Public Comments

To whom it may concern, Colorado is a very diverse state and that is great. The proposed map simply won’t benefit anybody. Urban areas should not make decisions for rural areas and rural areas should not make decisions for urban areas. Changing the current map to the proposed map is ludicrous. I live in Sedgwick county and to think that people who live in ft Collins who have never even been to a farm will be making decisions about my farm is very upsetting. With all due respect they have not a clue the things we do for production and conservation! If we are ever limited in these areas it will only be negative for everyone, including the people who think they are doing the right thing , they just don’t have the knowledge of what we do! In conclusion, changing to the new redistricting map is not beneficial and must not move forward. Thank you for your time!

rural colorado does not wish to be lumped in with front range liberals

Public Response to Colorado Congressional District (First Staff Plan) I completely reject the September 3, 2021, First Staff Plan for District 2. This plan for District 2 is the Antithesis of the Constitutional Criteria: Preservation of Communities of Interest and Political Subdivisions. It is starkly illogical and smacks of a political power grab by the left to combine Northwestern Colorado rural and largely conservative counties in which the top 3 primary industry sectors are: Energy production, Agriculture and Ranching, with the urban ultra-left liberals of Boulder and Broomfield Counties in which the top 3 industries are: Aerospace, Bioscience, and IT/software. In fact, the “non-partisan staff” would be hard pressed to find two more disparate communities and political subdivisions to combine into one district. The 6/23/2021 Preliminary Map is more acceptable. As a concerned citizen I wonder how such a drastic and nonsensical revision of District 2 transpired within the space of 2 ½ months. A quick search of the primary economic drivers of the rural Northwestern counties now thrown in with urban Boulder/Broomfield counties in District 2 show that the counties have markedly dissimilar economies and, therefore, different communities with different political and legislative priorities. Top Three Primary Industry Sectors for each county in District 2: Larimer: Agriculture, Energy Production, Manufacturing. Jackson: Energy Production, Ranching/Agriculture, Forestry. Routt: Travel/Vacation Services, Healthcare, Construction. Moffat: Mining/Energy Production, Ranching, Public Land Tourism. Rio Blanco: Energy Production, Agriculture, Ranching. Garfield: Energy Production & Natural Resources, Ranching, Tourism. Grand: Tourism/Outdoor Recreation, Construction, Public Administration. Boulder: Aerospace, Biosciences, IT/Software. It is fact for example that voters of the urban areas of Boulder and Broomfield Counties have actively sought to limit or eliminate energy extraction – the lifeblood of numerous communities in the Northwest counties. One need only drive along I-25 north of Denver to see how mass urban development has changed once verdant ranch and farmland; these interests are hardly aligned. As a citizen, I greatly appreciate and admire America’s backbone agrarian and natural resource communities that feed, fuel, and drive our economy and lifestyle that America enjoys. The 6/23/2021 Preliminary map kept communities of similar economic drivers and political subdivisions (per constitutional criteria) together in District 1 and District 3. The current UNACCEPTABLE 9/3/2021 (First Staff Plan) map for District 2 has divided the rural conservative 3rd district essentially in half and thrown together disparate communities and political subdivisions effectively favoring Democrats who hold a majority in the ultra-liberal urban Boulder/Broomfield counties. It also makes no sense to move the Democrat-leaning City of Fort Collins into District 1. It seems that the objective of the “non-partisan staff” is to also dilute the conservative rural vote of the 1st Congressional District by including liberal Fort Collins. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE 9/3/2021 FIRST STAFF PLAN DISTRICT MAP. I WOULD SUPPORT THE 6/23/2021 PRELIMINARY MAP IF FORT COLLINS IS PUT INTO DISTRICT 2. Michele Miller District 2 Loveland, CO

I support adoption and submission to the State Supreme Court for approval of the 1st staff plan released on September 3, 2021.

The newly altered redistricting map does not reflect all the work put into it thus far. There is no legitimate reason for these last minute changes Keep the western slope as one district and keep Boulder out of our district where they would dilute all our voices.

What unites us is being small and living local.We have schools with high standards and parents that are caring and concerned and involved,Our concerns about public policies are that Denver and Boulder try dictating what happens in our communities in Weld county, We have no desire whatsoever to be united in any way, shape or form to be associated or redistricted to be with those areas along with the Southern part of Colorado. We are a small farming and agricultural community and want the government to get out and stay out of our decisions on any scale. Remember the constitution, government works for We the People.Stop this insanity. Leave our districts alone!

I was very disappointed with the proposed districting map. It is critical for the rural and mountain areas of Western Colorado feel that they have a voice in Congress and in the State Legislature. By carving up the Western Slope you are denying a united voice on the important issues facing Colorado, especially with regard to water rights, tourism, conservation and forest management, and uncontrolled growth. This map looks VERY political rather than working toward a map that best represents the unique issues facing areas of the State. Please do not fall for the trick of just looking at population areas. Boulder has absolutely nothing in common with the Western Slope. It is a lovely college town with the typical concerns and political persuasions. Lump that area into other districts with urban issues and let their representatives work for them. We need to feel we have a fair chance at representation that reflects our values, concerns, and the dramatic issues facing some of the most important land in state. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

Once again, Colorado politicians prove that they cannot help themselves from pushing a leftist viewpoint! This so-called "Independent" commission is rushing the drawings of legislative and congressional districts, with delays supposedly due to Covid, [yeah right], now to ensure that the leftists in Denver, Boulder and Ft. Collins rule the state's agenda! You are NOT independent, and you certainly aren't listening to Coloradans! STOP CHEATING and LYING! Do a fair redistricting! You damned leftists always try to "fix" the results! Colorado is NOT the Communist Republic of Boulder! It's NOT the Socialist Republic of Denver! Give rural voters, [you know, the ones growing your food and raising the meats you eat and dairy products you consume], fair and honest representation!

Your plan to cut rural Colorado out by redistricting is wrong shameful and disgusting . The people of this state deserve better . PLEASE STOP !

Thank you for taking the time to consider my comments. I would say that the way the proposed redistricting is laid out, that it reflects more of the interests of the Denver/Boulder metro areas than it does the "Springs." Those that live in the cities of Colorado have different priorities than those of us that live in suburban and more rural areas of the state. Here in Colorado Springs travel is difficult with out a car. Road conditions and gas prices are a concern. With our schools, CRT does not mesh with our beliefs. Vaccine mandates and masks requirements also are not welcome. For myself, the 1st and 2nd amendments of the Constitution of the United States are extremely important. With an eye toward 2022 elections, we voters are watching carefully what is happening with our districts. This line concerns us because some of the redistricting does not seem to fit with this statement: (IV) "Community of interest" does not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates. And yes, voter integrity is also very important, as is the use of certain voting machines. "We The People" are paying attention. Thank you for your time.