February 26, 2012 02:13 AM UTC

Denver Council to Hold Public Meetings on Redistricting

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• by: Colorado Pols

Often lost in the media frenzy surrounding reapportionment and redistricting is the fact that local municipalities also have to redraw their political subdivisions to match the newest Census data.

Most cities in Colorado have redistricting provisions buried in their city charter, and Denver is no different. Some municipalities go so far as to contract the entire redistricting process out to a third party, but the Mile High City is keeping it decidedly in house – the Denver City Council is taking charge of the line-drawing and will present finalized maps by the end of April.

While it’s unlikely that any sitting councilmembers will draw their own residences out of any district, the Colorado legislative reapportionment process soundly demonstrated that just about anything can happen when new lines are drawn.

To keep citizens involved in what could end up being a very complex process, then, the Denver City Council will be hosting a series of town-hall meetings in the coming weeks for input on proposed maps.

(DENVER)  The Denver City Council will hold five public meetings beginning February 29, 2012, in the different quadrants of the City to collect public input on several proposed redistricting maps.  All Denver residents are encouraged to attend and provide feedback.

At least once every 10 years, the Denver City Council must redraw its district boundaries, based on the latest U.S. Census data.  In order to comply with the Charter, Denver City Council must adopt an ordinance establishing new council district boundaries by the end of April 2012.  The new map will be effective for purposes of the 2015 municipal election.

On September 26, 2011, Council adopted Resolution 11-0661 stating its principles and procedures for the redistricting process.  In accordance with this resolution, five public meetings have been scheduled to explain the redistricting purpose and process to the public, present proposed maps, and gather public input.

Citizens will have the option of attending the meetings in person, or e-mailing their questions and/or comments to the City Council.  E-mail may be sent to:

redistricting@denvergov.org.

Citizens will have until the last public meeting on March 10th to submit questions or comments.

More information related to redistricting can be found on the Denver City Council website at:  www.denvergov.org/citycouncil (click on the Redistricting tab at the top of the page).

The schedule for the public meetings follows.

Central Quadrant:

Wednesday, February 29, 2012      

City & County Bldg., Room 391

1437 Bannock St.  

5:30-7:00 pm

Southwest Quadrant:

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Southwest Improvement Council (SWIC) Bldg.

1000 S. Lowell Blvd.

5:30 – 7:00 pm

Northeast Quadrant:

Wednesday, March 7, 2012      

Central Park Recreation Center

9651 E. MLK (Martin Luther King) Blvd.

6:00 – 7:30 pm

Southeast Quadrant:

Thursday, March 8, 2012    

Police District 3 Station

1625 S. University

6:00 – 7:30 pm

Northwest Quadrant:

Saturday, March 10, 2012      

Historic Delmonico Hall

3220 Federal Blvd.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

District 9:

Saturday, March 3, 2012      

Historic Delmonico Hall

3220 Federal Blvd.

10:00 am – 12:00 pm