Public Comments

Dear Commissioners, As you are determining the new congressional district maps for Colorado, I think it is critical that you seriously consider the growth of my Latino community in Greeley. The issues we face are commonly felt among other Latino families like mine – how to find affordable housing, safe care for our children so we can work, strong educational support in our schools so our children can succeed and reliable transportation to get to our jobs and homes. Connecting Greeley with other communities in our area with similar growing Latino populations, such as Longmont, Northglenn, Brighton, and Commerce City, would help to create a district where a member of Congress could best advocate for federal funding and policies to improve the lives of families like mine. Immigration is another significant issue that we share in the Latino community, and we need a voice at the Federal level who can have substantial relationships and expertise with the agencies and policy areas that overlap and affect immigration issues. I hope you will seriously consider creating a new 8th district that gives my community in Greeley a strong voice. Thank you, Agustina Gordo

Dear Commissioners and staff, Thank you for taking public comment on redistricting. As you are considering communities of interest in drawing congressional districts, I encourage you to consider keeping El Paso County within one district. I am a long-time, engaged resident of Colorado Springs and El Paso County and I have seen how intertwined the communities within the county are. As a former member of the Pikes Peak Area Council of Governments’ Community Advisory Committee I know the local governments have worked together for decades on issues of transportation, air and water quality, economic development and military planning and more, here in the Pikes Peak region. Above all, I am hopeful for maps that require our elected congressional officials to pay attention to us locally; I hope that the decisions of the independent redistricting commissions and resulting maps will help resolve some of the partisan divide so evident in the country today. Thank you for your work.

It is common interest for all and vital to connect and unite same interests of the communities within the Congressional Districts. The West Slope has consistent Agriculture communities, geographic areas, resources and connections that must be maintained within the same Congressional District. Per Colorado Statute, shared concerns for rural and agricultural consistencies should be grouped.

The northern metro area of Colorado is home to some of the fastest-growing towns and cities in the state. Yet, our decision makers are stuck in the past of Colorado being a simple urban-rural divide. Our representatives and decision makers often play up this changing landscape -- building upon the longheld stereotype of their "base -- and ignore the wishes of these growing and increasingly racially diverse areas. Two experiences come to mind: Our region has been all but ignored with impactful rapid transit for all. While we have all watched helplessly as our neighbors to the south get lightrail after lightrail extensions, most of us are still stuck in our cars to get to work or school. The fracking in my Town of Erie is utterly out of control, with oil and gas companies acting with total impunity extremely close to homes, schools and children's parks. Any help we have requested from our representation has be dismissed before it's even heard. We need more balance and that means more fair and just representation in government.

I am a resident of Clark, CO in Routt County. I have lived in Routt County since the mid 1990s going to public school for elementary, middle, and high school and participating in the performing arts from then until now. I'm currently a freelance arts manager/administrator that partners with organizations and individuals advocates that advocate for economic diversification in rural communities, sustainability of water and land management, and advocating for affordable housing for full time residents in mainly resort areas, especially artists who receive payments via 1099s instead of W-2s. Our state house district is a strong one because residents of Routt and Eagle counties have similar values and plans tied to environmental sustainability, water and land protections, and diversification of job opportunities when snow and water levels are low. The county's state senate and national congressional placings are currently not in alignment with other counties, thus making it very difficult for our elected representatives to listen to our concerns and take actions for our benefit. Attached is a map made in 2017 counting the types of arts workers and organizations that are based in Routt County. Also, the cities of Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, and Breckinridge all have been listed as Top Arts-Vibrant Communities in America by SMU DataArts for the last few years. Steamboat Springs has consistently been listed for the last few years, and the other two similar cities have been on that list on and off. We (including Eagle, Pitkin, Summit, and Grand Counties) have strong traditions and histories of art making as part of the economy as well as a collaborator with other sectors (agriculture, outdoor recreation and tourism). Having our county be in districts with other "arts-strong" counties is critical for seeking economic recovery now due to the pandemic and going forward as more people move to the Western Slope. We need representatives that will value all that we value, especially arts making and ensuring arts workers can live and work full time in the region.

Kari Holcomb. Zip 81007. I have lived in Pueblo County for 16 years. Before residing in Pueblo I was a 4th generation resident of Canon City, CO. I have been a public education teacher for 22 years. I am writing to ask that you keep Pueblo in CD-3 with the western slope. Our interests in regards to agriculture align well. Agriculture is one of the predominant industries in Colorado and deserves to have representation as such. With the election of Lauren Boebert, CD-3 she has shown us what true representation looks like. She believes in the importance of energy production and the success of the Evraz Steel Mill which has been a stronghold in Pueblo for many years. Our water resource is very important here in Pueblo as it is on the western slope. There are three major river basins that drain the south 1/3 of the state and the agriculture fostered by those rivers was the basis for the local economy long before Colorado was a state. Pueblo is still rural with common diverse cultures, and economic interests. Pueblo is based on long standing family ties. Even the steel mill culture of Pueblo dates back many generations. Boebert has family values, she is conservative and and believes in representing ‘we the people.’’ We are a smaller community and should not be placed with Urban areas that do NOT represent us well! Please keep us in district CD-3. Thank you!

Thank you for giving us the opportunity to comment regarding the possibility of redistricting. My name is Rachael Jacobson, and I am a mother of 4 young, active children. We live in the beautiful, western, rural, mountainous town of Steamboat Springs. We moved to Steamboat to raise our children in a place free of the hustle and bustle of a big town, and to be surrounded by nature with national forests just minutes from our home. Agriculture and small businesses are a large part of not only the charm of this town but what keeps food on the tables of many within the community. Steamboat is a place that we are so lucky to call home. We live where people vacation! Maintaining our town’s identity is vital to our family and our community. It is important that we have a rural voice that speaks for our ranchers, small businesses, tourism, housing, the environment (including maintaining our forests) and other important local matters. It is essential that we maintain a rural mindset for our little town to preserve the charm that Steamboat has to offer to residents and tourists alike. I am grateful for this opportunity to have our voices heard for consideration. Thank you for your time.

Please consider having Eagle, Jackson, and Routt counties part of CD 2 with Gilpin, Clear Creek and other front range counties with Joe Neguse would being the Representitive.

I live in La Plata County, which is a mix of urban and rural areas. There seems to be an assumption that CD3 will continue pretty much as-is since it covers the entire Western Slope. I would like to suggest that the Commission look at other ways to draw the districts. For example, an east-west line could be drawn through the current CD3 dividing it into north and south. Obviously, this would require those 2 districts to then be extended further to the east to get the required population. The effect of this would be to create two districts that included a mix of both urban and rural areas. This is not to say that this is the only good solution. But putting the entire Western Slope in one district dilutes the voting power of those primarily rural areas. I don't have the data to make any definite suggestion, but I would like the Commission to "think out of the box" and not just tweak the old ideas.

To whom it may concern: I am writing about the redistricting of my 3rd Congressional District. I feel that having Lauren Boebert as MY representative is crucial to me and my family's welfare. You see, Lauren protects the ideals that we hold dear to our heart- Faith, Family and Country! She absolutely protects the Constitution! Her youth and dynamic energy is something that has been missing for some time. She is absolutely fearless and a great role model for any young girl. Pueblo West and Pueblo are unique populations - we are retirees who have moved for the slower pace and great weather. We are young families with children who would like to see Pueblo West grow. We are life long residents of Pueblo who only want to see the best for their beloved city! Farmers and ranchers who all have one thing in common - we loved our community AND we love Lauren! Lauren understands the various populations and she WORKS for us! I have personally witnessed how Lauren connects with completely divergent groups of people. We the People of Pueblo have voted for Lauren Boebert and want her to remain our Congressional Representative! I thank you for your careful attention to this matter. I really don't want to have to move again! Cathleen Culhane Howland 2062 W. Keota Dr. Pueblo West, Co 81007 720-810-2504