Public Comments

I am adamantly opposed to the notion that Fort Collins, as carved from District 2 and redrawn as a part of District 4 for Congressional representation, in any way is the development of a "sense of community" or any similar designation by such an act. This flies in the face of everything Fort Collins is; and, it is most certainly, not rural/agrarian in nature, and, it does not rely on extractive energy, i.e., oil and gas, production as a significant part of its economic base regarding pecuniary assessments within the county in which located. Fort Collins is quite different than any town in the entire area represented currently by the mapping of District 4. Fort Collins' economy is based on technology / technological development and manufacturing, education, entertainment featuring visual, musical, gastronomical delights, the arts, and, on craft beverage industries as well as a solid and burgeoning cannabis market. Fort Collins' populous is not focused on energy development and the ultimate need to control environmental concerns beyond those it currently deals with partly as affected by the very industries in eastern Colorado that it opposes expansion of, and, the attendant air quality diminution created by the extractive industries. Tax uses are applied in a wholly different need schema than those in rural eastern Colorado. Fort Collins embraces Colorado State University providing a world class education to a diverse ethnic base in engineering, medicine, computer technology and houses a world class veterinary college. There is nothing like this in eastern Colorado and certainly not the ethnic diversity which is an integral part of Fort Collins. Fort Collins manages a significantly different set of goals, needs and services apportioned within the community than those issues as relates to the more rural requirements of eastern Colorado. I would challenge any assertion that Fort Collins populous, as well as the city's primary goals, objectives and diverse management concerns, in any way mirrors the challenges of eastern Colorado. In fact, such re-districting could lead to major economic degradation of an already thriving community which in no way, represents or could actually represent the needs of rural communities which espouse different goals, objectives and commitments. This would be an economic disaster worthy of litigation. Thanking you in advance for your clear-sighted rejection of this proposal which portends of an economic train wreck; and, of a total mis-alignment of rural and urban focus, I remain respectfully yours, Harold Kemp, 930 Queens Court Fort Collins, CO

Rural Colorado is a unique community of interest with special needs in agriculture, water etc. and should NOT be combined with urban and suburban populations; The redistributing fails to reflect the differences in water administration, ag industry makeup, and social landscape between eastern and western parts of our state. I support the redistricting as set forth by the Colorado Farm Bureau. Please recognize rural Colorado as a distinct community of interest with public policy concerns based on agriculture, employment, and water needs and supplies, which are different from urban and suburban communities. I feel this plan dilutes our voice to the point we won’t be able to have the say we need and want. The vote will be carried by people who don’t understand the needs we have in rural Colorado. Please reconsider your boundaries.

This map prioritizes the interests of the Denver Metro (other than Republican Douglas County) and adversely targets and unfairly diminishes the voices of rural Coloradans. The commission's choice to split up the Western Slope, goes against voices, stated wishes and representative interests of the people who live here.

Hello, as a resident of Fort Collins for 31 years, I am writing in opposition of the proposed congressional redistricting map. The population Fort Collins has so much grown over the years that we no longer have the same interests as the rural communities to the east of us. Fort Collins’ focus is on sustainability, water conservation, tourism, recreation, homelessness, the economy and business, the tech industry, higher education, etc. Fort Collins as a community is much more aligned with Boulder than we are the eastern communities. Our interests as a mid-size city do not align with the interests of our agricultural neighbors to the east. Please re-evaluate this plan.

I believe the shared interests/public policy concerns of Fort Collins are climate change, gun control, diversity and inclusion, immigration, natural areas. We do not share the same viewpoints on these issues as the eastern part of Colorado, with which parts of Fort Collins are being joined in this redistricting. Also, in this redistricting, Fort Collins is divided. Please keep our city together in one district, under Rep. Neguse.

I was in attendance and acknowledged your current map, at the time, and at the Lakewood meeting, You are taking CD 7 to the interests of those that are NOT like-minded. I as a Jeffco resident have nothing to do with one the lives in Breckenridge and live a completely different life style. Why would you put our county and congressional district with those who think differently than us.

My comment will be short. As a Coloradan that lives in a rural part of the state, the new map makes no sense as it pairs every rural area with some sort of metro area. The issues that face these two areas are very different and thus should not have the same representation. I urge you to redraw the map where it makes sense to the differences in issues faced by both metro and rural Coloradans. Thank you.

I think the map that was recently released looks very fair. I think it is a good idea to split up the western slope into 2 separate districts. Maybe if there are high density populations included with rural districts we will ALL learn more about each other and work together better for the common good. Being siloed into our districts strictly based in rural/urban lends itself to tribalism. Also, high density populations traditionally bring in more tax revenue which would mean more money to spread throughout a district with a mix or urban/rural for education, infrastructure etc which benefits everyone. I wholeheartedly support splitting up the western slope.

I most ardently disagree with the latest "First Staff Plan" Congressional map released by the Congressional Redistricting Commission. This map fails in a huge way to recognize the importance of allowing rural communities to have a voice that is not diluted by urban interests. I have resided in Kiowa County for 28 years and have been actively engaged in various rural and agricultural organizations both at the local and state level. I also have friends and relatives that live in the urban corridor along I-25. Consequently, I am very aware of the distinct differences between these communities regarding perspectives and issues of interest. I fail to see how this map creates any "community of interest" that distinctly represents rural Colorado as each district includes urban communities such as Boulder and Fort Collins with rural communities such as Craig, Sterling, Lamar and La Junta. The concerns of rural Coloradans have been overlooked if not intentionally ignored by those living along the Front Range for decades. It is critical that we be allowed to have a voice that isn't overshadowed by those who have little desire to see our point of view on numerous issues including but not limited to: water administration, agricultural labor, estate tax, farm bill, ag business development and retention, roads, trade, Bill of Rights (in particular religious freedom and gun control), law enforcement, school curriculum, and health care.

My family and I live in Blue River, Colorado, a town considered a bedroom community of Breckenridge. My zip code is even the same as Breckenridge. It’s pretty ridiculous that we may be separated from the rest of Summit County into a different congressional district, especially as our county talks and works as a whole. It’s always been Summit County, not each individual town. It doesn’t make any sense. Physically, even, the county divides after Hoosier Pass. Blue River ends many miles before that. Mt. Quandary and its hoards of hiking troubles- beyond Blue River still- are guess what? A Summit County problem, Summit County search and rescue problem, not park county. The ridiculous new traffic coming from south on highway 9- yep, a summit county problem to deal with. Ask anyone who lives here, we and our issues are clearly summit county.