HomeMy WebLinkAbout20252107.tiffHearing Certification
Docket No. 2025-52.C
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 23, 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 Gesick
County Attorney, Bruce Barker
Assistant County Attorney, Matthew Conroy
The following business was transacted:
I hereby certify that pursuant to a Notice dated July 9, 2025, and duly published July 11,
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, shared Commissioners James and Maxey
have proposed additional maps for consideration, and they each indicated they would like
to hear public input prior to explaining their reasons for the modifications.
In response to the inquiry from Steve Teets, City of Greeley resident, as to why the
redistricting process was necessary, Commissioner James stated this redistricting
process is the result of a case which was appealed to, and ordered by, the Colorado
Supreme Court, sharing this is the third of three required public meetings with a statutory
deadline of September 30, 2025, to select a new Commissioner District map for the
county. He further explained the maps were presented by the Redistricting Advisory
Committee, and Mr. Conroy reviewed the criteria for establishing balanced districts.
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2025-2107
CR0036
Hearing Certification — Redistricting Public Input
Page 2
Barbara Whinery, City of Greeley resident, stated she supports the South Platte map,
shared her appreciation for keeping communities of interest together, specifically the
Carbon Valley region which is experiencing rapid growth. She shared she understands
the argument for Greeley having representation across all three Commissioner Districts
and including the importance of considering transportation and water needs throughout
the county. She expressed her thanks to the committee for their efficient work, invitation
to public hearings, and to staff for providing information on the website. She also thanked
Assistant County Attorney, Matthew Conroy, and Chief Deputy Clerk and Recorder,
Rudy Santos, for their assistance with information and questions. Commissioner Maxey
confirmed all three plans keep Carbon Valley together and concurred with her statement
of Greeley benefitting from representation in all three districts.
Edwin Grant, City of Greeley resident, shared the concept of redistricting has encountered
challenges, historically, while referring to gerrymandering. He further shared, over the
years he has been relocated in different state districts due to the need for redistricting
and expressed his support for the proposed options as a good faith effort to re-establish
a balanced district map with the acknowledgement of population growth challenge.
Ann LaPlante, City of Greeley resident, stated her residence will remain in the same
district regardless of which map is adopted and inquired if further time for review will be
allowed if new maps are proposed, to which, Commissioner James confirmed the intent
is to allow for additional time. Ms. LaPlante expressed her opinion to have the redistricting
boundary map closer reflect the boundary of the House District 50, which retains the City
of Greeley and portions of the City of Evans, which she believes best represents a
community of interest. However, she acknowledged, of the options proposed, the South
Platte map is her preference of the options given. Commissioner Maxey confirmed further
meetings for review of additional maps is anticipated.
Mr. Conroy explained the statute allows individual Commissioners, as county residents,
to submit proposed maps. He also referenced a proposed drawing submitted from public
comment and explained the process for compilation of related demographic data which
will be made available in preparation of the next public hearing.
Commissioner James presented a proposed map and related demographics
(Exhibits N, O, and P) which he believes complies with the statutory criteria of
C.R.S. §30-10-306.3, sharing his proposed map was based on insights gleaned from
public input, as well as efforts of staff, which he believes depicts nearly equal populations,
required by statute, complies with Federal voting rights, and with analysis of the district
demographic data results in no dilution of racial or minority group voting power. He stated
his appreciation of the South Platte map, as it implies compactness, and asserted his
proposed map is even more compact and takes travel sheds into consideration, which
form a definitive line along State Highway 52. He further stated Greeley and Evans would
be the only split political subdivisions, which supports politically competitive districts, and
he noted the Unaffiliated Party is the majority of voter registration in all three districts.
2025-2107
CR0036
Hearing Certification — Redistricting Public Input
Page 3
In response to Commissioner Ross, Commissioner James explained U.S. Highway 34
would be the demarcation line.
Commissioner Maxey explained his proposed map (Exhibit Q, R, and S) also adheres to
state statute, gave his thanks to the Committee, and shared this is just another option.
He stated he used the online automated tool, and asserted State Highway 52 is a natural
demarcation line, as well as U.S. Highway 34 east of the City of Greeley and the South
Platte River, which make very natural demarcation lines. He stated his proposed map is
based on balanced populations, race and ethnicity, party affiliation and communities of
interest, to accomplish the purpose behind the entire process. He expressed his view that
the definition of `Communities of Interest' is somewhat ambiguous, sharing his proposed
map has many common points with the version submitted by Commissioner James.
Mr. Conroy identified the precinct differences between the two maps proposed by
Commissioners James and Maxey, and displayed a proposed map submitted by
Isaiah Cordova, Eaton resident; however, Mr. Santos commented the map is very vague,
and is difficult for staff to identify the exact boundaries without precinct delineations. The
Board concurred and appreciated the submission, but they found the map did not meet
the definition of compactness. Mr. Conroy stated staff will prepare the proposed maps,
further designated as the Beebe Draw and the Lone Creek maps, will be displayed on the
website and available in Clerk to the Board's office. Following discussion, it was decided
to accept public input at the published hearing scheduled for 9:00 a.m., on July 30, 2025,
as well as schedule an additional meeting for August 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.. The Board
will then make the final decision on the adoption of a proposed map on August 6, 2025,
at 9:00 a.m. Mr. Santos shared, once a map is adopted, the Clerk and Recorder's office
will need to make changes to the voting system, prepare correspondence to mail to
impacted voters, and work with the printer for election ballots.
There being no further discussion, the hearing was completed at 5:46 p.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 6th day of August, A.D., 2025:
Perry L. Buck, Chair: Aye
Scott K. James, Pro-Tem: Aye
Jason S. Maxey: Aye
Lynette Peppier: Aye
Kevin D. Ross: Aye
Attest:
Esther E. Gesick, Clerk to the Board
2025-2107
CR0036
ATTENDANCE LIST
DATE: 7-a3 Q≤
NAME - PLEASE PRINT LEGIBLY
ADDRESS (CITY, STATE ZIP)
EMAIL OR PHONE #
COUNTY OF
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