Colorado Minorities Impact Congressional Politics

The Hispanic population in Colorado has grown from 13 percent in 1990 to 20 percent today. The percentage of African Americans has remained constant over the twenty years and the Asian community increased by fifty percent. Hispanic and other minority local elected officials and state legislators are now a common sight, and in both the U.S. Senate and competitive Sixth Congressional District races, minority voter turnout could be decisive.

Denver’s 1^st CD, Pueblo’s and Western Slope’s 3^rd CD, and Denver metro west side’s 7^th CD has the largest Hispanic populations. The African American community is significant in size in Denver and the newly configured 6^th CD. The Asian community, while still a small percentage, is most important in the 6^th CD.