Laydon again accuses Thomas of leaking classified materials

CCM reporters included

Staff Report

Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon accused fellow Commissioner Lora omas of leaking classi ed materials regarding the board’s 2-1 vote to spend nearly $1 million for advanced metal detector technology at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

omas voted against the measure, saying the technology is not proven and she had concerns. Laydon and Commissioner George Teal voted to spend $961,000 for Evolv to install AI-enhanced metal detectors at STEM School Highlands Ranch, where a deadly shooting occurred in May 2019.

omas posted links to stories written by Colorado Community Media’s McKenna Harford and Hailey Lena in her weekly newsletter, which prompted Laydon to call South Metro Editor elma Grimes around 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, claiming the articles are irresponsible, put students at risk and quoted “classi ed” materials.

Grimes disputed Laydon’s claims that reporters received any such documents or materials from omas or other commissioners. e reporters wrote stories based on the Jan. 24 public meeting where the vote was taken to spend the funds and through interviews and research.

Laydon still moved forward with accusations, accusing omas in a Jan. 31 letter of leaking “classi ed” materials. Laydon took particular issue with the story written by Harford, who wrote speci cally about the technology being funded by the commissioners. e well-sourced story quotes Evolv’s website, STEM School o cials, and other information available publicly through online searches, YouTube and documentation from the Jan. 24 meeting.

In the letter to omas, Laydon said he believes the public should only be given information about mental health and school resource o cers within the Douglas County School District. Even in cases where the county or school district approves spending millions of dollars during public meetings, Laydon said any school security information should not be available to the public.

“ e county has actively shared school security funding around mental health and school resource o cers as public awareness of those measures does not potentially place children at risk, but as you are aware and have repeated in our recorded work sessions, in an agreement with the Board of Education since the STEM shooting, the county has never publicly disclosed speci c school security details so that we don’t put students, sta , or administration at risk,” Laydon said in the letter.

Laydon also took issue with Colorado Community Media reporting about the FLOCK technology approved by the school district last year. While Harford wrote about the technology, no information on where the technology is located proven useful for tracking down stolen cars.

In the letter, and in texts to Grimes, Laydon said he called Mike Peterson, president of the Douglas County School Board, about Harford’s attendance at school security meetings where Laydon said attendees sign non-disclosure agreements. Laydon said the meetings he references are not open to the public.

Grimes said Harford attends public meetings hosted by the school district, while noting the press was unaware of elected o cials holding security meetings where NDAs are being signed and that are not open to the public.

After quoting from the Douglas County Policy Manual section 2.3, Laydon ends the letter asking omas to answer whether she or her sta provided classi ed materials to Colorado Community Media reporters.

“ is is the second time in a matter of months that a privileged document protected in an executive session was leaked to the press,” Laydon wrote. “In the last instance in which county counsel indicated your behavior could be criminally charged, you have yet to a rmatively state that you did not leak that report. Such lack of candor gives me signi cant pause with regard to your trustworthiness and seeming willingness to repeatedly place the public interest over your own. Regrettably, this is yet another example wherein your self-motivated behavior and signi cant lack of judgment are undermining the good work of this county and board must reserve its right to take further action pursuant to the Douglas County Policy Manual.” e rst investigation cost the county $17,000 and omas was found to have distributed a letter, but did not create a hostile work environment.

In 2022, with Commissioner George Teal voting in agreement with Laydon, omas was investigated twice regarding the alleged release of documents and other accusations.

In the second investigation, the Arapahoe County Sheri ’s O ce cleared omas of any wrongdoing.

In the most recent accusations, Laydon did not tell Grimes by phone what exactly he was referring to as “classi ed” in Harford’s story. He does not provide a speci c example in his letter to omas either.

As of Feb. 2, omas had not responded to Laydon.

Holiday o ce closure

Douglas County offices will be closed Monday, Feb. 20, 2023. Many services are available at DoItOnlineDouglas.com

SCFD Free Days

Want to learn more about history, spend time appreciating abstract or contemporary art or get in touch with nature? SCFD organizations have your entrance fee and cultural passions covered. For more information, including specific dates and locations - visit scfd.org

E-recycling: Saturday, Feb. 18

Douglas County residents may dispose of unwanted electronics free of charge at Techno Rescue, 3251 Lewiston St. in Aurora. Drop off weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and occasional Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of residency is required. For a list of acceptable items, Saturday drop-off dates and more, visit douglas.co.us and search for Electronics Recycling.

Snow removal is a shared responsibility!

Learn more at douglas.co.us/snow

Need help with home heating costs?

Eligible low-income households in Douglas County may apply for energy assistance through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LEAP). Visit douglas.co.us and search LEAP for more information or an application, or email LEAPHELP@discovermygoodwill.org

Drive US 85?

Construction to widen the road between Highlands Ranch Parkway and C-470 is underway. Please expect delays and watch for crews. Sign up for updates so you know what to expect. Visit douglas.co.us and search for Subscribe Now and choose US 85 construction.

Do you have one hour to spare each week?

Consider giving that time to change the life of an older adult by volunteering with Aging Resources. You can help with transportation, go grocery shopping or provide company for older adults. For more information, visit agingresourcesdougco.org