Help Je co Clerk and Recorder “map the county”

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s redistricting time, and you can help “map the county.”

Jefferson County Clerk and Recorder Amanda Gonzalez gave an information session June 6 on redistricting.

Every 10 years, the county redraws the lines that determine a lot of political, economic and demographic information about Jeffco. This time around, Gonzalez is seeking the community’s help in redrawing the lines.

According to the Clerk and Recorder’s office, redistricting is a chance to redraw the lines from which county commissioners are selected. Those lines are also used to capture changes in the county, in community demographics, diversity, interests and more. It’s a way to expand lines for growing communities and redefine communities that have become more or less diverse.

At the information session, Gonzalez demonstrated a new tool that Jeffco residents can use to redraw district lines. The District Mapping Tool was developed in partnership with the County MGGG Redistrict- ing Lab, a Tisch College of Tufts University research group. The software offers two options for residents. The option is to use a blank map to draw lines basically from scratch and the second option provides a current district map with lines that residents can alter.

According to the Clerk and Recorder’s office, there are a few things to remember when thinking about the new lines. First, the district populations must be equal or close within a 5% margin between the “most populous” and the least. Then, Gonzalez and her team do not want to divide communities “with the same interest.” So, there is a focus on keeping towns togeth-

In addition to redrawing lines, Jeffco residents can identify communities by interest and diversity. Once the new map is created, it can be submitted to Clerk’s Office

Gonzalez also offers residents an alternative to the mapping tool. Submit comments on redistricting through an online form found on the Redistricting webpage. She is holding another information session from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on June 21 at the Golden Library, 1019 10th St, Golden.

Bring your maps (you can print them out), questions, comments and feedback to the session. Don’t miss this moment to redefine Jefferson County.

For more information, the mapping tool and an FAQ on redistricting, check out the Jeffco Redistricting webpage.