AOTL Colorado Submits Legal Brief to the State Supreme Court on Congressional Map

For Immediate Release:
October 8, 2021
Contact:
Fabiola Rodriguez
rodriguez@redistrictingaction.org

Legal Brief Calls on State Supreme Court to Send the Congressional Map Back to the Commission 

Denver, Colorado -- Today, All On The Line Colorado submitted a brief to the Colorado Supreme Court regarding the Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission’s congressional map. The brief outlines that while the Commission drew a map accomplishing many of its goals, it relied on a flawed legal understanding of both the minority electoral influence and competitiveness provisions of the state constitution. 

The brief argues that the Commission abused its discretion in drawing the lines of the new 8th congressional district by inappropriately prioritizing political competitiveness over the preservation of whole communities of interest and the protection of minority electoral influence – in conflict with the state constitution. It calls on the state Supreme Court to send the map back to the Commission to remedy those issues and deliver a map that abides by the state constitution. 

“In response to significant public testimony, Colorado’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission drew and approved a map that created a new 8th congressional district that stretches from the north Denver suburbs of west Adams County to Greeley. However, the lack of consideration of minority electoral influence -- which is protected in the state constitution -- and the misprioritization of competitiveness over keeping communities of interest whole resulted in abuse of discretion in drawing the lines of the 8th congressional district. This is unacceptable and a violation of the state’s constitution,” said Marco Dorado, AOTL Colorado State Director. 

“The Commission relied on a flawed legal understanding of both the minority electoral influence and competitiveness provisions of the state constitution that resulted in an 8th congressional district that doesn’t actually create meaningful opportunity for Latinos to influence an election. Therefore, the state Supreme Court should direct the Commission to reevaluate the boundaries of the 8th congressional district. There were several maps considered by the Commission including one with an 8th congressional district that would preserve communities of interest between west Adams County and Greeley, protect minority electoral influence, and adhere to the principles outlined in Amendment Y that were overwhelmingly supported by the people of Colorado in 2018,” continued Dorado. 

The full brief filed today can be viewed here. 

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