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Douglas County Commissioners approved an estimated $19 million tax rebate over 35 years for Flexential’s new data center in Parker, near State Senate District 30. Key facts: 🔹 About $200 million in private investment 🔹 16 new permanent jobs, per Denver7 🔹 Flexential will fund required electrical infrastructure upgrades 🔹 Closed-loop cooling with no water used for equipment cooling 🔹 The $19 million is a rebate of Douglas County’s share of business personal property taxes

Conversation with Lisa and Christine I had a valuable conversation with Lisa and Christine from the SEIU Local 105 about challenges facing home care workers and the families who depend on them in Colorado. Our discussion highlighted three areas that deserve closer attention: navigating #Colorado’s home care system and caregiver screening requirements, worker misclassification, and barriers facing family caregivers. Home Care Worker Screening and Consumer Protection We discuss

📍 Upcoming Petition Signing Events Thursday • 5:00–7:00 PM – Parker Discovery Park Concert • 5:30–8:30 PM – Highlands Ranch Heritage Park Concert Saturday • 4:30–6:30 PM – Castle Pines Concert at the Canyons More signing locations and events: ⁠3to5DougCo event schedule ⏳ Don’t miss your chance! The deadline to sign is July 22. 💙 Already signed? Thank you! ✍️ Haven’t signed yet? Please don’t wait. We’ll make it easy. ⚠️ Only registered Douglas County residents are eligible

What a wonderful morning celebrating the Fourth of July at the Highlands Rancho Parade alongside Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser. Today marks an extraordinary milestone—250 years since the birth of our nation. As we celebrate America's founding, we honor the courage, sacrifice, and vision of our Founders, whose enduring ideals of liberty, equality, and self-government continue to inspire us. Their declaration that 'all men are created equal' remains one of the most powe

If the air looks hazy or smells smoky, you’re not imagining it. Smoke from multiple wildfires, combined with elevated ozone levels, has significantly reduced air quality across the Front Range. Colorado is currently managing about half a dozen major active wildfires that have burned more than 161,000 acres. On Monday, Denver ranked as the most polluted major city in the U.S. in IQAir’s rankings. On July 6, Denver’s AQI peaked at 129 (Code Orange). The forecast for July 7 rema

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Like many families across Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Sterling Ranch, Roxborough Park, and the rest of Senate District 30, I look forward to celebrating our nation’s independence with friends, family, and community traditions. Fireworks have long been part of those celebrations. They bring people together and remind us of the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. This year, however, I believe our community faces an im

If you live in Highlands Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Sterling Ranch, Roxborough Park, or the Village at Castle Pines, your State Senate District 30 ballot should be arriving this week. The latest economic data is concerning. Inflation has risen to 4.2%, energy prices are up 23.5%, food prices continue to climb, and housing costs remain a challenge for many families. These aren’t just numbers. They affect the cost of groceries, gas, healthcare, housing, and retirement. As

As my service on the STEM School Highlands Ranch (STEM) Board comes to an end, I find myself reflecting on a journey that began long before I joined the Board. My connection to STEM dates back to 2008, when I served on the Douglas County School District Accountability Committee. I was part of the team that reviewed and recommended approval of STEM’s original application. Years later, as a Douglas County School Board Director, I also had the opportunity to participate in revie

As Douglas County leaders weigh public safety decisions ahead of the July 4 holiday, including whether professional fireworks displays are appropriate under current conditions, another important drought-related issue is coming before local government. Colorado is experiencing one of its driest starts to the year in recent memory. Historically low snowpack, worsening drought conditions, dry vegetation, and elevated wildfire risk have prompted state and local agencies to take a

Most of us love celebrating the 4th of July. Fireworks are part of a long American tradition that brings families and communities together. But Douglas County also knows firsthand how quickly conditions can turn dangerous during drought season. Less than a year ago, a fireworks-related fire near Stonegate showed how rapidly dry vegetation can ignite after a fireworks malfunction: https://youtu.be/JWp5F1jrMu8?si=tRPYpwMvibtjgI4B Douglas County currently remains under Stage 1 F

The latest report shows United States inflation climbed to 3.8% in April 2026, the highest level in nearly 3 years. Rising gasoline and energy costs tied to the Iran conflict are major drivers. As of May 2026, national average gas prices have climbed to about $4.55/gallon — up from roughly $3.12 on Inauguration Day in January 2025. Today, the average Colorado household is estimated to spend more than $20,000 more per year on necessities compared to pre-COVID levels. Colorado

🇺🇸 Today, Sunday, May 3, 2026, we fly the United States Flag at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial. We pause to remember and honor the 204 fallen firefighters whose names are being added to the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial during this 45th Annual National Tribute. This includes 97 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2025 and 107 from previous years. The National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend (May

The Colorado legislature has finalized the 2026–27 state budget — a plan that affects schools, health care, and services right here in Senate District 30 (Highland's Ranch, Lone Tree, Castle Pines, Sterling Ranch, Roxborough Park, and surrounding areas). 💰 The basics: * ~$46–48 billion total budget * Closes about a $1.5 billion shortfall * Goes into effect July 1, 2026 🗳️ Final votes (after negotiations): * House: 40–21 on April 28, 2026 * Senate: 23–11 on April 28, 2026 ✍️

The next Douglas County School Board meeting is Tuesday, April 21 at 5:00 PM , and several important topics will be discussed that could impact students, families, and educators across our community. Agenda highlights include: • School safety and security update • A presentation from the Douglas County Federation • Next steps on a possible Mill Levy Override (MLO) • Discussion of a student cell phone policy 📊 About the potential MLO (November 2026): The district is in the ea

🏔️ Closer to home (Colorado): Today (April 15) is the deadline to file and pay your Colorado state income taxes. ✔️ You can file for an extension until October 15 ❗ But you still need to pay at least 90% of what you owe today to avoid penalties 📬 Mailing your return? Read this carefully: Yes — a tax return mailed on the due date is generally considered on time under the IRS “mailbox rule.” ⚠️ But starting in 2026, there’s a catch: • The official postmark may reflect when US

With fire risk rising, there are free assessments and funding available right now to help protect your home. 🏡 Free Home Assessments • South Metro Fire Rescue offers voluntary home wildfire risk assessments 📧 ReducingRisk@southmetro.org | 📞 720-989-2271 • Douglas County Government also provides FREE Wildfire Hazard Assessments 📞 303-660-7497 Experts will help you identify ways to reduce risk—like creating defensible space and clearing vegetation. 💰 2026 Wildfire Mitig

I attended the VIP State of Douglas County School District on Thursday, April 9, and left feeling inspired and reflective. It was energizing to be surrounded by so many dedicated public school advocates and true “rockstars” who show up every day for our students. I am honored and grateful for their support in my run for State Senate District 30. At the same time, the data reminds us there is still important work ahead. Despite voters approving Mill Levy Overrides (MLOs) in 20

This is a big deal. The Colorado Court of Appeals has ruled that Douglas County commissioners violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law, reversing a lower court and sending the case back for further proceedings. This case centers on closed-door meetings where public business was discussed outside public view — and the court made it clear: 👉 Public business must be conducted in public. But here’s what makes this even more concerning… At the same time: • Commissioners removed gene

Tonight (3/31), the Douglas County Commissioners are moving forward with critical decisions on the proposed Zebulon Regional Sports Complex — a project that could ultimately put hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer-backed debt on the line. The meeting begins at 5:00 PM at the Philip S. Miller Building in Castle Rock. Public comment registration begins at 4:15 PM. This is not a routine vote. This is a defining moment for transparency, accountability, and respect for ta

Colorado families are already feeling the squeeze — and it’s getting worse. In just one month, gas prices in Colorado have jumped 36%, rising from $2.87 to nearly $3.90 per gallon. For many families in Douglas County and across our state, this isn’t just a headline — it’s a direct hit to their daily lives. Gas isn’t optional. It’s how parents get to work, take their kids to school, and manage the responsibilities of everyday life. When prices rise this quickly, families don’t