In Colorado the legislature does not draw it's own maps, a commission draws the maps and they are sent directly to the Colorado Supreme Court for approval. The Commission is made up of the following:
4 members: 2 chosen by each Party's leadership.
3 members: chosen by the Governor.
4 members: chosen by the Chief Justice of the Colorado Supreme Court.
In 2001, the Governor was a Republican and chose 3 Republicans, but then the Chief Justice chose 4 Democrats, putting the commission in Democratic control by a 6-5 margin. (the largest margin allowed) This year, however, both the Chief Justice and the Governor were determined that it be a non-partisan process, so the Governor appointed 2 Democrats and 1 Republican and the Chief Justice appointed 1 Democrat, 2 Republicans and one unaffiliated member. The unaffiliated member, Mario Carrera, is chair of the commission and the swing vote between the 5 Democrats and Republicans.
This had gone our way for a good portion of the drawing, until it came to the metro area. Then the Republican map was voted on and Carrera voted with the Republicans, drastically changing the look of the metro area House Districts and giving the Republicans a big advantage in the preliminary map. Currently the Commission is traveling the State seeking feedback and it will then vote on amendments before it send it to the Supreme Court. So this is subject to change, but here's where we stand as of today:
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