To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Resolution in Support of the 2020 Census
Body
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Executive Summary
Staff last provided Council an update regarding the 2020 Census in January. With Census Day - April 1, 2020 - a little less than a month away, staff wishes to provide another update on efforts to date. Further, staff is requesting Council’s approval of a resolution in support of the 2020 Census.
Discussion
The U.S. Constitution requires that the country’s population be counted every 10 years to determine the number of seats in Congress each state gets. The Census is also used for the redistricting of Colorado General Assembly seats, the allocation of Federal/State dollars and other purposes.
In preparation for the 2020 Census, Town staff has been working with the U.S. Census Bureau and Douglas County by providing information updates and by coordinating communications efforts.
Staff has completed numerous elements of a communications plan related to the Census, including adding a webpage on the Census to CRgov.com; including articles on the Census in the February Your Town Talk newsletter and in the upcoming edition of Outlook magazine; and regularly sharing social media posts regarding the Census. Still planned are a news release about the Census and promoting the Census at upcoming Councilmember open houses. Additionally, Town staff has worked along with Douglas County staff to ensure the Census Bureau has the proper Town boundaries on record, as well as the Town’s most current address list, including new construction.
Residents can expect to begin receiving invitations to complete the Census in mid-March. Responding will be easier than ever in 2020, as this Census marks the first time respondents will have the option to reply online, including from mobile devices. Responses will also be taken by phone and mail. The Census Bureau is bound by federal law to keep information provided confidential, and to use it only for statistical purposes.
Per Census Bureau data, the Town was the 14th-fastest-growing municipality with more than 50,000 residents between July 2017 and July 2018. Staff estimates the Town’s population is now over 72,000. The 2020 Census will provide a complete, accurate count of Castle Rock residents, and it’s important that the community fully participate in it. Therefore, staff recommends Council approve the attached resolution in support of the 2020 Census.
Attachments
Attachment A: A Resolution in Support of the 2020 Census