We live in a representative democracy, and the Constitution requires each 10 years to reapportion members of the U.S. House of Representatives in accordance with the results of a population census.
The Colorado Independent Redistricting Commission completed its work last year to redistrict all congressional districts to including a new House congressional district based on the increase in population in Colorado. The commission also completed its work to redistrict Colorado House and Senate districts that was approved by the Colorado Supreme Court.
Each precinct is to contain approximate 1,250 persons. Once approved, each county needed to set new precinct boundaries in each of the House districts by Jan. 31, 2022. This is now complete.
For the 25th House District, which spans almost half of Jefferson County, it means there are 52 precincts. The new 2022 maps show that 17 precincts are now in the sixth Congressional House District and 35 precincts are in the seventh House Congressional District. To further complicate counting, 20 precincts are in the 4th Colorado Senate District, 17 precincts are in the 16th Colorado Senate District and 15 precincts are in the 20th Colorado Senate District.
Finally, all voters in the 52 precincts of the 25th House District can choose their Colorado House representative.
From the 2020 census, precinct lines have been redrawn and precinct numbers changed. To see your new precinct number, visit weblink. This link takes you to the map, and then one has to navigate and enlarge and type in the street address.
After you find your new precinct number, go to the jeffcorepublicans.com or jeffcodems.org websites to find out the location of your caucus meeting, which will be posted after Feb. 20.
Get ready for caucuses
It is time for all members of political parties to determine their representatives. For Republicans, starting at the grassroots is the caucus. In late winter, each precinct holds a meeting to determine who will represent them and others in the next voting cycle in November.
For the 25th House District, holding 52 separate meeting is a significant event, so we have established Caucus Centers within the 25th House District. These centers are groups of precincts located within the central vicinity of public meeting places.
Jeffco Public Schools has offered to enable the Republican Party to hold it caucus meetings on March 1 at. Ralston Elementary School, Bergen Meadow Elementary School, Evergreen High School, Conifer High School and Chatfield High School.
For Republicans, registration will open at 6:30 p.m., and the caucuses will start at 7 p.m. The purpose is to elect/re-elect precinct leaders, and send delegates to the Jefferson County assembly on March 19 and the state assembly on April 9 in Colorado Springs.
From this will be assembled the slate of candidates for the Colorado primary on June 28. The caucuses are public, but non-Republicans can only observe. This is a great way to be involved at the grassroots level.
Precinct numbers
Due to Colorado redistricting, your precinct 10-digit number has changed. What does it mean?
1st digit: The Congressional District where you live.
2nd and 3rd digit: The Colorado Senate District where you live.
4th and 5th digit: The Colorado House District where you live.
6th and 7th digit: The Colorado County code on where you live. “30” represents Jefferson County.
8th, 9th and 10th digits: These three digits represent the unique precinct number where you live.
For example, Precinct number 7202530156 means the individual lives in the 7th Colorado Congressional District, the 20th Colorado Senate District, the 25th Colorado House District, Jefferson County, and 156 is the number of the precinct in Jefferson County.
In November when it comes time to vote, the ballot will contain places to vote for candidates in the 7th Congressional District, the 20th Colorado District, the 25thHouse District as well as other candidates for offices in Jefferson County.
Onweller lives in Evergreen and is involved with the High Country Repubicans.