WEEK OF NOVEMBER 14, 2024
VOLUME 23 | ISSUE 37
FREE
GOP keeps its hold on commissioner seats in Douglas County elections Teal wins reelection to board, other victory goes to Van Winkle BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Early results show 59% of voters supporting Douglas County School District’s $490 million bond proposal. PHOTO BY MCKENNA HARFORD
Voters approve $490M bond for Douglas County schools BY MCKENNA HARFORD MHARFORD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
After two previous attempts to pass school funding in recent years, Douglas County School District voters seem likely to approve the district’s $490 million bond proposal to build new schools and address maintenance issues. Early results show 59% of voters were supporting the bond and 41% were against. Superintendent Erin Kane told the Douglas County News-Press that she is incredibly grateful to voters and the
campaign volunteers. “I am so grateful for our entire community for shouting loud and clear that they support our schools, our kids, our teachers,” Kane said. “Now, it’s incumbent on us to make sure that we spend this money carefully, exactly as we said we would, transparently and with the oversight of a citizen’s committee.” The bond plan covers the construction of elementary schools in Sterling Ranch and Ridgegate, the expansion of Sierra Middle School and a majority of maintenance projects across all Douglas County schools through 2026. It will
VOICES: 10 | LIFE: 14 | CALENDAR: 17 | PUZZLES: 19
also invest in building security improvements, transportation needs — such as buses — and expanding career and technical education. The district has a growing backlog of about $300 million in building maintenance and hasn’t built a new school since 2010. Kane said the district will be able to get started on maintenance projects right away and complete all of the projects laid out in the bond plan over four years. The two new schools should SEE SCHOOL BOND, P4
With decisive wins on the two county commissioner seats up for grabs in the November election, Republicans will keep full power on Douglas County’s main governing body. County Commissioner George Teal, a Republican incumbent, won reelection with a large lead over Democratic challenger Angela Thomas. “Really honored and privileged to be able to continue to serve,” Teal said in a phone call with Colorado Community Media. Speaking to CCM, Thomas thanked her supporters. “I appreciate the confidence that was placed in me with those votes, and I’m grateful to the people of Douglas County for giving me an opportunity and believing in me,” Thomas said. The candidates competed for the commissioner District 2 seat, which formally covers Castle Rock and the southern portion of the county, including much of Douglas County’s rural areas. Meanwhile, state Sen. Kevin Van Winkle, a Republican, won by a large margin over Democrat Josh Smith. Neither candidate responded for comment on the results. The race determined who will replace outgoing Commissioner Lora Thomas, who could not run for reelection because of term limits. The two candidates competed for the commissioner District 3 seat, which formally covers northwestern Douglas County. The board of commissioners is the county’s policy-making body, approving Douglas County’s annual budget and passing local laws that govern unincorporated areas, or those outside of city and town limits. That includes Highlands Ranch and many other parts of the county. Douglas commissioners are elected at large from one of three geographic districts. That means commissioners are required to reside in different districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat. The third seat on the three-member board of county commissioners, representing District 1, is held by Republican Abe Laydon and was not up for election in this cycle. Looking ahead
Teal points to public safety as a top priority he wants to tackle. The Douglas County Sheriff ’s Office SEE COMMISSONERS, P5
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