Sen. Rollie Heath, D-Boulder, on Monday announced that Senate Democrats would introduce a redistricting bill aimed at creating competitive congressional seats.
Heath said the work of a bipartisan redistricting committee — with five Democratic and five Republican lawmakers — is officially over after members could not agree on a map.
Lawmakers have only 2 1/2 weeks left to pass a redistricting map, but the continued sniping Monday between Senate Democrats and House Republicans signaled an impasse that might be insurmountable.
The legislature is charged with redrawing congressional boundaries every 10 years after the U.S. census.
House Speaker Frank McNulty, R-Highlands Ranch, said Monday if lawmakers can’t reach an agreement by May 11, when the session must end, a special session won’t change anyone’s mind.
In that case, a judge likely will be asked to draw the map. That is what happened in 1980 and in 2000.
“I am disappointed Senate Democrats broke off talks,” McNulty said.
Heath said there was no point in the committee doing any more work. He said the Republicans on it had no authority to negotiate because McNulty held the power.
