Public Comments

The Western Slope of Colorado is an incredibly diverse area with passionate communities of interest who want to remain united. I back the Schuster Map for that reason - NW Colorado, with its ranching communities and extractive interests, is kept whole. SW and SO Colorado, with our public lands, smaller more diverse ag interests, and Native and Hispanic communities are also protected. Ft Collins shares more similarities with Grand Junction than it does with highly urban Boulder. Please give us Schuster! Thank you.

The SCHUSTER map makes the most sense to the diverse communities of western and southern Colorado, and I urge your vote for it. I voted for Amendment Y specifically to increase the competitiveness of as many districts as possible; Schuster creates THREE relatively competitive districts, including one for So Colorado, rather than 3 fairly monolithic ones. I personally do not want to be part of a district that leans so far in one or the other political direction that "middle of the road" candidates are not eligible. Thank you.

I am a fan of the Shuster map. It is the fairest and most competitive map choice of all the ones I have seen. It also keeps communities of interest together.

I would like to see Competitive districts in the redistricting process

I have reviewed the maps that have most recently been proposed. I live in rural Ouray County - where we have a mixture of retired people (average age 55 and 92% white) and ranchers/agriculture - with tourism of significant economic importance. Most of our healthcare is provided in Montrose County and expertise is a 5-6 hour drive away. I would say that our shared interests consists mostly of tourism and protection of our environment, inclusive of public lands and water. Obviously this is bit different than in the larger communities on the front range. Equity across the board is very important to me. My county, although fairly 'blue' is surrounded by 'red' counties, meaning we must all work together on any policy issue that impacts our surrounding counties. Therefore, it is very important that we have a competitive region/district that is responsive as possible to all constituencies. I believe the Schuster map with a southern district (ie, not a N-S district) would be most representative for all of us in this southern Colorado region.

I am responding to the Second Staff plan for State Senate districts released on 23-Sep-21. The proposed plan is exactly the opposite of my previous written submittal and my testimony in Longmont on 10-Aug-21 (script attached). The Commission has not properly evaluated communities of interest when it combines Broomfield County (primarily urban now - probably completely urban in the next 10 years) with mostly rural portions of Weld County. - Additional oil and gas drilling is not feasible in urban areas; it is a huge employer and source of tax dollars in southwest Weld County. - Broomfield does not share transportation problems with southwest Weld County. The primary traffic flow in Bromfield is commuter traffic to Denver and Boulder. - Broomfield is not large enough to be a stand alone State Senate district, but should be paired with other urban / suburban areas that are facing similar problems. Not areas that are rural by economic drivers, choice, and culture. The initial staff proposal that paired Broomfield with Superior; Louisville and Westminster did accurately reflect the economic and transportation communities of interest and would create a State Senate District with enough common, though not identical, issues so that a representative could focus on legislation that deals with problems common to most of the district.

The current redrawn map creates districts that are safe for both parties. Redistricting is meant to create competitive congressional districts - no more than + 5% for one side versus the other. In this way the will of the voters is best expressed and polarization can not be such a strong force in American politics. Polarization is a result of safe districts on both sides. Colorado voters did the right thing in 2018 to stop gerrymandering with an independent redistricting committee. Let's keep moving in the right direction for our democracy. Thanks you.

I’m here today to request the Federal Congressional maps have more competitive districts than the last map that was released yesterday. We’ve all seen the issues with polarization in the last 20 years. It’s tearing America apart. January 6th is a result of that polarization. Polarization is a result of safe districts on both sides. As I’m sure you’re aware, part of the reason listed in the 2018 ballot initiative was to “Maximize the number of politically competitive districts”. This reduces polarization. The initiative did not say that “Maximizing the number of politically competitive districts” was a lesser objective anywhere, although I’ve been told that is supposed to be the least important part of your criteria. I disagree and that was the reason I voted for the bill. I appreciate your time and effort and realize this is a first step. However, if I didn’t know better I would have said the current map looks gerrymandered. There is only one district that is under 5 points difference. There was a map released recently that was really good - it had many competitive districts. I would like to see that one implemented. You have an awesome responsibility and I urge you to look to do everything you can to minimize the polarization America is experiencing!!

I am concerned that fort Collins has been moved back into the 4th CD. While in that district in th past I did not feel represented as a small city dweller in a district that is mostly agriculture and oil driven. Being in the 2nd CD has given me a voice with the congressman and I did not feel ignored like I did before. This also breaks up Larimer county and I don't think that is good for the county. Thanks for listening and for the commissions work.

I approved of the map splitting Broomfield before the commission pandered to a minority of loud voices calling for change. Now the new map just throws us in with Jefferson county. How can the commission be fair if it so easily bends to pressure?