Public Comments

Comment Letter Regarding Redistricting We would like to thank the members of the Commission for taking on the task of creating fair Redistricting Maps for Colorado. When Coloradans voted in favor of Amendments Y and Z in 2018 it was because we wanted independent determination of districts, drawn to be representative of our communities, free of legislative involvement, and competitive. Another way of saying this is we expect districts to be free of gerrymandering or artificially drawn to favor one party over another. We submit this Letter of Comment to reaffirm our support for fair and competitive redistricting maps in Colorado. We are businessmen, lawyers, educators and professionals from the African American community who have spent the bulk of our careers investing in Colorado. Our children have been raised, educated and are pursuing their careers in Colorado. We represent several “communities of interest” as defined in the Colorado Constitution* and as a result have standing with the Commission on this matter. We fully support the bipartisan Congressional and Legislative Commissions created by Amendments Y and Z and feel strongly that both Commissions working independently should be able to draw fair redistricting maps, which will result in the new 8th Congressional district — one that is competitive socio economically and racially without diluting that demographic mix in current districts. In other words, fair maps. Thank you in advance for being worthy of the trust Coloradans have placed in you. Respectfully submitted, Eula Adams Zip Code 80231 Retired former Executive at Sun MicroSystems Mark Goodman Chairman MG Capital Holding, Inc. Denver, CO 80246 Eric Nesbitt Attorney at Law Law Offices of Eric L. Nesbitt, P.C. Englewood, CO 80112 B J Rodgers, Owner McDonald’s Wonderful One, Inc. Aurora, CO 80014 * "Community of interest" as defined in the Colorado Constitution section b) (i) means any group in Colorado that shares one or more substantial interests that may be the subject of federal legislative action, is composed of a reasonably proximate population, and thus should be considered for inclusion within a single district for purposes of ensuring its fair and effective representation. (ii) Such interests include but are not limited to matters reflecting: (a) shared public policy concerns of urban, rural, agricultural, industrial, or trade areas; and (b) shared public policy concerns such as education, employment, environment, public health, transportation, water needs and supplies, and issues of demonstrable regional significance. (iii) Groups that may comprise a community of interest include racial, ethnic, and language minority groups, subject to compliance with subsections (this article v, which subsections protect against the denial or abridgement of the right to vote due to a person's race or language minority group. (iv) "Community of interest" does not include relationships with political parties, incumbents, or political candidates. (submitted by email 5/13/2021)

I am writing to strongly encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud is no longer a rural outpost and aligns more closely with Joe’s current constituency.

The community of interest in northern Colorado is divided more or less by I25. Weld county has many differences from Larimer. Larimer county has an open space program and many natural area parks and trails. Weld county does not. Weld county allows almost all oil and gas operations with very few regulations. In the most recent pandemic there were numerous conflict between Weld County and Larimer County and Boulder County communities that highlighted a 180° different philosophy. Forcing Fort Collins, Loveland and Berthoud into a Weld county congressional district would mean that our voice is silenced. Weld county in the recent past has discussed leaving the state of Colorado. Larimer county has not. Larimer county is integrally tied to the foothills and the reservoirs of the northern Colorado water Conservancy District. Weld county is the oil and gas capital of Colorado. Larimer county should remain in the current congressional district and not be pushed back into minority representation. In the last election Larimer county turned blue for the first time in history. Weld county is represented by one of the most conservative and ethically challenged representatives in the house.

I am writing to strongly encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud is no longer a rural outpost and aligns more closely with Joe’s current constituency.

I am writing to STRONGLY encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud aligns more closely with Joe’s current constituency. We do not want any part of what Ken Buck represents.

I am writing to strongly encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud is has grown considerably over the last decade, and aligns more closely with Joe Neguse's constituency. Many people in our town worked tirelessly in Mr. Neguse's campaign. Redistricting Berthoud is not necessary and unwelcome. Thank you for the opportunity to comment.

The City of Broomfield is a community of interest that should not be mashed together with rural Weld County. Our priority concerns tend to be more urban - walkability, homelessness, urban sprawl/development issues, whereas rural areas are facing different issues. I don't believe a Senator or Representative can do justice to both communities. If we were to need to be combined with another area, we would be more similar to Northglenn, Thornton, Erie, Westminster or Lafayette.

I am writing to strongly encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud aligns more closely with Joe’s current constituency.

There has been a proposal to move my representation over to Weld Co and out of Congressional District 2. I disagree with this proposal for two reasons. First, as we are located on the Hwy 287 corridor, the needs and connections of our town of Berthoud is more in line with the needs and wishes of the other communities in District 2. Secondly, as our town tends to be more rural and conservative, it is important to keep that voice in District 2 as a foil for the overwhelming suburban and progressive voices contained herein. We need mixed districts with even voices, not different districts with overwhelming voices to one side or the other. Such organization creates echo chambers wherein neighboring regions disregard the needs of others instead of working to join a wider community.

I am writing to strongly encourage the committee keep Berthoud in Joe Neguse’s congressional district. The town of Berthoud is no longer a rural outpost and aligns more closely with Joe’s current constituency. Ken Buck will not be re-elected if it is up to me. I will actively campaign against him.