ICYMI: Colorado Newspapers Agree: Dems’ Redistricting Maps Out-of-Touch

Pueblo Chieftain Editorial Board says…

·         “We can’t see any practical, rational value in throwing all congressional districts into a gerrymandered map that would give the Denver metro area an undue influence on all of Colorado’s congressional districts. Sen. Heath’s maps constitute a politically cynical ploy that’s beneath any serious statesman,” (“Cynical ploy,” Pueblo Chieftain, 4/19/11, link).

·         “Sen. Heath could not describe the connection between Ignacio, San Luis, Springfield and the Denver suburb of Parker in Douglas County… Ignacio and Parker? That can’t survive the laugh test, and Sen. Heath should be ashamed for making such a bald-faced assertion” (“Cynical ploy,” Pueblo Chieftain, 4/19/11, link).

·         “What’s apparent is that Sen. Heath, as the top Democrat on the Joint Select Committee on Redistricting, is trying to further the political fortunes of two fellow partisans' evincing interest in congressional runs, Brandon Shaffer of Longmont and Morgan Carroll of Aurora,” (“Cynical ploy,” Pueblo Chieftain, 4/19/11, link).

Durango Herald Editorial Board says…

·         “These maps are only the first round of a lengthy process, but lawmakers must consider the best interests of rural counties, even though they do not hold enough voters to matter in the political scheme of things. Although redistricting is all about politics, it must not be blatantly, and abusively, partisan,” (“Border war; Redistricting plans ignore rural interests,” Durango Herald, 4/18/11, link).

·         “The issue is not as clear cut as the GOP wants to make it seem, but the Dems have it wrong,” (“Border war; Redistricting plans ignore rural interests,” Durango Herald, 4/18/11, link).

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel’s columnist Jim Spehar says…

·         “This thing is far from over... But even a committed Democrat has to be concerned when his party’s plans make hamburger out of the Western Slope and leave the steaks to be parceled out elsewhere,” (“Maps, congressional redistricting and other legislative ‘tomfoolery,’” Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, 4/18/11, link).

·         “Some of [the Democrats’] maps lump Pueblo and El Paso counties into the same district. That creative packaging of blue-collar Democrats and far-right Republicans would be the equivalent of a forced marriage between the Hatfields and McCoys, even if you ignore their battles over water and other matters,”  (“Maps, congressional redistricting and other legislative ‘tomfoolery,’” Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, 4/18/11, link).

Fort Collins Coloradoan Editorial Board says…

·         “And there's a lot to be concerned about…The committee conducted hearings throughout the state, including one in Loveland, and in none of the hearings did anyone suggest, ‘Hey, splitting Larimer County would be a great idea.’ But there it is in five of the six maps presented by Democrats,” (“Redistricting again descends into partisanship; Governor might need to step in to prevent issue from going to court,” Ft. Collins Coloradoan, 4/19/11, link).

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