Public Comments

Protect BIPOC communities! I love Montrose and the Western Slope but I urge the redistricting commission to love at other overlooked area. I have spent time in Trinidad and Vega which are both wonderful areas, what about the Meeker area with the rich history of sheep herding & the sheep dog trials still held there today. I urge the commission to look deeper and include more communities. Thank you, Pam Rule

My name is Judy Carnick. I live in Manitou Springs which, for me, is just about as close to heaven as you can live. Sitting on the western edge of Colorado Springs, we have the best of a small town community living against the front range and the cultural opportunities of Colorado Springs. El Paso county is huge both geographically and population wise. The people in this county are varied. They live in cities and out in the range lands. They are of all ethnic groups. We are fortunate to have the same mix here in Manitou. We create great art, music, we have a wonderful school system with very strong community support and we are very tight knit as a community. We are small enough to act on our beliefs regarding zoning, water and conservation. We share common goals and fairly nimble which means we are effective as a community. I am hoping that you will make sure the magic that is Manitou is not diluted by the current redistricting process. Thanks for taking the time to read my comments about Manitou Springs. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments.

Honorable Commission As a resident of a Mountain Community that depends on issues far different from those in Urban and farming areas, I encourage you to consider our needs. it is important to appreciate the value we represent to the Colorado economy. I hope you will keep Mountain Communities separate as you make your redistricting plans. Respectfully, Eliot Brown Telluride, CO

Hello, My name is Trina Seefeldt and I live in Denver. I am writing to ask you to prioritize BIPOC communities of interest throughout the state as you redraw the maps. This is a once in a decade chance to work toward a more equitable future. Thank you.

Dear Congressional Commission, My name is Amiee Beazley and I live in Basalt, Co. I've been a resident of the Roaring Fork Valley for nearly 25 years and value the small town, clean environment and progressive thinking of our community. Our town lies within both Eagle and Pitkin Counties. As we share similar values, issues and economies, we would like to remain aligned with other mountain communities in the redistricting. Thank you, Amiee

My name is Deborah Webster. I've lived in Eagle County, Colorado for over 50 years and have lived in Edwards for the past 8 years. While there is a ranching component to Edwards, we're most closely aligned with the Vail area which is only 15 minutes away. Many Edwards residents work in the Vail Valley in either tourism or the ski industry. I'm writing because Edwards is part of the 3rd Congressional District while Avon, our nearest neighboring town is part of the of the 2nd Congressional District. It makes no sense to me that Edwards is in a different Congressional District from the neighboring towns with which we share interests, values and community. I'd like to see Edwards moved into the 2nd Congressional District during the redistricting process. Thank you for your consideration. Deborah Webster Edwards, Colorado

Dear Congressional Commission, My name is Lara Whitley and I'm writing from my hometown of Aspen, CO, where I've lived, worked, volunteered and been a wife and mother for more than two decades. I'm a California native but have been a mountain gal since 1996. What I love most about living here in the mountains is being a part of a small community of folks who love getting outdoors in our high elevation landscapes as much as I do. We share many interests and causes, among them: recreation, tourism, climate change, affordable housing, and health care costs. This specific dynamic is often unique to mountain communities and counties. That's why I'm writing to request that you keep mountain counties as a specific community of interest during your redistricting process. Without it our voices and our collective values will get lost, divided and diluted. Please ensure that fair maps are drawn that prioritize communities of interest throughout the mountain counties! Thank you, Lara Whitley

Redistricting should and can be fair to the people not to a political party. All people want a fair and sensible redistricting of the State and Counties of Colorado. Please set what the people want ahead of any and all political opinions. All we want is fair and sensible, where the people make the decisions based on their clear choice. And that the government is truly "for the people, by the people". Not what we have now "a minority making all the decisions for the people. What you do now could protect the American constitution from any and all dictators in the future.

We need to ensure that we do things right for ourselves and our communities. We can no longer let the few small corrupt voices speak for us all. Our democracy is under attack by the GOP AND FOREIGN AGENTS LIKE RUSSIA AND CHINA. It’s a real threat seems like all of the world thought the Cold War was over in 80’s seem like someone has been dormant until they were ready for attack. Seems systematic and they used our racism against us. I blame conservative outlets like FOX, Newsmax and OANN. This is the foreign agents microphone and they are manipulating the right wing and it’s extremist organization to dismantle our democratic society. Democracy is ours if we are willing to fight for it.

My message is simple: Fairness. I urge you to strive for that as you do your work. I live in Larimer County (Fort Collins), which is changing from the almost all-white population, to a more multi-cultural one as the population of the county continues to rapidly grow. With CSU at the largest employer and one of the greatest draws of people to the city, I've seen a surprisingly high percentage of other nationalities come to live, and often stay, in Fort Collins. Many years ago, when I moved here, the population looked very "white bread." Not so much anymore! So I believe it's very important not to disenfranchise "minorities" who can't afford to live in my increasingly expensive town, and so live in surrounding, less expensive communities. Please strongly consider them when drawing boundaries. Thank you for your good work! Gary Jones