Politics
Colorado Amendment 86 would add checks on mid-decade congressional map changes
The proposed constitutional amendment would require approval from the state’s independent redistricting commission and Supreme Court before congressional districts could be changed between censuses. Supporters say it would curb partisan mapmaking; opponents warn it could limit Colorado’s ability to respond when other states redraw their maps.
Colorado voters are being asked to tighten the rules for changing congressional district boundaries outside the regular, once-a-decade redistricting process. Amendment 86 would require both the state’s Independent Congressional Redistricting Commission and the Colorado Supreme Court to approve any such change.
The proposal, placed on the ballot by conservative nonprofit Advance Colorado, comes amid renewed partisan fights over congressional maps. A Colorado proposal to redraw the state’s eight districts for the 2028 and 2030 elections was blocked by the state Supreme Court. The plan would have given Democrats a substantial advantage in all but one district, according to the measure’s opponents.
Under Amendment 86, the redistricting commission would have to hold at least three public hearings before considering an off-cycle map change. Any new boundaries could not be drawn to intentionally benefit a political party or needlessly divide communities.
Colorado voters approved Amendment Y in 2018, establishing an independent commission to draw congressional districts after each census. The process takes place every 10 years, when district populations are adjusted to reflect population changes. Amendment 86 would add rules for proposed changes between those regular cycles.
Supporters argue the measure reinforces voters’ earlier decision to put mapmaking in the hands of an independent commission and still allows changes if they meet fair-map requirements. Opponents say it could prevent Coloradans from revising districts they consider unfair and make it harder for the state to counter partisan redistricting elsewhere.
Because Amendment 86 would change the state constitution, it needs approval from at least 55% of voters. If passed, the measure also could not be easily repealed or altered by the Legislature.