Colorado One Of 7 States That Could Gain Congressional Seat From 2020 Census

DENVER (CBS4) - The count from the 2020 Census could mean Colorado gets another congressional seat in Washington. That's based on new U.S. Census estimates that were released this week.

Colorado is one of five states in the West and South that are projected to gain a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives once the population count effort is complete. The others are Arizona, Montana, North Carolina and Oregon. Florida is expected to gain at least two seats and Texas is expected to gain at least three.

"I'm thrilled that Colorado is set to increase our clout in Washington D.C. Washington needs more of our Colorado common-sense and another member of Congress from Colorado is good for our state and our country," Gov. Jared Polis said in a prepared statement he released on Tuesday.

The following states are projected to possibly lose a district: Alabama, California, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and West Virginia.

Colorado currently has seven Congressional districts. If a new district is added the state's district map will have to be re-drawn. The current representatives are as follows.

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Rep. Diane DeGette, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 1st Congressional District

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Rep. Joe Neguse, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 2nd Congressional District

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Rep. Scott Tipton, a Republican who represents Colorado's 3rd Congressional District

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Rep. Ken Buck, a Republican who represents Colorado's 4th Congressional District

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Rep. Doug Lamborn, a Republican who represents Colorado's 5th Congressional District

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Rep. Jason Crow, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 6th Congressional District

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Rep. Ed Perlmutter, a Democrat who represents Colorado's 7th Congressional District

The U.S. Constitution mandates that a census of the population be conducted once every 10 years. In addition to helping decide representation in Congress, the data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau determines how more than $675 billion in federal funds are distributed back to states and local communities.

In 2020, uniformed workers will ask residents in Colorado some basic questions. They include address verification, people in the household, race, and gender. Census workers will never ask for a credit card number or Social Security number.

In 2020, you'll also have several new options of how you can respond to the Census. In March, most people will receive an invitation to respond by mail, over the phone, or online. Census Day will be on April 1.

"To make sure we get the extra representation, and billions in federal funding for education, transportation and more then we need to succeed at counting everyone for the upcoming 2020 census," Polis said.