DOUGLAS COUNTY, Colo. — A former undersheriff for the Douglas County Sheriff's Office settled her lawsuit against her former employer for $1.75 million, her attorneys announced Friday.
In December 2021, Holly Kluth filed a federal lawsuit against the sheriff's office and former Sheriff Tony Spurlock in which she claimed she was unjustly fired. At the time, she was running as a candidate to replace Spurlock as sheriff.
Her attorneys said she was abruptly fired on May 25, 2021, and claimed the reason given – that she was not living up to the mission, vision and values of the sheriff's office – was a pretext for her unlawful retaliation.
They noted that none of her supervisors had recommended or were consulted on her termination. Spurlock later supported another candidate for sheriff, publicly arguing that Kluth should not be elected for that job.
Kluth alleged that she was demoted and fired from her position as undersheriff and chief deputy at the sheriff’s office because she disagreed with Spurlock on political candidates. The lawsuit claims this was a violation of Kluth’s right to free speech.
“I’m grateful for my close friends and colleagues who stood steadfastly by me during these past four years, and to the attorneys who valiantly fought for the truth to be revealed and for justice to be done in my case," Kluth said in a statement provided by her attorneys.
I’m especially thankful for my family who supported me, and for my faith in God, who upheld me throughout this difficult time,” Kluth said in the statement.
Through their attorney, the county denied any wrongdoing.
“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," County Attorney Jeffrey Garcia said in a statement.
