VOLUME 11 | ISSUE 49
WEEK OF DECEMBER 26, 2024
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Kevin Van Winkle sworn in as Douglas County commissioner Republican takes office a month early after Lora Thomas resigns BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After former Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas’ resignation roughly a month before her term was set to end, Gov. Jared Polis appointed a replacement on Dec. 17 — effectively putting Commissioner-elect Kevin Van Winkle in office about a month early. Van Winkle, a Republican state senator who has represented the Highlands Ranch area at the state Capitol, won election in November to be a new Douglas County commissioner, starting in January. However, in light of Thomas’ vacant seat, he took the oath of office on Dec. 17 at a ceremony attended by local officials at the Douglas County headquarters in Castle Rock. “I love Douglas County — that’s where I was born and raised,” Van Winkle said after the ceremony, adding that Douglas County is also where he started his family. “I want Douglas County to be even more healthy, prosperous and free as we continue to grow.” Thomas stepped down Dec. 6 after alleging her colleagues were pushing her out of her office space at the county headquarters several weeks before her term would have ended.
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As if Mountain Vista High School needed any more accolades, in the first year that the Colorado High School Activities Association fully sanctioned girls flag football, the Golden Eagles dominated to the top. Mountain Vista beat Arvada West in the first Class 5A flag football state championship game, winning 32-21 at Trailblazer Stadium in November. FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS PLEUSS FOR JEFFCO PUBLIC SCHOOLS
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