Citizens Project
We Won! The Human Relations Commission is Created!
 
Please thank City Council members for approving the HRC ordinance
We are thrilled to announce that the Colorado Springs City Council voted 6-3 yesterday to establish a Human Relations Commission! This is a major step forward for ensuring equal opportunity for all residents and making our community more welcoming and inclusive.

Please thank the following City Council Members for their support:
Larry Small, Vice Mayor LSmall@springsgov.com 719-385-5986
Randy Purvis, At-Large RPurvis@springsgov.com 719-578-9800
Jan Martin, At-Large JMartin@springsgov.com 719-385-5486
Sean Paige, District 3 SPaige@springsgov.com 719-385-5470
Bernie Herpin, Jr. District 4 BHerpin@springsgov.com  719-385-5492
Scott Hente, District 1 SHente@springsgov.com 719-385-5487


Special thanks to Council Member Jan Martin for her incredible leadership and dedication as a member of the HRC Planning Committee!

Watch the Council Meeting
You can watch the presentation, questions, comments and the vote during yesterday's council meeting on the city's web site here. Click "Item 10" using the file markers option to jump right to the Human Relations Commission portion of the meeting.

Vote in CSBJ Poll
You can also vote here in the Colorado Springs Business Journal's online poll asking:  "Should the Colorado Springs City Council have revived the city's Human Relations Commission?" The poll is at the bottom of the right hand column.

Next Steps: Making it Work!
Our work to set up the HRC now begins! We will need a lot of help reaching out to the community, recruiting good people to apply and be appointed to the HRC, and setting up operating procedures to make the HRC successful. Please watch your in-box for an invitation to a planning meeting.

What is the Human Relations Commission?
  • Most cities have a Human Relations Commission (HRC) to mediate disputes, help businesses, individuals and agencies resolve issues involving discrimination, and provide city government a greater understanding of how policies and funding affect less vocal minorities. Our city's HRC was disbanded in the 1990s and it's time to bring it back.
  • The HRC is an all-volunteer committee of nine residents, appointed by the City Council, who have diverse backgrounds and skills in mediation, cultural competency, community leadership, and human services.
  • The HRC requires no funding, does not have regulatory power, and will operate like most other city boards and commissions.

How will the Human Relations Commission benefit our community?

  • The HRC will hear grievances from any resident or business involving discrimination, and will use mediation and reconciliation to resolve disputes without litigation. Unresolved conflicts may be referred to the Colorado Civil Rights Division.
  • The HRC will conduct informed advocacy and educate the business community, nonprofits and the public sector on how to avoid illegal discrimination, and work constructively with employees, clients, customers and citizens with diverse backgrounds.
  • The HRC will be a resource for residents affected by the loss of services from recent budget cuts, connecting people with existing services or identifying new needs that nonprofit agencies could address.
  • The HRC will promote public-private partnerships to find solutions to community problems and will improve police-community relations by promoting constructive dialogue.
Download and Forward this Information
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The following documents in Adobe PDF format require the Adobe Reader (click to download).
  • Gazette article about the formal vote - HRC info at the end of street light cameras article.
 
Thank you for helping to create a more equitable community for us all!