February 24, 2025 04:37 PM UTC

Weld County Loses Redistricting Home Rule Case

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• by: Colorado Pols

UPDATE: Statement from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser:

Attorney General Phil Weiser issued the following statement on today's unanimous ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court ordering the Weld County Board of County Commissioners to adopt a district map that follows state redistricting statutes. pic.twitter.com/8g60dpNlvk

— Colorado Attorney General (@COAttnyGeneral) February 24, 2025

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A press release this afternoon from the League of Women Voters and the Latino Coalition of Weld County celebrates a decision by the Colorado Supreme Court rejecting questionable arguments put forward by arch-conservative Weld County to justify a redistricting proposal that would have divided (and conquered) the county’s most urban and diverse population center:

The Colorado Supreme Court has ruled in favor of the League of Women Voters of Greeley, Weld County, Inc., the Latino Coalition of Weld County, and individual plaintiffs Barbara Whinery and Stacy Suniga in their lawsuit against the Weld County Board of County Commissioners. The ruling affirms that Weld County, despite its home rule status, must adhere to Colorado’s redistricting statutes when redrawing county commissioner district boundaries.

The court’s decision upholds the principles of fair representation and ensures that all county residents have a voice in the electoral process. The ruling follows an earlier victory in Weld County District Court, where the plaintiffs were granted summary judgment, compelling the Board of County Commissioners to comply with House Bill 21-1047 and Colorado’s redistricting statutes.

“This ruling is a victory for democracy and for every resident of Weld County,” said Barbara Whinery, one of the plaintiffs. “The court has affirmed that no government body is above the law when it comes to fair and equitable representation.”

Stacy Suniga added, “Public input and adherence to legal redistricting processes are fundamental to a representative government. This decision ensures that future elections reflect the true will of Weld County voters.”

As we wrote in December when the case was argued before the Colorado Supremes, the county commissioner district map originally proposed by the GOP-dominated commission would have split the Latino-heavy population of Greeley into three separate districts, diluting their influence and ensuring continued one-sided representation. Commissioners argued that state law applying to this process didn’t apply in Weld County even though their inclusion was the clear intent of the legislation’s sponsors. The Colorado Supremes’ decision means Weld County must have a new map that comports with state law in place by the 2026 elections.

“We are pleased that the Colorado Supreme Court recognized that county home rule does not negate state law regarding a fair and legal redistricting process,” said Beth Hendrix, Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Colorado. “This decision safeguards the rights of all Weld County voters to choose their county representation, not the other way around.”

Having exhausted their options in court, it’s either represent Latinos fairly or back to secession for Colorado’s most cantankerous conservative county not named Mesa or El Paso.

Weld’s upwardly mobile Republicans “Secession Barb” Kirkmeyer and Rep. Gabe Evans might have an opinion worth chasing into an elevator too.