In the upcoming Special Election that will cost taxpayers $500,000, voters will be asked if they want to study Home Rule for the county AND to elect 3 residents to serve on the Charter Commission as At-Large members as well as 6 residents on the Charter Commission to serve from the district in which the voter lives. Should voters decide to explore the home rule option, a total of 21 residents will serve on the Charter Commission to draft the Charter that, if approved by voters, will define the structure of county government going forward. This complex and monumental task must be completed by early September 2025 in order for the draft charter to be on the November 4, 2025 Election ballot.
Any conversation pertaining to county home rule must begin with the clear understanding that COUNTY home rule and MUNICIPAL home rule are NOT--repeat, NOT--the same concept. Unlike municipal home rule, county home rule is limited to the structure and organization of county government and does not bestow the extensive autonomous rule afforded home rule cities. Voters are being told by the County Commissioners and the County Attorney that Home Rule status will allow Douglas County to have a cafeteria-style government in which we can pick what state laws we will and will not follow. That premise is simply not true. The State Constitution, relevant state statutes and case law--including a recent Colorado Supreme Court case decided in February--all make it clear that Home Rule counties MUST follow state law.
Before citizens even knew their government was considering Home Rule, the commissioners had the Chair of the Douglas County Republican Party notify their own select 21 hand-picked party allies and insiders to ready the home rule Charter to put before County voters.
As a firm, lifelong believer in open meetings and transparency, this kind of secret back-room dealing repulses me and is the reason that I could not allow such an unfair/unbalanced slate go without challenge. I have lived in District 3, which includes Highlands Ranch, Sterling Ranch, Roxborough, Louviers and parts of Sedalia, for more than twenty-six years and was the elected County Commissioner from this district from 2017-2024. The people of District 3 require and deserve Commission representatives who will ensure RESPONSIBLE, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE government for Douglas County!
I am steadfastly committed to maintaining my lifelong record of representing residents with integrity, experience, proven fiscal responsibility and an understanding that government is supposed to work for the people, not against them. I will represent YOU, the taxpayers of Douglas County, and not entrenched politicians wanting to increase their power or Special Interests that are funding campaigns.
I'm always available and interested in discussing issues with you - your views are IMPORTANT to me.
I have a long and storied history of standing up to political bullies, and you can COUNT on ME to stand up for you!
Please email me at Lora@LoraThomas.org or call at 303-895-7299.