JOINT RELEASE: Majority Leaders Release Nominees for Redistricting Commissions

DENVER, CO – Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, today announced their nominations for the redistricting and reapportionment commissions established by Amendments Y and Z.

“It’s critical that when redrawing our state’s political districts, the people chosen to take on this task reflect the rich diversity of our state. From gender to race to geographic location, we need commissioners that accurately represent Coloradans,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder. “For far too long history-defining decisions have been made without all relevant voices in the room. This can’t continue. Our lists constitute every corner of the state and will help ensure Colorado’s future political districts will be fairly drawn to reflect the interests, values, and concerns of all of Colorado’s communities.”

“Amendments Y&Z were referred to voters with overwhelming bipartisan support, and we are committed to a redistricting process that is fair, inclusive and keeps elected officials accountable to voters,” said House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo. “The Coloradans whose names we put forward today come from every part of our state and represent the diversity and strength of our communities. Our lists put forward nearly a dozen women and people of color in order to draw legislative and congressional districts in a way that truly represent all of Colorado.”

Colorado is projected to add an eighth congressional district once results of the 2020 Census are released later this year. The nominees selected are acutely aware of how the state has grown and understand the need to protect voting rights and Colorado's communities of interest while drawing districts that provide fair and effective representation in Washington, D.C.

In passing Amendments Y&Z, Colorado voters required that the redistricting commissions be reflective of the state's gender, geographic, and racial and ethnic diversity. Under the amendments, nominees should demonstrate experience in organizing or representing the interests of groups or organizations in Colorado and possess analytical skills and the ability to be impartial. The first six commissioners for the legislative panel, picked through a random lottery, include just one woman, no Latinos or African Americans, and no one from southern Colorado. In light of this, Democratic leadership placed particular emphasis on nominees that can help ensure the commission's makeup is truly reflective of the Centennial State. This includes prioritizing women, indigenous residents, and people of color.

The Majority Leaders nominated the following individuals to be considered for the legislative commission:
· Sonrisa Lucero, CD7
· Adelia Tripp, CD3
· Polly Baca, CD1
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Alice Madden, CD2
· Joan Fitzgerald, CD1
· Heather Barry, CD7
· Pat Waak, CD4
· Leah Pryor-Lease, CD1
· Ray Rivera, CD7
· Tim Wolf, CD2
· Dan Daly, CD5
· Jen Walmer, CD6

The Majority Leaders nominated the following individuals to be considered for the Congressional commission:

· Arnold Salazar, CD3
· Simon Tafoya, CD1
· Sonrisa Lucero, CD7
· Adelia Tripp, CD3
· Martha Coleman, CD2
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Heather Barry, CD7
· Pat Waak, CD4
· Dan Daly, CD5
· Ray Rivera, CD7
· Polly Baca, CD1
· Blanca O’Leary, CD3
· Tim Wolf, CD2
· John Salsbury, CD7
· Bob Morehouse, CD2

The nominees represent the racial, geographic, and ethnic diversity of the state and hail from every part of Colorado.

Amendments Y and Z direct each majority leader to nominate up to ten applicants for each commission. The panel of judges will now select two members from each of these lists to fill the remaining Democratic seats on the commissions.