Redistricting in America

Two prominent Latino groups have released proposed redistricting maps for Colorado, further complicating a process that could have a dramatic effect on the partisan makeup of the state's congressional delegation.
The Colorado state legislature was unable to come to a consensus on a new map earlier this year — Republicans hold the state House, while Democrats control the Senate and governor's mansion — so the redistricting fight has been thrown to the courts.

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A Democratic proposal to redraw congressional boundaries would push Colorado Senate President Brandon Shaffer — a Democrat — out of the district where he is running for Congress. The Democrats’ map places Shaffer’s Longmont residence in the 2nd Congressional District, a seat occupied by his fellow Democrat U.S. Rep. Jared Polis. The proposal would take Shaffer’s residence out of the 4th Congressional District, where Shaffer announced on July 4 that he would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Cory Gardner of Yuma.

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War erupted at the legislature today, with Senate Republicans briefly demanding every bill be read at length until Senate Democrats agree to hear a House GOP redistricting bill headed their way.

Minority Leader Mike Kopp, R-Littleton, decided to use the rarely used stalling tactic after he asked Majority Leader John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, if the House bill was going to be scheduled for a committee hearing.

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Lawmakers predict the tug-of-war over new congressional boundaries will dominate the final days of the legislative session, which must end by midnight Wednesday.The legislature has completed its biggest task, passing a budget to pay for government for next fiscal year, a measure Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law Friday.

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Republicans today unveiled their redistricting map, calling it an "olive branch" that incorporates ideas Democrats floated when they drew boundaries for Colorado's congressional districts. Those Democratic ideas keep Denver whole, put most of Aurora in the 6th Congressional District and keep Longmont in the 4th Congressional District.

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The big fight over congressional redistricting entered center ring Thursday afternoon as Sen. Rollie Heath introduced SB 268 as the Democratic starting point for the state’s new congressional district lines. The map mirrors a version first presented in the failed Joint Select Committee on Redistricting, which he co-chaired.

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