As the state’s reapportionment committee battles over congressional-district boundary changes, commissioners in Colorado’s 64 counties are redrawing the districts too.
But the process is typically more of a formality than a knock-down, drag-out brawl.
Every 10 years, counties must review census data to make sure the population is evenly divided among commissioner districts.
“This process is just a check and balance to make sure the districts are reasonable,” said Eric Bergman, policy and research supervisor for Colorado Counties Inc. “This is not as contentious as, say, drawing the congressional districts.”
Unlike state lawmakers or U.S. representatives, county commissioners run from a district but are elected and represent on an at-large basis.
“Redistricting has no significant effect on the citizens,” Adams County Attorney Hal Warren said. “The commissioners serve the county at large, not just their district.”
Most counties have three commissioners, although larger counties, including Pitkin, Weld, El Paso and Arapahoe, have five each.
Expanding county populations do not automatically equate to more commissioners, Bergman said. Counties must go to the voters to approve additional commissioners or enact a home-rule charter.
In all counties, one public-comment session must be held before the new districts are set. The counties have until Sept. 30 to approve new boundaries.
The people most interested in the boundary changes typically are considering a run for commissioner, Boulder County public information officer Barb Halpin said.
“The only people really scrutinizing the maps may be those who want to run for office,” Halpin said.
Caitlin Gibbons: 303-954-1638 or cgibbons@denverpost.com
