Local Control, Home Rule, and the Titanic Story

On this June 3, 2025 broadcast, Kim Monson examines the growing tension between state mandates and local control as Colorado cities sue over forced density requirements. Citizen watchdog Mike Rawluk breaks down HB 1313, former Douglas County Commissioner Lora Thomas raises concerns about a rushed home rule ballot question, and Titanic Immersive Voyage producer John Zaller shares the powerful lessons from history’s most famous maritime disaster.

Transit-Oriented Development Mandates Face Legal Challenge

Start listening at 16:50 – Hour 1

Mike Rawluk exposes how HB 1313 strips local municipalities of zoning authority by forcing density of 15 to 40 dwelling units per acre near transit stations. The bill emerged from a failed 2023 effort to centralize planning at the state level. Arvada, Westminster, Lafayette, Glendale, Aurora, and Greenwood Village have now joined a lawsuit arguing that zoning remains a matter of local concern under the Colorado Constitution.

Rawluk points to a companion bill, HB 24-1304, that prohibits cities from requiring minimum parking for new developments. Residents working evening shifts at restaurants face the prospect of parking blocks away from their homes with no carports, increased hail damage risk, and safety concerns walking through unfamiliar areas late at night. The 15-minute city agenda pushed by the World Economic Forum continues to gain ground in Colorado despite empty trains and voter resistance.

“The end game is I believe local control in these matters is better. It is in the Colorado Constitution. And it’s more to our freedom to be able to talk to our local elected representatives about a specific property instead of about a top-down control.”

Mike Rawluk, Citizen Activist

Douglas County Home Rule Vote Raises Transparency Concerns

Start listening at 33:21 – Hour 1

Lora Thomas, former Douglas County Commissioner, warns that a special election ballot question asking voters to approve home rule was sprung on residents with insufficient time to understand its implications. Ballots mailed June 2 are due June 24, costing taxpayers $500,000 for the rushed election.

Thomas disputes claims that home rule would allow the county to opt out of state laws, noting that only two of Colorado’s 64 counties operate under home rule. The difference between municipal and county home rule is significant, as counties can only change governmental structure rather than selectively ignore state mandates. She raises particular concern about provisions allowing commissioners to purchase water rights outside county boundaries and supply water to external consumers, potentially putting the county in the water business competing with established districts like Castle Rock Water and Parker Water.

Three separate “Yes on Local Control” committees are funding the campaign, including a C4 with undisclosed donors. A county survey found 54% of residents oppose home rule, with only 44% in support.

“We do not know enough about this to put the future of our county at risk. Just like you’ve said, Kim, not enough time. I urge everyone to vote no on this.”

Lora Thomas, Former Douglas County Commissioner

Protecting Yourself from Uninsured Drivers

Start listening at 62:42 – Hour 2

Jon Boesen of Boesen Law addresses the growing problem of uninsured motorists on Colorado roads. With the state ranking second in the nation for violent crime, vehicles with blacked-out windows and no license plates have become disturbingly common. Many of these drivers operate salvaged, untitled, or stolen vehicles without any insurance coverage.

When struck by an uninsured driver, victims have no recourse against the at-fault party. The only protection comes from carrying uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage on your own auto policy. Boesen urges listeners to contact their insurance agent to verify they have this essential coverage before an accident occurs.

“If you get hit by one of these folks, you’re not going to have any insurance coverage on the other side. So the only way you are going to have any kind of recourse or remedy or get compensated for what that other driver did to you is if you have on your own auto insurance policy uninsured motorist coverage.”

Jon Boesen, Attorney at Boesen Law

Life Lessons from the Titanic Disaster

Start listening at 71:40 – Hour 2

John Zaller, executive producer of Titanic: An Immersive Voyage, describes how the exhibit connects visitors emotionally to passengers who sailed on history’s most famous ship. Now celebrating the 40th anniversary of Dr. Robert Ballard’s 1985 discovery of the wreck, the exhibit at Denver’s Lighthouse Artspace gives guests boarding passes identifying them with actual passengers.

The experience culminates in a full-scale lifeboat replica where visitors witness the ship’s final moments. Zaller notes that the Titanic story offers profound moral lessons about hubris, decision-making under pressure, and the consequences of overconfidence in technology. White Star Line reduced Titanic’s lifeboat capacity from 64 boats that could have saved everyone to just 20, believing the ship was unsinkable.

Denver’s connection to the tragedy lives on through Molly Brown, the first-class passenger who kept spirits alive in lifeboat six and raised $10,000 in relief funds before even reaching New York. The exhibit partners with the Molly Brown House Museum, located fifteen minutes away.

“The more you get into the Titanic story, the more and more you see there is to learn. The more that hasn’t been discovered is now being discovered, but then there’s so much to learn not only from a factual standpoint, but also just from a moral standpoint, an ethical standpoint, and just important life lessons that can come out of the Titanic story.”

John Zaller, Executive Producer, Titanic: An Immersive Voyage