DENVER With a deadline approaching, Republicans and Democrats split farther apart Monday on how to draw new legislative districts for Southwest Colorado.
Democrats are sticking to their desire to pair Durango with Telluride in a new House district that would slightly favor their party.
Republicans want to keep Durango matched with Cortez. But the latest version of the GOP plan creates a safe district for Republicans. Rep. J. Paul Brown, R-Ignacio, currently holds the district.
A commission appointed by the governor, chief justice and legislative leaders has been working on the new maps all summer. It plans to finish its work next Monday and send the new map to the state Supreme Court for final approval.
Although 11 people serve on the commission, the power rests with just one man, Chairman Mario Carrera. Each party has five members on the commission, while Carrera is unaffiliated, which makes him the swing vote.
Each party presented new versions of their maps Monday after spending the month of August in public hearings around the state. Carrera sent both of them back to the drawing board, offering various criticisms of each plan. He remained silent on whether Durango should be matched with Cortez or Telluride.
Democratic commission member Matt Jones restated his belief that Durango, Ouray, Telluride and Pagosa Springs should be grouped into a recreation-focused district.
But Republicans continued to point to the districts division by Red Mountain Pass.
All it takes is a pretty major snowstorm to separate that representative from his or her constituents, said Rob Witwer, a Republican commissioner.
Jones said Republicans were overstating their case.
Its only winter part of the year. The way weve talked about it, youd think it was winter all the time on this pass, Jones said.
It appears that the two Ute tribes will see their wish granted and remain in separate House districts. Republicans had originally proposed combining the tribes into one district, but tribal leaders testified against the idea last month.
Carrera said he would abide by the tribal leaders wishes.
At a hearing in Durango, There was a strong deference to the tribes in Durango, and it was good to see that. It was important. We will definitely keep that in mind and separate the tribes, Carrera said.
However, the removal of the Ute Mountain reservation from the Republicans proposed district makes the district more favorable to GOP candidates.
One place Republicans and Democrats agree is on is the Western Slopes Senate districts. The Southwest Colorado seat currently held by Durango Republican Ellen Roberts would see no changes from either partys map.
Reach Joe Hanel at [email protected].
