Douglas County Commissioners Oppose State Proposals that Undermine Local Control
Douglas County’s commissioners recently expressed strong opposition to several proposals at the state Capitol, asserting they threaten local governance. In a resolution approved on April 22, the commissioners highlighted concerns that state lawmakers have persistently injected policies into longstanding local matters, particularly with implications for local elections and land regulation.
The resolution identifies four specific legislative proposals that the commissioners believe undermine their authority:
- House Bill 25-1191: Proposes changes to the vacancy filing process for commissioner seats.
- House Bill 25-1319: Seeks to alter the process for filling preterm vacancies and mandate elections.
- House Bill 25-1093: Aims to prohibit local governments from limiting building permits over a specified timeframe.
- Senate Bill 25-002: Establishes regional building codes for factory-built structures.
Commissioner and Board Chair Abe Laydon stressed that these mandates infringe on local governments’ abilities to make informed decisions for their communities. He emphasized the significance of local policies, which have contributed to Douglas County being one of the safest and most prosperous in the nation.
Seeking enhanced local governance, Douglas County aims to become a "home rule" county, enabling it to operate under its own charter and potentially exempting itself from certain state laws. Currently, only Weld and Pitkin Counties hold a home rule structure in Colorado.
Commissioner George Teal echoed concerns about state overreach, stating that local communities are better suited to address their unique challenges. Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle, a former state legislator, criticized these legislative measures as dangerous intrusions into local matters, asserting that local officials are best positioned to foster community growth.
Source
Photo credit denvergazette.com
