Arapahoe County adopts new district boundaries

BY NINA JOSS NJOSS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Arapahoe County’s commissioners have adopted new district boundaries, which will take e ect in the 2024 election cycle.

e redistricting process was kicked o at the end of last year in response to the most recent U.S. Census data. Per state law, county commissioners must redraw commissioner district boundaries every 10 years to account for population growth.

Along with jurisdictions across the country, Arapahoe County conducted the process later than normal due to pandemic-induced delays in data.

e new boundary map, created by a nine-member Citizens Redistricting Advisory Committee, aims to create compact districts that have equal populations, preserve communities of interest and maintain political subdivisions such as towns and cities, according to the county’s website. e new boundaries are also meant to maintain political competitiveness for the districts.

“It’s a great map that is the culmi- nation of a lot of hard work,” Board Chair Carrie Warren-Gully, who represents District 1, stated in a press release. e press release says the new boundaries will:

Move the City of Glendale from District 5 to District 4; Shift the eastern borders of Districts 2, 4 and 5 eastward; Make roadways the primary dividers between Districts 2 and 3 (Smoky Hill Rd.) and Districts 4 and 5 (Jewell Ave.); and Ensure that communities in the southwestern rural areas of District 3, communities along the I-25 corridor and communities within the area around Cherry Creek State Park will each be preserved inside a single district.

During the process, the committee reviewed 19 di erent draft maps, including some submitted by county residents, the press release stated.

From January to May, the committee – made up of three Democrats, three Republicans and three unafliated members -- worked with county sta to nalize four draft district maps. e public had the opportunity to share their thoughts on the proposed boundaries at ve public engagement hearings, two Board of County Commissioners meetings and online. e new boundaries were unanimously adopted by the commissioners on July 25.

Next, mapping specialists in the Clerk and Recorder’s O ce will adjust precincts to be compatible with the new district boundaries and will submit changes to the Secretary of State’s o ce for nal approval by Sept. 30.

Two commissioner district seats will be up for election in the 2024 general election. Citizens will vote for a commissioner in District 3, a seat currently held by Commissioner Je Baker, and District 5, a seat currently held by Commissioner Bill Holen, who is term-limited.