Shows
Red County, Blue State54. CD4 Democrats in Court and Commissioners Preen in Taxpayer-Funded Magazine**IMPORTANT CORRECTION** I said in the podcast that Trisha Calvarese sued Eileen Laubacher and the Colorado Democratic Party. The correct info is that Trisha sued only the Colorado Democratic Party, and the requested relief (if granted) would bar Eileen from participating in caucus and assembly. Apologies for the error and thank you to the person who emailed me. I'll correct it in the next ep too.It’s been a minute, let’s catch up! County assembly is tomorrow, March 14. Have you heard about the lawsuit filed by Dem CD4 candidate Trisha Calvarese against the Colorado Democrats? It seeks to p...
2026-03-1308 min
Red County, Blue State53. The Mysterious Case of the Cowboy Commissioner's $17k Flight to DubaiIt don’t add up, partner. George Teal may dress like a cowboy but he flies pretty fancy. In this episode, we walk through the updates regarding the results of a recent CORA request and question why the county reimbursed Teal for $17,091 when he submitted a partial receipt that failed to include required information, such as what class he flew.(Thanks to the super sleuth team who helped explain all of this to me)Contact me anytime with tips or just to say hi.Signal: @emilysuyat.87Email: emilysuyat@gmail.com...
2026-02-2714 min
Red County, Blue State52. Breaking the At-Large Lock with Rep Bob Marshall Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2026-02-2728 min
Red County, Blue State51. A Douglas County Commissioner's $17k airfare to DubaiOn November 20, 2025 9News reported that Douglas County’s George Teal took a last-minute, pricey trip to the Dubai Air Show (in Dubai!), paid for with taxpayer dollars. In this episode, I talk about Douglas County’s government’s travel policy—what it allows and most importantly, what it prohibits. I walk through the numbers, the open records request to find Teal’s missing airfare receipts, and the $160 the county is requiring to release additional information. Stay tuned, it’s just getting started. Email: emilysuyat@gmail.comSignal: @emilysuyat.87George Teal’s travel expenses per my November CORA...
2026-02-2215 min
Red County, Blue StateCorrection about town hall on Feb 12!Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle’s town hall on Feb 12 at 6pm is at Franktown Elementary School, 1384 N State Highway 83, Franktown, CO 80116. Please confirm details here before you go: https://www.douglas.co.us/event/town-hall-hosted-by-commissioner-van-winkle/ Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2026-02-1201 min
Red County, Blue State50. Douglas County Commissioners End General Public CommentThe county’s website says “citizen engagement is the heartbeat of effective local government.” Why, then, have the county commissioners eliminated general public comment at their business meetings? Their excuses are many—and wholly unpersuasive. Listen to find out how this happened and what you can do about it.Email me any time, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.com* Attend the commissioner’s business meeting Feb 10, 1:30pm-2:30pm, 100 Third St, Castle Rock CO. Get details and agenda here. Email the BoCC and let them know you are a DougCo resident who wants genera...
2026-02-0915 min
Red County, Blue State49. Flying Your Freak Flag in ParkerLast week Shrek the Musical, the show currently running at the PACE Center, had Douglas County facebook pages all stirred up. Cast members flew rainbow flags during the musical number Freak Flag and some ticket holders not happy, including one of the major sponsors of Parker Arts. August Stoten of Sasquatch Productions joins me today to talk about the producer’s side: the request to remove the flags and how the cast voted to fly the flags anyway, with one actor briefly stopping the show to deliver a powerful message of inclusion before continuing the performance. Email me...
2026-01-3131 min
Red County, Blue State48. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 2 of 2Hi! Angela Thomas returns to answer common questions around the effort to expand the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners from three members to five. While counties like Adams, Arapahoe, and El Paso have five commissioners, none achieved it through a citizen-led petition. That means Douglas County could become the first.Tune in to hear the very real ways residents can shape the future of Douglas County.Email me anytime, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.comAngela’s feedback form - this is how you find out more info, volunteer, and provide feed...
2026-01-2118 min
Red County, Blue State47. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 1 of 2On this Martin Luther King Day, the Minneapolis communities who are showing up for their neighbors peacefully and firmly are inspiring me. If you want to join local resistance movements and find your people, connect with groups such as Democracy Now DougCo (you can also go to Indivisible.org to find more events, protests, and groups) and Douglas County Activism Task Force. If meeting in-person doesn’t work for you, sign up for their emails which are full of good info. I interviewed the leaders of these groups in Episode 25 and Episode 32.Today I am joined by community organizer An...
2026-01-2018 min
Red County, Blue State46. Colorado Caucus and Assembly Explained, with guest Meg FurlowWe can’t not talk about Renee Nicole Good. So we will. If you want to skip it, fast forward about 2 minutes.Peaceful protest and participation are how we fight for accountability. Learn about caucus and assembly, the statutorily mandated process by which the two major political parties organize and select candidates for the primaries. Meg Furlow, the chair of the Douglas County Democrats, is here to educate us.Email me any time, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.comFind all peaceful protests here: https://www.mobilize.us/ and filter the results with...
2026-01-1019 min
Red County, Blue State45. Douglas County Schools, Sterling Ranch, and How Residents Helped Change Amendment 13It’s the new year! Flex those muscles, local muscles that is. When you learn about an issue and put your voice on the record, it makes a difference. Amendment 13 in its original form would have effectively blocked Douglas County School District from building new schools in Sterling Ranch, and the decision about new schools would have defaulted to the developer. With unhappy residents and a lawsuit from the school district looming, the Sterling Ranch developer came back to re-negotiate Amendment 13 for a much better outcome for Douglas County students and their families. Thank you to Lori Wright for th...
2026-01-0316 min
Red County, Blue State44. Douglas County’s Proposed Retail Theft Ordinance: All Theater, No FixLet’s talk about Douglas County’s proposed retail theft ordinance and why it’s more performative tough-on-crime theater than effective policy. Plus, school board accountability after the election, and a few bright-spot local recommendations Retail theft press conferenceThe proposed retail theft ordinanceGeorge Teal wants to work with ICEKyle Clark and Marshall Zelenger on the shoplifting ordinance. Since the commissioners have turned of FB comments, you can see the comments under the 9News story here (hint, they’re not supportive).SUBMIT FEEDBACK on retail theft ordinance here. Douglas County Lantern on the new county ordinance around construc...
2025-12-1317 min
Red County, Blue State43. Finger-snapping Forbidden, False Statements FineIn this episode I break down the November 25 public hearing on Amendment 13, the provision that prevents Douglas County School District from building schools in Sterling Ranch. I also address a false statement made about me during this meeting. It’s more commissioner chaos and cronyism in Douglas County. Email me anytime: emilysuyat@gmail.comLinks:The commissioner hearing on youtubeColorado Times Recorder reporting on this meeting (thorough yet simplified)Ellie Reynold’s comments about meDouglas County Parents response to false allegations (it’s on Angela Thomas...
2025-12-0117 min
Red County, Blue State42. “It Could Cripple Douglas County School District”Sterling Ranch has been in the news for controversies regarding Zebulon and the conservative state-run charter school John Adams Academy. Lately, the developers of Sterling Ranch have proposed a sketchy change to its planned development agreement. If approved by the county commissioners, this amendment will not only hurt Sterling Ranch residents who relied on the promise of neighborhood schools but could set a precedent that would allow private developers (not the school district) to determine who receives public school land in Douglas County. Project 2025 vibes.Thank you to Sterling Ranch residents Lori Wright and Robyn...
2025-11-2422 min
Red County, Blue State41. Finding Friends and your Political Home: Living Liberally Douglas County (updated name: blue crew social)My guest today is Chris Coté of Living Liberally Douglas County (UPDATED NAME: Blue Crew Social). Need to socialize with non-maga folks before the holidays? This is your group. Find out all about the Living Liberally Douglas County and their events here. Holiday Boycott Nov 25 - Dec 2. County Commission Meeting on Nov 25 at 2:30pm at 100 3rd Street, Castle Rock CO. This is a special meeting to discuss school land dedication rules and making a special exception for Sterling Ranch that could result in less land for Douglas County School District schools. If you can’t mak...
2025-11-1916 min
Red County, Blue State40. An Unexpected Win at the School Board MeetingAre you the type of person who has been known to gasp at the drama of a local school board meeting? Me too! I’m condensing this surprising 7 hour school board meeting into 20 minutes. While our national shitshow continues to unfold, take hope at local progress and good representation. Watch the whole school board meeting here. Listen on 2x speed like I do! Kyle Clark weighs in on the last-minute agenda item. So does the Denver Post, Denver 7, and CBS News. Brad Geiger’s remarks on the topic of trans girls in lockerrooms and...
2025-11-1519 min
Red County, Blue State39. Look at you, Douglas County!Last night, Douglas County voters sent a clear message yet again. Let’s talk about it and revel in it before we get back to work. Also, the masterclass phone call to Boebert’s office.Email me any time: emilysuyat@gmail.comElection resultsThe call to Boebert’s office on facebook and on tik tok. You gotta watch! Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2025-11-0610 min
Red County, Blue State38. The Real Scoop on Issues Facing our Public Schools with guest Brad GeigerMy guest today is Brad Geiger, one of the seven current members of the school board in Douglas County School District. He’s here to talk about what the pressing concerns are in regard to our schools and wow, cultural issues are nowhere on it. Elections are a week away! Get those ballots in by Nov 4 and keep talking to your friends and neighbors. I support the Community Choice slate: Kyrzia Parker, Kelly Denzler, Clark Callahan and Tony Ryan. Volunteer for them here (scroll down). Email me anytime: emilysuyat@gmail.comCali Wolf pi...
2025-10-2821 min
Red County, Blue State37. Interview with Kyrzia Parker, candidate for school boardToday my guest Kyrzia Parker talks with us about how to make our schools safer and why people who don’t have kids in the school district play an important role in this election. Plus, some news on Kyrzia’s opponent who is into the politics of dominance. Find out more about Kyrzia Parker here: https://www.kyrziaparker4dcsd.com/The bad-news-first time stamp: go to 17:31Kyrzia’s tik tok“DougCo GOP Selected Conservative Replacements for School Board” story by the Colorado Times Recorder Read and view Matt Smith’s email to t...
2025-10-2420 min
Red County, Blue State36. What’s an MLO? A bond? Your school funding questions answeredWho’s ready to be smart? Julie Gooden has years of experience working on public education policy at the local and state level and today she joins us to explain school finance in plain language. Still have questions? Email me anytime and I’ll try to get you an answer: emilysuyat@gmail.comColorado Public Radio on our state’s $4 billion shortage on education. What about federal funding cuts? How will that affect Douglas County? Check out the Douglas County Lantern’s piece hereKyle Clark explains Propositions LL and MM on the ballot
2025-10-2319 min
Red County, Blue State35. Interview with Tony Ryan, candidate for school boardThis is my third interview of the candidates running on the Community Choice slate that includes Clark Callahan, Kelly Denzler, Tony Ryan and Kyrzia Parker. Get those ballots in by Nov 4!Tony Ryan and I talk about the non-discrimination policy in Douglas County School District—and why a good policy, minus the politics, makes our schools safer. We also talk about the value of extracirriculars. I also highlight Tony’s views on mental health compared with that of his opponent. It’s illuminating. Find out more about Tony Ryan at TonyRyan4DCSD.com. Candid...
2025-10-2118 min
Red County, Blue State34. Interview with Clark Callahan, candidate for school boardToday we’re catching up on Douglas County Zebulon news (not great!) and talking to school board candidate Clark Callahan (if you’d like to skip to that, go to 3:48). This is my second interview of the candidates running on the Community Choice slate that includes Clark Callahan, Kelly Denzler, Tony Ryan and Kyrzia Parker. Get those ballots in by Nov 4! Email me any time: emilysuyat@gmail.com Douglas County Lantern piece on the secretive Zebulon contract: Clark’s Q&A with is opponent in the Highlands Ranch HeraldCorey Wise Endors...
2025-10-1417 min
Red County, Blue State33. Interview with Kelly Denzler, candidate for school boardDonate, volunteer, and find out more about Kelly at https://www.kellydenzler4dcsd.com/Kelly Denzler is running on the Community Choice slate with Kyrzia Parker, Tony Ryan and Clark Callahan. Community Choice is the pro-public education slate. Sample ballot for the November 4 election. These ballots will be mailed out on October 10. https://www.douglascountyparents.com to ask about yards signs and window clings.Go to the Douglas County Lantern for more reporting on the school board race, including how the pro-public ed candidates match up with their opponents. ...
2025-10-0821 min
Red County, Blue State32. Finding Friends and Your Political Home in Douglas County: Douglas County Activism Task ForceThank you to Heidi Bonilla of the Douglas County Activism Task Force for joining me. This is part 3 of a series about finding friends and your political home in Douglas County if you have progressive values. We have so many different groups here doing such good work and each group has different flavor. This series is to show you what’s out there. When we work together with a group, we make friends who have the same values, and that is how we are going to get through this. Now go find your people!Email me...
2025-10-0417 min
Red County, Blue State31. Why Special Education Matters to All of UsToday my guest is Kelly Mayr, a former school teacher (we love a teacher around here!) who taught special education as well as general education in Hawaii, Texas, and Colorado. She’s the mom of 9 children , many of whom benefited from special education services. She is pro-public education and a passionate advocate for that cause. If you’ve been involved in the public education sphere here in Douglas County, you definitely know her or have seen her name.I learn something new every time I talk to her. Today we are talking about what special education is, the...
2025-09-3015 min
Red County, Blue State30. What’s at Stake in the School Board ElectionIn the past, it’s been reform boards vs pro-public education. What does that mean, and what does it mean in the present day with Project 2025 coming for our education system? This episode provides the critical context for why the school board election on November 4 matters for our entire Douglas County community. Contact me any time at emilysuyat@gmail.com. The Community Choice candidates are pro-public education and supported by a grassroots effort. Kyrzia Parker, Tony Ryan, Clark Callahan and Kelly Denzler are on this slate. Need to know the basics of school bo...
2025-09-2421 min
Red County, Blue State29. What students in Douglas County want you to knowMany Douglas County students walked out today to protest gun violence. What do they want adults to know? I asked students who attend Chaparral High School in Parker. Ceasefire ColoradoMoms Demand Action/Everytown for Gun SafetyGiffords for Gun SafetyBrady United Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2025-09-1807 min
Red County, Blue State28. Finding Friends and Your Political Home in Douglas County: Moms Demand ActionBeing in-person with folks and taking action on issues that matter—this is the secret sauce to living as a left-leaning person in Douglas County. This series is about highlighting different local groups and causes who are getting sh*t done. Again, if you teach and/or express empathy as part of your job, if you are a teacher, a social worker/therapist, a healthcare worker, thank you. Activism is built into your job and everything else is gravy. Today, Julie Ort from Moms Demand Action joins us on the podcast to talk about gun violence prevention an...
2025-09-1415 min
Red County, Blue State27. Board of Education 101: the election is coming up and we are going to know our stuffPaid subscriptions are open! No paywalls, no membership levels, just one way to support the podcast. Subscribe on substack.Do you feel confused or uninformed when it comes to school board and why it matters? This is your episode. We’re going to break it all down so we can be magnificently informed voters and citizens (the election is Nov 4!). This episode lays the foundation so that we all know the basics of the Douglas County Board of Education. **I said at one point that the DCSD budget is $90 million, it’s $900 million.** Emai...
2025-09-1015 min
Red County, Blue State26. A lifesaving new suicide prevention tool in Colorado: Donna's LawIf you are struggling with thoughts of suicide or going through a difficult time and need support, call or text 988. If you’re part of the LGBTQ community, go to the Trevor Project’s hotline for immediate crisis support that is free and confidential. So many of us in Douglas County have been touched in some way by suicide. The majority of all gun deaths in CO and nationwide are suicides, and that number is surging among Black and brown teenagers. Research and data tells us that interrupting access to a firearm plays a key role in prev...
2025-09-0119 min
Red County, Blue State25. Finding Friends and Your Political Home in Douglas County: Lone Tree Votes (updated name: Democracy Now DougCo)Today I’m joined by Carol Sorenson, one of the leaders of Lone Tree Votes, which is an Indivisible group in Douglas County. UPDATED NAME: Democracy Now DougCo.About this series:Since the election of Trump in 2016, many of us have had to take a deep look at our friendships, change our political affiliations, or examine our religious beliefs. Maybe you’ve had to do all three. It can be lonely and disorienting. If you’re ready to take action and make new friends who don’t avoid politics, or if you just want a good dose of hope...
2025-08-2513 min
Red County, Blue State24. “Every decision is made in a vacuum or worse yet, a back room”The Douglas County Commissioners continue to shut off all avenues for Douglas County citizens to ask questions or express concerns in any meaningful way. My friends Julie and Kim join me to talk about the brick wall nature of the county commission business meetings and exactly why this is bad governance that hurts everyone. What can we do about their “I’m the daddy and you’ll do what I say” energy? Listen to find out. The home rule election cost taxpayers over $700k. The county commissioners’ next meeting on September 2 at 1:30pm, in-person and virtual op...
2025-08-1818 min
Red County, Blue State23. No Comment(s)This is an episode of odds and ends because Douglas County lawmakers have once again been in the news for being shady. Today covers gross behavior by our GOP representatives at the CO Capitol (Colorado Public Radio story, Kyle Clark chimes in too), more confusing statements on Zebulon (gift link to Denver Post article), and county commissioners further shutting down community voices. But also not-terrible: the Great Colorado Payback. Email me: emilysuyat@gmail.comWho is my state representative? Find out here.Email Rep Brandi Bradley: brandi.bradley.house@coleg.gov...
2025-08-1115 min
Red County, Blue State22. What is Zebulon? Part 2The planned Zebulon mega sports complex is not a rec center with a pool and treadmills—it’s a huge project with facilities for basketball, baseball/softball, volleyball, football, soccer and hockey. The area will eventually be built out to include commercial development such as hotels, restaurants, and shopping. Kim Turnage and Barrett Rothe of the Douglas County Lantern return for Part 2 of our discussion on the Zebulon mega sports complex slated to break ground in Sterling Ranch in the fall. In this episode we talk about the potential impact on Douglas County School District (spoiler alert, it’s comple...
2025-07-2920 min
Red County, Blue State21. What is Zebulon? Part 1Kim Turnage and Barrett Rothe of the Douglas County Lantern join me to discuss the Zebulon mega sports complex slated to break ground in Sterling Ranch in the fall. Why does it matter? Douglas County taxpayers will join private developers in funding this 500 acre project. Our commissioners have justified this outlay of public money by claiming “this is what you asked for” and “it’ll pay for itself” without much evidence. It’s a little too close to home rule for comfort. We’re digging in to let you know what we do and don’t know so you can form your ow...
2025-07-2818 min
Red County, Blue State20. Cowboy Cosplay: the first commission meeting after home rule defeatThe commissioners persist in the dangerous and racist lie about a local doctor and blame everyone but themselves for the crushing home rule loss. When you gaslight folks, they’re going to respond.Edited 7/10/25 to add: Kyle Clark and 9News coverage of this meeting after this episode was published.Types of meetings that the commissioners have.Commissioner calendarInterested in giving the invocation or opening prayer at a commission meeting? Find out more here. Write a letter to the editor. Next commission meeting is July 22 at 1:30pm in...
2025-07-1017 min
Red County, Blue StateLight on the news, heavy on the solidarityThe Democrats are marching in the Highlands Ranch 4th of July parade tomorrow (short notice from me! I know!). Meet at the Kaiser Permanente in HR, 9285 Hepburn St, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129 at 8am.County Commissioners meeting—their first business meeting since their home rule defeat. July 8 at 1:30pm, 100 Third Street. If you can’t make it in person, stream here.Abe Laydon’ Pride post. A Bit Fruity podcast by Matt Bernstein on Instagram: @mattxivWatch: Somebody SomewhereEat: Yu’s Noodles in Lone TreeEmail me: emil...
2025-07-0408 min
The Daily WhateverThe Daily Whatever, June 27: Fucked-Up Friday with Füsun Aydin & Frederic Poag AND Dirty Talk with Füsun and Lawrence!!!Thank you Jason Dyer, Alexandra Porter, Anthony Burke, April K Wilson , Becky Martinek , Beth Cruz , Beth Plank , BiffBiff BJ Roberts , bluePNWcats , Brandon Ellrich , Mariellen , Carissa Rogers , Carol Duffy , Cat , CatherineC , Celice Carlough , OldHenCharlie , Cheryl , Christine Balint , Charles , Craig Nixon , Craig Pulliam , Dale Scaringi , Dana DuBois , dani clark , Dan Thornton , Dar Gfree , David Long , Deb17☘️☘️ , Deanna Surber , Denise Cronin , Julie D , Draft of a woman , dra_ma_r , Elli , Emily Suyat , Elaine the Mean Old Feminist , Adrian , saint francie , Füsun Aydın , Gary Whaley ,
2025-06-271h 58
Red County, Blue State18. A Big Win in Douglas CountyWe did it! Over 70% of voters voted no on home rule under these commissioners and Stop the Power Grab candidates dominated the at-large and district races. Community organizer Angela Thomas was the one to educate us on this issue, and she’s the one who’s going to break down the election with me—and answer some pressing questions. Commissioner Teal’s comments about putting home rule on the ballot again (this is just one example from the Denver Post, gift article). Watch this: Kyle Clark’s coverage of Commissioner Teal making bigoted and false claims abo...
2025-06-2617 min
Red County, Blue State17. Convo with D1 “Vote No” CandidatesGet full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2025-06-1928 min
Red County, Blue State16. Kyle Clark and Marshall Zelinger weigh in on home ruleElection Day is June 24! Get your ballot in and if you already have, keep talking to your neighbors and posting on social media. Go team! Kyle Clark and Marshall Zelinger of 9NEWS weighed in on home rule and came to the same conclusion that the Vote No side has been saying all along: “those claims [about opting out of certain state laws] by Republican county commissioners don't check out.”The commissioners held a virtual “town hall” on June 17. Commissioners Laydon and Teal spoke in a virtual setting that allowed for zero pushback or followup...
2025-06-1811 min
Red County, Blue State15. “Trust in Douglas County government is in decline"Today my guest is Kim Turnage, Ph.D. A 16-year DougCo resident and unaffiliated voter, Kim Turnage spent 20 years advising business and nonprofit leaders on how to get better results through people and data and currently freelances as an organizational strategist and executive coach.This episode is a deeper dive into the citizen survey results and it begs the question: why did Douglas County commissioners spend $500k on an election for a home rule status that a majority of us didn’t ask for and don’t want?It’s time to vote! Get those ballot...
2025-06-1123 min
Red County, Blue State14. Follow the MoneyWhat would a good faith effort at home rule look like? What would a bad faith effort look like, and why does it look like Douglas County? Who (or what) is behind the Yes on Local Control efforts? I would say this is my closing argument but you know there is going to be more news. You can reach me at emilysuyat@gmail.comFilling out your ballot? The home rule ballot explainedDon’t know what home rule is? Start here: Home rule series part 1 of 3Home Rule series part 2 of...
2025-06-0514 min
Red County, Blue State13. “This is like 1776 and putting those wigs on"Here’s a review and fact check of the one hour town hall on home rule in Douglas County. One whole hour! With some casual electioneering from the dais. Cool cool. Link to recording of town hall: Proposed Douglas County timeline above. ABOUT THE CHARTER TIMELINE: I recorded this late late at night and I misspoke in the podcast, I said August 8 is when the public meetings end but it’s August 12. I had assumed the first public meeting would take place July 23, but nope, it would need to be to be somewhere July 8-10 (with...
2025-05-3015 min
Red County, Blue State12. MythologiesUpdate on the county commissioner’s citizen survey on home rule and how I shifted from being a Republican to a Democrat in Douglas County. It’s all connected. Douglas County Citizen 2023 Survey Results:https://www.douglas.co.us/documents/2023-citizen-survey-results.pdf/Douglas County Citizen 2025 Survey as reported on DougCo website: https://www.douglas.co.us/view-full-results-of-the-douglas-county-2025-citizen-survey-online/ Dawn Caldwell letter to the editor in Colorado Community Media: https://coloradocommunitymedia.com/2025/05/22/letter-home-rule-survey-doesnt-say/Learn more about grassroots powerhouse gun safety org Moms Demand Action. You don’t have to be a mom. V...
2025-05-2714 min
Red County, Blue State11. The Home Rule Ballot ExplainedLet’s talk about the ballot for the June 24 special election in Douglas County! Questions? Email me at emilysuyat@gmail.comDon’t know what commissioner district you live in? Type in your address here: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=b9005d68095345eb8a59c90e020edbf6 then click county commissioners. If it's Abe Laydon, you're District 1, if it's George Teal, you're District 2 and if it's Kevin Van Winkle, you are District 3.The June 24 sample ballot:https://www.douglas.co.us/documents/june-2025-douglas-county-special-election-sample-ballot.pdf/The county commissioner’s March...
2025-05-1914 min
Red County, Blue State10: The Test Case in Sterling Ranch: Home Rule and the Charter Application of John Adams AcademyA deeper dive today! This one is about the application of yet another charter school in Douglas County. John Adams Academy is pulling every lever and political favor trying to get its foot in the door in Sterling Ranch. I interview Lori Wright, a parent in Sterling Ranch, who connects the dots for us. Further reading on John Adams Academy’s push to open a school in Sterling Ranch:https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/liberty-based-charter-school-seeks-state-approval-colorado/https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/03/servant-leaders-a-closer-look-at-john-adams-academy-a-proposed-dougco-charter-school-championed-by-conservatives/67935/https://www.dougcocollective.com/dougcocollective/sywn3gorzazazk7jttkvijcmgijvppTake action: * Charter School Institute (CSI) st...
2025-05-1032 min
Red County, Blue State9. The Lawsuit against the County Commissioners: a conversation with Bob Marshall, Part 2 of 2Thanks again to Rep Marshall for the interview. Learn more about Douglas County’s rush to home rule in the Home Rule Series of this podcast.View the complaint against the commissioners and exhibits (scroll down til you see them): https://www.stopdougcopowergrab.com/post/lora-thomas-s-spotlight-25-11The gofundme to support the lawsuit.Scorcher of an article on our commissioners by Paula Noonan: Persistent pursuit of policies without public review irreparably corruptWatch Commissioner Teal’s comments at the last county commission meeting where no public comment was allowed: Thanks for listening! Please shar...
2025-05-0416 min
Red County, Blue State8. The Lawsuit against the County Commissioners: a conversation with Bob Marshall, Part 1 of 2Thanks again to Rep Marshall for the interview. Learn more about Douglas County’s rush to home rule in the Home Rule Series of this podcast, episodes 4-6.View the complaint against the commissioners and exhibits (scroll down til you see them): https://www.stopdougcopowergrab.com/post/lora-thomas-s-spotlight-25-11Watch George Teal’s comments at the last commissioner meeting where no public comment was allowed at the end of the meeting: Thanks for listening! Please share if you find this content useful. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at e...
2025-05-0419 min
Red County, Blue State7. Group Hug and a PlanHere’s how we Get Sh*t Done (GSD) and show up this week:1. Hands Off! DougCo Takes Action Protest on the Lone Tree Bridge, April 19 at 11:45am-2pm. Details here: actionnetwork.org/event…2. Douglas County Commissioner meeting, April 22 at 1:30pm in Castle Rock, 100 Third Street. So many questions we can ask and comments we can make! We can also just sit and observe. 3. Empty Chair Town Hall for Lauren Boebert, April 26, 1:30pm in Lone Tree. Space is limited, sign up here: secure.everyaction.com/…In Loveland: https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/776590/4...
2025-04-1806 min
Red County, Blue State6. The Home Rule Series Part 3 of 3: the expensive and rushed plan being formulated behind closed doorsThis is part 3 of the 3 part series on Home Rule in Douglas County. In this episode, Angela Thomas, community organizer, talks about how candidates for the charter commission get on the ballot, and George Teal’s explicit (and likely expensive) plans to ignore state law. Follow Angela Thomas on Facebook and/or sign up here to receive updates (this is the QR code link that she mentioned). Angela can be reached via email at angthomas2025@gmail.com.Former county commissioner Lora Thomas, a Republican, is putting out a BANGER of a newsletter on current commission’s misrepresentation of w...
2025-04-1015 min
Red County, Blue State5. The Home Rule Series Part 2 of 3: what home rule is and what we’ll be voting for on June 24This is part 2 of the 3 part series on Home Rule in Douglas County. In this episode, Angela Thomas, community organizer, talks about what home rule is, how it can (and can’t) be used, and what exactly we will be voting for on June 24. Follow Angela Thomas on Facebook or sign up here to receive updates. Angela can be reached via email at angthomas2025@gmail.com.To receive updates from Republican former commissioner Lora Thomas, email her at lora@lorathomas.org and ask to receive her newsletter. I’d love to hear your thoughts. Find me o...
2025-04-0915 min
Red County, Blue State4: The Home Rule Series Part 1 of 3: County Commission 101This is the first part of a three part series on the Douglas County Commission’s push for Douglas County to move to Home Rule status. This episode lays the foundation for our discussion on Home Rule by providing a general understanding of how government works in Douglas County (including facts that aren’t obvious or on a website) and taking a look at the commissioners who think we should be exempt from state laws that they don’t like. It’s a short podcast so we’re hitting the high points! A few sources: Demographi...
2025-04-0513 min
Red County, Blue State3: The Tr*mpian Bargain of Douglas CountyIt’s time for moral courage. Watch Rep Bob Marshall’s town hall here.Ways to GSD (Get Stuff Done) this week:* If you can, attend the Hands Off! National Day of Action on April 5. More info https://handsoff2025.com. If there’s not a Day of Action near you, send your good thoughts to those protesting!* If you live in Highlands Ranch CO, you have upcoming local elections that really matter. Your ballots won’t automatically be sent, you must request an absentee ballot or vote in person on May 6. More info here.
2025-04-0108 min
Red County, Blue State2: Boebert, Bernie, and BuffooneryRead more about Douglas County’s resolution to use (or more accurately, misuse) Home Rule Authority: Denver Post gift article. WAYS TO MEET PEOPLE, HAVE FUN, GSD (get stuff done):* Tesla Takedown this Saturday in Littleton, 11am-1pm. It’s a peaceful protest, bring your signs! Click here for more info.* Rep Bob Marshall’s Town Hall. Rep Marshall represents HD43 (mostly Highlands Ranch) at the Colorado Capitol. His town hall is March 30, 10:30am (I said 10am in the podcast, it’s 10:30am!) at the Highlands Ranch library, 9292 S Ridgeline Blvd, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129...
2025-03-2711 min
Red County, Blue State1: "Did you order the Code Red?"If you live in Parker or Castle Rock CO, your state lawmakers held a town hall in February and one yesterday. The February one was a typical town hall, the second one…was not. Listen for more. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe
2025-03-2310 min