Have you heard a rumor in your community? Do you have a question for your County government? This page serves as your go-to resource for facts about timely community topics. Have a question you want answered? Scroll down to submit your question via an online form.
No. The Board of Douglas County Commissioners has stated publicly that no youth sports facilities will be removed until there is space available to replace them with the same or better facilities. Watch a Live Town Hall on the topic.
A 202-acre property was dedicated to Douglas County in 2011 by Mission Viejo/Shea Homes. A request to fund a Feasibility study for Wildcat Regional Park is on the agenda for the Parks Advisory Board on July 10, 2024. View the agenda.
Below is a map of the area.
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners in May 2022, based on objective legal recommendations from outside counsel, determined that American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds are inapplicable to the Renewable Water Resource (RWR) proposal. No additional action has been taken, but conversations with RWR could continue. Read more on our website.
Yes! Rueter-Hess is seasonally open for recreation. Learn more on our webpage.
NO. The truth is the Board of Douglas County Commissioners has made absolutely NO decision regarding the use of the 202-acre parcel Mission Viejo/Shea Homes dedicated to Douglas County as part of the development of Highlands Ranch.
There is a process in place for evaluating ideas for this parcel as part of our $350 million Strategic Master Plan for the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources, Open Space Fund – that includes public engagement.
There are competing ideas for this Fund and for this parcel of land that have yet to be evaluated. The Highlands Ranch Community Association has one project proposal. There is another public, private partnership proposal brought forward by Commissioner Thomas that would assemble others with a common interest in a park for youth sports.
A countywide citizen survey will be conducted before the end of August to assess community priorities – which will help inform the Board’s funding decisions.
We welcome public engagement in this process. To stay informed about upcoming meetings regarding these topics, subscribe online for emails about: Meetings and Agendas; News and Events; and Douglas County Outdoors (Parks, Trails, and Open Space)
Yes. The Board of County Commissioners recognizes there is significant community interest in a Youth Sports Tournament Complex in Douglas County.
However, the Board has NOT yet determined the best location for this idea, nor any of the details, including the partners.
At the direction of our outside counsel and our insurance company, Douglas County agreed to settle this matter, including the denial of any wrongdoing and the settlement amount being paid by our insurance company.
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved $200,000 in Community Emergency Relief matching funds for donations received at the upcoming Douglas County Community Foundation’s Heroes Gala.
Commissioner Thomas was the initial lead on JD 23. During a work session on June 4, 2024, the Board voted 2-1 for full board leadership. View a log of Board decisions.
Video production is the domain of the Board of County Commissioners. Topics are introduced and the Board is informed during weekly Communication/Administrative work sessions. A video about Highlands Ranch Metro District’s services was planned by Commissioner Thomas but had not been approved by the full Board of Douglas County Commissioners, and the video shoot was cancelled.
Commissioner Laydon texted his expectations for the website to the County Communication Director, County Manager, and County Attorney. Commissioner Teal was also included in this text chain, while Commissioner Thomas was not included in the text chain. The County Attorney advised Commissioners Laydon and Teal that additional direction to staff should wait until the scheduled Communication and Administration Meeting. The topic was further discussed the following day at the scheduled Communication and Administration Meeting. Formal action was taken to establish a County Fact or Fiction website at a posted business meeting where the Board voted in favor of the initiative 3-0.
At the May 9, 2023, Communication/Administration meeting with the full Board, Commissioner Thomas questioned the $17,400 expense submitted by Commissioner Laydon to attend the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program and advocated that he should refund the County for this expense.
Commissioner Laydon offered that he would attempt to secure scholarships or grants from non-profit organizations to offset the cost of participation. (Note: Commissioner Laydon later learned that the sources of the funds of grants and scholarships were too closely tied to special interest groups and was not interested in pursuing the funds any further.)
At the May 9 meeting, Commissioner Teal expressed support for the County paying this expense for Commissioner Laydon’s professional development as well as for other newly elected officials who would care to attend. Commissioner Teal continues to dispute the assertion that Commissioner Laydon repay the County, citing professional training is valuable to the community and the organization and sees no need for Commissioner Laydon to reimburse the County for this expense.
The Chair of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners, George Teal, determined it was improper to obligate Commissioner Lora Thomas to speak favorably about an action that she voted against for reasons she stated were consistent with the late Commissioner Roger Partridge’s wishes. Commissioner Thomas did, however, speak at the event during the public comment opportunity, sharing her fond memories of working with Commissioner Partridge.
Regarding the speaker line up for the posted public meeting, section 2.2 of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners’ Policy Manual outlines the Responsibilities of the Chair of the Board of Douglas County Commissioners. This section notes: “The Chair will determine the agenda for meetings, although any Commissioner is welcome to request or recommend appropriate matters for BCC consideration.”
The purpose of the July 28 posted, public event was to honor the legacy and memory of the late Commissioner Partridge by formally renaming the large animal barn – located on the Douglas County Fairgrounds – the Roger A. Partridge Large Animal Barn.
Commissioner Partridge was a strong advocate of the County’s agricultural heritage. He co-founded the Douglas County Beef Educational Grant Program and served three years as the Beef Superintendent for the County’s 4-H program.
He especially loved the annual Fair & Rodeo, calling the event “the sound of joy.” Much of what the event is today can be attributed to his unwavering support.
The late Commissioner Roger Partridge was known for his sense of humor, kindness, and graciousness. He was a dedicated public servant, serving two terms as a County Commissioner from 2013 through 2020.
Two different Boards of County Commissioners have been engaged in the creation of the new judicial district. The first Board included Commissioners Partridge, Thomas and Holbert beginning in 2018. The second Board working to advance the creation of this new Judicial District is the present Board – Commissioners Teal, Laydon and Thomas. View a timeline of the history from 2018 to 2024.
Commissioner Lora Thomas was the original Initiative lead starting in 2018. In 2024, the Board determined the Initiative would instead benefit from the engagement of the full Board, due to a languishing timeline and the important decision regarding the location of the office for JD23, and determined that JD 23 should move to an Initiative of the full Board.
After approximately eight months of discussion and research, the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Committee concluded on January 18, 2023 the following recommendations (and see timeline for additional detail):
At a September 5, 2023 work session, the Board of County Commissioners directed staff to “continue work on the Kendrick Castillo Memorial and renaming Lucent Boulevard to Kendrick Castillo Way and bring back to the Board of County Commissioners any future actions in order to make that happen.” The motion passed by the Board 3-0.
No. Commissioner Laydon is not currently practicing law, which would require a law license. He would only violate the professional license requirement if he was practicing law or soliciting for business as a lawyer. It is not unusual for an attorney who is not practicing to allow their license to become inactive, typically by electing inactive status.
Colorado has a process to reinstate a suspended license. Commissioner Laydon will need to file a Make-Up plan and pay a late fee. Colorado attorneys can receive continuing legal education credit for attending accredited courses, graduate-level education, teaching, research, committee research activity, independent study, and performing pro bono work.
Commissioner Thomas released an unapproved video during her political campaign. The Board of County Commissioners passed a Motion, “Suspend production of Commissioner Thomas’ videos as a punitive action in light of the unauthorized release of a video during her political campaign for her personal and political benefit, in violation of Board policy.”
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners heard from hundreds of homeowners concerning the nearly 50% increase in their property taxes in 2023, payable in 2024, the result of increased assessments in property values throughout the State of Colorado.
The Board determined that your County Government could return $37.8 million to the taxpayers of Douglas County – the equivalent to 18.6% of the County mill levy – without impacting the services you expect from the County Government, including public safety, road improvements, parks, trails, and open space. The average tax relief check to a homeowner in Douglas County was approximately $191.
While County Governments in Colorado have the power to reduce their mill levy, County Governments do not have the same authority over other taxing authorities in Douglas County.
Your tax statement, issued by the County Treasurer’s Office, includes more than 300 taxing authorities responsible for providing services to you and your home. You will find the complete list of taxing authorities on your tax bill – and the list is different depending on where in Douglas County your home is located.
County Treasurers are required by state law to prepare and provide your tax statement on behalf of ALL taxing authorities in the County.
While the property tax statement is received from and your taxes are paid to Douglas County, the County is only allowed to keep its share of the bill……. about 19% of the total amount. The remaining amount of the money you pay to Douglas County is sent to the many other taxing authorities providing services to your home such as the Douglas County School District, Douglas County Library District, fire districts, metro districts and more.
To help you know where your money goes – visit the Douglas County Assessor’s website for your property tax details and taxing authorities providing services to your home.
Yes. Taxpayers who pay past the deadline and before Sept. 1, 2024 will receive their property tax relief check. After that, the relief amount will be credited to their account.
The cost per check is 98¢. (Postage is 53¢ of this total amount.) 126,560 checks were mailed. The funding source to mail the checks was interest earned on the property tax collected.
