Rahn, former Colorado GOP vice chair, to run for county commission

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

missioners are required to reside in different districts, but voters throughout the entire county cast ballots for each seat.

District III’s seat is currently held by Thomas, who was first elected as a county commissioner in November 2016 and began her first term in January 2017. She was reelected in November 2020 and began her second term January 2021, according to the county

In Douglas County, commissioners are limited to serving two four-year terms, according to the county website. Layden was recently reelected to his second term, while Teal is up for reelec-

See what district you live in at tinyurl.com/DouglasCommis-

Rahn has a master’s degree in education and is entering her 30th year as a teacher and administrator, according to her campaign website.

In 2021, she was appointed to the Douglas County Planning Commission, according to her site. That’s the group of Douglas County residents who advise the county’s elected leaders on property development matters.

The planning commissioners serve as an advisory group, and the county’s board of three elected commissioners — currently George Teal, Lora Thomas and Abe Laydon — generally make the final call on development decisions in areas outside of municipalities, also known as unincorporated areas.

This year, Rahn was chosen as chair of the planning commission, she said.

“Serving on the planning commission gives me a unique understanding of our Douglas County economy and the policies that benefit our residents,” her website says.

Previously, Rahn ran unsuccessfully in the Republican primary race for a University of Colorado Board of Regents seat in 2020.

Asked why she chose to run for Douglas County commissioner, she said: “Over the past few years, I’ve just learned how important local government is. A commissioner is the last line of defense against government overreach. This is my neighborhood, this is where my family is, and I’ve learned that you can have more impact in your own neighborhood than at the state level or even at the national level.”

In Douglas County, the commissioners are elected “at large” from one of three geographic districts. That means the com-

Rahn resigned as Colorado GOP vice chair on June 21, the same day that the Colorado GOP announced in an email that a committee of party leaders had passed a resolution that “reprimanded” Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon, Castle Pines City Councilmember Roger Hudson and state Reps. Ron Weinberg and Rick Taggart, all Republicans who signed a letter to Montana legislators.

The committee formally rebuked those elected Republican officials for standing with Colorado Democrats in their opposition to the Montana state House barring a transgender lawmaker from the House chamber amid disagreement over a ban on gender-affirming care for youths.

Rahn said the whole situation was “unfortunate” but didn’t tie the matter to her resignation.

“I thought it was unfortunate that we even concerned (ourselves) with what was happening in another state,” Rahn said.

She added: “Our legislators saying this was about freedom of speech was hypocritical to me because for the entire (Colorado legislative) session, our Republican legislators were silenced and gaveled.”

Asked about her resignation, Rahn said she “gave 110% to being a volunteer” for the party and traveling all over the state and that it was a demanding schedule given that she is teaching full time. Running a campaign would take more time on top of that, she added.

“So I just felt it was best, my team felt it was best to really focus on the issues in Douglas County and be present here. So I’m going to support (Colorado GOP chair) David Williams finding a replacement,” she said, adding she shared with him that she can help with the transition.