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Frequently Asked Questions about Home Rule in Douglas County

Do you have questions about Home Rule in Douglas County? We have answers!

Don’t see your question? Submit your own using the form at the bottom of our Home Rule Charter page.

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?

A Home Rule Charter provides the flexibility to address address local challenges at the local level.

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.

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, 2025. See who is on the ballot on our Home Rule Charter page.

Candidates appearing on the June 24, 2025, Special Election ballot to become a Charter Commission Member completed the official Candidate Nomination Petition process. The deadline for completed petitions to be returned to the Douglas County Elections office was 5 p.m. on April 24, 2025.

How can I be involved in the Home Rule process?

There are several ways to stay engaged in this process. There is an upcoming Live Town Hall on May 28, and if voters vote to move forward with the Home Rule Charter on June 24, at least 3 additional public meetings will be held. In addition, you can submit comments and questions on our Home Rule Charter page.

Finally, if formed, Charter Commission meetings will be open to the public. Meeting notices, agendas and minutes will be posted on our Home Rule Charter page.

How to Join the Live Town Hall on May 28 at 6 p.m.

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?

If elected, the Charter Commission will operate independently from the Board of County Commissioners. The goal is to tailor county governance to better reflect the unique needs and values of the Douglas County Community.

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?

If voters approve the formation of a Charter Commission in the June 24, 2025 Special Election, the Charter Commission will play a central role in shaping Douglas County’s potential Home Rule government.

The role of the Home Rule Charter Commission Members includes:

  • Study current county government
  • Research other Home Rule counties and best practices
  • Draft a proposed charter that reflects local values and priorities
  • Conduct at least three public meetings
  • Submit the final charter by the legal deadline.

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?

If approved, Colorado law allows up to 240 days to draft a Home Rule Charter, with at least three public meetings during this period. The draft Charter would be posted for public review at least 10 days before the election.

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

Home Rule Counties and Home Rule Municipalities are separate and distinct types of local government; the two forms of local government should not be confused. Home Rule Municipalities are governed by Article 20, Section 6 of the Colorado Constitution, while Home Rule Counties are governed by Article 14, Section 16 of the Colorado Constitution. Home Rule municipalities have broader authority and discretion, while Home Rule Counties are given the authority to self-regulate and address internal matters of local concern; Home Rule Counties must still perform mandatory county functions.

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

Yes. The next Live Town Hall will be on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. If voters decide to move forward with Home Rule, there will be an additional three meetings before the November election.

How to Join the Live Town Hall on May 28 at 6 p.m.

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 47 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. Find all 47 topics of authority here.

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.

Is there legal action related to Home Rule? What happens next?

State Rep. Bob Marshall and Douglas County residents Lora Thomas and Julie Gooden filed legal action against the Board of Douglas County Commissioners on April 22, seeking to halt the Home Rule special election. They filed for a temporary restraining order on April 22, which the judge did not grant. On May 20, the judge denied a preliminary injunction, also seeking to halt the election while their legal action is pursued.

When is the next public meeting on Home Rule?

There will be a Live Town Hall on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock.

How to Join the Live Town Hall at 6 p.m.

If voters decide to move forward with Home Rule, there will be an additional three public meetings before the November election.

What additional costs will there be to taxpayers going forward for the Home Rule Charter (besides the $500k for the election)?

The only cost for the process to become a Home Rule Charter County is the election. If there is a Home Rule Commission elected and their charter includes additional government functions or ideas, there may be an additional cost.

Under Home Rule, would additional commissioners be added to the existing three?

This would be up to the elected Charter Commission to consider including in the Home Rule Charter. Then, voters would be asked to vote on that Charter.

Under Home Rule, could County Commissioners increase their, or other elected officials’, salaries without voter approval under Home Rule?

This depends on how the elected Charter Commission writes the Charter. Currently, elected salaries are set by the state. Salaries are set at the beginning of each term and locked in for that term.

Under Home Rule, could County Commissioners change their, or other elected officials’, number or length of terms under Home Rule?

This depends on how the elected Charter Commission writes the new charter. The current Board is not interested in expanding terms.

Is there any funding behind the campaign for Home Rule, public or private?

As with all elections, campaigns on the issue of Home Rule must register with the Secretary of State, where anyone can see reported campaign contributions. For candidates who are running to be on the Charter Commission, campaign finance reporting does not apply because serving on the Charter Commission is not a statutory elected office.

In the future, if the Home Rule Charter needs to be amended, what does that process look like?

The voters of Douglas County can petition, or the Board of County Commissioners can pass a resolution to have a charter amendment added to the ballot and voted on by the people of Douglas County.

Under Home Rule, would The Board of Douglas County Commissioners be able to pass bonds without voter approval?

No. Other counties have placed additional limitations on debt.

Under Home Rule, would The Board of Douglas County Commissioners be able to change elected positions to appointed positions?

No, the Board could not make this change. It would be up to the Charter Commission to include appointed offices in the Charter.

I heard a closed-door session was held to discuss Home Rule. Is that true?

No. The Board’s decision to initiate the nine-step process to become a Home Rule Charter was made during a public meeting on March 25.

There will be a Live Town Hall on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 to 7 p.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. Additionally, if voters decide to move forward with Home Rule, there will be three public meetings before the November election.

How to Join the Live Town Hall at 6 p.m.

Do all three County Commissioners support Home Rule in Douglas County?

Yes. Commissioners Abe Laydon, George Teal, and Kevin Van Winkle all support Home Rule for Douglas County.

Are elected officials eligible to be elected to the Charter Commission?

Yes. All candidates who appear on the ballot followed the same process and were required to submit a petition with 25 valid voters’ signatures to appear on the ballot.

If both an incorporated municipality and the County are home rule, which ordinance prevails if there’s a conflict?

Per state statute, C.R.S. 30-35-103, the home rule law would govern.

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