Apply to be on Colorado’s Redistricting CommissionsIn 2018, Colorado voters approved Amendment Y, which addressed redistricting for Colorado’s seats in US Congress, and Amendment Z, which addressed redistricting for Colorado’s state legislature. Redistricting takes place every 10 years to gather data to inform the process to draw boundaries for Congressional and state legislative seats for each state. Colorado will soon receive data from the 2020 Census, including information about the population, age and race of residents, and the redistricting process will begin in early 2021. Applications to serve on one of the two commissions that will lead this process are available now and are due by Nov. 10, 2020. What is redistricting? Redistricting is the way in which we adjust the maps of the districts for Colorado’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and for Colorado’s state House and Senate. The new boundaries that are drawn will determine how Colorado’s communities are represented in those institutions for the next 10 years. Our federal representatives, our state legislators and many of our local decision makers in towns and counties are elected from specific districts these policymakers will serve. These districts divide Colorado and the people who live in the state into geographical territories that balance the number of people in each district. Why is the redistricting process important? Where districts are drawn in Colorado will determine how your community elects policymakers that will serve on your local school board, city council, state legislature and U.S. Congress. It can also influence how political power and influence are distributed within and across communities in our state. Many of the decisions made in the redistricting process will determine who represents and makes decisions for your community, and directly impacts the health and well-being of you and your neighbors. How can my involvement in redistricting make a difference for my community? Your voice and participation in the redistricting process can help ensure that the redistricting maps developed for your jurisdiction benefit – and do not harm – your community. Participating in redistricting will lend your community a voice in this process, and ensure that it is informed by the people these decisions will impact. This participation can also encourage citizens to register, vote and remain politically engaged. Who can apply to be on one of the state’s redistricting commissions? The application process is now open to anyone who has voted in the last two Colorado general elections – 2016 and 2018 – and hasn’t changed their party affiliation (or non-affiliation) for the last five years. Applicants that are selected to serve on the commissions will receive a $200 per diem and additional reimbursements. Applications for the Congressional and Legislative Redistricting Commissions can be found here and must be submitted by Nov. 10, 2020. If you know someone else who may be interested in applying to be on one of the commissions, we encourage you to share this information about how to apply with your networks. Questions? Contact us or visit this website for additional Frequently Asked Questions. | 
