The Colorado Independent Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Commissions, established by Amendments Y and Z in 2018, are studying Colorado’s congressional and state legislative districts.
The 12-member commission redraws federal congressional and state legislative district boundaries every 10 years, adjusting to changing populations revealed in the U.S. Census. Redrawing the boundaries is necessary at this time and will give Colorado an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, bringing the state’s representation in the lower chamber to eight.
The next local hearing will start at noon Saturday, Aug. 28, at The Atrium, Pikes Peak Community College Centennial Campus, 5675 S. Academy Blvd.
On June 23, the commission submitted a preliminary map that would add Monument and the Air Force Academy to Congressional District 5, which includes Manitou Springs.
“In my opinion, the proposed redistricting map would make it much more difficult for Manitou Springs residents to be appropriately represented if we are included with communities that likely have such different values and priorities,” former Manitou Mayor Ken Jaray said in early August.
“What is likely to happen is that our collective progressive voices on a number of community interests will not be presented.”
The nonpartisan legislative staff will receive public comments and redraw the maps using preliminary data. Sept. 1 is the current deadline for draft approval of the redistricting plans.
Jaray urged Manitou’s representatives to figure out how to influence the redistricting process and to reach out to constituents to keep them informed about its progress and how they can participate.
Those wanting to testify at Saturday’s hearing should sign up in advance at redistricting.colorado.gov/signup.
To testify remotely you must register in advance. If you are testifying in person you are also asked to sign up in advance but may sign up upon arrival.
Online signups end when the hearing starts, and remote participants will not be allowed to testify after that time unless they have registered in advance.
If you have handouts for the commissioners to accompany your testimony, bring 20 copies and give them to staff to distribute. You can also submit them as attachments on the web form.
If you have trouble signing up to testify, email colorado.redistricting2020@state.co.us or call 303-866-4788 to speak to commission staff.
Residents and other stakeholders can continue to submit feedback at redistricting.colorado.gov/public_comments/new.
The Colorado Supreme Court will review and pass judgment on the commission’s recommendations.