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Residents urge reaffirmation of human-rights proclamation and voice opposition to rapid transit
Summary
Public commenters asked council to read and reaffirm the town's 2019 human-rights proclamation to show visible support for LGBTQ residents and families; another commenter urged council to oppose rapid transit, citing crime and higher taxes.
During the public-comment period at the March 4 Castle Rock Town Council meeting, residents asked the council to take two distinct actions: publicly reaffirm a 2019 human-rights proclamation and resist state transit measures that could add taxes or services they oppose.
Brooke Bernstein, a Castle Rock parent and facilitator for Douglas County Pride's parents-of-trans-kids group, told council she was asking that the 2019 proclamation on human rights be read aloud and reaffirmed at a future meeting. "If you read this at the next town council meeting, you will send a clear message to the community and particularly the LGBTQI+ community that the youth, transgender individuals, and their families ... are seen, they are valued, and supported," Bernstein said. She had watched mayoral remarks reading the proclamation online and said a visible reaffirmation would make a profound difference for families.
Dana Bonham, speaking later, said she and her husband oppose the introduction of rapid transit into Castle Rock, including buses and light rail. She said rapid transit brings crime, busier streets and higher taxes such as RTD fares or district taxes, and urged council to oppose state measures that would extend such services and tax structures to Castle Rock. "We don't want higher crime, higher taxes and busier highways," Bonham said.
Council did not debate or act on either request during public comment; the mayor reiterated that public-comment items are not deliberated that night but may be referred to staff for follow-up.
