Salazar bid gets justices' go-ahead

May 23, 2003

Denver Post

Friday, May 23, 2003 - A historic legal challenge by Attorney General Ken Salazar seeking to overturn a new redistricting law will go forward, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

The court denied a motion by Secretary of State Donetta Davidson to stop the proceedings by Salazar, who is trying to overturn the law that redraws congressional district boundaries and solidifies Republican control in five of seven districts.

But the court granted a motion by Davidson's lawyers requiring Salazar to justify why he should be suing the secretary instead of defending her, which the law says is his job.

The court gave Salazar 30 days to respond and Davidson 30 days after that to reply.

"I will press vigorously for the results I believe are best for all the people of Colorado , including Republican, Democrat, independent and other affiliated and unaffiliated citizens," Salazar said.

Salazar said the Supreme Court decisions will "determine the workings of Colorado 's government in fundamental ways."

Not only will the high court determine the constitutionality of the redistricting law, but it will determine whether attorneys general have the power to seek definitive, rapid rulings on laws they believe to be unconstitutional, he said.

Salazar triggered the Supreme Court action last week when he asked the court to rule on the constitutionality of the redistricting.

In a related action, Democratic lawmakers tried to block the hiring of attorney Richard Westfall to represent the General Assembly in the redistricting dispute. Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, said Westfall has represented U.S. Rep. Bob Beauprez, the Republican congressman who stands to benefit the most from the redistricting, which is strongly opposed by the Democrats.

"It's outrageous for (the Republican leadership) to hire Beauprez's lawyer to represent all the people of Colorado ," Gordon said.