BY MEGAN SCHRADER
MSCHRADER@DENVERPOST.COM / @MEGANSCHRADER

Douglas County doesn't want to hear from you — unless it's a private email or voice mail.

Last week Denver7 reported that Douglas County Commissioners would close public comment, permanently ending the long tradition of letting the public speak about general concerns before meetings begin.

But if we are being honest, this is just the latest effort to silence critics following several heated public meetings about a proposal to expand the county's powers and autonomy through a voter-approved ballot question, and a fierce debate over a county land swap with the developer of the Sterling Ranch subdivision.

Residents will still be permitted to comment on specific agenda items as they come before the board, however, listening to the Oct. 14, 2025, board meeting makes it clear that board members are not particularly wedded to the idea that everyone on both sides of an issue should get to speak at meetings.

As County Commissioners considered a multi-million dollar land swap, only those residents who supported the project were permitted to speak before the chair cut off public comment. Then as a "professional courtesy" to another elected official, state Rep. Bob Marshall was permitted to speak on behalf of opponents, many of whom applauded when he asked whether this land swap was really in the best interests of the entire count or if it was a sweetheart deal to bail out a developer and ensure their residents would get access to recreational facilities promised in the development's original plans. From the sound of applause, others in the crowd were there to oppose the measure but none were given time to talk.

I personally, have no idea whether the Zebulon Park land swap was a good deal or not. I have no idea what the appraised value of the 46.5 acres owned by the developers of Sterling Ranch is and I don't know the value of the 23.8 acres that Douglas County gave the developers in return. It certainly feels odd for project paid for by county taxes to also guarantee free access to the facilities only to residents in Sterling Ranch. For all I know, the developers could be doing a charitable act in this land swap. There is no question the project moved quickly from the developers "approaching the city in early 2025," to the October 2025 meeting where commissioners approved the deal.

But one thing I know for certain is that residents who question the deal should have been permitted to speak at the meeting. Now cutting off general public comment further reduces the chance for residents to raise concerns about future deals.

“It’s the 21st century,” County Commissioner George Teal told Denver 7. “I mean, I get people who comment to me on Facebook and send me messages on Facebook. We still have all those avenues available. It's not the 18th century where the only way to speak to your elected representative is to come to a formal meeting and speak your mind.”

Denver7 pointed out that "as of Wednesday, Douglas County’s government social media accounts have turned off comments on Facebook, X and Instagram."

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