Colorado Neighborhood Coalition

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who can apply for the commissions?

A: With few exceptions, any Colorado voter who has been registered with the same party – or no party at all – for five consecutive years at the time of the application and who has voted in the two most recent general elections can apply for the commissions.  The exceptions?
  1. Anyone who has been a candidate for federal office in the previous five years cannot serve on the Congressional Redistricting Commission.  Anyone who has been a candidate for state legislature in the previous five years cannot serve on the Legislative Redistricting Commission.
  2. Individuals who have been compensated by a campaign committee advocating for the election of a candidate to U.S. Senate or U.S. House of Representatives in the previous three years cannot serve on the Congressional Redistricting Commission.  Individuals who have been compensated by a campaign committee advocating for the election of a candidate to state legislature in the previous three years cannot serve on the Legislative Redistricting Commission.
  3. Any individual who has been an elected public official at the federal, state, county or municipal level in the previous three years cannot serve on either commission.
  4. Any individual who has served as an elected political party official above the precinct level or an employee of a political party in the previous three years cannot serve on either commission.
  5. Any individual who has been a professional lobbyist — registered to lobby with the state of Colorado, any municipality in Colorado, or at the federal level — in the three previous years cannot serve on either commission.

Q: Can I apply for both commissions?

A: An individual can serve on the Congressional Redistricting Commission or the Legislative Redistricting Commission, but not both. However, there is no prohibition against applying for both commissions.

Q: How and when do I apply for the commissions?

A: Applications for both commissions will be published by Colorado Legislative Council by August 10, 2020. Applications must be returned by November 10, 2020. Click here to begin the application process and apply by November 10th!

Q: How and when are the commissioners selected?

A: Appointments to each commission take place in February and March, 2021, through multiple phases. The commissioner selection process includes checks and balances to ensure independents are not agents of the two parties: a rigorous application process, a five-year registration requirement, a panel of three retired judges (no more than one of which registered with any given party) who must unanimously agree to appointments, and a random selection process.

Phase One

Application Process
  • Leg Council conducts hearings / develops application
  • Qualified applicants submit applications
  • Leg Council vets applications to ensure compliance with requirements

Phase Two

First Six Selected
  • Random selection of 300 R’s, 300 D’s, 450 U’s
  • Judicial panel, looking for experience, impartiality, ability to promote consensus, narrows to 50 R’s, 50 D’s, 50 U’s
  • Random selection of 2 R’s, 2 D’s, 2 U’s

Phase Three

Final Six Selected
  • Majority/minority leaders of House/Senate each create pool of 10 finalists (4 pools)
  • Judicial panel selects one from each pool (2 R’s and 2 D’s)
  • Judicial panel selects 2 final U’s, ensuring each CD has at least one

Here are the key dates for development of each commission.

Milestone
Congressional
no later than …
Legislative
no later than …
Chief Justice appoints panel
1/05/21
1/05/21
Leg Council review of applications
1/11/21
1/11/21
Initial random selection of 300 D’s, 300 R’s and 450 U’s
1/18/21
1/25/21
Panel chooses 50 D, 50 R and 50 U finalists
2/01/21
2/15/21
Random selection of 2 D’s, 2 R’s and 2 U’s
2/01/21
2/15/21
Legislative leaders each send judicial panels a pool of 10 finalists
2/16/21
2/16/21
Panel chooses 1 from each pool
3/01/20
3/16/21
Panel chooses final 2 U’s
3/01/20
3/16/21

Q: Who chooses the retired judges who oversee the selection of the commission members?

A: The judicial panel consists of the three most recent retirees from the Colorado Supreme Court and the Colorado Court of Appeals, except that no more than one can be a member of any given political party. The panel’s decisions require unanimity.

Q: What qualities will the panel look for in prospective commissioners?

A: The panel will ensure that the commission consists of four Democrats, four Republicans and four unaffiliated voters. It must ensure that each of the state’s seven congressional districts have at least one and no more than two representatives on each commission. The panel will work to ensure that each commission reflects the state’s geographic, racial and ethnic diversity. And in selecting finalists, the panel must look for individuals who (1) have experience organizing, representing, advocating for, adjudicating the interests of, or actively participating in groups, organizations or associations in Colorado, and (2) relevant analytical skills, the ability to be impartial, and the ability to promote consensus on the commissions.

Q: What criteria are used to draw the maps?

A: The commissions are required to comply with the following criteria in drawing maps:
  • Equal population
  • Contiguity
  • Compliance with the Voting Rights Act of 1965
  • Keep counties, cities and communities of interest whole (to the extent possible)
  • Compactness
  • To the extent possible, without violating the above criteria, draw politically competitive districts

Q: Who draws the maps?

A: Each commission is composed of 12 members: 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 4 Unaffiliated voters. The commission’s maps are drawn by professional, nonpartisan Legislative Council staff. Any Colorado citizen can submit a map for the commission’s consideration.

Q: If I’m selected, what are the commitments of time and resources from me?

A: The time commitment for serving on the commission is substantial. The commission sets its own meeting schedule. In the past, the commission met once every week or two for a period of several months. Most such meetings take place in Denver. However, once the preliminary plan is published, likely in May and June 2021 (subject to alteration, if Census data delivery is delayed) the commission must hold hearings throughout the state. Additionally, commissioners will want to spend time reviewing public comment and perhaps developing and/or negotiating maps.

Q: If I’m not selected for the commissions, what opportunities exist for public input?

A: Several opportunities exist for public input. The commission will have a website by which citizens can comment on proposed maps or even submit proposed maps. The commission will also hold public hearings throughout the process.

Q: Will COVID-19 affect the redistricting process?

A: The U.S. Census Bureau projects that COVID-19 will delay the delivery of Census data to the states by as much as 90 days. A process that normally would kick off in earnest in March 2021 could therefore be delayed.

Colorado Neighborhood Coalition, P.O. Box 19730, Denver, CO 80219 | admin@coloradoneighborhoodcoalition.org