About Us
Today, Douglas County is virtually the geographic center of Colorado. The County is approximately 843 square miles, 71 square miles of which are permanently protected land through the Douglas County Open Space Program. Recreational areas include more than 146,000 acres of Pike National Forest, Roxborough State Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park and the Chatfield State Recreation Area.
There are five incorporated municipalities within the boundaries of Douglas County: Castle Pines North, Castle Rock, Larkspur, Lone Tree and Parker. Each has its own mayor and provides services in cooperation with Douglas County.
The County’s strength, as the centerpiece of the Denver/Colorado Springs development corridor, is a perfect blend of quality lifestyle and business environment.
Douglas County has plenty to offer to its residents and is quick to respond to their demands.
As part of the County’s collaborative work with other communities, the nine-year-old Partnership of Douglas County Governments is a notable example. Established in 2002, the Partnership includes the Towns of Castle Rock, Larkspur and Parker, the Cities of Castle Pines North and Lone Tree, Douglas County, the Douglas County School District, Douglas County Libraries and the Highlands Ranch Metro District. A nationally recognized model of collaborative statesmanship, the Partnership has successfully sidelined individual agendas in the interest of working collaboratively on issues, projects and programs for the greater good of Douglas County. Outcomes of this collaborative effort include the creation of the Douglas County Housing Partnership and the Douglas County Youth Initiative. The Partnership’s latest initiative will examine current and future needs and potential locations for various regional facilities.
The County’s vision, “Setting the Standard of Excellence in Local Governance,” is continually top of mind for County leadership. And while service delivery is one primary role for Douglas County government, it is only one aspect of a total problem-solving approach to governance that requires citizen engagement for total effectiveness.
County Government Structure
For most purposes, Douglas County acts through its Board of County Commissioners (BCC). The three-member board acts, by majority vote of a quorum present, to adopt ordinances in those limited areas for which specific authority has been given by the State Legislature, and to adopt resolutions to conduct all of its other business.
The BCC performs legislative, executive and quasi-judicial functions. The Board serves as the legislative, policy-making and administrative body governing the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
The BCC appoints a County Administrator to carry out the policy directions of the Board and to supervise and coordinate the work of the staff in the departments that fall under direct control of the Board. With the exception of the County Attorney, the County Administrator will have line authority over all County divisions under the BCC.
The County Attorney is a constitutionally prescribed county office. By statute, the County Attorney is a position that is filled by appointment of the BCC. The County Attorney’s Office provides legal advice and representation for the BCC. The County Attorney, with the approval of the BCC, also advises and represents all other Douglas County elected officials, the County Administrator, department and division heads, and appointed commissions, boards and committees.
Other County Elected Officials
The other constitutional officers elected to four-year terms are the County Clerk and Recorder, County Assessor, County Treasurer, County Sheriff, County Coroner and County Surveyor. Constitutionally and statutorily, they are independent from each other and from the County Commissioners. Their powers and duties are prescribed by state statute. The County Commissioners have no direct authority over the other elected officials in the county except that commissioners approve budgets for all other elected officials’ departments.
Demographics - 2010
- Population estimate for Jan. 1, 2010: 293,521.
- 89.4 percent of the population lives in urban areas which is 17.5 percent of the County land area.
- 10.6 percent of the population lives in rural areas which is 82.5 percent of the County land area.
- Incorporated towns and cities estimated populations
- Castle Pines North -9,879
- Castle Rock -26,822
- Larkspur - 245
- Lone Tree - 10,533
- Parker - 45,694
- The housing growth rate in 2009 was 1.2%, which has slowed considerably from 15.3 percent in 1996 to 2.6 percent in 2007
Additional Information
-
2010 Budget Book
-
2010 Citizen Survey Results
-
Board of County Commissioners Policy Manual
The Board of County Commissioners Policy Manual includes: County Goals Policy; Governance Process Policy; Management Limitation Policy; and Board of County Commissioners-County Manager Delegation Policy.
-
Douglas County's Vision and Mission »
-
More about County Government in Colorado
Municipalities
Castle Pines North
Incorporated Feb. 12, 2008, Castle Pines North is located just 20 miles south of Denver in Douglas County and is home to about 10,000 people. The 21st century city has a vision that balances the preservation of the community's history with growth that enhances the quality of life for its citizens.
Castle Rock
Castle Rock, the County seat, is a historic mining and ranching area that incorporated in 1881. Today, the Town's council-manager form of government serves 46,822 residents.
Larkspur
The Larkspur area began as a resort and eventually was incorporated in 1979. It has a population of approximately 245 people.
Lone Tree
The City of Lone Tree was incorporated in November 1995 and became a Colorado Home Rule City on May 5, 1998. It is governed by Council-Manager form of government where Council sets the City policy and the Manager is responsible for City operations and has an estimated population of approximately 10,533 residents.
Parker
The Town of Parker was incorporated in 1981. The newly incorporated area encompassed approximately one square mile and included 285 residents. In the first decade of the Town's history, the Town increased from one square mile to 13 square miles. Since incorporation, the population has increased from 285 to more than 45,000 today.