The Douglas County Board of Commissioners voted Jan. 23 to continue the second-and-final reading of an ordinance intended to support law enforcement and crime prevention related to retail theft, after commissioners said they wanted more time to gather input from retailers and law-enforcement partners.

The County Attorney (Speaker 4) told the board that public comment is still being accepted and provided the county’s web address for submissions: "Public comment is still being, accepted... at douglas.co.us/retailtheftordinance," the attorney said. Commissioners said they have met with representatives from Target, Walmart, Walgreens, the Colorado Retailers Association, the district attorney and the sheriff’s office and want additional feedback before finalizing language.

Commissioner (Speaker 7) said the ordinance should target organized retail theft rather than low-level shoplifting and described the retail-theft activity the county has been seeing as a coordinated, multi-store effort. "We wanna make it easy for retailers to report the serious theft that happens," he said. Several commissioners said they supported pausing the second reading to refine the ordinance and to ensure retailer and law-enforcement concerns are fully addressed.

Commissioner (Speaker 7) moved, Commissioner (Speaker 5) seconded, and the board voted to continue the second reading to a later date. The County Attorney and staff will continue to collect public comment and work with retailers and law-enforcement partners on ordinance language.