Ballot Title Protest Administrative Hearing - September 4, 2026

The Douglas County Board of County Commissioners held a ballot title protest administrative hearing on September 4, 2026, to consider a challenge to the ballot title of a referred measure concerning the potential increase of county commissioners from three to five members. The petitioner, Bob Marshall, raised objections including alleged open meeting law violations, due process concerns regarding the board acting as hearing officers instead of the county clerk, and voter confusion due to the ballot language. The county attorney and board members addressed these objections, clarifying the board's authority under Colorado Revised Statutes and the legal standards for ballot titles. After deliberation, the board denied the petitioner's challenge, finding that the ballot title met statutory requirements and that the petitioner failed to demonstrate it was misleading or confusing. The board emphasized the importance of preserving voter choice and noted that issues outside the scope of the ballot title, such as open meeting law compliance, were not within their jurisdiction to adjudicate.