Home Rule discussion in Douglas County
The Process
On March 25, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners adopted a resolution to transition from a statutory form of government to a Home Rule County Charter. The resolution is just the first step of the process.
On June 24, a special election will be held where voters will decide whether to form a charter commission, and if so, they will select charter commission members. If the commission is chosen, it will begin drafting the charter. At this point, there will be three opportunities for public comment. Next, the general election on November 4 will ask voters to approve the charter. If approved by voters, the home rule charter will take effect on January 1, 2026.
What is Home Rule?
Under the Colorado Constitution, municipalities and counties may implement home rule. Home rule empowers local governments to create local laws that supersede state law for local matters. Areas of law that may shift from state control to local control include: public health and safety, collective bargaining, government structure, local fees and licenses, animals and zoning.
Currently, more than 100 municipalities in the state have adopted home rule charters, including all cities and towns within Douglas County. Four Colorado counties are also home rule—Denver, Broomfield, Pitkin and Weld.
What do the County Commissioners have to say?
Commissioner George Teal: “We want to preserve and protect what we have in Douglas County. We’re not talking about changing the way we govern; we’re talking about empowering our residents to take control of their own destinies.”
Commissioner Abe Laydon: “With this resolution to bring a ballot initiative to our voters, we have a remarkable opportunity to empower our citizens with the ability to shape their own futures, make decisions that matter, and tailor their county government to fit their unique needs.”
Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle: “The resolution to change Douglas County to a Home Rule County Charter is a pivotal opportunity for residents to gain more control over their local governance.”
Douglas County will host a Live Town Hall on Wednesday, May 28 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock, or you can join via phone at 833-380-0668. You can also watch online at douglas.co.us/townhall.
For more information or to sign up for email notifications about the process, visit douglas.co.us and search “home rule” or scan the QR code.
By Rachel Poe
