The county commissioners have been quite public about why they want home rule.

Commissioner Teal said this at a recent meeting (obviously a group that was already on his side):

"We go to five districts with five commissioners. Two of those commissioners are going to be Democrats because Highlands Ranch is 127,000 people. Just ask Stephanie [Piko, Mayor of Centennial]. She’ll tell you all about it. And you will get at least one Democrat elected commissioner."

In other words, the Board is doing home rule because they don't want to represent Democrats in general, or Highlands Ranch in particular.