Denver, Colorado — A newly formed group aims to change the political landscape in Colorado by launching a campaign to place a redistricting initiative on the ballot this year. The organization, Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, seeks to pave the way for a congressional map that could tip the scale in favor of Democrats for the upcoming 2028 and 2030 election cycles.
The initiative would allow for a temporary bypass of the state’s independent redistricting commission, a decision prompted by recent redistricting actions taken by Republican-led states. Curtis Hubbard, a spokesperson for the group, emphasized the difficulty of undertaking this action, stating that while independent redistricting is ideal, the urgency of the situation necessitates a different approach. “We can either remain passive or actively work to implement temporary maps that help maintain fairness in our elections,” he said.
The group plans to propose several measures for consideration on the November ballot, with the primary objective of adjusting the congressional map. This new map would aim to create seven districts leaning toward Democrats and only one suitable for a Republican representative. Following the 2030 census, the organization intends to reinstate the independent redistricting commission to ensure a balanced process moving forward.
Currently, Colorado’s congressional delegation is evenly split between the two major parties, which gives the proposed changes heightened significance. To qualify for the ballot, Coloradans for a Level Playing Field needs to gather about 125,000 signatures from registered voters within the state.
Colorado’s move to reconsider its congressional mapping is part of a larger trend emerging across the nation. Recent redistricting efforts in Republican-controlled states, such as Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina, have set the stage for similar discussions in other regions. With Florida Republicans also planning their redistricting initiative this spring, the stakes continue to rise.
In response, states guided by Democratic leadership have made their moves as well. In the past year, California voters approved a new congressional map, while Virginia is gearing up for a special election this spring to decide on a constitutional amendment regarding redistricting. Colorado previously adopted an independent redistricting commission in 2018, with the intention of fostering congressional districts that reflect political competitiveness.
Currently, one of the most contested districts in Colorado is the 8th District, which is held by Republican Representative Gabe Evans. A recent analysis revealed that Evans won the seat by a narrow margin of less than 1 percent in the 2024 elections, a contest that also saw Donald Trump prevail by just under 2 percent in that same district. The proposed adjustments would further tilt this district toward Democratic preferences.
Under the new map, only one district, Colorado’s 4th, would remain Republican-leaning, currently represented by GOP Congresswoman Lauren Boebert. While the group’s spokesperson refrained from providing specific details about the leadership or origins of Coloradans for a Level Playing Field, the push for a new congressional map signifies a significant shift in Colorado’s political landscape.
As the initiative unfolds, it remains to be seen how voters will react to the proposed changes and what impact they may have on future elections in the state.