Did you know that in addition to governing Douglas County as Commissioners on their own Board, your County Commissioners also represent you on more than 30 additional Boards and Commissions at the local, regional, state and national level?
“We believe that a key attribute of a high performing Board is in our ability to extend our influence beyond our borders to benefit those we were elected to serve, consistent with the desired outcomes in our Board’s Core Priorities for this County,” said County Commissioner and 2021 Board Chair Lora Thomas.
“From transportation to public safety; from natural resources such as water, land and wildlife, to public health; from human services to housing, and more, we are at the table and involved in the local, regional and national public policy debates impacting our County throughout the year,” said Commissioner Abe Laydon, Board Vice Chair.
“Through direct citizen engagement, citizen survey results, and more, we are well aware of the priorities of Douglas County citizens and recognize the importance of our informed and unified voice when representing Douglas County,” said Commissioner George Teal.
For example, Commissioner Thomas’ service on the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, allows for her collaboration among community partner organizations who are working to address unmet mental health needs, connect people to mental health services and prevent those in need from falling through the cracks of the mental health system.
Thomas is Vice Chair of the Chatfield Basin Watershed Authority and serves on the Highline Canal Conservancy and the Mile High Flood District. She is an appointee to the Colorado Works Allocation Committee, the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, through which participants receive help becoming self-sufficient by strengthening their family’s economic and social stability.
Through the appointment of Commissioner Abe Laydon to the National Association of Counties Transportation Policy Steering Committee, he participates in discussions pertaining to federal transportation legislation, funding and regulation, and specific impacts on county governments.
In addition to serving as Vice Chair of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, Commissioner Laydon serves on the Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Investment Board, the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Control Authority and on the Developmental Pathways Board. He also serves on the Douglas County Youth Initiative Advisory Committee, the governing board of the Douglas County Youth Initiative, a collaborative undertaking of the Partnership of Douglas County Governments that, among other priorities, envisions a community in which youth are involved, valued, productive, protected and healthy.
Commissioner Teal serves on the Board of Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG), the E-470 Public Authority Advisory Board; the Douglas County Housing Partnership, the Castle Rock Economic Development Council, and the Southern Shooting Partnership. He will represent Douglas County during legislative debates on the Colorado Counties, Inc. Public Lands, Agriculture, Wildlife & Rural Affairs, as well as the Taxation and Finance Steering Committees.
Additionally, all Commissioners share in the Board’s responsibility for the County’s role with the Denver Regional Council of Governments; the Partnership of Douglas County Governments; Colorado Counties, Inc.; the Denver South Economic Development Partnership; and the Metro Area County Commissioners.
Be among the first to receive news as it happens. Sign up here and select your specific news focus.