READY, SET, GROW Learn tips and tricks for starting a spring or summer garden P14
75 CENTS
March 21, 2019
DOUGLAS COUNTY, COLORADO
A publication of
A STORM TO REMEMBER
Heroes emerge amid blizzard in Douglas County Pages 5-7
Sheriff spars with county commissioners on ‘red flag’ bill Spurlock calls new resolution extortion; commissioners say they’re upholding Constitution BY JESSICA GIBBS JGIBBS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM
Douglas County Sheriff Tony Spurlock walked from the back to the front of a nearsilent yet crowded Douglas County Board of Commissioners hearing room on March 12, first to take the podium. He was there to defend House Bill 19-1177, the Extreme Risk Protection Orders bill, commonly called a “red flag” bill, during a public hearing in which commissioners were poised to adopt a resolution rebuking the Spurlock controversial legislation. Their drafted version, which they ultimately approved, questioned the need for HB 19-1177 with current state law C.R.S. 27-65-127 in place and declared the county would only fund the enforcement of constitutional laws. A resolution summary said the bill lacked due process. Spurlock urged commissioners to wait and consider amendments to the bill. He said he was actively working with state legislators to bring some forward and planned to meet with Senate leadership the following morning. He later told reporters the county’s resolution was premature, poorly worded and a badly thought-out political move. SEE RED FLAG, P10
THE BOTTOM LINE PERIODICAL
“The Democrats have exceeded my worst expectations on legislation that they would introduce.” State Rep. Patrick Neville, R-Castle Rock | Page 2 INSIDE
VOICES: PAGE 12 | LIFE: PAGE 14 | CALENDAR: PAGE 21 | SPORTS: PAGE 23
DouglasCountyNewsPress.net
VOLUME 117 | ISSUE 21