DID YOU KNOW
Douglas County
Under the Colorado Territorial Session Laws, Douglas County was created in November 1861 as one of Colorado’s original 17 counties. The county was named for Stephen A. Douglas, the “Little Giant,” who had died several months earlier.
Douglas was well-known for a series of debates with Abraham Lincoln during a run for the U.S. Senate in Illinois in 1858. Notable among the most important issues were the two contenders’ views on slavery and African-American equality. Lincoln was opposed to any expansion of slavery into new U.S. territories, while Douglas supported the doctrine of popular sovereignty, believing a territory’s residents should control whether to allow slavery.
Although Lincoln lost the Illinois election, these debates launched him into national prominence that eventually led to his election as president, defeating Douglas and other candidates in 1860.
Douglas also proposed the Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 in the Senate, by which Congress established the territories of Kansas and Nebraska.
It is not clear why the county, which originally ran from the Rockies to the Kansas border, was named for the senator.
Lincoln County, named after the president, was not established until 1889.
Sources: Douglas County (www.douglas.co.us/About_Us.html); Johanna Harden, Douglas County History Research Center, Douglas County Libraries; National Park Service (www.nps.gov/archive/liho/debates.htm); Colorado State Archives; “Colorado Place Names” by William Bright; “1001 Colorado Place Names” by Maxine Benson
REGIONAL NOTES
CASTLE ROCK
Dispose of household chemicals
Douglas County’s Household Chemical Roundup is Saturday from 9 a.m to 3 p.m. at the Castle Rock Utilities building, 175 Kellogg Court.
The public can safely dispose of paint and solvents, motor oil, antifreeze, vehicle batteries, home and garden chemicals, fire extinguishers, fireworks, ammunition, mercury, propane, or car and truck tires.
Though the event is free to Douglas County residents, a $20 contribution is requested to help offset the cost of disposal.
People with disabilities can call Greg McConnell at Tri-County Health Department, at 720-322-1541.
For more information, call 303-846-6249 or visit www.tchd.org.
LAKEWOOD
FasTracks pulls up to open forums
Two open houses will give the public an opportunity to comment on the design of the FasTracks west corridor light-rail project, from the railings and fences to bike paths and bridge designs.
The sessions are from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sept. 27 at Denver Health Services, Rooms 3110, 3112 and 3109, 1200 Federal Blvd.; and Sept. 28 at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 15200 W. Sixth Ave., in Golden.
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