Public Comments

As a resident in northern Douglas County, I am disappointed that my area is proposed to be redistricted from US Congressional District 6 to District 4. We took respite in our District 6 representation as we cringed against the positions of our local county representatives (i.e. leaving our local health department during Covid-19). The new plan would now move us (as South Metro Denver suburbia) to the larger and more rural District 4, with whom we have fewer issues in common. I strongly recommend that South Metro Denver stay in District 6. Thank you.

Actually I have already shared my opinion about Fort Collins joining Weld County but wanted to make an additional comment about lifestyle. We have nothing in common with Greeley’s way of life, raising cattle, wanting to split from Colorado to join Wyoming! Please keep us part of civilization, even Boulder County would be more appropriate.

No redistricting! Stop the Republican steal!!!!!! Life long Larimer country resident

I want rural Colorado to have a voice. This is ridiculous. Allowing Denver, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs to be the only ones that have voices because of their populations is absolutely absurd. Why not group like areas together. Bulk Denver and Boulder and surrounding urban areas with them. Bulk the plains together. Bulk south western Colorado together. Bulk south Eastern Colorado. Bulk Fort Collins and surrounds Communities and Bulk Colorado Springs and it's surrounding areas together. Rural Coloradoans would like a voice of the people that represent us. We want someone from our area to be the one that we vote for. I am in Loveland Co and I am probably going to be represented by Boulder or Fort Collins, but my parents who live in Durango should be represented by a more rural area than just all of southern Colorado since they are widely diverse in that area. Denver and Boulder should be one area. They are close enough together and have viewpoints that closely represent each other they should represent one district together, instead of getting separate districts. I would like to see rural Colorado get more equal representation in our votes.

Since it is, first and foremost, the Larimer County Seat; Fort Collins should remain aligned with the rest of Larimer County. One of the Colorado Redistricting Commission goals is to preserve whole communities of interest; as well as political subdivisions, such as counties, cities, and towns. The proposed map does not accomplish that. It would move the Larimer County Seat into a different Congressional District, separating it from the rest of the county. As well, it’s interesting that on the Eastern Plains, the county seat (which is Greeley) only has the courthouse part in the proposed Weld County District. It’s my understanding that Fort Collins folks would have to go to the Weld courthouse for state things, but remain with Larimer for national legislation. At the very least, this is convoluted, confusing and inefficient. Second, Fort Collins does not share the same interests as the Eastern Plains, and this alignment would effectively split the county’s focus in two different directions. The commission proposal attempts to couple an urban, high-tech community with Weld County--a community, that heavily relies not only on extractive oil and gas industries, but also on agriculture, which isn’t as high a priority in Fort Collins. Fort Collins experiences consequences from the extractive industries—due to current non-compliance with EPA limits for ozone levels. That’s as Fort Collins lies 10th from the bottom, for air quality, in the United States. Clearly, many Fort Collins folks do not share an interest in promoting such industries. As well, Fort Collins has a developed a unique tourism industry. Our local industry is renowned for (among other things) designated natural areas, popular local breweries, music festivals and the Music District, in general. It’s part of what makes Fort Collins what it is—a distinctive destination for national and world-wide travelers. Next, Colorado State University is a primary driver for our economy. The university provides a highly-trained, work force to local industries; which include among others, solar power installers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and digital industry researchers. The high-tech nature of these industries might make us a better match with Boulder County. That’s because Boulder features a similar high-tech industry and educational base, which would manifest similar representation. Finally, separating the county seat from the county at large would split the county’s focus. Separating the county seat (inclusive of Fort Collins--the largest population center) from the rest of the county that’s it’s charged with governing also makes interacting with the Colorado Congressional Delegation more difficult. Those with the most knowledge of the region would have to work much harder to interact with two different congressional staffs. As well, those different staffs would most likely have significantly different priorities—perhaps even opposing priorities. The end result could likely be that issues we have in Fort Collins would largely be ignored. Effectively, that is lack of representation. Fort Collins should remain aligned with Larimer County. Sincerely, Betsy Perna betsy.perna@comcast.net

I do not want metro communities watering down and making decisions for my rural district! This is a ridiculous and Denver metro should not be making rules and decisions for rural Colorado.

I approve of splitting the Western Counties into two separate Congressional Districts: A Northern and a Southern. Thanks for you hard work.

Taking the county seat (Fort Collins) out of the county district? This does not seem to serve communities of interest. Neither does the idea of separating Boulder and Fort Collins, nor the combination of rural/farming areas with those of a small metro area such as Fort Collins- also home to a very important waterway (the Poudre). A ridiculous redistricting that needs serious reconsideration. Writing this seems strange, as a quick drive through D4 & D2 should give a clear distinction to where Fort Collins belongs in the mix.

I am very impressed with the Colorado Congressional District (First Plan). I currently live in the 3rd district (First Plan, 2nd District). This plan would combine Routt County with other counties with similar concerns (Summit and Boulder) but still maintain much of its rural identity as well.

I am satisfied with the current draft. Thank you for listening