Public Comments

I would suggest to the independent committee that you only use 2 maps--the one from Club 20 as presented to your committee or the one listed in the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel of September 12, 2021, page 2-D, and no others. The reason for using either of these maps is that we need to keep all of Western CO in one block and we need to do this for 2 reasons: the control of water on our side of the state for agriculture and because we need to have major input and control of our public lands on our side of the state. Respectfully, Brian White, Montrose, CO

Fort Collins is dealing with a large number of issues tied into climate change, electric infrastructure, the University, and has very little in common with the proposed combination with the eastern plains of Colorado. I’m not sure who thought this was a good idea on the commission, but this should definitely not be on the table.

Please keep Boulder county intact so that our unity on guns, health, and preserving the environment will be preserved. It is important to keep our “community of shared interests” together. Thank you, Ann Rounds Superior

The map of CD-2 including Boulder and the North West supports communities of interest working together on policies of climate change concerns, fire, water. This is key to the survival of mountain communities. The map of CD-3 that includes Pueblo in the San Luis Valley supports historical ties and minority voices for Hispanic population. Hispanic communities need better representation and this is a way to do it. I believe in uniting all of Summit County into CD-7 as our gateway to the Colorado mountains CD-8 in the Northern Denver suburbs needs to include minority influence along the I25 corridor.

I’ve heard that on the latest redistricting map, Boulder County (MY county, where I live!) will be split into 3 different U. S. Congressional districts. Please don’t do this!!!! I definitely want my county to remain intact, with a single Representative. I live in eastern Boulder County, a short distance from Weld County, and I fear our neighborhood might be lumped in with that area, which would be awful for us. While Weld County is a major oil and gas producer (with lax rules and easy permitting), Boulder County has done its best to keep to keep fracking and its harmful effects out of our communities. Not only that, but I identify strongly with the Boulder County ethos and I beg you not to break it up. I love living in District 2, and our wonderful progressive Rep Joe Neguse. Please, please, please reconsider.

As a Colorado native for over 50 years, it is bittersweet seeing some of the changes and growth in Colorado. I grew up in Denver County, went to school in Boulder County and Alamosa County, lived and worked in Arapahoe County and currently live and work in Douglas County. Colorado has a very rich western/agricultural history that has benefited from the addition of people from other countries and states. I am but one small voice that I hope provides constructive feedback to the process that will hopefully be considered. The current first staff plan (congressional September 3, 2021) appears to have balanced competitive districts and population. My comments are related to the aspect of community of interests across Colorado. My community is comprised of a diversity of religious beliefs, educational choice, and agriculture life (ranching, farming, fairs, rodeos, etc.). It has been my experience that this is true of the communities in locations such as the San Luis Valley, Routt County, Adams County, and Mesa County. It is not as clear to be true in areas such as Denver County and Boulder County. It also seems with the population growth, the community focus of those who have moved into Jefferson, Arapahoe and starting to be true in places like Douglas County are not as aware or focused on the same western/agriculture viewpoints as the history of Colorado would reflect. Thus, the one item of improvement in drawing of the maps and via written communication is to provide better clarity on how the commission has approached the balance of the communities of interests for those who are currently living in rural areas, or on the boundary of rural/suburban areas where programs for school age children (K-College age) and small businesses rely on representatives for an agriculture lifestyle. For example, many people are unaware of where there are active 4H/ STEM clubs in Colorado (http://co4h.colostate.edu/club-and-community-resources/) and where there are High School Rodeo clubs (https://cshsra.org/clubs.aspx) nor which colleges in Colorado have rodeo clubs or varsity teams (e.g. Colorado Northwestern Community College, Lamar Community College, Colorado State University). The current redistricting balances by population number as required. The question is, is what is an alternative approach that can be taken so that these communities of interest (agriculture/ranching/farming) do not have the perception that their voice will not be heard because they are overwhelmed by the larger densely populated areas within their district. The nature of the rural areas is that they are spread-out and thus more challenging to reach for messaging and understanding of the will of the group. For example, I have participated in get out the vote efforts, in the rural areas in 1 hour you may get to a handful of houses because they are so spread-out, whereas within densely populated area you can reach 10s or 20s of houses in the same timeframe. Thus, it would be good to see how this balance is achieved so that this voice is not overwhelmed and the ability to get information out to the public is balanced and equitable. Thank you for at least considering how to clarify how these rural communities of interests are reflected in the redistricting maps without being overwhelmed by the higher density population areas.

Please do t split Boulder county into 3 districts. Our country should stay together.

The "First Staff Plan" map Is a non-starter for rural Colorado; Ignores agriculture and rural Colorado's unique community of interest by combining it with urban and suburban populations; Fails to reflect the differences in water administration, ag industry makeup, and social landscape between eastern and western parts of the state; Ignores testimony from around the state regarding desired district lines. Commissioners please recognize rural Colorado as a distinct community of interest with the same public policy concerns based on agriculture, employment, and water needs and supplies, which are different from urban and suburban communities, and captured in the "Preliminary plan.

Boulder communities share interests regarding environmental initiatives, climate goals and response to natural disasters. We need to work together to keep our climate initiatives working, to keep our open space (Boulder County Open Space trails are used by so many people outside of Boulder, a united effort by the county is needed to keep them safe, open to the public, and maintained). The towns in Boulder need to work together on transportation goals for the US 36 corridor and Highway 119. This would be a disaster to have not a unified county working to discuss and I really hate to say, argue, but that is the way RTD is with Boulder County, to keep our buses running and to at sometime build the light rail Boulder County has been paying for since the 1990's. If the county is divided, there will never be a change in RTD and how they treat this county. Boulder municipalities are aligned on public health, housing, and employment concerns. During the COVID crisis, our representatives worked district wide in a collaborative manner. Gun safety is an important issue at the federal level and needs consistent representation. After the shooting at the King Soopers in Boulder, the county has really come together to work at laws to prevent such things from happening again. This is a crucial need, the ability of a mentally ill person to purchase the weapon used at King Supers, really needs to be addressed and the only way we will have our voice heard it to be united as one county. We have suffered the loss of 10 amazing individuals in our county, the importance and desire of gun laws has really been a central uniting measure in this county. Boulder County is a uniquely diverse county and yet we are one in so many issues and we need to remain one county to address all of the major issues facing this nation, gun control, climate change and the resulting natural disasters (ie. flooding, fire, drought), and the many other issues a county faces. Boulder County should not be separated. Thank you for your time.

Please reunite Western Colorado! Dividing the Western half of the state simply does not allow us proper representation! We have specific concerns that Eastern Slope counties simply DO NOT identify with! As a life -long Western Slope native I ask you to PLEASE reconsider!