Larson: Cut McElmo from 59th District

Larson: Cut McElmo from 59th District

June 2, 2001

by Janelle Holden
Journal Staff Writer

If the Colorado reapportionment commission acts on Rep. Mark Larson’s suggestions next Tuesday, the town of Towaoc and the rest of McElmo Canyon could be carved out of his 59th District.

Larson (R-Cortez) sent a letter to the commission this week asking them not to split Archuleta County from the district, and instead shift Precinct 6 to the 58th District, currently represented by Kay Alexander (R-Montrose).

The 2000 census figures revealed that both districts must shed voters to comply with state apportionment laws. Larson’s district stands to lose 2,917 voters, and Alexander’s district 6,120. The 59th District consists of the six southernmost precincts of Montezuma County, and all of Archuleta, La Plata and San Juan counties. Montezuma County is divided between the 58th and the 59th.

"My recommendation to the commission was to leave us the way we are," said Larson.

The bulk of McElmo Canyon is already being represented by Alexander, and splitting the two Ute tribes into different districts could be to the tribes’ advantage, Larson said.

"While this move would break the contiguous reservation boundaries between Indian tribes, it would also give the Indian tribes another voice in the legislature," wrote Larson in his letter to the committee.

Larson would lose 1,414 voters from Precinct 6, and if Rep. Matt Smith (R-Delta) from District 54 took four precincts out of Delta County from Alexander, she says the whole process would work out.

"If we go with Matt Smith taking four precincts out of Delta County, and me taking Mark’s sixth precinct, I would be right on target with the numbers," said Alexander.

But Alexander said there is still serious talk of moving Archuleta County out of the 59th District and creating a district that leaves Montezuma and La Plata counties whole. Larson believes this option would damage the entire district.

"I honestly believe that putting Archuleta County into the San Luis Valley or a district to the north will be harmful to the shared socio-economic dynamic and framework that so clearly defines a community," wrote Larson.

As evidence to support his theory, Larson cites the bonds that currently hold Archuleta and La Plata counties together. Both are served by La Plata Electric Association, and jointly participate in many special-interest groups and economic planning.

Geographically, Archuleta is separated from both of the adjacent northern and eastern counties by steep mountain passes.

"Every indicator says that these two communities should stay together as a community of interest," said Larson.

But Larson says the commission could move Archuleta to combine Hispanic populations in the San Juan Valley, and it is also still a possibility that Larson’s residency could become a part of the 58th District if the boundary lines dip south.

"It’s unfortunate that we can’t make Montezuma whole," said Alexander, who said Larson’s recommendations seem like the best solution.

Unlike previous years, the commission is starting the redistricting with the Western Slope.

On Tuesday, June 5, it will meet at the state capitol in Denver to consider 17 Western Slope counties. The final decision will rest in the commission’s hands.

The redistricting will likely affect both Alexander and Larson’s political aspirations. Alexander has already announced her plan to run against Democrat Jim Isgar, a Durango rancher, in 2002 for the right to represent Senatorial District 6 in the Colorado Senate. Isgar replaced former senator Jim Dyer this month after Dyer was appointed by Gov. Bill Owens to the Public Utilities Commission.

But Larson hasn’t ruled out running against Isgar himself. Larson has asked the state Republican Party to do an assessment of who is most likely to win the race.

"I don’t think this is so much about Kay and Mark as it is about the Republicans taking the seat back. I’m just keeping my powder dry. I’m waiting to see what happens with redistricting," explained Larson, who said there is nothing to prevent the two from running against each other in the primary.

However, he is hoping the two can decide who will be the best candidate before it comes to that.

"I’m hoping that Kay and I will decide who the best candidate is going to be," said Larson.