Fact-checking the “Mythbusters”
Let’s consider the website for the Metro District Education Coalition (MDEC), and review the mythbusting information provided there (https://www.metrodistricteducation.com/mythbusters).
“MYTH: Residents of metro districts have no meaningful representation or voice in the decision-making process.
FACT: Residents of metro districts have elected representation at two levels … the municipal elected body and … the metro district board of directors, all of whom are subject to election laws and are accountable to their residents.”
This could be true generally, for most metro districts that are “Service Districts,” which operate essentially as a single entity. In Central Park, we have two Metro Districts, linked by the Intergovernmental Finance and Construction Agreement (IGA) between Park Creek MD and Westerly Creek MD. Park Creek MD is a financing district, aka a “Dirt District,” with a service area so small that there is only a single property owner. In this case, that owner is Stapleton Development Corporation, or SDC, which was given the right to sell the land that was formerly Denver’s Stapleton Airport.
Reality
I am certain that the board and legal counsel of Park Creek MD would represent that they have followed all election laws, even though the district hasn’t held an election for board members since … perhaps ever(!). Board members are selected by SDC, a secretive non-profit corporation which does not follow special district law. The Park Creek MD board president, King Harris, controls the board of SDC, which effectively gives him 100% decision-making over the district's $650 million+ in public debt and spending authority.
Canceling elections
The 2025 Park Creek MD board election was canceled because there were no more candidates than open board seats. The election resolution approved on November 21, 2024, stated that the election was for 3 directors to serve a 4-year term, and one to serve a 2-year term. At the February 27, 2025, meeting, a member of the public asked how he could be qualified as a district elector, and requested a call for nomination form. The election was later canceled without comment, with the three 4-year terms filled by the incumbent directors, and the 4th seat left vacant. They could cancel the election because SDC is allowed to hand pick people that can serve on the Park Creek MD board.
MetroDistrictEducation.com’s website also states that,
“Initially the board is made up of the development team … once residents move in there are opportunities for a seat on the board.”
In the case of Park Creek MD, over 20 years later the board is still controlled by King Harris.
In February, 2026, I (a resident of the WCMD service area for 13 years) was appointed to the Park Creek MD board for a term running to May, 2029; I was also elected board secretary/treasurer. In that capacity I reviewed the district’s 2025 financial statements, which were then undergoing their annual audit. I met with Park Creek MD’s management and consultants to gain an understanding of the details of the financial statements, and offered suggestions to improve clarity and accuracy. During my meetings with the district’s accountants they told me that the auditor, Lucius Ashby, of Banks, Finley, White & Co., had not requested any detailed information about capital asset additions.
The district builds roads and sewers, which are primarily transferred to Denver, but also parks, pools, alleys and storm drainage infrastructure which the district retains. There have been no additions to any of those capital asset categories, nor any change in the district’s annual depreciation expense since December 31, 2020, which is as far back as I could find records. This hardly seems like the district is accurately reporting its activities to the public, including city, county and state officials, contractors, bond investors, residents and taxpayers.
Audits
MDEC’s website also has some things to say about financial statement audits:
“Some say that Metro Districts operate like we are still living in the wild, wild west. Meaning, only a few self-appointed cowboys get to make decisions behind drawn curtains, seal their records in a combination safe, and stop citizens from reviewing the written word in how their city is governed.”
I raised my concerns about the financial statements, including additional misstatements in the 2025 financials, to King Harris, and the legal counsel for the district, Paul Cockrel. I inveighed Mr. Harris to allow me to meet with the auditor to discuss the report and results of operations. On August 27, 2026, King Harris told the Park Creek MD board of directors that SDC had revoked my purchase and sale agreement, and that I was no longer “qualified” to serve on the Park Creek MD board.
How is that for meaningful representation in the decision-making process?
What’s Next?!?!
I have contacted the Metro District Education Coalition (MDEC) and Special District Association of Colorado (SDA) about focusing more education resources and awareness on the governing bodies of financing metro districts, or “dirt districts”.
The manner in which public money is controlled and reported by secretive corporations and private individuals raises ethical considerations that I think the current curriculum has overlooked.
