WEEK OF JUNE 19, 2025
VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 22
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Candidates clash over home rule during forum Many voters are still unclear about what changes could actually come to fruition BY JULIA KING SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
Rubber ducks descend upon Plum Creek, vying for a spot in the top six.
COURTESY ROTARY CLUB OF CASTLE ROCK
Castle Rock Ducky Derby returns on June 22 Popular fundraiser will benefit Rotary Club of Castle Rock BY LILLIAN FUGLEI SPECIAL TO COLORADO COMMUNITY MEDIA
On June 22, Plum Creek in Castle Rock will turn yellow. Thousands of rubber ducks will descend upon the creek, racing towards victory. Out of the flood of ducks, six will be named winners.
The Rotary Club of Castle Rock will be hosting its annual Ducky Derby on June 22, continuing the nearly three-decadeslong tradition. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Festival Park will be filled with ducky festivities, with the main event — a race down Plum Creek — kicking off at 1 p.m. Alongside the race, the day will be filled with fun for the whole family. A kids area with face painting, balloon animals, a bubble pond and rubber duck painting will keep younger attendees occupied, while the Downtown Castle Rock Farmers
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Market will bring local artisans for adult attendees to peruse, along with food for the whole family. The duck race itself offers friendly competition, with cash prizes for the first six ducks to cross the finish line. Attendees who want to join in the half-mile race can do so, using a ducky friend. Ducks can be purchased through the Rotary Club of Castle Rock; the purchase of each duck is a donation to the club. SEE DUCKY DERBY, P6
Douglas County voters will face two decisions on June 24: whether to adopt home rule, and — regardless of how they vote on that question — who should serve on the charter commission if the measure passes. Up to 21 candidates can be selected to draft the new governing document, but their role only takes effect if the home rule measure is approved. As part of an effort to inform voters and encourage them to select commission candidates regardless of how they vote on home rule, Douglas County Citizenry (DCC), a conservative civic group, hosted a June 11 meet-and-greet for Republican and unaffiliated candidates. The event aimed to inform, not endorse, any position on the home rule initiative. But with the election fast approaching, it revealed sharp divisions among the conservative candidates — and left many attendees with more questions than answers. As conflicting perspectives played out on stage, some voters walked away still uncertain about what home rule would actually mean for the county. “Democrats seem much more united in their opposition to home rule, where conservatives still seem pretty split about it,” a DCC organizer told the Douglas County NewsPress at the event. SEE HOME RULE, P2
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