a county Home Rule vs municipal Home Rule?

Home Rule Counties’ authority is more limited than Home Rule Municipalities. While a charter grants both autonomy through self-governance, Home Rule Counties must still perform county mandatory functions.

Will there be a public meeting on Home Rule before June 24?

Yes. Douglas County will host several public meetings. Stay tuned for more information on when, where, and how to sign up.

Why is the County having a Special Election?

Pursuant to Colorado law, the Home Rule Charters process requires two separate elections. Absent a special election, the earliest Douglas County could become a Home Rule County is 2027.

What problems will Home Rule solve?

While Colorado’s economic growth fell from 5th to 41st among states in the nation and Denver experienced a decade of increased violent crime, Douglas County remains the healthiest, safest, and most prosperous county in Colorado. The goal of Home Rule is to protect Douglas County from these trends affecting the rest of the state.

Why does the process seem “rushed” or different than when Weld County adopted Home Rule?

Weld County became a Home Rule County in 1975, decades before the advent of the internet, e-mail, social media, or video conferencing. Communication and public involvement in Douglas County’s process to become a Home Rule County is going to look very different than the process Weld County used a half a century ago.

Douglas County has already had two public meetings about the process. County leaders are answering questions and discussing the process across the County. After the Charter Commission is elected, it is required by law to schedule public meetings and the public will have modern means of communication with the Charter Commission.

What freedoms does the County actually gain?

Ultimately, the elected Home Rule Charter Commission will determine what topics get included in the Charter. However, a Home Rule Charter permits the voters to define the structure of county government. Home Rule Counties can make laws related to local concerns that are not prohibited by the State Constitution and Colorado Ordinance.

Other Home Rule counties have used to their charter to solidify their county’s identity and priorities, including limits on debt, tax, and the use of parks and open space. Colorado Revised Statute §30-35-201 provides 43 topics of authority, including local rules for licenses, franchises, and land use that are unique to Home Rule Counties. Numerous Colorado laws exclude Home Rule Counties from state regulation on a broad range of subjects, including county employee unions.

Where is the detailed analysis?

This question is premature. Pursuant to Colorado law, the elected Charter Commission are charged with conducting a comprehensive study of the operation of county government and of the ways in which the conduct of county government might be improved or reorganized.

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