In some Colorado mountain towns, Texas license plates seem more common than local tags—but the bigger political storm is brewing over whether Democrats should answer Texas Republicans’ aggressive gerrymandering with their own map redraws.
Texas GOP lawmakers are attempting to reshape congressional boundaries to secure five additional Republican seats, a move backed by former President Donald Trump, who said Texas is “entitled” to them. The strategy aims to lock in GOP control of the U.S. House in 2026, influencing budget decisions and investigations if Democrats regain the majority. Democratic governors in states like California, Illinois, and New York are weighing similar tactics in response.
Colorado’s congressional map, however, isn’t controlled by politicians. Since 2018, an Independent Congressional Redistricting Committee—approved by voters and written into the state constitution—has ensured a split 4-4 delegation despite the state leaning blue in recent presidential elections.
Gov. Jared Polis made clear this week that he won’t follow other blue states’ lead. His office noted that the constitution bars both the governor and legislature from altering districts outside the normal 10-year cycle after the U.S. Census.
“Colorado’s voter-approved independent congressional and Legislative Redistricting Commission is in the Colorado Constitution and adherence to it is not to the governor or legislature’s discretion,” Polis spokesperson Shelby Wieman said, adding that the upcoming special session will focus on fiscal impacts of HR1, not redistricting.
Still, some Democrats want the state to find a way around those rules. Former U.S. Rep. Yadira Caraveo, who narrowly lost the CD8 seat in 2024, urged repeal of the commission to counter Texas’s “MAGA power grab.”
In the more conservative CD3, Democrat Alex Kelloff is challenging Republican Rep. Jeff Hurd, who defeated Adam Frisch by nearly 20,000 votes in 2024. Kelloff recently gained the endorsement of former Rep. John Salazar, a moderate Democrat who last won the seat in 2008.
While many experts say gerrymandering in Colorado is practically impossible under current law, some argue extraordinary GOP moves in Texas justify breaking precedent. Polis, however, isn’t budging.
“Gerrymandering is bad for America and does not fairly represent the will of voters,” Polis spokesperson Eric Maruyama said. “It would not surprise Gov. Polis if blue states try to counter Texas if they actually attempt a craven and cynical mid-decade redistricting ploy.”
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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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