Denver City Council is in the middle of redrawing the council district boundaries, which is a lengthy but important process to ensure that every voice counts.
Denver has changed a lot in the last decade and has seen a huge increase in population. Our council boundaries need to be altered to reflect these changes and how they are represented at the municipal level. This process is to ensure every vote counts, in accordance with the Voting Rights Act, by creating new district boundaries based on the current population. These new boundaries will remain in effect for 10 years, determining representation until 2035 — which includes three municipal election cycles.
The goal is to create 11 evenly populated districts that are geographically compact and as reasonable as possible to uphold the one-person-one vote standard in the U.S. Constitution. There is special consideration for “communities of interest,” or, any group that shares one or more substantial interest, such as religion, language, culture, etc. Maps have been drawn, to the greatest extent possible, to respect natural boundaries and keep communities of interest together.
Over the past few months, members of the public were able to draft and submit maps, and city councilmembers then drafted maps based on that input and feedback. Community meetings were held throughout the city, and input directly from the public was incorporated. City council is now in the final phase of the process.
Here is the timeline:
Public vetting of proposed maps: Feb. 1-23.
Redistricting Committee debates maps: Feb. 1 to March 14.
Redistricting Committee approves final map for filing: March 14.
First reading of ordinance at Denver City Council: March 22.
Final reading and public hearing of ordinance at city council: March 29.
The adopted map will be effective for the April 2023 election.
Thank you to everyone who has provided feedback, attended a meeting and shared their community of interest. Public participation has been vital to ensure an equitable and fair process.
To learn more, get involved or view the maps, visit denvergov.org/redistricting.
Jolon Clark represents District 7 on Denver City Council. He can be reached at jolon.clark@denvergov.org or 720-337-7777.