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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?

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 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 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.

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

Legal action has been filed against Douglas County Commissioners by Lora Thomas, Rep. Bob Marshall, and Julie Gooden. Commissioners are confident that the people of Douglas County will prevail in this attack on their right to vote on issues of independence and local control.

The legal action seeks to stop the upcoming Special Election and infringe on the rights of voters to vote on whether Douglas County should exercise more local control by becoming a Home Rule Charter County. A judge will rule on the case.

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.

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