Red County, Blue State

Emily Suyat
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Politics
  • Updated Semiweekly

The thrill of living in progressive Colorado, the agony of being represented by Lauren Boebert: life and politics for people who lean left in Douglas County. esuyat.substack.com

  1. 8h ago

    72. What just happened? Commissioners make a confusing last minute move on funding the $200k drone program for John Adams Academy

    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: emilysuyat@gmail.com 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. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    72. What just happened? Commissioners make a confusing last minute move on funding the $200k drone program for John Adams Academy

  2. 2d ago

    71. Over a million taxpayer dollars slated for John Adams Academy and the Douglas County Economic Corporation—and no public input to be found

    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: emilysuyat@gmail.com 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 Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    71. Over a million taxpayer dollars slated for John Adams Academy and the Douglas County Economic Corporation—and no public input to be found

  3. Jul 8

    70. Learn: What is the Graduated Income Tax proposal in Colorado? An Explainer For Normal People!

    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 info@protectcoloradosfuture.com. SIGN 3 to 5!!! I’M BEING SO SERIOUS RIGHT NOW. Contact me anytime: email: emilysuyat@gmail.com on signal: @emilysuyat.87 Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147 Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    70. Learn: What is the Graduated Income Tax proposal in Colorado? An Explainer For Normal People!

  4. Jul 2

    69. Convict Coffee: Cause-Driven and Community-Focused

    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. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    69. Convict Coffee: Cause-Driven and Community-Focused

  5. Jun 26

    68. Freedom Fest or Freedom Jest?

    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: emilysuyat@gmail.com 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. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    68. Freedom Fest or Freedom Jest?

  6. Jun 16

    67. Answering your Questions on George Teal’s $17k Ticket

    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: emilysuyat@gmail.com 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. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    67. Answering your Questions on George Teal’s $17k Ticket

  7. Jun 3

    66. Champagne Taste on a County Commission Budget, Part 3: the Reimbursement Request

    Oh boy there are a lot of dates in here so HANG WITH ME because it comes together in the end. This is Part 3 of 3, where we discuss the county approaching an outside organization to pay for George’s luxury travel. This org, which is a nonprofit, says “great!” without asking any questions. So many ethical problems, not to mention the potential fraud when a county official buys a refundable ticket. It all needs to be investigated and George Teal needs to be held accountable. County staff, if you have information you want to share, I will keep your information confidential and your identity private. https://www.3to5dougco.com/ Contact me anytime: email: emilysuyat@gmail.com on signal: @emilysuyat.87 Text or leave a message at 720-288-0147 Sources: Email chain between the deputy county manager, assistant budget director, and Ellie Reynolds of the EDC. Invoice to EDC included in that link too. Douglas County Economic Development Corporation’s vague-ass website Million dollar budget request for 2025 from the EDC (thanks and credit to Lora Thomas, who put this in her newsletter) EDC’s 2024 contract and 2025 contract. Checks from the county to the EDC: $150k and $100k, $937,500k (page 4) EDC document telling Dubai airshow attendees to book early, and giving airfare estimates (page 15-16) EDC itinerary with all of the Dubai activities (page 5) EDC’s check to county for $19,211.08 Commissioner Code of Conduct (page 8). We know they are proud of it because they put a half page pic of themselves on page 3. Colorado’s Standards of Conduct starts at Colo. Rev Stat §24-18-101 Independent Ethics Commission Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    66. Champagne Taste on a County Commission Budget, Part 3: the Reimbursement Request

  8. Jun 2

    65. Champagne Taste on a County Commissioner Budget, Part 2: the Refundable Ticket

    As we learned in Part 1 of this series, Douglas County Commissioner George Teal doubled his VIP ticket to Dubai by making it refundable just days before his trip. This is a problem. Did George actually fly the tickets that he booked, or did her get a refund? It’s should be an easy question to answer, but George won’t reply. Things just aren’t adding up. Listen to find out why. Contact me anytime: email me at emilysuyat@gmail.com message me @emilysuyat.87 on signal NEW: Leave a message at 720-288-0147 Receipt for the $17k refundable ticket purchased with taxpayer dollars If you want to look at my CORA requests and how I worded them, please contact me and I’ll provide it. Happy Clam receipt in Newark $50 United Club Access purchased on 11/11/25 for Newark Wifi receipt for the flight that was not originally booked, see page 2 Car service receipt Hotel receipt Accepting gifts as a local official George Teal’s calendar entries. Ellie Reynold’s itinerary (someone knows their way around Canva!) I can’t find the exhibitor list for the 2025 Dubai Air Show, it looks like it’s been taken down on the website. You can see on Ellie’s itinerary above that they don’t meet with Sodern. We also CORA’d any correspondence or communication between the board of county commissioners and Sodern. There was none. Governor Polis Announces Sodern America Aerospace Expansion in Douglas County “George Teal fell asleep during public testimony” Colorado Times Recorder Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    65. Champagne Taste on a County Commissioner Budget, Part 2: the Refundable Ticket
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About

The thrill of living in progressive Colorado, the agony of being represented by Lauren Boebert: life and politics for people who lean left in Douglas County. esuyat.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Emily Suyat
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Emily
  • Show Website
    Red County, Blue State

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