Public Comments

I think it is imperative that Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, Pueblo, and Rio Grande counties be represented by their own congressional district; this area (or block of counties) in southernmost Colorado has more Latinx population by percentage than all but a few other counties scattered over the state, and possesses its own unique culture distinct from that of the Western Slope, the northern Front Range, and much of the Eastern Plains. Placing Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, Pueblo, and Rio Grande in District 3 and Otero and Las Animas in District 4 dilutes the influence of Latinx peoples in Congress, plain and simple.

I think it is imperative that Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, Las Animas, Otero, Pueblo, and Rio Grande counties be represented by their own congressional district; this area (or block of counties) in southernmost Colorado has more Latinx population by percentage than all but a few other counties scattered over the state, and possesses its own unique culture distinct from that of the Western Slope, the northern Front Range, and much of the Eastern Plains. Placing Alamosa, Costilla, Conejos, Huerfano, Pueblo, and Rio Grande in District 3 and Otero and Las Animas in District 4 dilutes the influence of Latinx peoples in Congress, plain and simple.

Inclusion of Grand, Summit, all of Eagle, and Chaffee counties in CD3 would ensure that the mountain resort communities are included in the same district. Due to population, it doesn't look possible to have specifically a mountain resort district, which would be ideal, but having all of these similar counties in a single district will serve to not water down the issues important to these counties and give them a better chance to have representation at the congressional level that is responsive and understanding of the specific needs of mountain resort communities. The existing State House and Senate districts do a good job of regional representation that combines interests and creates a diversity of composition of those interest areas by not having redundant boundary districts (i.e. Routt is with Eagle for the House seat, but then with Grand, Summit, and neighboring counties to the west for the Senate district). Those same principles should be repeated in the new maps.

Routt County's history is based in mining and agriculture and its populace traditionally placed greater weight on those industries and the issues which affected them. That is no longer true. While there is still a proud and important tradition of agriculture here, residents are now far more invested in the recreation economy and environmental conservation (both for recreation and for agriculture). We are concerned about global warming and water issues – for wildfires, for river recreation, for growing crops/feeding livestock, for making snow for skiing – we are concerned about managing an economy strongly influenced by tourism – with associated high home costs and lack of affordable housing – and we are concerned about funding high level public education for our students. The community of interest that we should be aligned with is certainly not the entire western slope; we are more aligned with central-western Colorado communities with ski resorts and other outdoor recreation concerns. Thank you for your volunteer work on this commission and for helping ensure fair and equitable voting processes in the State of Colorado.

I am a long-time resident of Fort Collins (Larimer County). I have lived in Colorado since 1967 and have resided in Eagle County, Larimer County, and Weld County so I have experienced a variety of “communities of interest”. I DO believe that Boulder and Larimer County should stay together – and include the entire city of Longmont (even though part of Longmont is in Weld County). In particular, the cities of Fort Collins, Loveland, Longmont and Boulder have much in common; I will not repeat the comments others have already made about these communities’ specific economic, higher education, and other interconnected characteristics. One of our Fort Collins City Council members, Tricia Canonico, put this succinctly in her comments, “Larimer and Boulder Counties are united educationally, economically, and culturally. Larimer County's community interests, policy concerns, and geographical concerns closely align with Boulder's. Collaborations between the counties have brought economic success to our area. Larimer and Boulder are currently well represented by one congressional member who could ably continue to advance opportunities for both counties.” I DO NOT believe that any part of Fort Collins should be combined with Weld County (including Greeley) – as this would definitely – in our current political situation - NOT result in a “community of shared interests”. There are many rural areas in both Larimer and Boulder County that can provide a balance of urban/rural interests and voting. But I really wish that more people in this state could be more empathetic about the commonalities we have as both urban and rural Coloradoans – instead of all the values that are seen as decisive. Perhaps it is because I have lived in so many different Colorado communities, but I have values that span both groups. I love our mountains and plains; I have lived in resort communities and on ranches and farms. I have rural property in both Larimer and El Paso counties (used as grazing land). I am a graduate of CSU (in agriculture) that has spent my career working in high-tech. Yes, I am libertarian, pragmatic and somewhat progressive. I respect farmers/ranchers and understand issues regarding water and land use/stewardship. I also enjoy the vibrant, creative culture that exists in my chosen, thriving community of Fort Collins. Having grown up in Eagle County, some of the most interesting opinions I’ve seen in this forum are those regarding the mountain communities that revolve around outdoor recreation; it seems that these communities, with their shared interests and common challenges, do belong together. I realize that Colorado has changed very much since the 1960s – but we are a diverse, unique and beautiful state that should still have room for a wide range of values. I am grateful that we have an independent redistricting commission, and I hope that the results are fair and reflective of the trust of the Coloradoans who voted for this process.

As a Routt county resident, I agree with other commenters that congressional and legislative districts should be organized around the economic interests of the counties and county sub parts. Resort/tourism communities face different economic issues than ranching/farming communities. Grouping economically similar geographies together for redistricting purposes is a good course of action, as opposed to gerrymandering to maximize benefit to a single party.

Geography means a lot. Just drawing lines on a map to balance out population count does not result in the opportunity to effectively participate in our representative government. During the past 10 years with CD2 , HD13 and SD8 several west slope counties [I live in Grand County] have been lumped together with the west side of Boulder City and County. Here are some reasons I have felt very shut out of the Colorado legislature and congressional representation. 1. With districts separated by the continental divide travel time and distances make it difficult for voters and representatives to meet frequently. Frequent meeting is a key to building communication and trust. 2. Population density--urban verses rural communities. The needs and interests of people in these community situations are VERY different. When grouped together the higher density group will almost always win out during the election. 3. Economy -- economic drivers are quite different. Higher ed, High Tech require different representation than agriculture and tourism .

This will be the third re-districting cycle I have experienced since I moved to Leadville. Each time, I have seen Lake County placed in districts in which we are on the far periphery; once we were placed in a Colorado Springs-based district and we are now in one centered around Pueblo and the Western Slope. Lake County has been divorced each time from our communities of interest, such as Summit and Eagle Counties, and our needs have differed vastly from the needs of other communities in the districts. It often feels like we have not been seen in the redistricting process. I'd like to help make sure Lake County's voice is heard in these efforts. Since 2011, I believe Lake County is the ONLY community in Colorado north of Wolf Creek Pass that sits east of the Continental Divide. Think about that. The 3rd district is the Western Slope, Southern Colorado, AND Lake County. We are grouped with communities with different interests than ours--and we are not even in the same geographic regions of the state. It would be very helpful for Lake County to districted with other towns along the 1-70 corridor. 75% or our workforce is employed, for example, in Eagle and Summit Counties. With Lake often forgotten in general, having a representative who is connects our communities too would be so helpful to our county,

One of the things that most concerns me about redistricting is getting Pueblos better representation. We have been historically lumped in with the western slope areas which has landed us with the likes of Scott Tipton and now Lauren Boebert. Pueblo tends to be much more democratic and progressive. As long as we are part of that district, we will suffer with people like Rep. Boebert.

Dear CO Independent Redistricting Commission, Longmont is a growing and progressive community. We value diversity, care for our residents, and care for our planet. Currently, our Congressional district includes Longmont + Weld County + Douglas County + the Eastern Plains. Longmont belongs in the same district as Boulder County, as our interests and concerns most closely align with other cities in Boulder County. Longmont's State House District is divided between the 11th and the 12th districts. Longmont should be consolidated into one district, or one district + one shared district with another city in Boulder County. Like other cities in Boulder County, Longmont is interested in issues affecting open space, animal welfare, climate change, housing, and equal rights. Residents of Longmont do not share some of the major concerns of residents on the eastern plains, such as issues regarding ranching. Thank you for your efforts. Sincerely, Rachel Mark-Bachus