The commission's response came closer to preserving the status quo in Boulder than it did in Longmont, which until now has been contained essentially within a single house district. That didn't sit well with Longmont officials, who fear that the arrangement will dilute their city's voice at the Capitol. Both sides will have their say at the public hearing. In this environment, it's easy to forget that the voters wanted to take partisanship out of the process when they passed a state constitutional amendment in 1974. That didn't happen, and realistically it may never happen, but the outcome does have to meet basic constitutional standards.
Districts have to be compact and contiguous.
No district can cross county lines except when necessary to meet equal population requirements. Within clearly defined boundaries, every district must be nearly identical in population. That's why the final word on this reapportionment plan will be spoken in court. The ultimate test is not whether it respects any one group's preferences, but whether it protects everyone's constitutional rights. The Daily Camera.