The City of Dacono, Colorado, approved a $35,500 settlement in April 2025 to resolve a lawsuit by former City Manager AJ Euckert over his February 2023 firing. Euckert alleged the termination was retaliatory and violated Colorado’s Open Meetings Law. The Dacono lawsuit settlement closed out a two-year stretch that included a Colorado Bureau of Investigation probe, two successful recalls, and the eventual departure of every council member who had voted to fire him.1Daily Camera. Dacono Officials Approve $35,500 Settlement With Former City Manager
How the Firing Happened
Euckert was fired on February 13, 2023, at what had been a routine council meeting. The termination was not on the agenda. It came immediately after an award ceremony honoring him, and no reason was given. Mayor Pro Tem Kathryn Wittman made the motion, Councilman Jim Turini seconded, and council members Danny Long and Jackie Thomas joined them for a 4-1 vote over the objection of Mayor Adam Morehead.2KUNC. A Month After Firing the City Manager, Dacono City Officials Remain Divided3Yellow Scene. Dacono Mayor Asks for an Official Investigation of City Manager’s Termination
The city attorney resigned the next day. Morehead said the city was in “crisis mode” and “not functional” without a city manager or legal counsel, and he called the firing coordinated, alleging the four council members had agreed on it in a private meeting ahead of time. He asked for a formal investigation.49News. City Council Fight Dacono3Yellow Scene. Dacono Mayor Asks for an Official Investigation of City Manager’s Termination
What the CBI Found
Colorado Bureau of Investigation Agent Patrick Ness collected witness interviews, video, and emails, and submitted a report to the city on April 11, 2023. The investigation found that Wittman had arranged a meeting with herself, Turini, and newly appointed Councilmember Doris Crespo at which they discussed public business, including a desire to terminate the city manager, the community development director, and the city attorney. The CBI identified at least two other instances where the same bloc appeared to have discussed city business outside public view.5Denver7. Two Dacono City Councilors Face Recall Over Alleged Open Meeting Laws Violation
No criminal charges followed. Colorado’s Open Meetings Law is enforced through civil injunction in state court, not criminal prosecution. The city attorney’s memo accompanying the report said the findings were for the council’s own internal proceedings, where the available sanctions were reprimand or formal censure.6City of Dacono / CBI Report. Council Recommendation Regarding Alleged Rules Violations
The Council That Fired Him Was Removed
Residents organized recall petitions against Turini and Thomas. Long was not eligible under the city charter because he had not held his seat long enough. On June 27, 2023, voters recalled both Turini and Thomas and elected Tony Cummings and Michelle Rogers in their place.7Times-Call. Dacono Residents Recall Councilmembers Jackie Thomas, Jim Turini The new council quickly rehired former city attorney Kathleen Kelly and brought on Jennifer Krieger as interim city manager.8KUNC. Dacono Welcomes New City Councilmembers to Town Hall After Recall Election and Months of Disarray
Wittman did not seek reelection. Long resigned effective April 30, 2024, citing health reasons.9Times-Call. Dacono City Councilman Danny Long to Resign By the time the lawsuit settled, none of the four who voted to fire Euckert were still on the council.
The Lawsuit and the Settlement
Euckert sued the City of Dacono and the four former council members in mid-2024, alleging retaliatory firing and a violation of the Open Meetings Law. His claims tracked the same facts the CBI had examined: that the four agreed privately to fire him before the February 2023 meeting and then carried it out without notice or public discussion.10BizWest. Former Dacono City Manager Sues City, Ex-Council Members Over Termination
The council approved the $35,500 settlement in April 2025 and said it “look[ed] forward to a new chapter.”1Daily Camera. Dacono Officials Approve $35,500 Settlement With Former City Manager The reporting available does not say whether any party made admissions as part of the deal, or whether the former council members contributed individually to the payment.