Citizen advisory committee will lead map creation process

Arapahoe County this week took the first step in creating new commissioner district boundaries as part of a legislatively-mandated process. Commissioners announced the appointment of nine residents to a Citizen Redistricting Advisory Committee, which will oversee the process of creating proposed maps and collecting public input. Commissioners will have the final vote on the new boundaries. 

Commissioner district boundaries must be redrawn every 10 years using data from the most recent United States Census. Due to a delayed release of the 2020 Census data, the Colorado Legislature in 2021 passed further legislation to give counties additional time to conduct the redistricting process. 

The committee will use statutory-required criteria, which includes current and projected population growth, maintaining political competitiveness, preserving communities of interest and input from county residents. Public input will drive the process and commissioners are eager to receive feedback from a wide variety of residents and communities.

“Our County’s greatest strength is our rich combination of different populations, businesses and communities,” said Chair Nancy Jackson. “We are excited to see how the Citizens Committee will blend these diverse backgrounds, viewpoints and needs into recommendations for a new, equitable district map.”

Process

Between January and August 2023, the redistricting committee will hold public meetings and receive guidance from county staff, who will provide information regarding census data, legal considerations and elections. County mapping professionals will create draft maps based on the committee’s recommendations. All draft maps and comments will be published for public review and comment on the county’s website.

The Board of County Commissioners will make the final decision on which proposed map to adopt. The advisory committee’s role is solely to advise the BOCC; its members will not vote on new district boundaries. 

The advisory committee comprises three members each from the Democratic and Republican parties and three politically unaffiliated members. Three alternates were also appointed to replace any member who cannot complete the process.

Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee members:

• Carolyn Boller, Democrat 
• Michael E. Dell’Orfano, Democrat 
• Karen Fisher, Republican 
• Carson Green, Unaffiliated 
• Diana Holland, Democrat 
• Debra Johnson, Unaffiliated 
• David Kerber, Unaffiliated 
• William McCartin, Republican 
• Stephanie Piko, Republican 

CRAC Alternate members:

• Freda Miklin, Unaffiliated 
• Caroline Penaloza, Republican
• Mary Vobejda, Democrat

Committee meetings will be open to the public and can be viewed online. For more information, visit www.arapahoegov.com/redistricting.