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ColoradoHB26-10382026 Regular SessionHouse

County Commissioner Redistricting

Sponsored By: Amy Paschal (Democratic), Chad Clifford (Democratic), Marc Snyder (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Elections & RedistrictingLocal Government

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

County boards adopt maps by September

In counties with district-elected commissioners, each map must have one district for each commissioner elected by district voters. The board directs the commission to approve either one final map or at least three final maps. The board must adopt the single map or choose one from the larger set. Boards can direct changes to parts that violate legal standards, but must identify those parts and explain the violations. Commissions can adjust deadlines after board-directed revisions, but board approval must still occur by September 30 of the redistricting year.

County maps must prioritize competitive districts

After meeting earlier redistricting rules, commissions must maximize competitive districts as far as reasonably possible. Competitive means a reasonable chance that the winning commissioner's party changes at least once between federal censuses. A required formula averages victory margins from the most representative mix of national, statewide, or local elections the commission selects. Commissions must first maximize highly competitive districts, measured from −5% through 5%, then moderately competitive districts: above 5% through 10%, or −10% to below −5%. The formula, and any other competitiveness measure, must be public at least 72 hours before adoption, allowing review and comment.

County voters gain map review protections

Commissions must wait at least 72 hours after final maps are proposed or amended at a public meeting before voting. The clock starts with whichever event happens later. County commissioners and commission members cannot discuss mapping with one another or commission staff outside public meetings or hearings, subject to specified administrative exceptions. Staff communications beyond those documented exceptions must enter the public record. Any qualified county voter can challenge an adopted map in the county's district court when it has one district per district-elected commissioner.

Existing county maps need no changes

The law applies to county commissioner district plans adopted after its effective date; earlier plans need no adjustment or readoption. It takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after 90 days following final adjournment of the 2026 regular session. That date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026. A referendum petition against the law or part of it delays the challenged provisions pending voter approval at the November 2026 general election. Provisions approved by voters take effect when the governor officially declares the vote.

Independent commissions draw county district maps

Covered counties must form independent commissions to draw county commissioner districts. Membership must equally represent the state's two largest political parties and unaffiliated voters, while avoiding partisan conflicts of interest. Current county commissioners cannot serve, and reflecting the county's racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic diversity is encouraged. County boards can remove members for misconduct in office, repeated missed meetings, or blocking the commission's work.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Amy Paschal

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jenny Willford

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Lori Goldstein

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Meg Froelich

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 318 • No: 163

House vote • 4/21/2026

Conference committee report: Adopt

Yes: 41 • No: 23

House vote • 4/21/2026

Conference committee report: Repass

Yes: 41 • No: 23

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Conference committee report: Adopt ccr

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/13/2026

Conference committee report: Repass

Yes: 24 • No: 11

Vote • 4/10/2026

Move the draft of the First Report of the First Conference Committee on HB26-1038 (Attachment A).

Yes: 4 • No: 2

House vote • 4/2/2026

Senate amendments: Not cncr

Yes: 41 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 21 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/20/2026

Third reading: Amend (l.016)

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1038 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 3 • No: 2

House vote • 2/10/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 40 • No: 25

House vote • 2/5/2026

Committee of the whole: Amd (h.001)

Yes: 21 • No: 39

House vote • 2/2/2026

Refer House Bill 26-1038, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 3

House vote • 2/2/2026

Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

Yes: 9 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/4/2026House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    6/3/2026House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    6/3/2026Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    6/3/2026House

  5. House Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass

    4/21/2026House

  6. Senate Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass

    4/13/2026Senate

  7. First Conference Committee Result was to Adopt Rerevised w/ Amendments

    4/10/2026House

  8. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Not Concur - Request Conference Committee

    4/2/2026House

  9. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Laid Over Daily

    3/23/2026House

  10. Senate Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor

    3/20/2026Senate

  11. Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 03/20/2026 - No Amendments

    3/17/2026Senate

  12. Senate Third Reading Laid Over to 03/17/2026 - No Amendments

    3/16/2026Senate

  13. Senate Second Reading Passed - No Amendments

    3/13/2026Senate

  14. Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    3/10/2026Senate

  15. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs

    2/12/2026Senate

  16. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    2/10/2026House

  17. House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments

    2/6/2026House

  18. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    2/5/2026House

  19. House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    2/2/2026House

  20. Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

    1/14/2026House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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