To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners' Office
Prepared By:
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Jacquelyn Bayard, Administrative Specialist, Commissioners' Office
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presenter
Presenter: Michelle Halstead, Director, Commissioners' Office; Ron Carl, County Attorney
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Subject:
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3:30 PM *Redistricting Process Update and Discussion
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
In early March, the Board provided staff direction to develop an advisory committee process to guide the County's redistricting efforts. Staff will present the plan for Board feedback and direction prior to implementation. Staff also will provide an update on HB21-1047, which may have an impact on the timing of redistricting activities.
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Background and Discussion:
All counties in the state are required to examine their commissioner districts in the year following a federal census and ensure that each district is as close to equal in population as possible (30-10-306, C.R.S.). The new district boundaries are required to be adopted by the board of county commissioners by September 30, and statute requires a public meeting to review the new boundaries a month in advance of that deadline. Additionally, the Board must adopt a new precinct map after all Congressional, State Legislative, and County district boundaries are finalized through court process by January 2022.
Usually, the Census makes population data available to counties in April - but due to COVID-related delays with the count last year, the new population numbers will not be released until the end of September. This delay will make it impossible for counties to comply with the statutory deadline for redistricting. CCI has been working with the Demography Section in the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) on some possible solutions. Additionally, Rep. Kennedy has introduced HB 21-1047, which would add additional requirements on the redistricting process for those counties who elect comm...
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