Senator Snyder urges independent commissions for county redistricting with HB 10‑38; committee advances bill 3‑2

Senator Snyder told the State Veterans and Military Affairs Committee that House Bill 10‑38 would require county commissioner redistricting to follow the same independent‑commission rules now used for congressional and state legislative maps, including public hearings, multiple proposed plans, and prohibitions on drawing maps to protect incumbents. He said the bill fills a gap left after the 2018 ballot measures referred to in testimony as “Y and Z,” which created independent redistricting for the state and federal levels but did not address county commissioner districts.

The bill’s sponsor traced the legislative history back to a 2020/2021 effort that attempted to extend those requirements to county commissioners but — he said — preserved the ability for commissioners to serve as their own redistricting body. Senator Snyder described litigation and local controversy in several counties, including Adams, Arapahoe, El Paso and Weld, and said the proposed change would establish a nonpartisan, independently appointed commission to draw commissioner districts under the same guidelines used for other maps. He said he prepared an amendment to clarify separation between nonpartisan staff and the commission for litigation purposes but declined to offer it today.

Peggy Leach of the League of Women Voters of Colorado testified in support, saying the League has long advocated independent commissions to reduce gerrymandering and noting the 2018 measures passed with roughly 70 percent approval. Leach told the committee that HB 10‑38 clarifies that redistricting requirements apply to home‑rule counties and thanked bill sponsors for addressing outstanding language in earlier legislation.

After closing remarks, Mr. Seyyed moved HB 10‑38 to the committee of the whole with a favorable recommendation. A roll‑call vote recorded three yes votes and two no votes; the motion carried 3‑2. The committee did not take floor action on any of the sponsor’s proposed amendments at this hearing.

Next steps: the bill was advanced to the committee of the whole for further consideration.