The new congressional map draft puts Greeley, Evans and others in District 8. Here’s what that could mean.
The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission on Friday released a new draft of the congressional map prepared by Colorado Independent Redistricting Commissions staff. Courtesy photo/Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission.
By Kelly Ragan
The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission released a new draft of the congressional map Friday that should satisfy prominent Latinos who expressed concerns about being stuck in a district they say doesn’t represent them.
In previous decades, Greeley and Weld have been included in District 4, which includes the eastern half of the state. With the new map, Greeley, parts of Fort Collins, Evans, Windsor, Johnstown, Milliken, Gilcrest, Platteville, Firestone, Fort Lupton, Brighton, and Thornton sit in District 8.
Other parts of Weld (think Eaton, Severance, Pierce, Keenesburg, and Hudson) still land in District 4 on the new map.
Notable impacts on Greeley and Weld
According to the Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission’s data, District 8 would be 38% Latino.
That’s a figure that mirrors the population in Greeley – 38.6%, according to the Census Bureau – and it’s something prominent members of Greeley’s Latino community spoke about earlier this month.
The previous map drafted by the commission left Greeley and Evans in District 4.
Prominent members of Greeley’s Latino community recently spoke out over the preliminary draft of the congressional map. The old draft left Greeley and Evans in district 4 which was 31% Latino.
Drafted borders of Colorado’s 8th Congressional District, as redrawn by redistricting staff following the preliminary plans released earlier this year. Courtesy photo/Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission.
“CD 4 has not represented Latino interests for the past four decades,” said Stacy Suniga, president of the Latino Coalition for Weld County and a former Greeley city councilwoman. “We would love to be included in and have a new start in the Eighth CD. CD 4 regularly votes against interests that really support Latinos. Our representative needs to be in tune with all of the people in this community, and not just corporate interests or people with means.”
Greeley-Evans School District 6 board member Rhonda Solis also noted previously that Greeley’s school district is 50% Latino.
“The kids and families in our districts need to be represented,” Solis said.
According to the commission’s data, District 8 is also a competitive seat – meaning there could be more robust competition as Republicans and Democrats vie for the spot.
The commission’s data also suggests Democrats could have a slight edge in District 8. Here’s the breakdown of registered voters within the boundaries:
28.2% Democrats
25.7% Republicans
44.2% Unaffiliated
2% Minor party
Republicans typically represent District 4. The latest draft also takes Windsor out of District 4, the district Rep. Ken Buck currently lives in and represents. Candidates don’t actually have to live in the district they represent.
What’s next?
The map released Friday is the first of three maps a nonpartisan staff will draw based on the 2020 census data – though the commission could approve the map as is if it gets eight out of 12 votes. The version released June 23 was a preliminary plan, or essentially a practice round.
Folks interested in giving the commission feedback on the map will have four chances to do so via public hearing. People can participate in person or online between Sept. 7 and Sept. 10.
For more information, go to https://redistricting.colorado.gov/content/meeting-comment/.
Sept. 13: Draft of House and Senate districts will be released
Sept. 14: Independent Legislative Redistricting Commission will discuss staff plans
Sept. 17-18: Virtual public hearings will take place on the legislative maps
Oct. 1: Final congressional plan will be filed with the Colorado Supreme Court
Oct. 15: Final legislative district plans will be filed with the Colorado Supreme Court