A bipartisan organization pushing ballot measures to change the way Colorado draws its legislative and congressional boundaries announced the support Monday of a number of groups representing rural, minority, business and civic reform interests. Fair Districts Colorado, a group chaired by Kent Thiry, the CEO of kidney dialysis giant DaVita Inc., said it now has the backing of Progressive 15 and Action 22, associations representing 37 counties in northeastern and southeastern Colorado, respectively; the African Leadership Group, an advocacy organization for African immigrants; Clean Slate Now, a group devoted to campaign finance reform; and Colorado Concern, an association of some of the state’s top business executives.
“There is enormous momentum behind this campaign,” said Kate Roberts, a senior strategist with Fair Districts Colorado, in a statement. “From all corners of Colorado and across the political spectrum, leaders and organizations are joining our effort to fix the broken redistricting system and end gerrymandering.”
Papa Dia, president of the African Leadership Group, said his organization’s mission is to support immigrant families “at each stage of their journey – immigration, integration, and civic participation.”
“As president of the organization, advocating for African immigrants across Colorado, I support and appreciate that Fair Districts Colorado puts the public before the power of any political party,” he said in a statement, adding, “Immigrant communities like mine, much like independent voters, need a voice in this vital process and Fair Districts Colorado will give them that voice.”
Full Article: Groups sign on to proposals to revamp redistricting in Colorado.