Douglas County commissioners approve resolution to put Home Rule Charter Commission question on June 24 ballot

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution supporting the creation of a Home Rule Charter Commission and placing the question before county voters on the June 24, 2025, ballot in Castle Rock.

The resolution, read into the record during the board’s June 10 business meeting, cited state law and the Colorado Constitution and said becoming a Home Rule county would “grant the county an opportunity to create local control, free itself from dangerous state mandates on issues of local concern, [and] protect and preserve Douglas County residents' constitutional rights,” among other aims.

Proponents on the dais and in public comment argued the change would give the county greater authority on issues such as public health, homelessness, land use and property taxes. One commissioner told the meeting that home rule would allow the county to act locally during public-health emergencies and to pursue policy choices tailored to Douglas County’s priorities.…