Redistricting Squabble Could End Up In Court

DENVER (CBS4) - Colorado lawmakers are locked in a high stakes battle at the state Capitol and it may end up in court.

The two parties are digging in their heals over redistricting -- the process of drawing congressional districts.

Redistricting may seem like dry stuff, but it's very important. Lawmakers only get to draw the maps every 10 years, which means if a district or several districts are skewed to one party, it will stay that way for a long time.

The Capitol has become an arena for a dizzying war of maps.

"I feel like I see maps in my sleep," Sen. Rollie Heath said.

Heath is part of a bipartisan committee charged with redrawing the boundaries for Colorado's seven congressional districts.

After weeks of dueling maps the process has dissolved into a name calling, finger pointing, and a virtual brawl.

"Well, it's the most partisan thing you're asked to do," Heath said.

How the lines are drawn can determine which party represents Colorado in Congress for the next decade. Redistricting only happens after a census.

The latest Republican map keeps the boundaries essentially unchanged, but Republicans enjoy a majority in the congressional delegation.

"If you want four or five Republican seats over next 10 years there is nothing wrong with that map," Heath said.

Speaker of the House Frank McNulty ripped the Democrats' map, saying it splits the Eastern Plains and pairs odd communities.

"The bottom line is their map creates seat for Democrats and that's the way they want it," McNulty said. "I think that there's very little that Douglas County has in common with Boulder County … no state in nation uses the criteria that the Democrats in Colorado are calling for."

If a compromise isn't reached, the legislature or governor can call a special session, or it could end up before a judge who may accept one of the maps or order a new one. Either way it will cost taxpayers money.

The last time Colorado did redistricting in 2000 it ended up in court.