Former Commissioner Lora Thomas Calls Out Douglas County Open Meetings Violations

A lawsuit already costing Castle Rock-area taxpayers more than $100,000 accuses Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon and George Teal of holding 13 closed-door meetings to advance a home-rule ballot question without ever alerting the public, according to filings in Douglas County District Court.

The plaintiffs, Republican former Commissioner Lora Thomas, Democratic state Rep. Bob Marshall of Highlands Ranch, and Douglas County resident Julie Gooden, a registered unaffiliated voter, asked a judge to block implementation of two resolutions they say were adopted in violation of Colorado's Open Meetings Law and are "therefore invalid."

The suit itemizes 13 meetings held between Dec. 17 and April 14 "to discuss public business without providing notice of such meetings, and without permitting the public to observe those discussions." Colorado law requires 24-hour public notice before any meeting where a quorum might adopt a policy or take formal action. Plaintiffs also submitted an invoice and a letter to the court, which they say prove commissioners had already decided to call a home-rule election before holding any public meeting or taking a public vote. "For the past several months, the Douglas County Board of Commissioners has blatantly and willfully flouted this law established to ensure transparency of government at every level," the plaintiffs said in a news release.

The practical stakes for Douglas County households are direct: counties operating under home-rule charters can exercise greater control over local matters, and their ordinances can generally supersede state law. A ballot question on home-rule authority is scheduled for June. The lawsuit seeks to halt that process before it reaches voters.

"The (board's) blatant disregard for Colorado's Sunshine Laws and secrecy in the home-rule process shows a deep contempt and distrust of the voters," Marshall wrote in an email.

The Board of County Commissioners responded with a joint statement calling the suit an effort to "keep voters from voting" and asserting confidence that "the people of Douglas County will prevail in this attack on their right to vote on issues of independence and local control." Teal dismissed the allegations in a text message as "Baseless accusations by angry people that have nothing to do with the truth," calling the lawsuit "all political." Laydon framed the home-rule drive in broader terms at a March 25 press conference: "We will no longer sit back while the state government dictates policies that undermine our values, jeopardize our safety, and make it harder for hardworking families to afford to live and thrive here."

Thomas's standing as a plaintiff carries its own backstory. She resigned from the commission in December, about five weeks before her term was set to end, saying she had been "forced out" by Laydon and Teal to allow incoming Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle to move into her office early. The fallout extended beyond the board: Planning Commission member Longmire resigned in late January in protest, writing in his resignation statement that "the cruel nature of Teal and Laydon's actions are beneath the dignity of a Douglas County commissioner." Teal countered that Longmire was Thomas's own nominee and a consistent critic who opposed them "no matter what decision we made."

With the case unresolved and legal costs climbing past $100,000, Douglas County residents can monitor the injunction proceedings through Douglas County District Court filings. The June home-rule ballot remains on the calendar unless a judge rules otherwise, and that vote will determine whether Douglas County acquires the expanded authority Laydon and Teal have publicly championed.