Douglas County’s “home rule” efforts appear only stymied after its residents decided on Tuesday not to grant its large, Republican stronghold south of Denver the power of self-governance.

Now, Commissioners are figuring out what’s next for home rule efforts after a blowout defeat in its $500,000 special election.

Out of 93,175 ballots submitted, 66,299 Douglas County voters (71.16%) voted “no” on commissioner’s proposal to become Colorado’s third home rule county, a 43-point margin, according to unofficial election results from Tuesday night.

Despite the lopsided defeat, commissioner’s immediately insisted home rule discussions will continue, hinting a chance voters will encounter the ballot measure in a future election, perhaps in November.

“I think the genie is out of the bottle in terms of a conversation here within the county” Commissioner George Teal, who led the county’s home rule efforts, told The Denver Gazette on Wednesday.

“Home rule is always about building a vision for Douglas County,” Teal said, noting interest in redressing the vote in November. “(Home rule) is not going away. It will be here next year. That will be here in two years, maybe it’s here in 10 years.”

County officials have argued that home rule would provide more local control, particularly in light of state actions that commissioners claim impedes upon good governance.

Teal blamed the election defeat on “false accusations and failed lawsuits from individuals whose credibility is questionable only added to the intentional confusion surrounding this critical issue,” the commissioner said in a statement.

Critics said it wouldn’t actually alter the county-state relationship in any meaningful way. Critics also accused the commissioners of a “power grab” and said the special election was rushed and failed to be a “citizen-led” effort.

Teal said the need for three-month turnaround was “inherently a flawed strategy,” but “not a flawed goal.

Teal also noted that Colorado law required the county to establish a special election if their goal was to fully become home rule by Jan. 1 of next year.

The campaign officially began late in March, when Douglas County Commissioners Abe Laydon, Kevin Van Winkle and Teal held a special meeting and approved a resolution to spend $500,000 on the June 24 special election.

Laydon argued the negative response by voters was a “reaction from one group on national issues,” adding it “presents us with a vital opportunity locally to unite and move forward together to create an even stronger Douglas County,” he said in a statement.

“Commissioners will continue to fight for what is right for our communities, ensuring that all voices are heard and respected,” Laydon said.

Commissioner Van Winkle said this is “a moment of reflection for us all.”

“I look forward to continuing the conversation about the importance of local governance and working together to unite our community around all that makes Douglas County so special,” he said.