Public Comments

Summit County is on the west side of the Continental Divide. Summit County has nothing in common with representation from the east side of the Continental Divide. Denver & Boulder values do not align with Summit County values. Current redistricting smells a lot like politics versus common sense… (submitted by email 9/7/21)

I am a retired energy lawyer living in Boulder, CD2. Since I retired 7 years ago I have worked pro bono as a Senior Policy Advisor for the Center for New Energy Economy at Colorado State University (CSU). We work collaboratively with the University of Colorado, western states and western energy companies and ENGOs on climate change issues. Boulder and Ft. Collins share a distinct community of interest, through the academic institutions, similar Front Range airshed, technical and scientific approaches, and the like-minded communities. Both Boulder and Ft. Collins should be in the same Congressional District.

Dear commission, I am writing in regards to the redistricting of Colorado, the goal of which, is to ultimately ensure a totalitarian state. I risk redundancy in reminding the commission that during the last state election, the rural areas of Colorado were extremely under represented. The Denver metro area by its population alone, speaks for all of Colorado in gubernatorial and presidential elections. it’s almost as if we need an electoral college for the state elections. This because, 73% of the physical state did not vote for governor polis. Nor did Governor Pollis campaign or visit the states rural and agricultural counties.Indeed, since being elected, he and his liberal legislators , have done the best they can to discourage ranching and agriculture in the state. The Denver metro area makes up a very small physical presence when compared to the entire state and the rural communities, yet those communities are underrepresented, and their needs and desires disregarded continually, particularly ranching communities, even though one of the states top gross products is agriculture. Oil and gas production was an important contributor too, until Governor Pollis went against the will of the people and squelched that as well affecting many of colorados rural communities without si much as a care.. i’m trying to illustrate a pattern here. A pattern of ignoring the needs and desires of the rural communities that make up most of the state by the governor and the liberally controlled state house and senate. So the proposed redistricting will give even less of a voice to these already marginalized communities As they get lumped into a highly populated district, it just happens to be, largely liberal. in addition, the policies, the needs, the issues, the problems of the Denver metro area differ greatly from those of the rural communities both plain and mountain. Denver has some major large city problems, problems not seen in the more rural and under populated communities. Denver therefore, should not represent the entire state of Colorado. We are located on the front range, however, we are west on the map. Although only 14 miles from Colorado Springs we are a vastly different community both geologically, and culturally. We have a low crime rate, and are largely politically conservative. it is obvious to me that this redistricting is purely politically motivated. It is meant to give a larger liberal voice to state policies and legislation, ensure the continued liberally controlled state house and senate and silence the voices of rural and conservatively minded communities. And by redistricting conservative communities with largely liberal ones, The commission hopes to manipulate the election results and keep US congressional representatives from Colorado liberal and only liberal. This is timely as the next election approaches. IMO, the Democrats have elected a completely inept and dangerous puppet as president, they fear getting voted out in 2022 & want to ensure they keep a majority in the House and Senate. Redistricting Colorado and other states is one effective way to do that. But this heinous and ill motivated move has not gone unnoticed by the citizens of CO. The redistricting move the commission is working toward is, at the most basic level, underhanded, manipulative, and not in the best interest of Colorado as a state. It is a move toward totalitarianism. The commission is moving Colorado toward a position where it no longer represents the people of Colorado as a whole. Quite obviously the commission no longer respects freedom of choice from its citizens When electing representatives. Instead, the so-called “independent” redistricting commission Represents only the will and desires of the Democrat party. The party comes first and foremost and the people of Colorado come dead last. I would not applaud this move even if it went the other way. That meaning, in the conservatives favor. We need balance, we need dissenting voices, we need to be able to work together for a common solution on problems and not be ruled under a dictatorship of one party. At the end of the day, I am 99% certain that my letter to the commission will fall on deaf ears. The commission has set out to do what it wants to do whether it is right for the people of Colorado or not. The premise is to serve the Democrat party first and foremost while ignoring our citizen voices, our individual freedom of choice and thereby ultimately destroying the ability to have each and every individual citizen of this state represented. It is my hope that the commission will even slightly consider the ethical implications of what they are proposing. If not on a constitutional level perhaps they can be influenced on a moral one.

Please do not redistrict on the Western slope. We are made up of rural and agricultural communities. If you lump district 3 in with the eastern slope, we will not be represented by people who understand the issues that are uniquely and vitally important to the economy and other needs of a rural area. Our population is mainly older citizens with different values and needs than the younger population in the metro areas. Thank you!

In what insane world do these commissioners live in that Fremont, Custer, and Chaffee county have ANYTHING in common with west Denver and Jefferson County. These 90% rural, plains and mountain communities are majority republican, have some of the highest poverty rates and have a lot of agricultural and wild areas. Nothing like the wealthy cities of Evergreen, Highlands Ranch, Golden and other west Denver cities. Please take some time to reconsider these counties and here is an idea, maybe visit these counties and talk to some people. If you actually did you would realize how crazy of an idea it is to put us in the proposed congressional district. This panel is supposed to be independent, so be independent and go visit them, and reconsider.

Dear Committee Members, Thank you for your time today and for CAREFULLY reading my testimony and concerns around your most current, frankly unfair, Sept. 3 redistricting map creating a new CD-2 & CD-3. My name is Tom Holley. My wife and I live outside of the small rural town of Oak Creek in South Routt County. I grew up in a PRIME front range agricultural community dreaming of a day that I could live in the place I came to hunt, fish, ski, help friends ranch, farm and gain a deeper knowledge of this generational western lifestyle. Our dream came true in 2018. In 3 short years my love and knowledge of the western slope rural mountain lifestyle has grown more than I could have imagined. The “Good” is living in a district and community that is driven primarily by “self-contained & thriving” generationally family-owned small businesses such as Agriculture & Ranching, Mining and Energy, Hunting & Fishing, Retail Shops for Hiking, Camping, Biking & Clothing, incredible Restaurants, and of course Skiing and other Outdoor Winter Activities. Tourists from across the front range, the country and world flock here 12 months a year. After a week or two of rest and relaxation go back home. These visitors rave about the quiet rural “western” vibe, the food, abundant physical and educational activities, BUT MOSTLY the beauty of the VAST RANCHLANDS and the WELCOMING PEOPLE as reasons they keep coming here. Some even love it so much they buy a second home here for vacations and/or rentals and some move here full time like me. Routt County boasts a TOTAL lifestyle of activities and education unlike any other area of the state. The “Bad” is when those that DON’T LIVE OR WORK in Routt County tell us what is best for the western slope’s wellbeing. After 100’s of years of CARING and SUCCESSFUL land, water and wildlife stewardship, people that DON’T live here DON’T need to have a say in the lives of those that DO. The committee knows that districting plays THE pivotal role in the stewardship of Colorado’s own congressional & legislative health and well-being. THIS INCLUDES THE ENTIRE STATE, not just the populous front range! The growing urban population of both Boulder & Larimer Counties have COMPLETELY DIFFERENT INTERESTS than those of us in Routt, Jackson, Grand, Moffat, Rio Blanco and Garfield Counties. Rural communities like ours MUST be represented by elected officials that fully understand these RURAL needs, NOT those from growing urban areas like Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville and others. One glaring example is the 2020 state ballot measure asking to reintroduce Grey Wolves into our mountain habitats. Specifically the two proposed additions to CD-2, Boulder & Larimer Counties of the populous front range, overwhelmingly said YES to WOLVES while our Western Slope Counties voted NO overwhelmingly. Even Routt County, with its diverse political makeup, said ABSOLUTELY NOT! This should speak volumes about our love for conservation ability to steward our own western lands! Example 2 this year is Prop 116 (which tried to KILL rural Ag and Ranching small businesses) that was promoted by POPULOUS front range “vegan” and “animal care” counties and w DEFEATED by the “LOVE OF” and “HARD WORK OF” of rural Ranching and Agricultural communities in Routt County, the Western Slope and Eastern Plains. Western Slope elected officials KNOW our different interests, unique and critical priorities then vote and legislate accordingly such as: (1). The fossil fuel industry’s LARGE AND POSITIVE economic footprint in our communities and how THE Front Range hasty and expensive “green energy” desires will destroy lives and area. (2). That Front Range interests are obviously opposed to the Rural Agricultural and Ranching communities with issues of Water Rights Needs and the previously mentioned “debunked” legislation attempts Prop. 116. (3). That Front Range Conservationists will garner their populous votes and deepen their assault against accomplished the rural generational Ranching & Agricultural Family’s proven conservation processes around wildlife. (4). That Rural Community”s Health Care availability and costs managed by Front Range urban-focused leaders will not address important local needs. (5). That road and highway transportation needs are 100% different for rural mountain communities than urban highly populated communities. Rural populated cities like Steamboat Springs and Craig will never be the size of Lafayette, Louisville or Boulder and most citizens here live in small rural mountain communities with needs that are vastly different and require much different priorities. To this committee my point about your map introduced Sept. 3 is simple and with no disrespect intended. I welcome my friends & visitors from the populous Front Range with open arms, a handshake and a genuine thank you for coming. They have no business voting on who we elect to represent us and promote legislative policy locally or nationally for rural Routt County and the Western Slope. It makes no sense why this committee is intent on FORCING THIS KINSHIP with 2 populous Front Range Counties to the 2nd Congressional District of Colorado when the sole true commonality is tourism. We have 3 distinct Colorado’s, well known to our citizens, named the “Western Slope”, the “Front Range” and the “Eastern Plains” AND they each function very well vertically to create Colorado. The June 23 mapping depiction was perfect. The Sept.3 version is blatantly not in the Western Slope’s best interest. I ASK YOU go back AND USE your June 23 map for the new 8 Congressional Districts for Colorado. From the testimony you have received all summer you know with complete certainty what your decision will affect in rural Colorado for the next 10 years and beyond. I hope my thoughts were helpful and please, for the wellness of one of the greatest Colorado counties and western slope communities. DO NOT USE the Sept 3 mapping suggestion! Thank you again for your time! Tom Holley Oak Creek, CO

Commissioners for Redistricting in Colorado, I live in Montrose and attended the redistricting hearing at the Chipeta Museum here in June. The preliminary plan that was released on June 23rd impressed me as being a very fair map that was consistent with the Congressional Constitutional language approved by voters. That map reflected an awareness of and showed respect for our way of life here on the Western Slope. I was excited about the possibility of a district that accurately reflected our Western Slope rural values that are shaped by our agricultural and recreational way of life. Unfortunately, the first staff plan released September 3rd decimates the rural voice of western Colorado. What do Denverites have in common with the farmers of Olathe sweet corn or the orchard growers of Cedaredge? It is for this reason and numerous others that I support the preliminary plan for CD-03 released in June. Please do the right thing and give the Western slope its own representation.

The proposed redistricting negatively impacts rural Colorado residents by giving Front Rage residents a stronger voice in State government. This is unfair to those living in rural areas of our state. Please focus your efforts on drawing up redistricting maps that are fair and beneficial all Coloradans.

Re: Fort Collins in District 2 vs District 4 Fort Collins is very different from the Eastern plains and one of the goals of the Commission is to preserve whole communities of interest and whole political subdivisions, such as counties, cities, and towns. This map does not do that and in fact moves the County seat into a different Congressional District than the rest of the County. Weld County relies on extractive industries, (oil and gas) and agriculture. Fort Collins suffers the consequences of the extractive industries with non-compliance of EPA limits on ozone. We do not have interests in promoting such industries. Fort Collins has a large University which is a major driver of our economy. The University feeds the many high tech local industries, including solar power installers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, digital industry researchers etc. None of these industries exist to our east. Yet Boulder County has many similar industries and educational bases. In Larimer County we are focused on issues like wildfire mitigation, watershed restoration, multi-modal connections, climate action, equity and diversity, and dealing with urban issues like homelessness, high population growth, ozone nonattainment, and air quality issues, etc. We have much more in common with counties like Boulder County. Fort Collins has an extensive tourism industry, with breweries, music festivals and biking, again much more similar to Boulder County than Weld. While I understand and appreciate the effort to balance population, I feel that including Fort Collins in District 4 rather than District 2 is not the best way to achieve that goal.

I submitted comments yesterday, September 8 on Staff Map 1 (September 3, 2021), but the format for the agricultural data and the map of public lands did not show on your website, so I am re submitting as a PDF, attached here. Thank you