DENVER Rep. Scott Tipton, R-Cortez, testified in court Monday that he prefers a new Congressional district drawn by Club 20, the Western Slope lobbying group, to ones drawn by Democrats or Republicans.
Tipton was the first Congressional representative to take the stand in the two-week trial. The outcome will determine Colorados districts for the next 10 years.
Tipton said he wants minimal changes to the 3rd Congressional District, which spans most of the Western Slope and stretches into the southeastern plains.
This is a district that doesnt need to be changed, Tipton said. This is a district that seems to work.
At least five different maps are in play, and four of them basically grant Tipton his wish. All counties in Southwest Colorado would remain in the 3rd district in every map, but the various plans differ on the districts eastern edges.
Republicans would extend the district to Kansas on the southeast edge. Democrats want to shift Las Animas and Otero counties to the Eastern Plains district and add Lake and part of Eagle counties to the mountain district.
Tipton, though, said he prefers the Club 20 plan, which would add Grand County at the Colorado River headwaters to his district.
One map proposes major changes. Two Latino groups propose moving Pueblo and the San Luis Valley out of the 3rd district in order to bolster Hispanic strength on the Eastern Plains.
But Tipton said the Western Slope has proved it is competitive for everyone by electing Hispanic and Native American representatives.
This is a district that has demonstrated that irrespective of party, we elect the person. Irrespective of what your heritage may be, we elect the person, Tipton said.
Other members of Congress will testify Wednesday. So far, the trials major drama has been over the Denver area and the Front Range university towns. Democrats have proposed big changes to make a safe GOP district competitive in suburban Denver.
Denver Chief Judge Robert Hyatt is deciding the issue because the Legislature failed to produce a map this year.
joeh@cortezjournal.com