Red County, Blue State

Hi there! Candidate Christian Schilder joins me to talk about what a state legislator does, how infrastructure holds us together, housing, water, and his short stint on the Douglas County planning commission (get ready for some commissioner tea). Thanks for listening/watching!

Watch this interview on youtube.

Contact me anytime!

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

* SHOW NOTES AND SOURCES: RSVP for Democracy Now meeting on August 24 with Sheri Davis (location provided after RSVP):

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/998829/?source=indivisible&medium=web

* County Commissioner Meeting is on Aug 25th at 1:30pm, 100 Third Street, Castle Rock. No RSVP necessary.

* 3to5dougco has not put out a statement, I will let you know when and if they do.

* Agenda for the commissioner meeting: https://douglascounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=1374597&GUID=EF425757-A659-4E27-A236-3FE75005654D

* Proposed commissioner resolution: https://douglascounty.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15799264&GUID=448CD55B-6550-4056-9A4F-9C7BF9D056EA

* Rep Bradley gun law repeal: https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2026/02/republican-denies-gun-rights-bill-was-a-pr-stunt-hours-after-calling-it-a-bid-for-attention/76771/

* Rep Bradley calling for arrest of two 9news journalists:https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/local-politics/colorado-legislator-social-media-post-arrest/73-30aa10ea-0dcf-4123-8fff-527466dcb5a4

* Rep Bradley formally reprimanded:

https://gazette.com/2026/06/06/colorado-house-minority-leader-reprimands-rep-brandi-bradley-for-reprehensible-behavior/

https://www.coloradopolitics.com/2026/06/03/colorado-house-minority-leader-reprimands-rep-brandi-bradley-for-reprehensible-behavior/

* Rep Bradley calls for reading budget aloud:

https://www.cpr.org/2026/04/11/colorado-budget-brandi-bradley-delay-tactic/

…and it cost an estimated 10k

https://coloradosun.com/2026/04/14/brandi-bradley-colorado-budget-bill-read-aloud/

* RSVP to Christian’s town hall: https://www.christian4co.com/event-details/hd39s-first-town-hall-of-2026

* Christian’s FB post: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1419486906752500

This is one of those interviews where you need to hear the voice behind the candidate. Every time I hear Eileen Laubacher speak, I am struck by her sincerity. In this episode, Rear Admiral Eileen Laubacher, Democratic candidate for Congressional District 4 (CD4) sits down to talk about water, AI, data centers, and the corruption that plagues both sides of the aisle. Her campaign has generated much enthusiasm among folks (including Republicans) who not only want Lauren Boebert gone but want to be represented by a leader with integrity who understands service.

* EileenforColorado.com

* Detailed map of CD4

* Among the eight congressional districts in Colorado, CD4 has the highest median household income at $120,070.

* In 2024, Lauren Boebert won her race against Democratic opponent Trisha Calvarese by 11 points.

3 to 5 is on the ballot: press release. Learn more about the Vote Yes effort at 3to5DougCo.com

Barrett Rothe’s Douglas County Lantern piece on the $19,000,000 tax break for Flexential data center in Parker. ←read the comments here. The Lantern’s Opinion piece on repealing the Business Personal Property Tax.

Contact me anytime, I’d love to hear from you:

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

It’s 89 days til election day, do you know where your ballot is? Don’t worry, you shouldn’t. Not yet. But in this episode, we’ll start gently approaching our ballots so we can make friends with it. Your ballot is going to be your BFF by November 3rd. Allow yourself to dream: What if we elected someone who actually wanted to hear from you and govern rather than spend taxpayer money posing for glamour shots while cosplaying cowboys?

Ahhhh.

We have outstanding non-MAGA candidates up and down the whole dang ballot. I’ll be interviewing some of these candidates so we know who they are and what they’re running for. Candidate Kara Garr (kara4dougco.com) joins me today to talk about what the Douglas County assessor does, why it’s an elected office and what her goals are if she’s elected. I knew nothing about this office and now I do. Let’s feel smart together!

I also pop off a little bit about the Douglas County org chart and how our current assessor was involved in the disastrous planning of home rule.

Contact me anytime! I’d love to hear from you. email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

Guess who’s back, back again…it’s Crowsnest. The proposed development in unincorporated Douglas County has been rejected by Parker and Castle Pines and now the developer is seeking to amend Douglas County’s Comprehensive Master Plan so it can land there. The first step is submitting an application with the planning commission. I’ll explain what the process is, what happened at the July 20, 2026 planning commission meeting, and what residents (and the town of Parker) had to say. Traffic and water, as usual, are the main sticking points.

Land use is complex! This podcast is my opinion on the proceedings.

SHOW NOTES:

Contact me with feedback, I’d love to hear from you. email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

Colorado Times Recorder: Dougco Petition Effort to Add Two County Commissioners Turns In Nearly 23,000 Signatures. Learn about 3 to 5 here.

July 20, 2026 meeting (watch here, agenda packet here with Town of Parker’s referral letter on page 77 and DCSD’s on page 68)

Role of the Douglas County Planning Petition

Facebook groups: Douglas County Residents Against the Annexation of Crowsnest and People Against Annexing Crowsnest (created by Castle Pines residents)

9News reporting on non-urban vs urban designation.

Denver Gazette: Parker mayor says Parker can’t support potential annexation of Crowsnest in 2025

Find Ventana donations by searching Yes on Local Control committee and candidate Jake Bockenfeld.

County commission candidate Irene Bonham is not taking developer donations.

My super-smart friends Julie Ort, Kim Carroll, and Bridget McEowen join me again to follow-up episode 71 about John Adams Academy’s (JAA’s) request for a $200k grant from the county’s school safety fund when Douglas County School District public schools received $80-$90k each. The commissioners were set to pass the drone funding through the consent agenda for their friend Ellie Reynolds (the JAA co-founder) and made a last minute swerve amid public confusion. With the elimination of general public comment, we have no forum in which to ask questions or get clarification.

Contact me anytime:email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

Learn more about 3 to 5 and find a signing event here. Deadline is July 22!

Show notes:

John Adams Academy June 30 Facebook announcement that Douglas County was investing in school safety with JAA, and claiming the partnership with Campus Guardian Angel.CBS story where the co-founder of JAA (not identified) says that the drone program will move forward in August with or without county funding. John Adams Academy funding request.

Grant was to include money from the general fund as well as school safety fund.

The ready-to-go JAA $200 grant contract in the commissioners’ agenda packet.

Jennifer Iverson’s public comment, thanks for her for giving us permission to use it. Thanks for listening! If you like this podcast, please give it a review on Apple Podcasts.

Today I’m with my super smart friends Bridget McEowen, Julie Ort, and Kim Carroll. We’re catching up on the latest Douglas County news, which is that both John Adams Academy and the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation are set to receive major taxpayer dollars. What do those two orgs have in common? Commissioner crony Ellie Reynolds at the helm and an absence of research and data. As my guest Julie Ort said, the county commissioners are “funneling money out like party favors.”

What can you do? Check out how you are being represented at the commission meeting July 14 at 1:30pm at 100 Third Street in Castle Rock.

Find a 3to5 signing event here. You have til July 22. If you’ve already signed, thank you!

Elect better leaders! Meet Irene Bonham who is running for county commission. She’s independent, smart, savvy, and honest.

Contact me anytime:

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

John Adams Academy announcing on June 30 at 5:54pm that Douglas County is investing in Campus Guradian Angel Drones before any vote is taken.

Campus Guardian Angel press release dated July 1, 2026 (one day after the work session), before the commissioners have voted on the grant.

Recording of the June 30, 2026 work session (turn on closed captions because they are speaking quietly). Teal is gone for much of the JAA session, and they say they will take a vote on the JAA drones at the next business meeting.

Ellie Reynolds paid for Teal’s luxury flight to Dubai (here and here, getting him out of significant hot water. The travel policy would have required he pay for anything above economy out of his own pocket. More about the trip to Dubai: episodes 64-66

This week we are talking about a possible statewide ballot initiative that is about TAXES [insert scary music]. But don’t worry! Chris deGruy Kennedy, president of the Bell Policy Center joins me today to talk to us about Initiative 195: Graduated Income Tax. Tax policy is complicated and confusing but Chris is going to break it down for us because Initiative 195 can bring much needed revenue to support K-12 public education, childcare, and healthcare (devastating Medicaid cuts are coming up after the midterms thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill). Be the smart one in your group chat! 👏👏👏

Check out the calculator to see how much you will pay under Initiative 195 (spoiler alert, the people paying more taxes will be people who make half a million dollars or more per year. 97% of Coloradans will in fact get money back.)

Read FAQs about Initiative 195: Graduated Income Tax

Initiative 195: Graduated Income Tax endorsements

Bell Policy Center explanation of Initiative 195, blue book-style.

Bell Policy Center’s blue book-style explanation of all state initiatives petitioning to qualify for the ballot in November.

Find a Initiative 195 petition to sign (must be signed in person). If you don’t see a place near you, contact [email protected].

SIGN 3 to 5!!! I’M BEING SO SERIOUS RIGHT NOW.

Contact me anytime:

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

If you’re in Douglas County, you may have heard of Convict Coffee in Parker. People love it. Like, LOVE IT. Everyone wants to meet there despite it being tucked away out of sight in a strip mall off of Parker Road by Natural Grocers (Vitamin Cottage for the old timers). As a customer, I have been curious about this business for a long time and decided to do something about it. This interview is full of everything you could want: a business that centers human dignity, a refreshing approach to capitalism and wealth, and a bit of dunking on rich corporate a******s. Optimism in Douglas County. Get it while it’s hot!

Thanks to Dan Klehm for trusting me with this. Check out Convict Coffee here.

Howdy, partners! Today we’re talking about the Rocky Mountain Voice Freedom Festival, which is being held on June 26-27 on the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Castle Rock. The commissioner claim that it is a nonpartisan event but to anyone with a brain cell, it’s a big MAGA love fest. Also, what is the Rocky Mountain Voice? Let’s dive in.

Contact me anytime, I’d love to hear from you.

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147

Find a place to sign 3 to 5!

Show notes and sources:

Douglas County government website on Freedom Fest.

RMV Freedom Fest event scheduleEmail from county re $25k sponsorship.

Teal’s “mailbag” reel on Facebook.

Colorado law that says local government can’t fund partisan election advocacy and candidate fundraising.

Heidi Ganahl and students identifying as cats.Fight Back Foundation Inc 501(c)3 status as well as trade names. Secretary of State filing from 2023 that Rocky Mountain Voice is a Fight Back Foundation Inc. trade name and a “nonpartisan news outlet”

IRS publication: How to lose your 501c3 tax exempt status (without really trying)

IRS FAQs about 501c3 ban on political campaign intervention

Sheriff Darren Weekly fundraising report from June 2026.

Boebert endorses Marx.

You all asked the best questions! That lead to even more questions! And commissioner hypocrisy! Buckle up. Then vote.

If you have a moment, rate and review Red County Blue State on Apple Podcasts. Click on the link and scroll to the bottom to rate and review. Don’t miss the one star review by a guy who wants me to move to “Boulder, Denver”. No thank you :)

Contact me anytime—

email: [email protected]

on signal: @emilysuyat.87

Text or leave a voicemail at 720-288-0147

Get on that 3 to 5 petition! Find signing events and how to get certified to circulate a petition.

Circumstances in which a nonprofit can be subject to the Colorado Open Records Act

The new PAC that the Douglas County EDC is a part of

Eileen Laubacher’s event in Sterling Ranch, RSVP for location and more info.

More Eileen events here.

I’m voting for Julie Gonzales, Eileen Laubacher, Phil Weiser, Amanda Gonzalez, Jeff Bridges, for Attorney General, I DON’T KNOW YET OMG, and then I’m voting all the way down the ballot on uncontested races.