Considering Maps, Amendments, and Additional Plans
After the preliminary map and public hearing process, the commissions will consider and vote on maps (also called plans).
Before a staff map is prepared, a commission can adopt standards, guidelines, and methodologies for staff to follow. The state constitution requires that 8 of the 12 commissioners, including at least 1 unaffiliated commissioner, vote for any such standard, guideline, or methodology.
After a staff map is presented, any commissioner can request an amendment to the map at a public hearing.
Any commissioner can also request an additional plan, which staff will prepare.
The following memo provides information about amendments and additional plans. The commissioners will follow a form to make these requests, presenting this information at a public meeting. The form is also provided below:
The commission must adopt a final map and submit it to the Colorado Supreme Court for review, and the commission can adopt a final map at any time after the presentation of the first staff map. At least 8 of the 12 commissioners, including at least 2 unaffiliated commissioners, must approve the final map, and the map must be made public before the commission votes on it.
If the commission fails to submit a final map, a staff map must be submitted, without amendments, to the Colorado Supreme Court for judicial review.
Supreme Court Approval of Maps
The Colorado Supreme Court must approve the final map unless the court finds that the commission abused its discretion in applying or failing to apply required criteria, in which case the court must return it to the commission.
If returned, the commission has 12 days to hold a hearing and submit a revised map to the Colorado Supreme Court. If the commission fails to submit a revised map, nonpartisan staff have an additional three days to submit a revised map.
The Colorado Supreme Court must approve a congressional redistricting map by December 15, 2021 and legislative redistricting maps by December 29, 2021.
The Colorado Supreme Court must order that the approved congressional map be filed with the Secretary of State by December 15, 2021 and the approved legislative maps be filed with the Secretary of State by December 29, 2021.