Proposal is part of Weiser’s broader plan to Trump-proof Colorado and defend democracy
Contact:
Katie Farnan
(720) 383-7269
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Denver, CO – OCT 24, 2025 – Attorney General and candidate for Colorado governor Phil Weiser today becomes the first and most prominent state leader to call for a constitutional amendment allowing Colorado to respond to extreme partisan gerrymanders in other states, warning that failing to counteract these tactics could leave Coloradans vulnerable to a power grab already underway.
“This is about defending our democracy,” Weiser said. “When other states break long established norms and do mid-decade redistricting, Colorado can’t stand idly by and just watch. We’re not going to let those changing the rules to get an unfair advantage benefit from those efforts; Colorado must be ready to step up and do our part.”
Republican-led states like Texas are already pursuing mid-decade gerrymanders at President Trump’s urging, to tilt the 2026 election map so Republicans can keep control of the U.S. House of Representatives. And they are doing this long before the next U.S. Census in a cynical attempt to win at all costs and pick their own voters. Weiser’s response is clear: if the courts fail to check these tactics, Colorado must be prepared to act. Specifically, Weiser is calling for a narrowly drawn exception to Colorado’s constitutional provisions on redistricting—a change which would require at least 55% support by the voters. Under this exception, mid-cycle redistricting could occur in Colorado if and only if other states break the established norm that congressional districting takes place only once-per-decade. The earliest any new maps could take effect would be for the 2028 election. And for future redistricting efforts, Colorado’s independent redistricting commission and criteria would remain intact.
He is also urging everyday Coloradans to get involved now by contacting their legislators, supporting pro-democracy coalitions, and joining efforts to push for a 2026 ballot measure.
“I don’t take this position lightly. I hate gerrymandering. But I love our democracy more,” Weiser said of his support for moving the constitutional amendment process forward to an eventual vote of the people. “When states like Texas and North Carolina redraw their maps to stack the deck in favor of Republicans, Colorado must be prepared to respond. If we want to stop this dangerous power grab, we must remove the incentive for these tactics in the first place—that means being ready to act.”
Weiser emphasized that this tool should be available only as a last resort. “If the courts or state leaders stop these efforts, we won’t need to act,” Weiser said. “But we must be ready, because right now, we are not.”
This call to action is part of Weiser’s broader Defending Colorado and Our Rights platform, which can be found at https://philforcolorado.com/defending-colorado-and-our-rights/ and includes commitments to defend mail-in voting, reproductive rights, and gender-affirming care; resist political interference with the Colorado National Guard; protect the rights of the LGBTQ+ community; hold the federal government accountable in court for illegal overreach; and save federal jobs located in Colorado. The platform shows exactly the kinds of actions Weiser will take to “Trump-proof Colorado”, should he be elected Governor next year.
“Colorado needs leadership that’s ready to fight for what’s ahead,” Weiser said. “I intend to be the governor who defends the principles we stand for and is ready to fight back.”
Earlier this month, Weiser released a summary of his comprehensive vision for Colorado’s future in The Colorado Blueprint, available at the campaign’s website at philforcolorado.com/the-colorado-blueprint. This chapter is one of several the campaign is releasing over the coming weeks to provide a detailed vision for Colorado’s future, providing an opportunity for feedback and engagement as we work to build a better future.
Weiser launched his campaign in January 2025. Since then, he has earned endorsements from over 160 Colorado current and former elected officials, including Colorado trailblazers former Denver Mayor Federico Peña and former Governor Roy Romer, and from national elected leaders like Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA), Governor Maura Healey (D-MA), Governor Josh Stein (D-NC), and Governor Bob Ferguson (D-WA). For more information, please visit https://philforcolorado.com/.
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