By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 2 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open burning, the use of fireworks, portable fireplaces/fire pits and campfires in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
Douglas County’s Red Tape Reduction Task Force begins work to improve speed to market and cut unnecessary hurdles
Posted on April 2, 2026 2026
If you keep up on state business news, you’ve seen the headlines. Major companies like Palantir are moving out of Colorado, and statewide, there is a sense that it’s getting harder to do business in this state.
Not in Douglas County, where a new Red Tape Reduction Task Force is focused on increasing speed to market.
Douglas County, in partnership with the Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, convened the first meeting of the Red Tape Reduction Task Force on April 2, marking a significant step toward positioning the County as one of the fastest, most business-ready communities in the nation. Watch today’s news conference on our YouTube channel.
The Task Force was established following a December 2025 resolution by the Board of Douglas County Commissioners calling for the cutting of red tape and reduction of regulatory burden for commercial and industrial development.
The initiative reflects a proactive response to growing concerns that regulatory complexity and lengthy development timelines are impacting Colorado’s economic competitiveness.
“Today, we are raising the bar on ourselves,” said Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle. “Douglas County is committed to moving at the speed of the private sector and making it even easier to grow, build, and invest right here in our community. While high expectations for safety, quality, and character in Douglas County are non-negotiable, what we can–and will–change is how efficiently we get there.”
“Our goal for business permitting in Douglas County is to be not only the most competitive place to do business in Colorado, but the leader in the nation,” said Douglas County EDC CEO Ellie Reynolds.
“We’re not saying that Douglas County is doing something wrong; we’re saying we want to enhance what we’re already doing,” said Murphy Robinson, CEO of SurePass. “We want to make sure we identify any barriers to entry that current businesses have and that those businesses we want to recruit may have. This is an expedited process to let all businesses know they are welcome in Dougals County.”
The Red Tape Reduction Task Force will evaluate the County’s existing regulatory framework, identify inefficiencies, and recommend practical, solution-oriented strategies to streamline processes. The group will focus on eliminating duplication, improving clarity, and reducing delays that can increase costs and stall projects.
Comprised of leaders from development, construction, utilities, public safety, and economic development, the Task Force brings together a diverse range of expertise.
Over a series of working sessions, the Task Force will develop a clear, actionable plan aimed at improving speed to market while preserving the standards that define Douglas County’s quality of life.
When businesses face unclear requirements, duplicative reviews, or unpredictable timelines, opportunities can be lost. Through this initiative, Douglas County aims to ensure that when businesses are ready to move forward, they choose Douglas County.
For more information about the Red Tape Reduction Task Force and its progress, visit our webpage.
For more information about the Douglas County EDC, visit their website.
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