As Texas Republicans move to redraw congressional maps mid-decade, sparking similar moves in other states, two Coloradans are proposing a constitutional amendment to let the governor make emergency changes to Colorado’s districts.
Brandon Cary and Jorge Rodriguez filed the measure Monday with Legislative Council Staff. If approved for the 2026 ballot, it would allow the governor to suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and appoint a temporary body to redraw congressional boundaries in response to “national redistricting imbalances.”
Cary said the proposal is a safeguard against political overreach in other states, pointing to Texas as an example. “This law will coexist with Colorado’s independent redistricting panel in an emergency capacity to be used sparingly and only when necessary,” he wrote.
Under the plan, the governor could declare emergency authority, or a legislative majority could trigger it, if there’s evidence another state’s redistricting causes a severe partisan imbalance in Congress.
Colorado’s independent commissions, created in 2018, first drew maps in 2021. Currently, the state’s eight U.S. House seats are split evenly between Democrats and Republicans.
The idea began on a Reddit thread and has since gained grassroots support. Cary and Rodriguez haven’t contacted lawmakers about referring it to the ballot but plan to go through the full petition process. To qualify, they’ll need about 125,000 signatures, meeting a 2% threshold in each of the 35 Senate districts. If it makes the ballot, the amendment would need 55% voter approval to pass.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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