Red County, Blue State

Emily Suyat
  • 4.8 (22)
  • 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. FEB 27

    53. The Mysterious Case of the Cowboy Commissioner's $17k Flight to Dubai

    It don’t add up, partner. George Teal may dress like a cowboy but he flies pretty fancy. In this episode, we walk through the updates regarding the results of a recent CORA request and question why the county reimbursed Teal for $17,091 when he submitted a partial receipt that failed to include required information, such as what class he flew. (Thanks to the super sleuth team who helped explain all of this to me) Contact me anytime with tips or just to say hi. Signal: @emilysuyat.87 Email: emilysuyat@gmail.com The super sleuth files It’s late and I can’t phone a friend but this is why I think the email/United receipt possibly sent to George’s personal email is subject to CORA. I believe that the county had an obligation to ask for the full receipt, and that George and the county had a duty to preserve it: Thus, under the plain text of the statute, the actual physical location of a “writing” is immaterial to the question of whether a writing “made, maintained, or kept” by a governmental employee, whose content discusses public business, is a public record.” and The definition of public records includes all “writings” made, maintained or kept by the state or any agency, institution or political subdivision “for use in the exercise of functions required or authorized by law or administrative rule or involving the receipt or expenditure of public funds.” Example of typical United receipt (Teal cut out the red part in his) (go to substack if you can’t view): George’s United receipt: Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min
  2. 52. Breaking the At-Large Lock with Rep Bob Marshall

    FEB 26

    52. Breaking the At-Large Lock with Rep Bob Marshall

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

    28 min
  3. 51. A Douglas County Commissioner's $17k airfare to Dubai

    FEB 22

    51. A Douglas County Commissioner's $17k airfare to Dubai

    On November 20, 2025 9News reported that Douglas County’s George Teal took a last-minute, pricey trip to the Dubai Air Show (in Dubai!), paid for with taxpayer dollars. In this episode, I talk about Douglas County’s government’s travel policy—what it allows and most importantly, what it prohibits. I walk through the numbers, the open records request to find Teal’s missing airfare receipts, and the $160 the county is requiring to release additional information. Stay tuned, it’s just getting started. Email: emilysuyat@gmail.com Signal: @emilysuyat.87George Teal’s travel expenses per my November CORA request Flight prices as of Feb 21, traveling Feb 24-27, via Expedia.com. These flight prices appear to be pretty consistent in off-months like Feb and Nov: Economy from Denver to Dubai: $700-800 Economy premium: $1800 Business class: $8200 First class: $8200 The math in the best case scenario for Teal: Let’s say the travel policy allows for economy premium and that whoever traveled with George was an allowed expense. That’s two economy premium tickets for a total of $4000 (rounding up). $17,000 spent minus the $4000 allowed would mean that Teal owes the county, and taxpayers, $13,000. Fill out the interest form for the effort moving from 3 to 5 commissioners. Three commissioners wield too much power in a county of almost 400,000. Also pay attention to Rep Bob Marshall’s bill in the state legislature that would require 5 county commissioners in counties with more than 70,000 people. Next county commissioner meeting: Feb 24 at 1:30pm, 100 Third Street in Castle Rock. Per George Teal’s decision, general public comment has been eliminated. Huh, wonder why? 🤔 Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min
  4. Correction about town hall on Feb 12!

    FEB 12

    Correction about town hall on Feb 12!

    Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle’s town hall on Feb 12 at 6pm is at Franktown Elementary School, 1384 N State Highway 83, Franktown, CO 80116. Please confirm details here before you go: https://www.douglas.co.us/event/town-hall-hosted-by-commissioner-van-winkle/ Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    2 min
  5. 50. Douglas County Commissioners End General Public Comment

    FEB 9

    50. Douglas County Commissioners End General Public Comment

    The county’s website says “citizen engagement is the heartbeat of effective local government.” Why, then, have the county commissioners eliminated general public comment at their business meetings? Their excuses are many—and wholly unpersuasive. Listen to find out how this happened and what you can do about it. Email me any time, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.com * Attend the commissioner’s business meeting Feb 10, 1:30pm-2:30pm, 100 Third St, Castle Rock CO. Get details and agenda here. Email the BoCC and let them know you are a DougCo resident who wants general public comment: bocc@douglas.co.us * Town Hall with Commissioner Kevin Van Winkle on Feb 12, 6-7pm at Franktown Elementary School. **PLEASE NOTE ON THE LOCATION HAS CHANGED FROM WHAT I SAID ON THE PODCAST** More details here. * Interest survey - expand the commissioners from 3 to 5 * Follow Irene Bonham on Facebook and find out more on her website. Find February meet and greets in DougCo for Congressional candidates seeking to replace Lauren Boebert; all candidates are Democrats. In alphabetical order: Trisha Calvarese, Eileen Laubacher, John Padora, Jenna Preston. Sources for this episode: The county’s statement on prioritizing "real voices” and using students and the disablity community to shield themselves from criticism - coverage by Denver7”Open mic at the comedy show” quote by Commissioner George Teal - coverage by Denver7Denver Post’s coverage (gift link)Living in Parker Facebook post with over 200 comments opposing the commissioner’s decision to end public comment.Candidate Irene Bonham’s comment on Facebook in support of general public commentCandidate John Diak’s comment on FacebookNo comment from candidate Jake Bockenfeld Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    15 min
  6. 49. Flying Your Freak Flag in Parker

    JAN 31

    49. Flying Your Freak Flag in Parker

    Last week Shrek the Musical, the show currently running at the PACE Center, had Douglas County facebook pages all stirred up. Cast members flew rainbow flags during the musical number Freak Flag and some ticket holders not happy, including one of the major sponsors of Parker Arts. August Stoten of Sasquatch Productions joins me today to talk about the producer’s side: the request to remove the flags and how the cast voted to fly the flags anyway, with one actor briefly stopping the show to deliver a powerful message of inclusion before continuing the performance. Email me any time, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.com Actor Lucas Barta’s Facebook post with Bekah’s speech and the performance of the song, complete with flags, starts at 7:57 but you should listen to what Lucas has to say as well. Westword piece Parker Arts statement on Facebook Find tickets for Shrek the Musical, running through Feb 8. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    32 min
  7. 48. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 2 of 2

    JAN 21

    48. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 2 of 2

    Hi! Angela Thomas returns to answer common questions around the effort to expand the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners from three members to five. While counties like Adams, Arapahoe, and El Paso have five commissioners, none achieved it through a citizen-led petition. That means Douglas County could become the first. Tune in to hear the very real ways residents can shape the future of Douglas County. Email me anytime, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.comAngela’s feedback form - this is how you find out more info, volunteer, and provide feedback on exploring the effort to move to 5 commissioners. Rep Bob Marshall’s statewide bill to expand to 5 commissioners if a certain population is reached: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB25-1265Contact Rep Marshall’s office here: bob.marshall.house@coleg.govNot sure who represents you at the state capitol? Come on, you smart and engaged voter, let’s get after it! https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislatorCheck out Christian Schilder, Democrat running for HD39. Christian Schilder’s campaign launch: Feb 1, 3-5pm at Lone Tree Brewing, 8200 Park Meadows Dr #8222, Lone Tree, CO 80124Cuckoo bonkers bill re repealing state gun laws introduced by Rep Brandi Bradley (HD39) and Rep Max Brooks (HD45) Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    18 min
  8. 47. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 1 of 2

    JAN 20

    47. Could Douglas County Expand to Five County Commissioners? Part 1 of 2

    On this Martin Luther King Day, the Minneapolis communities who are showing up for their neighbors peacefully and firmly are inspiring me. If you want to join local resistance movements and find your people, connect with groups such as Democracy Now DougCo (you can also go to Indivisible.org to find more events, protests, and groups) and Douglas County Activism Task Force. If meeting in-person doesn’t work for you, sign up for their emails which are full of good info. I interviewed the leaders of these groups in Episode 25 and Episode 32.Today I am joined by community organizer Angela Thomas to discuss a long-term, democratic solution to better county governance: expanding the Douglas County commission to five members. In Part 1 of this conversation, Angela talks about why structural reform is a better option than a recall, how five commissioners would improve representation and transparency, what it would cost, and what it would take to get the measure on the 2026 ballot. Part 2 comes tomorrow! Show your interest in the 5 commissioner effort by filling out Angela’s form. What does a county commission even do? Listen to Episode 4 of this podcast, County Commission 101. Email me anytime, I’d love to hear from you: emilysuyat@gmail.com Sources: Denver Post: Douglas County sheriff, DA sue Colorado over visa process for crime victims (Gift link) 9News: DougCo postpones votes on theft ordinance that would fine businesses that don’t track shoplifting, DA George Brauchler removes support New VIP area? Velvet ropes for the commissioners on the dais. Get full access to Red County, Blue State at esuyat.substack.com/subscribe

    18 min
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4.8
out of 5
22 Ratings

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
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Emily
  • Show Website
    Red County, Blue State

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