Redistricting

Map of Jeffco showing three bands of color representing county commissioner districts 1, 2, and 3County redistricting is our once-a-decade chance to redraw the lines that define the districts from which county commissioners are elected. It's also a way to accurately reflect population changes, racial diversity, communities of interest, and provide an equal voice to all residents. Jeffco's redistricting process happened from June to early August of 2023. The new map (shown here), approved by the Commissioners, goes into effect with the November 2023 election.

  1. About Redistricting
  2. 2023 Timeline

Why does redistricting matter?

Jeffco is a better place to live, work, and play when residents are represented and heard by their government. Drawing fair districts matters because districts determine not just who represents you, but also who represents your community and geography. They ensure accountability and are an opportunity for groups with smaller populations--rural residents or racial and ethnic groups, for example--to have a voice in their government.

Redistricting, when it's a public process, is an important opportunity for civic engagement, giving residents a way to participate and influence the outcomes. It makes government more open, transparent, and accessible.

When does redistricting happen?

County redistricting is conducted every ten years after data from the US Census is available. In 2021, Colorado passed a law to allow counties with multiple districts to draw new boundaries in the second odd-numbered year after the Census, so the most recent redistricting process happened in 2023.

How are district lines adjusted? What factors are considered?

The district lines determine where county commissioners are elected. Districts must be nearly equal in population, with less than a 5% difference between the most- and least- populous districts. They also must be as compact as possible, meaning they aren't long and narrow, don't wind in curves or wrap around other areas, etc. While not required, districts also tend to be fairer when they keep "communities of interest" together, meaning they don't divide groups that share policy concerns, such as education or water needs; groups that share characteristics or identities, such as being rural or agricultural; and/or groups that live within the municipal boundaries of cities or towns. It's also generally accepted that districts must be contiguous, meaning they have to be a single, connected geographical area.

Do all counties in Colorado follow the same process?

No. Only three counties are required to have a public process for gathering public input on the redistricting process: Arapahoe, El Paso, and Weld. They are required to have a public input process because their five commissioners are elected from within their districts instead of by the entire county. However, Jeffco opted to adopt some best practices for public input to increase transparency and keep our democracy strong and fair. And we're the only county that voluntarily implemented such a public input process!