Public Comments

Dear Commission, My name is Jimmy Bisese and I am a resident of Chaffee County. I would like to provide my comments regarding redistricting for our county. Chaffee County has a population of less than 20,000, and currently we are in a federal congressional district that is dominated by El Paso County with over 720,000 residents and a drastically different economy and geography. We don't even have a field office in our county for constituent services. We need to be included in a district comprised of communities with similar needs. Our county is over 80% public lands, and our economy relies on outdoor recreation and tourism. We are suffering a housing crisis that is pricing our residents out of the market. The issues facing Chaffee County are the same as those facing other mountain communities such as Gunnison, Lake, Pitkin, and Eagle, and many Western Slope communities. We should be represented at the federal level with counties that have a similar economies and geography. We have much more in common with other mountain counties that share our core economic drivers like tourism, outdoor recreation, and production agriculture. These counties also share our priorities, like affordable housing, greater healthcare and childcare options and equity, land conservation and stewardship-driven policy addressing forest and watershed issues, and infrastructure improvements like broadband and roads. I want you to include Chaffee County in Colorado’s 3rd congressional district (CD3) on the federal level. At the state Senate District we should remain in a district similar to the current Senate District 5 (SD5). For the state House, I believe our county should be attached to a district like the current House District 61 (HD61). Thank you for your efforts, Jimmy Bisese (submitted by email 6/11/2021)

I want to write to the Commission and express my concern that Heather Gardens in Aurora, which involves four precincts in House District 41, be kept wholly in House District 41 as is the case currently. This community should not be split up in redistricting. As the former House District 41 Chair for the Arapaho County Democratic Party, I know how important this community and its residents are to our district and to the City of Aurora. Heather Gardens is an age-restricted community of active, independent adults. It is located in the southeast metro area less than a mile from I-225, RTD's Nine-Mile light rail station, and Cherry Creek State Park and reservoir. The community is an established, neighborly, and secure urban enclave located on 200 park-like acres enhanced by the community's golf course. Breaking up this community into more than one house district would be confusing to the residents who meet and hold respective monthly party meetings for both Republicans and Democrats. However, two Heather Gardens precincts are currently assigned to Senate District 28 and two precincts to Senate District 26, and this has worked fine for the past 10 years. Presently, the three legislators, two state Senators, and one state Representative serve the community well. Please see that this apportionment for Heather Gardens remains the same. Thank you, Commission members, for your attention to this matter and for your service and leadership.

Lakewood should not be redistricted as we have no commonalities with Douglas County. Lakewood should stay in the same district as Wheat Ridge and Arvada as we have more in common with those two cities and don't need to be redistricted.

Dear Commissioners: Thank you for your dedication to the State of Colorado and, to be able to address you. I have the sense that the whole nation is watching Colorado to see if we can redistrict in a cooperative manner without gerrymandering the districts. I live in Boulder County and my comments are directed at the interests of Boulder County as a community of interest as well as a political subdivision. Boulder County has a population that qualifies us for two full state senate seats. To the greatest extent possible, keep both of the seats fully within the bounds of the county lines. The county’s population is such that we should have 3.7 +/- seats in the statehouse. Again, I ask that you keep three of these seats fully within the bounds of Boulder County. I’ll leave it up to your judgment whether the partial seat should come out of Broomfield or Weld County. For sure, the 2011 gerrymander from downtown Boulder over the mountains to Grand and Jackson Counties must be avoided or our experiment will have to be deemed a failure. As a resident of Erie, I understand that many of the cities in northern Colorado split county lines. I suggest you make the cross county drawing limited to city or town boundaries if possible.

I am a resident of Lakewood and it is my understanding that with the 2020 census complete the redistricting process is in full swing. It is also my understanding that the powers that be are wanting to included Lakewood as part of Douglas County for the purpose of the new district arrangements. Lakewood shares very little in interests, both politically and policy wise, with Douglas County and our common values are much more aligned with Wheat Ridge, Arvada, Edgewater and Broomfield. It should be that if redistricting must occur that we fall in line with other municipalities that have shared beliefs and interests.

I understand there is discussion around moving Lakewood to the same district as Douglas County. I am totally opposed to this proposal, and certainly would prefer that Lakewood remain in the same congressional district as Arvada and Wheat Ridge. Lakewood has very little in common with Douglas County.

We do not share the same school sizes, taxes based on home and lot sizes or demographic background with Douglas County. Do not lump us in with a district with distinct conservative political values!!!!

Lakewood is not a part of or shares any commen interest with Douglas county. They should not be merged

No more gerrymandering

There is no way that Lakewood should be joined with Douglas County in the congressional redistrict. Lakewood should remain in the same district as Arvada and Wheatridge. Lakewood has zero in common with Douglas County.