Douglas County News-Press: Douglas County Commissioner Abe Laydon accused fellow Commissioner Lora Thomas of leaking classified materials regarding the board’s 2-1 vote to spend nearly $1 million for advanced metal detector technology at STEM School Highlands Ranch.

Thomas voted against the measure, saying the technology is not proven and she had concerns. Laydon and Commissioner George Teal voted to spend $961,000 for Evolv to install AI-enhanced metal detectors at STEM School Highlands Ranch, where a deadly shooting occurred in May 2019.

Thomas posted links to stories written by Colorado Community Media’s McKenna Harford and Hailey Lena in her weekly newsletter, which prompted Laydon to call South Metro Editor Thelma Grimes around 9 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29, claiming the articles are irresponsible, put students at risk and quoted “classified” materials.

Grimes disputed Laydon’s claims that reporters received any such documents or materials from Thomas or other commissioners. The reporters wrote stories based on the Jan. 24 public meeting where the vote was taken to spend the funds and through interviews and research.

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