HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252031.tiffHearing Certification
Docket No. 2025-52.B
Board of County Commissioners
Weld County, Colorado
Sitting as the Redistricting Commission
Public Hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado,
sitting as the Redistricting Commission, to receive input from the public regarding
changing the boundary lines of Commissioner Districts in Weld County, Colorado,
as proposed by the Weld County Redistricting Advisory Committee pursuant to
Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 30-10-306 et. seq.
A public hearing was conducted on July 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m., with the following present:
Commissioner Perry L. Buck, Chair
Commissioner Scott K. James, Pro-Tem
Commissioner Jason S. Maxey
Commissioner Lynette Peppler
Commissioner Kevin D. Ross
Also present:
Clerk to the Board, Esther E. Gesick
Assistant County Attorney, Matthew Conroy
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated July 1, 2025, and duly published July 4,
2025, in the Greeley Tribune, a Public Hearing of the Board of County Commissioners of
Weld County, Colorado, sitting as the Redistricting Commission, was conducted to
receive input from the public regarding changing the boundary lines of Commissioner
Districts in Weld County, Colorado, as proposed by the Weld County Redistricting
Advisory Committee pursuant to Colorado Revised Statutes §§ 30-10-306 et. seq.
Matthew Conroy, Assistant County Attorney, made this a matter of record.
(Clerk's note, the beginning of Ms. Suniga's statement was not recorded.)
Deb Suniga, shared, they were happy to have worked together to ensure the communities
were seen and thought of, focusing on the presentation of fair maps.
Stacey Casteel, shared her background in financial education and expressed her belief
that the appeal and resulting court order to go through this process is a waste of tax
dollars, based on her view that the Commissioners were elected, generally ran
unopposed, and the existing maps were sufficient. She stated questioning the districting
leads to lack of voter confidence in the elected Board; however, she shared her
appreciation of the Board's continued fight for the citizens, seeking fiscal responsible
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2025-2031
CR0036
Hearing Certification —Redistricting Public Input
Page 2
decisions for the use of tax dollars, and stated this redistricting issue will not improve the
quality of life for people who are struggling financially.
Stacy Suniga, Advisory Committee member, stated she felt the work of the redistricting
committee was invaluable to look at putting the maps together with fair lines, ensuring the
various communities of interest would remain together, and establishing groups that could
support each other and the county government.
Matt Conroy reviewed a PowerPoint presentation (Exhibit T) to address the Colorado
Supreme Court case concerning Statute or Home Rule Charter, Anticipated Future
Growth, and Community of Interest. In response to Commissioners Maxey and James,
he confirmed the Supreme Court ruling determined that State statute supersedes the
Charter provision because redistricting is a function to be performed, versus a structural
determination. Mr. Conroy also addressed the legislative powers and administrative
functions of a County, reviewed the statutory definition of "Communities of Interest", and
in response to Commissioner Maxey, he explained his belief that the farming and
ranching community as a community of interest is debatable due to issues of reasonable
proximity, compactness, diverse population numbers, and various types of agriculture
(irrigated, dryland, livestock, etc.). He further reviewed the statutory criteria for maps and
political competitiveness as documented by Exhibits F, G and H for party affiliation and
displayed by pie chart graphics of the plans proposed by the Advisory Committee.
Mr. Conroy relayed the approval of a new map is currently schedule for July 30, 2025,
explaining the Commission is allowed to propose modifications to the maps for
consideration; however, that would result in the need for additional public meetings to
ensure a final decision prior to the court -ordered deadline of September 30, 2025.
Commissioner Maxey stated he appreciates the work of the committee, as well as the
public participation, and stated he believes there are four (4) options, one (1) being the
same map that is currently in use. Mr. Conroy explained the current map does have an
issue for inequal district sizes based on population. He also explained the District Court
invalidated the map from 2023, then the Colorado Supreme Court threw it all out and
instructed the County to follow the statutory criteria, with an expectation that there will be
a new map adopted by 2026, including a documented public process. Responding to
Stacey Suniga, Commissioner Maxey clarified the answer to his question was that the
former map is not a valid option for consideration. Mr. Conroy explained if the maps
change or other options are presented, then an additional meeting would be scheduled
to allow public comment.
Edwin Grant, Greeley resident, inquired if the lawsuit between the Denver and Aurora
mayor's and the Governor concerning home rule charter status would affect this issue,
and Commissioner James explained municipal charters are established under a different
part of the state constitution.
There was some discussion on timeline of Notice and a potential additional hearing date.
2025-2031
CR0036
Hearing Certification —Redistricting Public Input
Page 3
There being no further discussion, the hearing was completed at 5:44 a.m.
The Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, approved the above
and foregoing Hearing Certification, on motion duly made and seconded, by the following
vote on the 30th day of July, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye
Scott K. James, Pro -Tern: Aye
Jason S. Maxey: Aye
Lynette Peppier: Aye
Kevin D. Ross: Aye
Attest:
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-2031
CR0036
ATTENDANCE LIST
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