Court strikes down Colorado's Republican redistricting plan.(Chicago Tribune)

Byline: Judith Graham

DENVER _ Ruling in one of the most contentious redistricting cases in the nation, the Colorado Supreme Court found Monday that the state's Republican-controlled legislature violated the state constitution in redrawing congressional districts to the GOP's advantage.

The 5-2 decision throws a wrench into Republicans' plans to strengthen their hold on Colorado's congressional delegation and could bode ill for a similar redistricting overhaul in Texas, which is also before the courts, experts said.

"This is a historic day," said an elated Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., at a news conference, noting that the ruling makes it likely that three of Colorado's seven congressional districts, including his own, will be competitive in upcoming 2004 elections.

Earlier this year, Republicans mounted an all-out drive in Colorado and Texas to redraw congressional district boundaries in an attempt to gain more seats in next year's elections.

In both states, courts had enacted redistricting plans after divided state legislatures failed to. In both states, Republicans moved to set aside the courts' maps and pass legislatively drawn maps, arguing that it was the legislators' duty to determine congressional districts.

If their plans proved successful, Republicans stood to protect five congressional seats they hold in Colorado and gain up to six additional seats in Texas.