In Douglas County, Colorado, the debate over home rule has become a hot topic as residents prepare to vote on the issue in less than two weeks. A special election on June 24 will ask voters whether they want the county to create its own home rule charter, which would allow them to govern more independently from state laws.
If the vote passes, a charter commission will be created to draft a charter that will be voted on again in November.
What Is Home Rule?
Home rule would give Douglas County more control over local matters like taxes, gun laws, and immigration enforcement. The county would have more freedom to make decisions that align with its own needs, rather than following strict state laws.
Local leaders believe this could be a step towards greater autonomy and flexibility in managing county affairs.
The Costs and Concerns
One of the biggest points of contention is the cost of the special election, which is expected to cost the county approximately $500,000. Many residents, including Barrett Roth, a local community member, have expressed frustration over the rushed timeline and the lack of time for the public to fully understand the implications of home rule.
Roth believes the speed at which the election is happening leaves little room for important questions to be asked and addressed.
Financial Backing and Suspicion
The pro-home rule campaign has raised significant funds, with large contributions from companies like Westside Property Investment and Ventana Capital. These donations have raised suspicions among some locals, including Roth, who wonders why land developers are so eager to support the home rule movement.
He suspects that it could be a strategy to gain more influence over zoning laws and development in the county. Roth argues that these donations suggest that the true motivation behind the home rule movement might not be as simple as increased local control.
County Commissioner George Teal has stated that the charter could help the county manage things like taxes, zoning, and interactions with other government agencies more efficiently. He emphasized that home rule could give local leaders more authority to make decisions that benefit the community.
Despite his support, Teal admits that he’s unsure about why developers are supporting home rule, although he acknowledges the potential for more control over development projects.
Legal Challenges and the Opposition
On the other side, the opposition group “Stop the Power Grab” has raised concerns about the potential legal challenges that could arise from the county’s attempt to override state laws. Dr. Robert Preuhs, a professor at Metropolitan State University, explained that while home rule gives counties more policy-making power, it could also lead to legal battles over whether local decisions can override state law.
Roth believes these battles would be costly for taxpayers and ultimately ineffective.
Roth also points out that the county’s approach to promoting home rule has been questionable. He was upset by receiving a white book from the county that lacked an opposing viewpoint, which he saw as biased and a misuse of taxpayer money.
He believes that the county is rushing the process and could have waited to put the measure on the ballot in November to save costs.
A Divided Community
As the election date approaches, the community remains deeply divided over the home rule issue. Some feel that it is a necessary step toward greater local control, while others believe it is a costly, rushed effort that will lead to legal complications.
Roth and others in the opposition group believe the measure will ultimately fail, especially since it appears to be more about benefiting specific groups, such as developers, rather than serving the broader needs of the county.
In the final days leading up to the vote, the county will hold a town hall on June 17 to answer any remaining questions. Local protests, including the “No Kings” protest in Castle Rock, are also planned to express opposition to the home rule proposal.
The debate over home rule in Douglas County is shaping up to be a contentious issue that divides residents and raises important questions about local governance. With large financial donations backing the pro-home rule side and strong opposition concerned about legal and financial consequences, it remains to be seen which direction voters will take.
The outcome of this election could have long-lasting implications for how the county governs itself and interacts with the state.