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.
Yes, Douglas County Open Space partners with Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to offer 45 days of big game hunting in the fall on our Sharptail Ridge Open Space. The process is for a hunter to procure a Unit 51 deer or elk license for any given year. Upon acquisition of that license, that hunter may enter a secondary drawing administered through CPW to secure a slot to hunt Sharptail ridge during that season. These slots are typically 2-3 days each.
No other County-owned properties are available for hunting currently.
While several ideas have been explored for the 202 acres in Highlands Ranch known as Wildcat Regional Park, there have been no formal proposals, by Douglas County, to develop that land.
In 1996, when Highlands Ranch was being developed, the development agreement required 202 acres of land be dedicated – at no cost to the County – for the expansion of Highland Heritage Regional Park. That area is generally located south of Rocky Heights Middle School, west of where Quebec turns into Monarch Road in Highlands Ranch. Since then, a variety of informal ideas have surfaced and been discussed by officials and staff at various entities surrounding the park – including Highlands Ranch and Douglas County. None of the concepts were formalized.
Earlier in 2024, a proposal to complete a feasibility study – a study to understand the impacts of various ideas to wildlife and surrounding infrastructure – was evaluated by the Parks Advisory Board, and the Board of County Commissioners opted not to pursue the study.
Now, the Highlands Ranch Community Association (HRCA) is proposing that the County convey the land to HRCA so HRCA can develop the park land. HRCA is scheduled to introduce their proposal to the Douglas County Open Space Advisory Committee during a meeting on Jan. 9, 2025.
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.
The results of the survey will be revealed during a Board of County Commissioners work session on Tuesday, Sept. 10 at 9 a.m. View the Commissioners Weekly Schedule web page for a link to watch.
Dr. David Hill, with Hill Research Consultants, will review and discuss the findings with the Board of County Commissioners.
Survey results will also be posted on the Parks, Trails, Historic Resources, and Open Space Fund web page. The findings will be communicated countywide via the County’s online newsroom, to email subscribers, and via the County’s social media platforms.
There is nothing in Douglas County’s zoning resolution regarding dead trees on private property in unincorporated Douglas County (though local HOAs may have their own regulations).
On public property in unincorporated Douglas County, County staff and volunteers work diligently to maintain open spaces, parks, public buildings, and the public right-of-way. Dead trees are often a natural occurrence, and in forested open spaces, they can be an important part of the ecosystem that shouldn’t be removed. Dead trees can provide habitats for more than 100 species of birds, bats, and small mammals, which in turn feed larger mammalian predators. Dead, decaying wood also supports a rich community of decomposers like bacteria and fungi, insects, and other invertebrates.
If a dead tree is a safety hazard, it will be removed. Often, the County’s Open Space and Natural Resources Department partners with the Office of Emergency Management to use the tree removal as a training opportunity for firefighters, who may have to remove trees during fire-fighting efforts.
If you have a maintenance question about County property, please use our online “Report a Concern” form.
Leaves (and other slash or yard waste) can be taken to the County’s Slash-Mulch site, 1400 Caprice Drive in Castle Rock, on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. April through October. After October, the site will accept only leaves on Saturdays through Nov. 2.
Rueter-Hess Reservoir is open to paddle sports and fishing through October, weather permitting. Trails and the nearby incline are open year-round. Visit our web page to learn more and reserve your spot!
The water infrastructure in Louviers dates back to the early 1900s. In 2020, the discovery of radium in the water put the district under an enforcement order from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE).
A $1.6 million grant from Douglas County to Louviers Water and Sanitation District will be used to build a radium treatment system and replace aging water lines. The total cost of the project is $2.3 million. Additional funding is coming from CDPHE. Douglas County’s grant funding came from American Rescue Plan Act funding.
Construction of the new treatment system is underway, and the new system is expected to be operational in 2025.
The Board of County Commissioners’ ARPA grant allocations are part of a larger vision to improve water and wastewater infrastructure along the US 85 corridor. Overall, the County will invest more than $35 million of its ARPA funding in water and wastewater projects, including an 11-mile water and wastewater pipeline for the US 85 corridor in partnership with Castle Rock Water.
Using American Rescue Plan Act funding, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners is partnering with Castle Rock Water and Dominion Water and Sanitation District to improve wastewater systems along US 85 in Douglas County.
Two projects are now taking shape:
Per County ordinance, blowing snow or leaves into the road in unincorporated Douglas County is not allowed. Read more about the snow removal ordinance online. Leaves blown into the street can cause a stormwater drainage issue. Learn more and report a concern online.
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.
To ensure the County’s air support readiness during wildfire season, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved a contract with Trans Aero LTD, for $1,505,000 in 2024.
Trans Aero LTD will provide exclusive use of a Type 2 helicopter capable of delivering 300 gallons of water to the front lines of a wildfire. Douglas County is providing a Helitack Team of 10 specialized wildland firefighters to accompany the helicopter. This combination of air and ground resources in a joint asset gives Douglas County a tremendous advantage in protecting lives and property from wildfire.
As of Sept. 6, 2024, the Helitack Team has responded to 19 fires (12 in Douglas County and seven outside of Douglas County). For the seven fires in other jurisdictions, Douglas County is reimbursed for all expenses by the State of Colorado. Learn more on our webpage.
Yes. County Commissioners are responsible under state statute for the health, safety, and welfare of all citizens in Douglas County. In Douglas County, public safety is one of the Board of County Commissioners highest priorities.
Accordingly, the Board believes all children – regardless of where they go to school – deserve to have a safe place to learn. The result of this Board philosophy – and one that accelerated growth of the existing SRO program after the STEM School shooting on May 7, 2019 – is that today the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SRO program is the largest in the state.
School Resource Officers are integral to school emergency preparedness and response, as well as being a preventive measure to aid with threat assessments and safety planning. The SRO’s ability to represent a safe environment – and to develop proactive relationships with students and school leadership – has been a proven success in Douglas County.
In partnership with schools, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office employs School Resource Officers to cover neighborhood, charter, and private schools in unincorporated Douglas County. Public schools covered include Chaparral High School, Douglas County High School, Highlands Ranch High School, Mountain Vista High School, Ponderosa High School, Rock Canyon High School, and ThunderRidge High School and their feeder middle and elementary schools. They also cover private schools including Valor Christian, Cherry Hills Christian School, Colorado Christian Academy and Arma Dei Academy, and charter schools, including Parker Core Knowledge, Platte River Academy, SkyView Academy, STEM Highlands Ranch, American Academy Castle Pines, North Star Academy and Ben Franklin Academy.
The average cost for each officer – including salaries (an average of $108,000 per year), benefits, uniforms, cell phones, body worn cameras and dashcam technology, and annual travel – is shared 50/50 by the Sheriff’s Office and school. Douglas County provides an additional $12,700 annually per officer for overtime and on-call work, professional memberships, firearms, uniform replacements, range fees, fleet maintenance, fuel, and other ongoing operating costs.
Being prepared for an emergency is a shared responsibility. Douglas County fire and police personnel and emergency managers train and prepare for disasters year-around. What’s your role? Be informed and be ready.
Make sure you are signed up for CodeRED emergency alerts, so you can get a phone call, email or text alert from first responders if you need to act in an emergency. If you may need additional help in the event of an evacuation, register for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Access and Functional Needs Registry.
Biochar is an organic soil amendment made by heating organic materials such as wood, plant waste and manure to high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. The resulting Biochar is a carbon-rich, charcoal-like material that can be used as a soil amendment, or as filtration in water treatment.
This topic was raised at a Douglas County Wildfire Action Collaborative (WAC) meeting in December 2023. Members expressed a strong interest in the topic mainly to address a lack of biomass processing outlets on the Front Range.
To reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health, large quantities of low-quality woods are being removed from public and private lands as part of fire mitigation efforts. There are only a few locations in the state that can process this material in large quantities, so contractors must transport the material long distances from Douglas County, which increases the cost and timeline for these mitigation projects.
The WAC toured a local biochar facility and discussed the concept at length with a company representative. County staff drafted potential site plans and presented them at a subsequent WAC meeting whereby the WAC made a motion to forward the proposal to the Board of County Commissioners for consideration.
Staff presented to the Board in a work session on Aug. 19, 2024, where the Board directed staff to solicit for interested vendors and return to the Board with more information. Staff published a Request for Expression of Interest Sept. 11, 2024, and responses are due on Oct. 16, 2024. Responses will be summarized and presented to the Board at a future work session for further direction.
An analysis of the proposed return on investment will be completed. The Board’s goal would be for any biochar facility to become revenue-generating.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Human Trafficking can happen to anyone in any community. According to Common Sense Institute Colorado’s October 2024 report, there were 84 human trafficking reports in Colorado in 2023 – the nation’s 10th highest number. The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office had one Human Trafficking case in 2023.
In 2024, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners – in partnership with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the 18th Judicial District – formally recognized January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Douglas County to shine a light on the hidden ways residents are trafficked in our community. Watch this video to learn the signs of trafficking and what to report.
In 2023, we took steps together to recognize and reduce human trafficking. We learned at our Live Town Hall that Human Trafficking is happening in our backyard and largely affects boys and girls under the age of 14 and vulnerable adults who have experienced trauma. The Board of County Commissioners took steps to reduce the crimes with licensing and inspections.
The Douglas County Sheriff is authorized by State Law to act as fire warden of the county in certain circumstances. As such, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners has decided the Sheriff is the appropriate person to implement fire restrictions, which cover all land (both public and private) in unincorporated Douglas County. Incorporated municipalities, such as Castle Rock, implement their own fire restrictions, often in line with the Sheriff’s recommendations. Learn more on the Sheriff’s Department website.
Yes. Turkey Tracks is located within the United States Forest Service’s Pike National Forest. On Friday, Oct. 11, the USFS entered Stage 1 fire restrictions that include the prohibition of recreational shooting. Under these restrictions, recreational shooting is prohibited at Turkey Tracks, except when hunting in compliance with Colorado, federal, and tribal law and in possession of a valid State of Colorado hunting license. Read their Stage 1 Fire Restrictions and Emergency Recreational Shooting Order.
In 2025, Douglas County will be part of a new Judicial District. With the formation of the new 23rd Judicial District to serve Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln Counties, there is a need for essential office space to house staff and conduct business once JD 23 is fully formed and functional in January 2025.
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners on Oct. 8, approved a lease for 11045 East Lansing Circle in Meridian. This location was chosen after an exhaustive search to find appropriate space for JD 23 services that would meet the department’s needs. The location on East Lansing Circle was selected due to its proximity to the I-25 Corridor, Lincoln Avenue, C-470/E-470 and public transportation.
The building available for lease can also provide expanded long-term office space for the Douglas County Health Department, Human Services Department and Community Justice Services.
The Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s Office provides a free fraud detection service, which will alert you any time a document is recorded in your name or on your property. This service is designed to protect against potential “title theft” or fraud. Learn more and sign up on our web page.
With a focus on public safety and transportation, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners unanimously approved the 2025 budget, including eight new Sheriff’s deputies and $73.6 million in new road construction – all while keeping the county debt-free. Read more in our newsroom.
Yes! A recording of the 2024 State of Douglas County is available on the County’s YouTube Channel.
Every year, your Board of Douglas County Commissioners reports back to you on annual accomplishments achieved with and through others during the State of the County event. This year, the theme is “Celebrating Partnerships. Elevating Economic Vitality.”
Whether it’s investing in public safety resources, improving our transportation network, providing services for our most vulnerable, or preserving our natural resources – partnerships across Douglas County have resulted in incredible achievements that form the foundation for economic prosperity.
The State of the County event on Dec. 12 will highlight these shared achievements in Douglas County. This year, the County is partnering with the new Douglas County Economic Development Corporation and Bisnow, which have coordinated a panel of economic development experts who will add their perspective to the importance of these foundational priorities.
The EDC and Bisnow have pursued sponsorships to offset the cost of the event. With these sponsorships, our expectation is that the cost to Douglas County for this event will be far less than previous events.
On Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, without informing our Board or County staff leadership, our now former colleague Lora Thomas chose to resign her position as Douglas County Commissioner representing District III, effective immediately.
She chose to resign, before the completion of her second term, knowing she had access to the same opportunities to continue governing, in her role, until Jan. 14, 2025, at which time the new District III County Commissioner would be sworn into office.
Unlike what has been reported, her governing environment included a same-sized office, with the same view, adjacent to the office from which she had served for six years. C.R.S. §30-11-101(1)(c) grants the County the authority to direct the use of real and personal property owned by the County when deemed by the Board of County Commissioners to be in the best interests of the county and its inhabitants. This would include assigning an office to refurbish the office for a new commissioner.
No. Former Commissioner Lora Thomas was not “evicted” from her office.
Before she resigned, former Commissioner Lora Thomas’ was asked to move one door down to a similar office with the same view as her existing office, while facilities and IT cleaned and refurbished her office for the incoming commissioner. C.R.S. §30-11-101(1)(c) grants the County the authority to direct the use of real and personal property owned by the County when deemed by the Board of County Commissioners to be in the best interests of the county and its inhabitants. This would include assigning an office to refurbish the office for a new commissioner.
While the commissioner-elect is not yet a voting member of the Board, commissioner-elect Van Winkle has the legal right to be in the office and participating in county business. Moreover, County staff and commissioner-elect Van Winkle have been working hard to onboard the incoming commissioner, including providing education about the County departments, infrastructure, processes, and pending business, so the commissioner can immediately begin working.
According to state statute, there is a process for filling a commissioner vacancy in Colorado (C.R.S. 1-12-206). A vacancy committee selected by the central committee of the same political party as the vacating commissioner has 10 days to convene and appoint a new commissioner to hold the office until the office is filled as the result an election. Should the vacancy committee not make their appointment, the governor shall make the appointment within 15 days of the vacancy. The Douglas County GOP will not exercise its prerogative to appoint.
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.
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 uncommon for a non-practicing attorney to not complete continuing education. Colorado has a process for non-practicing attorneys to elect an inactive license status and forgo continuing education obligations.
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.”
Colorado law precludes the Board of County Commissioners from receiving, considering, or relying on information not in the record when applying legal standards to specific property rights.
Despite being elected as the County’s executive and legislative body, Colorado law requires the Board of County Commissioners to sometimes assume a judicial role. It is when the law directs the Board to assume this quasi-judicial role that the Board must avoid discussing the matters before it.
If you want to provide information for the Board of County Commissioners to consider in a quasi-judicial matter, please send that information to the staff assigned to that project or the County Attorney’s Office and they will ensure the information gets in the record. You can find current planning projects online.
The Board of Douglas County Commissioners believes in open and transparent government and, as such, requires that the business of County government should be open to effective public review. This includes access to information as well as the knowledge of and the ability to participate in public discussion so that diverse opinions and ideas may be heard and considered.
When a majority of the Board of County Commissioners meets to conduct business, the meeting is open to the public.
The Board has several meeting formats:
Work Sessions: During Work Sessions, the Board often invites testimony from internal and external subject matter experts to discuss programs or initiatives. Work Sessions are scheduled a week in advice and may occur on any weekday.
Business Meetings: Business Meetings are scheduled for the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 1:30 p.m. During Business Meetings, the Board considers and takes formal action on resolutions, ordinances, and other public business. During the meeting, the Board will take public testimony specific to the agenda item being considered. During that time, the public is invited to provide their perspective on that specific agenda item. Comments will be limited to 3 minutes. After the Regular Agenda, as time allows, the Board will also take general public comment on any topic not already discussed during the meeting. Obscenity and any comments calling for criminal or violent action are prohibited. Commissioner comments, if any, will follow all citizen comments.
Land Use Public Hearings: These meetings are specifically for land use presentations by applicants and formal action by the Board. Applicants make presentations to the Board. Public testimony is accepted on each agenda item. Citizen testimony is limited to the specific topic or application being discussed. and provides the Board with community perspective on the issue.
Citizen testimony is germane to the specific topic being discussed and provides the Board with community perspective on the issue. Public Comment is an open time for comment on anything citizens think the Board should hear. View more information on public meetings.
The Board also schedules evening Live Town Halls to provide information on a specific topic and hear from the public. Learn more and sign up to be notified.
The focus of Fact vs. Fiction page content is on frequently asked questions and widely disseminated public narratives that require clarification to provide information and ensure accuracy. Each week, the Board of County Commissioners reviews suggestions for the Fact vs. Fiction page – including that which is submitted via the online form, proposed by legal and communication/public affairs staff, and suggestions by the Board.
Based on discussion and careful consideration, the page may be updated after the discussion.
No. The County received a demand letter from a current library board member making several requests of the County, including the request the County end procedures to remove the member from the library board following a 3-0 board vote at a public meeting to not remove the library board member.
The Board of County Commissioners is authorized to appoint members to 20 Boards and Commissions: Audit Committee, Board of Adjustment, Board of Human Services, Board of Health, Building Board of Appeals, Community Service Block Grant Tripartite Board, CSU Extension Advisory Council, Cultural Council, Fair Board, Historic Preservation Board, Library District Board of Trustees, Liquor Licensing Authority, Mile-High Regional Emergency Medical and Trauma Advisory Council (MHRETAC), Noxious Weed Advisory Commission, Open Space Advisory Committee, Parks Advisory Board, Placement Alternatives Commission, Planning Commission, Veterans Service Officers and the Water Commission.
State law provides statutory requirements for the appointment and removal of members from the Board of Health, Cultural Council, Historic Preservation Board, and Open Space Advisory Council. All other boards and commissions operate under conditions creates by the Board of County Commissioners and at the discretion of the Board of County Commissioners.
No. The Board of County Commissioners is a self-regulating board. It is common for legislative bodies to be self-regulating.
As a self-regulating board, the Board adopts professional and ethical standards and members are responsible to one another to meet those professional and ethical standards. Where a board member fails to meet professional and ethical standards, the board may take remedial action, including loss of assignments, budget restrictions, reprimand, and censure.
The Board codified their professional and ethical standards in Section 2.3 of the Board’s Policy Manual, which includes:
Section 2.3 of the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners’ Policy Manual states:
The Board of County Commissioners may impose sanctions on commissioners whose conduct does not comply with the Board’s ethical standards, such as reprimand, formal censure, loss of committee assignment, and/or budget restriction.
The Board’s Policy Manual can be found online.
The Board has discretion under Section 2.3 to hold its members to a high professional and ethical standard.
On Oct. 8, the Board passed a motion to rescind the previous motion lifting the censure of Commission Thomas, citing violations of Policy 2.3. The motion passed 2-1.
In August 2023, the Board of County Commissioners censured Commissioner Thomas pursuant to the Commissioners’ Code of Conduct for comments related to the Douglas County Cultural Council, including public criticism of the Cultural Council and including members of the Cultural Council contact information in a newsletter. A member of the Cultural Council attributed his resignation from the Cultural Council to Commissioner Thomas’ comments. The motion and resolution to censure passed 2-1.
On April 30, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners made a motion to remove the censure from Commissioner Thomas. The motion passed 3-0; however, the Board did not adopt the corresponding resolution at a Business Meeting. When it was discovered Commissioner Thomas did not honor her commitment to uphold the principles in the Policy Manual and Code of Conduct, the Board did not move forward with the lifting of the censure.
On Oct. 8, 2024, the Board passed a motion to rescind the previous motion lifting the censure of Commissioner Thomas, citing violations of Policy 2.3. The motion passed 2-1.
The Board’s Policy 2.3 states, “Commissioners shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is professional, respectful, courteous, and civil toward one another and those with whom they engage in their official capacity.”
The reasons the Board gave for the censure are: 1) she states things publicly that are untrue, having a negative impact on public policy decisions, 2) she undermines the work of the Board and 3) she has violated a Board agreement from early 2024.
When asked, the County Attorney advised that the action was legal and within the discretion of the Board.
Yes. The Board has unanimously (3-0) passed resolutions to oppose Proposition KK and to oppose Proposition 127. The Board voted 2-1 in favor of a resolution to oppose Proposition 131.
Since 2020, this Board has worked with three mediators. Two of the mediators volunteered. The third, Janet McCracken from The Employer’s Edge, engaged with the Board in group and individual coaching for 17.5 hours at a total cost of $5,950 in 2020.
Yes. There has been an untrue narrative spread on social media that the Board of County Commissioners’ recent resolutions opposing certain ballot measures violates Colorado campaign finance law – it is not true.
Colorado law specifically provides counties the authority to take positions on state ballot measures. C.R.S. §1-45-117(1)(b) states:
(III) Nothing in this subsection (1) shall be construed as prohibiting an agency, department, board, division, bureau, commission, or council of the state or any political subdivision thereof from:
(A) Passing a resolution or taking a position of advocacy on any issue described in subparagraph (I) of paragraph (a) of this subsection (1) [which includes state ballot issues, local ballot issues, referred measures, and a measure to recall any official]
When appropriate, the Board of County Commissioners will continue take public positions on matters important to the county and its residents.
For some local governments, the process is outlined in their Charter. The State also has a defined transition process. For Douglas County, the transition to new County Commissioners is at the discretion of the Board. As with most elected offices in Colorado and around the country, newly elected officials begin onboarding and transitioning into their new offices after election. Senator Kevin Van Winkle was duly elected Commissioner District 3 in November. The county is and will continue to onboard him so that so he may hit the ground running day one.
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 first set of relief checks were mailed to property owners whose property taxes were paid in full by the June 15 deadline. For those properties whose taxes were paid in full after that, but before Sept. 1, a second round of relief payments will be sent this fall. For property taxes paid in full after Sept. 1, but prior to the property tax lien sale, the relief payment will be granted in the form of a credit on next year’s tax bill. Any relief checks that go undeposited in 2024 will also be applied as a credit to next year’s tax bill.
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.
Property relief checks were sent to the owner of record as of July 1, 2024. July 1 was chosen because it was the first date in which all property taxes that were paid on time were received and processed by the Treasurer’s Office. The Board of County Commissioner’s priority was for the homeowner to receive the check, not the bank or mortgage company, and using the Assessor’s ownership record was the most accurate way to do that.
No. In early 2024, the County filed litigation requesting the Court review the State Board of Equalization’s action reversing the County Board of Equalization’s resolution reducing the valuation of residential property in the County by 4%. The County filed four claims for relief. The Court has asserted the State Board of Equalization’s action is not permitted under Colorado law and is not supported by the facts in the record.
The Court has dismissed three of the County’s four claims.
The issue before the Court has not been resolved. The County and the State are proceeding to litigate the County’s remaining claim.
The burden of increasing property tax on Douglas County homeowners is a key issue for the County. The County initiated this lawsuit and continues to litigate this matter to ensure the County has every tool available to address this critical problem.
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.
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.
Electronics recycling is free for Douglas County residents year-round. Visit Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston Street, Suite 10, Aurora, CO 80011, Mondays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on occasional Saturdays from 10 am. to 2 p.m.
This free service gives Douglas County residents the flexibility to recycle electronics on a day that works for them, versus an annual one-time event in Douglas County. Visit our web page for details on electronics recycling.
We appreciate the thousands of volunteers who have invested in Douglas County programs and events. Learn about the ways you can volunteer on our web page. You can also sign up for email alerts and follow us on Facebook, Nextdoor, and X to get news from Douglas County, including volunteer opportunities such as the semi-annual Dougnad community events.
Birth and death certificates are available through the Douglas County Health Department. For information on marriage and civil union licenses, visit the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s Office.
The Town of Castle Rock is leading a project to provide new access to I-25 at Crystal Valley Parkway. To build the interchange off- and on-ramps, a closure of the West Frontage Road is necessary. Read more from the Town of Castle Rock.
The project began in October 2022 and is expected to be complete in Fall 2025. Once complete, the US 85 Widening project will improve safety, mobility, and traffic operations along US 85 (Santa Fe Drive). Construction includes road widening from four lanes to six lanes, intersection improvements, bus stop enhancements, a new shared-use path for bicyclists and pedestrians on the east side of US 85, a below-grade crossing for both the C-470 and High Line Canal trails, and a new pedestrian link from the Wolhurst community to the C-470 Trail. Learn more on our webpage.
Road maintenance protects our shared investment in public infrastructure. For curb, gravel road, gutter, or pothole repair requests or sidewalk evaluations, please visit our web page and fill out the online form. Crews are dispatched as quickly as possible to repair potholes that create a hazardous condition.
US Highway 85 is owned by the Colorado Department of Transportation, and CDOT is responsible for operating, improving, and maintaining US 85.
In May 2001, CDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) completed the South I-25/US 85 Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS), and this segment of US 85 was identified for widening from two to four through lanes as documented in the Record of Decision (ROD), signed on 2002.
Over the past 20 years, Douglas County has partnered with CDOT to advance the widening of several segments of US 85 between C-470 and Castle Rock. More recently, in 2022, Douglas County and CDOT partnered to widen and reconstruct US 85 between Louviers and Sedalia. And currently, a project is underway to widen and reconstruct US 85 from Highlands Ranch Parkway to just north of C-470, which is scheduled to be completed in fall 2025.
CDOT has a project to widen and reconstruct US 85 between Sedalia and Meadows Parkway in its current vision plan. This information can be found in CDOT’s updated 10-year Strategic Project Pipeline (March 2024) under “Project Pipeline for Central Projects, Highways & Transit for Region 1.”
The document shows a total estimated project cost of $58 million, and $500,000 budgeted for FY 2019-2022 and $37 million for FY 2027 and beyond. This US 85 improvement project appears in the outyears of CDOT’s 10-Year Plan in FY 2027 and beyond. However, this specific project has yet to be prioritized or approved for funding by the CDOT Transportation Commission.
For every storm, Douglas County crews maintain 3,800 miles of roadway, which is about the length of the Great Wall of China. Each snowstorm is different, and operations vary based on conditions. While operators do their best to place snow, it can be challenging to keep snow off all sidewalks.
If the storm lingers, crews may take more than one pass on your street to widen the cleared path and ensure ice and snow are melting. Unfortunately, subsequent widening operations may push snow back onto sidewalks and driveways.
For more information on snow removal, please visit our web page. We appreciate your patience!
The Colorado Department of Transportation owns and operates state highways and interstates in Colorado.
To increase safety on Colorado roads, the Colorado Transportation Investment Office (CTIO), a government-owned business within the Colorado Department of Transportation, uses advanced roadside technology to enforce safety violations along Express Lane corridors, such as the I-25 South Gap from Monument to Castle Rock.
Tolling is underway along the I-25 South Gap, and by the end of 2024, the safety and toll enforcement program will begin. Starting Dec. 1, 2024, violators identified by this technology will be issued a fine via mail based on the registered address of the vehicle’s license plate. The purpose of this enforcement is, most importantly, to keep all roadway users safe. Learn more on CDOT’s website.
In the case of an emergency or stalled vehicle blocking the Express Lanes, drivers will not get a fine for exiting the lanes, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation. However, in both cases, drivers will get a fine if they re-enter the Express Lanes over a solid line. Drivers must wait for a designated entrance with dashed lines to re-enter the Express Lane.
As of Jan. 1, 2025, it will be. In a significant move to reduce distracted driving, Colorado will implement a new law beginning Jan. 1, 2025, that prohibits people from using a mobile electronic device while driving unless they use a hands-free accessory. Read more from the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Yes. Lucent Boulevard is now Kendrick Castillo Way. As part of the ongoing mission to memorialize Kendrick – who was killed May 7, 2019, during his senior year of high school, having sacrificed his own life to save fellow students amid a school shooting – the Kendrick Castillo Memorial Oversight Committee requested a street name change, which the Board of Douglas County Commissioners approved earlier this year.
Now, your mapping application and the street signs will reflect this important change. The entirety of Lucent Boulevard, about 2 miles from County Line Road to South Broadway, is officially Kendrick Castillo Way.
A total of 30 signs have been changed, including at the major intersections of Kendrick Castillo Way with County Line Road, Plaza Drive, Town Center Drive, Highlands Ranch Parkway and Broadway. The Colorado Department of Transportation will replace signs along C-470 in the near future.
You can find information about this proposed project – and all current or archived land development projects – online. Visit the Project Records Online web page to search by project or by map. For Pine Canyon, click “project search” and use project number ZR2020-010 for the PD Rezoning and MI2020-009 for the PD Water Appeal.
Project Records Online, or PRO, allows citizens to access all types of planning projects such as: commercial, residential and industrial development applications; proposed zoning and rezoning; subdivision regulation changes; long-range planning activities; and Community Services’ programs and projects.
When viewing selected projects, users may email the project planner directly and view the County Assessor’s Office web pages for detailed project information.
Permits are required for anyone planning to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish, or change the occupancy of a building or structure. Permits are also necessary to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove, convert, or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical, or plumbing systems regulated by the adopted codes. If you’re unsure whether your project requires a permit, please contact the Building Division at 303-660-7497.
Yes. Another powerful partnership is helping end homelessness in Douglas County. The partnership – among Douglas County Human Services, Arapahoe County and Family Tree – expands the Generational Opportunities to Achieve Long-term Success (GOALS) program, offering the first-ever countywide resource specifically for families with children experiencing homelessness.
The GOALS program provides temporary residential and supportive services for up to 9 months for families, utilizing a 2Gen, whole-family approach. The program helps to stabilize families by providing secure housing alongside employment, mental health and other services that ultimately empower them to obtain long-term solutions.
The expansion of the GOALS program to assist families is another example of ongoing solution-based work in Douglas County to effectively end homelessness in the community, including reaching Functional Zero for Veterans. Read more about Douglas County’s Homeless Initiative and other local resources including HEART outreach on our website.
The new Heroes Hall will be a central gathering place for Veterans and a one-stop-shop for their needs, including offices for Douglas County Veterans Service Office and the founding organizations – American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation. There will also be event space and a conference center in the 14,000-square-foot building and 7,000-square-foot basement.
The Heroes Hall, to be located at the Douglas County Fairgrounds, is estimated to cost $15 million to build, primarily funded through private donations. If you wish to donate, please visit the Heroes Hall webpage.
A one-mill property tax dedicated to services for persons with developmental disabilities was established in 2001. The County distributes 93% of the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy (DDML) funds to support Developmental Pathways, the County’s Community-Centered Board while retaining 5.5% for a competitive grant program. The remaining 1.5% covers Treasurer’s fees. Each year in December, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners allocates the grant funding.
Yes! If you are interested in learning how to help someone in need of mental health support, you can sign up to learn Mental Health First Aid.
Mental Health First Aid is an evidence-based course that teaches not only the signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental health needs and substance use problems but also the skills to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem, ideally before requiring more significant mental and/or behavioral health intervention.
Yes. Based on the official July 29th Point-in-Time count, Homelessness has functionally ENDED in Douglas County.
According to summer Point-in-Time counts, the number of homeless sleeping outside in Douglas County – with a population of 375,988 people – was reduced from 43 in 2022 to 6 in 2024. There was a 50% reduction in those living in vehicles and sleeping outside since summer 2023. No encampments and no panhandlers were found.
By comparison, Denver – with a population of 713,252 – saw an increase in homelessness from 5,818 in 2023 to 6,539 in 2024, according to the Metro Denver Homeless Initiative Point-in-Time Count.
A Point-in-Time count is an unduplicated count on a single night of the people in a community who are experiencing homelessness. You can read more and view Douglas County’s data online.
As part of a nationwide effort, Douglas County is working with local partners to prevent, treat and help people recover from substance abuse.
In 2020-2021, opioid settlements were reached nationwide with Johnson & Johnson and the nation’s three largest drug distribution companies to resolve claims by state and local governments that these companies contributed to the opioid epidemic. The $750 million in settlement funding must be used in alignment with the settlement, which includes funding for opioid abuse, prevention, and treatment.
Of that settlement funding, 60% will be distributed to 19 regional areas in Colorado for local use. Douglas County is its own region (Region 12). Douglas County received $1.4 million in 2023 and is expecting to receive up to $2.5 million in 2024.
In August 2024, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners announced seven organizations receiving $1.1 million in grant funding to work on prevention, treatment and recovery.
The Community Response Team (CRT), established in 2017, by the Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, pairs a law enforcement officer with a mental health professional to help adults and youth experiencing a mental health crisis avoid the emergency room or jail and, instead, find the support they need to heal.
Each team member fulfills a distinct role to ensure safety, conduct medical clearance, assess mental health and level of care needs, and facilitate connection to appropriate mental health services during and following a crisis.
As of 2023, there are nine teams – including officers and deputies from Castle Rock Police, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Lone Tree Police, and Parker Police – with response capability seven days a week. Two of those teams focus solely on youth response, covering every school – public, private, and charter – in Douglas County.
As of 2024, these Community Response Teams have responded to 12,696 emergency and non-emergency calls for service, provided crisis intervention, conducted important follow-ups, developed safety plans, and helped nearly 8,000 people get connected with the resources and help they need.
The Douglas County Health Department wants you to have the information you need to make your own decisions for yourself and your family. While the Health Department does not have clinical staff – and therefore does not administer vaccines – the Health Department can be a resource for you. If you are looking for a vaccine and need help, call 720-642-2400.
Douglas County is part of a three-county collaborative foster care program with Arapahoe and Jefferson Counties. In addition to becoming a foster parent, there are several ways to help: Advocate, Donate, Sponsor or Volunteer. Learn more on the Collaborative Foster Care website.
No. We are accustomed to hearing negative rhetoric from those who choose to misrepresent Douglas County’s model of success via HEART and the tangible difference we are making in the lives of those we serve.
It is true that homelessness has effectively ended in Douglas County, according to summer 2024 Point-in-Time data. To achieve – and sustain – this result, our Homeless Engagement Assistance and Resource Team (HEART) provides wrap-around services and case management to 100% of the unhoused individuals we work with through local hotel vouchers, our Douglas County Mental Health Initiative, our Opioid Abatement Council, and non-profit partners.
From January to June of 20204, HEART has helped more than 200 people experiencing homelessness find the services they need to get back on their feet. HEART is a street outreach co-responder model – a navigator paired with law enforcement – which helps ensure public safety and directs those experiencing homelessness to community services with the goal of self-sufficiency.
Also since 2022, the Handouts Don’t Help Campaign has redirected generosity from street corners to a Douglas County Community Foundation Fund that supports organizations helping people experiencing homelessness.
Additionally, Douglas County has contributed $1.125 million to the Aurora Navigation Campus, reserving five shelter beds for people experiencing homelessness in Douglas County.
Douglas County residents who need help as cold weather approaches may apply for energy assistance through the State of Colorado’s Low-Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP).
The program is seasonal, and help is available from Nov. 1, 2024, through April 30, 2025. While the program is not intended to pay the entire cost of home heating, if you are eligible, it aims to help alleviate some of the burdens that come with Colorado’s colder months.
Learn more about the program, including qualifications and how to apply.
About 7% of Douglas County’s population is Veterans. Each year, funding is available to help our Veterans with housing, food, transportation, employment, mental health care and other urgent concerns. Learn more and apply on our web page.
In 2024, the Board of Douglas County Commissioners announced Functional Zero for Veteran Homelessness, a critical milestone that requires sustained systems to prevent homelessness and address it promptly when it occurs. This milestone means that the number of Veterans experiencing homelessness is maintained within Douglas County’s ability to provide housing resources.
Also in 2024, the Board – in partnership with the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Douglas County Veterans Monument Foundation – announced plans for a new Heroes Hall at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. Learn more and donate to the cause.
Yes. In every Colorado county, all election staff members and election judges are required to follow the same detailed federal and state laws regarding the conduct of elections. Every elections worker undergoes a criminal background check and must take an Oath and Acceptance to perform all duties according to the law to prevent fraud, deceit, and abuse in the conduct of elections. Election judges work in teams of different political affiliations in each phase of ballot processing to serve as an additional layer of checks and balances. Seals and seal logs are used in the collection and transport of all ballots to ensure chain of custody and that all ballots are protected and accounted for at each stage of the process.
A public Logic and Accuracy Test is conducted before each election to ensure the integrity of the voting system, and a public Risk Limiting Audit is conducted after each election to verify votes were counted correctly. All ballot scanning and tabulation equipment is air-gapped, meaning its wireless capabilities are permanently disabled so it cannot be connected to the internet or hacked.
The testing, processes, protections, and audits in place in Colorado ensure that the conduct of the election and the voting system used in every Colorado county accurately records the votes of Coloradans, and it is proven in every election.
Your official sources for election information is DouglasVotes.com
When you register to vote, you must confirm under penalty of perjury that you are a U.S. citizen. This is the law, and it is strictly enforced with severe penalties. Most Colorado voters are registered at the DMV or online, and citizenship is confirmed through a government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, passport, or social security number.
Colorado voters who register in person at a vote center during an election have additional options for a valid form of ID that they must provide, and they sign an affidavit swearing the truth of their application.
Colorado’s statewide voter registration database is an integral part of the security and integrity of the election process, please visit our Election Resources page on DouglasVotes.com to see the list of regular maintenance activities performed to ensure secure voter rolls. DouglasVotes.com is your official source for Election information.
Yes. Commissioners and other elected officials in Douglas County are elected to four-year terms. View current elected officials and their current terms on our webpage.
Douglas County did not provide any incentives to Safran Defense & Space, INC to locate in Douglas County. At the state level, the Colorado Economic Development Commission approved up to $371,751 in a performance-based Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit for the company over an eight-year period. These incentives are contingent upon Safran, referred to as Project New Vernon throughout the OEDIT review process, meeting net new job creation and salary requirements.
