DENVER Democrats played their card in the Congressional redistricting game Thursday, introducing a bill to draw a new map that splits the Western Slope.
Senate Bill 268 would set up seven new districts. The Four Corners would be in a southern Colorado district that stretches from Utah to Kansas, and as far north as Douglas County outside Denver.
Meanwhile, Grand Junction would be combined with Boulder.
The intent is to create districts that arent safe for either party, said Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder.
The map introduced today creates fair, competitive districts that will allow voters to hold their representatives accountable, Heath said.
Republicans, though, vowed to fight it.
The Democrat maps are not only an insult to the law, but also to the thousands of Coloradans who have testified, sent emails and made phone calls asking for a map that is fair and protects Colorado communities, said Speaker of the House Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch.
McNulty is working on his own map, which he has not yet introduced.
The two parties began the year with a committee to draw a bipartisan map, but that effort melted down last week.
The Legislature has until May 11 to adopt a map. If it cant, a judge could draw the new districts.
Reach Joe Hanel at
joeh@cortezjournal.com