Redistricting and Your Right to Representation
Redistricting is the process of redrawing electoral boundaries to balance population growth and protect one person’s power, one vote. The remapping of local, state, and federal political districts occurs once every ten years and is guided by the decennial United States Census; designed to preserve voting equity and equality in our ever-expanding electorate.
2020 Census population statistics show that over the last decade, Denver’s population has both grown and diversified with more than 115,364 new residents, nearly 85% of whom represent marginalized populations. Census data is foundational in the re-precinct process done by the Denver Clerk and those precincts guide how Denver City Council is charged to redo City Council district boundaries. This data is also augmented by criteria adopted by a Council Resolution that requires we must draw eleven, compact, and contiguous districts inclusive of full and complete state house precincts that divide our 715,522 residents as evenly as possible. Districts 8, 9, and 11 all grew significantly due to the amount of housing development over the past 10 years in those areas. To balance this growth and prepare for the next ten years, we must redistrict to ensure fair and equitable representation.
Denver’s Redistricting Work Group and Committee of the Whole have worked to create a transparent process, safeguard communities of interest as much as possible while balancing all other criteria and defend everyone’s right to elect a Denver City Council representative that reflects the diversity of people who live in respective districts. This is extremely important as voting rights become a target of debate and an effort to limit citizens’ ability to cast their vote in coming elections increases.
Several maps by city council were submitted for consideration and are available to view on our redistricting website. These maps were discussed at five public meetings held in February. This input has been shared at the weekly Redistricting meetings and will continue to be discussed until a final map is submitted for adoption on March 29th.
Your involvement and input have been critical to developing new districts through an open and transparent process. Like a Rubik’s Cube, which requires consideration of all sides, Council will review and consider community feedback on the proposed maps to arrive at a map that reflects a variety of criteria. The new districts will be in place for Denver’s 2023 April general and May run-off elections. They will remain in place for subsequent municipal election cycles until the 2030 Census data is available.
I will focus on the criteria in the resolution adopted by City Council with an emphasis on one person; one vote and not splitting neighborhoods or communities of interest. Each of the proposals under consideration has less than a 10% difference between the smallest and largest districts. Each maintains at least four minority-majority districts although this is not an indicator of who will be elected. Three current Latina or African American Councilors were elected from majority-white districts and one Anglo member was elected from a minority-majority district.
I will look to the future as I study the maps. I do not think the boundary-setting process for new districts should be about the people currently serving in the seats. Term limits will continue to cycle people out of these seats. New district boundaries provide clarity for future candidates, not incumbent protection. In fact, in 2023, four current city council members will leave. Denver will elect new people for two district positions, two at-large positions, and a new mayor. You will undoubtedly begin hearing from those candidates soon.
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Deborah "Debbie" Ortega
Councilwoman At-Large
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Community News & Information |
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Spring 2022 Recreation Activities |
Spring is around the corner and there's still time to register for recreational activities. Take advantage of all the offerings Denver Parks and Recreation has to offer, including: outdoor activities, arts and cultural performances, athletic leagues, and more. There is something for Denver residents of all ages to do that keeps them active this spring.
Start planning your activities today!
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Denver Youth Employment Program |
The Denver Youth Employment Program (DYEP) has career opportunities for youth and young adults between the ages of 14-24. Various partners offer career paths to meet the needs of Denver's youth. These opportunities develop important knowledge and skills to make an impact in your community and lives.
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Contents
Spring 2022 Recreation Activities
Denver Youth Employment Program
Workshop: The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Business
Small Business Investment Fund
Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Master Plan: Survey #2 Open
Denver Art Museum Celebrating Women
Free Emergency Management Workshop
Free Fentanyl Testing Strips and Naloxone Available By Request
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Workshop: The Nuts & Bolts of Starting a Business - 2022 Series |
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Join Denver Economic Development & Opportunity for an open dialogue as you prepare for business ownership! In this one-hour online workshop, the business development team will walk you through the basic regulatory requirements, to review local resources available to you and answer your questions.
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Small Business Investment Fund (SBIF) |
DEDO seeks local, regional, or national organizations experienced in small business lending or investing that can bring creative and equitable solutions to Denver businesses looking for funding. In addition to capital disbursement, the selected partner should bring an innovative solution to providing complementary business wraparound services for businesses that receive funding including, but not limited to, culturally relevant, professional, and technical services.
Deadline: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 4 p.m. (MST)
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Outdoor Adventure and Alternative Sports Master Plan: Survey #2 Open |
In the Fall of 2021 Denver Parks & Recreation (DPR) led a public meeting and survey to learn about the outdoor adventure experiences you would like to have available to you in Denver and nearby mountain parks. Share your opinions about the suggested changes by taking this survey. Your feedback is needed for DPR to create future outdoor opportunities for Denver residents.
By taking the survey you have the opportunity to win an annual regional DPR recreation membership, a FitBit, or other available giveaways, when the survey closes in April.
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Denver Art Museum Celebrating Women: Traitor, Survivor, Icon: The Legacy of La Malinche Exibition
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This featured exhibit examines the historical and cultural legacy of La Malinche. Both reviled as a traitor and hailed as the mother of Mexico, Malinche has been the subject of controversy and adulation for centuries. Her legacy remains relevant to conversations around female empowerment, Indigeneity, and national identity throughout the Americas.
On view through May 8, 2022
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Free Emergency Management Workshop for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Individuals in Denver |
Join this class to identify ways to reduce the financial impact of emergency disasters and how to be financially prepared so you are less vulnerable to the unexpected.
This workshop will be taught by a trainer of Office of Emergency Management. ASL Interpreters will be provided by Denver Office of Sign Language Services.
Saturday, March 19, 2022 from 09:00 AM - 10:00 AM
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Free Fentanyl Testing Strips and Naloxone Available By Request |
Substance misuse and overdose are an increasing community health concerns across the city of Denver. As a response the DDPHE Community & Behavioral Health division is distributing free fentanyl tests and naloxone for Denver residents, by request.
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