Public Comments

I’ve been made aware of the possibility that newly designed maps being pushed by Commissioners Barnett and Kottwitz and support maps drawn by nonpartisan staff are being submitted without public disclosure. We are in a time in history of the USA while the world is watching that democracy must not be compromised by chicanery. I urge you to reject any and all maps except the one submitted by the entire commission.

Colorado redistricting is an opportunity to create fair elections which right now is something our whole family is very concerned about, based on the blatant voter suppression laws being passed in other states. Blatant partisan actors like Commissioners Barnett and Kottwitz cannot be trusted to make nonpartisan suggestions or plans for our Colorado redistricting. Please take a stand for transparency in the redistricting process, and reject any maps affected by the ongoing and unreported corrupt lobbying to gerrymander legislative districts for the GOP. Colorado is now a Blue State. The majority of voters vote Democrat, and that is because the GOP has not represented our values for quite awhile. To allow them to shove gerrymandered districts down our throats would simply result in MINORITY RULE which is NOT Democracy. For all the bleating about wanting to be patriotic, there are bad actors who want to stifle or kill our precious democratic process and fair elections. My 3 kids are young adults and hope to stay in Colorado, but they are so disappointed by the thought of voter suppression overshadowing our beloved state. Please take a stand and do the right thing. Thank you, Luana Rubin

I urge you not to approve or adopt the legislative maps proposed by Commissioners Barnett and Kottwitz. They do not reflect the criteria set forth for the redistricting. Thank you. Jim Starr

The proposed or final plan that includes Teller County in District 7 doesn't serve the interests of Florissant, which is my community. Our local affinities are either with Colorado Springs Dist. 5 or the interior mountainous regions within District 3. Redistricting the largely conservative Teller County in with more liberal and populous Jefferson County (in the Denver MSA) effectively overshadows and silences our political voices. Regardless of one's political affiliation, it is clear to see that this is a detriment to democracy. Teller County has no affinities with the greater Denver MSA. Jefferson County voters cast approximately 366,000 votes in the 2020 election — 58% Democrat. By comparison, Teller County voters cast approximately 16,500 votes — 66% Republican. If the plan proceeds to include both Teller County and Jefferson County in District 7, our political voice will become inconsequential. That is wrong. I urge you to place Teller county in District 5 which is the only logical, rational, and ethical decision.

Teller County is a sparsely populated rural community without similar interests as the highly populated Denver metro area to which we are planned to be joined. We are interested in mining and federal land use, as are Districts 3 and 5. We share employment interests with El Paso County (District 5). We live right on Highway 24, which connects us to many Western-slope counties which are similar to us, we are interested in the wildlife that roams around us. We do not wish to be redistricted and connected to a large city such as Denver in District 7 which has completely different interests to ours. Thank you for your consideration.

I don't feel that the maps represent the way we are divided by numbers of registered republicans, democrats and independents. In reviewing the maps this is not shown. It appears that Hunter Barnett and Aislinn Kottwitz are working with GOP operatives to lobby to shove through last minute changes. I urge you to reject these maps.

When Westminster community residents call the police or fire department, visit a nearby park or recreational facility, drink a glass of water from their kitchen sink, inquire about the repair of the street in front of their house or when the snow will be plowed in their neighborhood, they are interacting with the same community services. Westminster residents naturally interact and communicate with each other and are bound together through many common interests. When Westminster residents look to be have their concerns and interests represented at the state and federal level to whom do they speak? The most recent Senate Legislative and Congressional maps slice up Westminster. The House Legislative map recently presented by Kottwitz, Barnett, Fletcher, Hass, Horvath (October 7th, 2021) is particularly egregious. It divvies up Westminster into three House Districts and is inferior to the Staff Map 3 plan. The Kottwitz, Barnett, Fletcher, Hass and Horvath supporting materials states that “The goal of our request is to: Present an alternate map to Staff Map 2 and 3 and facilitate discussion, present new ideas, and build consensus while responding to constitutional requirements, public input, and communities of interest. There have been changes to prior map submitted in Aurora, Lakewood, Fort Collins, La Salle and others. There were some additional changes to keep communities of interest together and strive for increased compactness as required in the constitution.” This map does keep not communities of interest together. Will this Legislative Commission has fail in its final opportunity to keep the Westminster community whole? I urge the Commission to reject this map.

I urge you to take a stand for transparency by rejecting any maps that could be tarnished by the ongoing, unreported lobbying to gerrymander legislative districts for the GOP. Please reject maps being pushed by Commissioners Barnett and Kottwitz and support maps drawn by nonpartisan staff.

Please accept the maps finally arrived at by the Independent Redistricting Commission. They have worked diligently to support transparency and the spirit of the new law. Do reject the maps being pushed by Commissioners Barnett and Kottwitz and instead support maps drawn by nonpartisan staff. Thank you! judi ingelido

Please reject districting maps recommended by Barnett and Kotwitz and accept only maps recommended by the nonpartisan staff.