Fired Douglas County undersheriff settles federal lawsuit for $1.75M

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DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) — A former undersheriff for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has settled a federal lawsuit against her former employer for $1.75 million.

The settlement comes after she says she was unlawfully fired in retaliation for political differences between her and the former sheriff.

Holly Nicholson Kluth told FOX31 that no amount of money can change what happened or give her back a career that she loved. She feels justice was served and the settlement shows people she had merit in her allegations.

During Kluth’s time in law enforcement, she made history as the first female undersheriff at the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.

“I started as a patrolwoman in 1989 and I rose up to the ranks of undersheriff in 2014,” Kluth said. “I loved the law. I love protecting people. I loved making a difference for victims, relating to the community.”

She served in the position for six and a half years before she was fired in May 2021.

“I definitely voiced my opinion about my political affiliations and my political views. I was demoted a short time later I was fired,” Kluth said.

Her attorneys claim the reason given was she “not living up to the mission, vision and values of the Sheriff’s Office.”

A few months later, Kluth filed a federal lawsuit against the sheriff’s office and former Sheriff Tony Spurlock, claiming she was unjustly fired out of political retaliation.

She said it was something that violated her constitutional rights as well as Colorado law.

“Police officers have rights too, and employees have rights, and me as the undersheriff or the captain of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, I have rights — and those rights were violated,” Kluth said. “Colorado law, Douglas County policy, they all require due process, and I was fired without due process.”

‘If you believe your rights have been violated, you need to do something about it’

She received the settlement after nearly four years.

“I believe that this outcome has helped me to show people I was in the right and my allegations were legitimate and justice and the truth has come out,” Kluth said.

She said she’s thankful the federal court is designed to protect constitutional rights.

“Our country was formed on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights and all those laws that protect people, protect citizens from people that  should do things against them that are not right,” Kluth said. “If you believe your rights have been violated, you need to do something about it. You need to fight for yourself and fight for other  people that in the future may run into this.”

FOX31 reached out to Douglas County. Through their attorney, the county denied any wrongdoing.

County Attorney Jeffrey Garcia said in a statement: “At the direction of our outside counsel and our insurance company, Douglas County agreed to settle this matter, including the denial of any wrongdoing and the settlement amount being paid by our insurance company.”

FOX31 also reached out to former sheriff Spurlock, who had not yet returned phone calls as of Friday night.

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Alliyah Sims

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