Weld County faces blowback after ignoring state redistricting law

New political boundaries for some of the most powerful local officials in Weld County are under scrutiny by some state lawmakers who say the districts were drawn in violation of a 2021 law. 

Weld County officials, who argue the county is exempt from that state law, looked solely at population in drawing new county commissioner district lines, resulting in voter pools that critics say assure Republicans win coming elections. 

The redistricting law, which borrowed from state-level requirements, details specific steps for drawing new districts, such as forming a redistricting commission, creating a website for public input and holding public meetings. 

While redistricting experts say the 2021 Colorado law mandates that cities should be kept together when possible…