DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — County commissioners supporting the home rule said that after the charter was voted down, they still will put forth efforts to make it happen in the future.

It’s official: after Tuesday’s special election, the home rule charter has failed by a large margin.
County commissioners have said they feel many residents may not have fully understood the home rule; meanwhile, Colorado democrats said this was a rushed vote that residents saw right through.

More than 83,000 Douglas County residents voted and made their voices heard Tuesday, with 71% being against the home rule charter. The home rule would’ve given the county more independence from state law. Multiple counties and cities in the state currently have a similar charter.

Colorado democrats, including their chair Shad Murib, are happy with the results.

"Everyone was taking a look at this proposal and realized it was rushed. They created it behind closed doors; they were shutting down public input. I think these guys knew it was a losing proposition from the beginning, and I think they tried to deceive voters," he said.

He feels this decision by voters was across party lines within this heavily republican county. Saying this wasn't just a democratic or republican issue.

A rushed vote? That's something pro-home rule Commissioner George Teal doesn’t disagree with.

"I think that’s what the vote told us, that we did move too fast. We should have had more conversation on the front end," he stated.

He believes, despite the results, that a home rule would align with residents' beliefs on being more independent from state laws.

"There is a lot of people in this county that believe the state is becoming more and more intrusive into what have been in the past, local controlled issues, and that trend doesn’t seem to be reversing," Teal said.

Teal said he’s not done with trying to get this established in Douglas County in the future. He wants to look at what steps need to be taken, including education for the public. It’s unclear if the home rule could be put on the ballots in November, but Teal said he wants to take his time this go around — so a ballot measure in 2026 may be their move.

Another vote, though, the Colorado Democratic Party said would be a waste of taxpayer dollars.