Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 24-0465.01 Conrad Imel x2313
SENATE BILL 24-053
Senate Committees House Committees
State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
Finance
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING AN EVALUATION OF RACIAL EQUITY FOR BLACK101
C
OLORADANS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
The bill requires the state historical society (society), commonly
known as history Colorado, to conduct a study to determine any historical
and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black
Coloradans that may be attributed to Colorado state policies, and to
identify measures that are consistent with the constitution to address those
effects. The society may enter into an agreement with a third-party entity
SENATE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 20, 2024
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 19, 2024
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Coleman, Bridges, Buckner, Cutter, Exum, Fields, Ginal, Gonzales, Hansen, Hinrichsen,
Jaquez Lewis, Kolker, Marchman, Michaelson Jenet, Mullica, Priola, Roberts, Rodriguez,
Sullivan, Winter F., Zenzinger
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Herod and Ricks,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. to conduct all or parts of the study. As part of the study, the society shall
conduct at least 2 public comment sessions for members of the public to
provide input to the society related to the study. The society is required
to submit a report to the general assembly and governor and make the
report available on a publicly accessible webpage of the society's website.
The bill establishes the Black Coloradan racial equity steering
committee (steering committee) to provide input to the society about the
study, including guidance about the research, economic analysis, and
recommendations. The steering committee also assists the society in
conducting the public comment sessions. The society shall provide the
steering committee with regular periodic updates about the status of the
study. The steering committee may submit to the society comments and
recommendations for inclusion in the society's report to the general
assembly and governor. After the study is completed, the steering
committee shall work as necessary to effectuate implementation of the
recommendations in the study report.
The bill is contingent upon the society receiving $100,000 of gifts,
grants, or donations for the purpose of conducting the study.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 23 to article
2
2 of title 2 as follows:3
PART 234
BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY STUDY5
2-2-2301. Legislative declaration. (1) (a) T
HE GENERAL
6
ASSEMBLY FINDS, DETERMINES, AND DECLARES THAT:7
(I) T
HE LEGACY OF SLAVERY , RACIAL DISCRIMINATION, AND8
SYSTEMIC RACISM HAS HARMED BLACK COLORADANS AND CONTINUES TO9
HARM BLACK COLORADANS IN MATERIAL WAYS . BLACK INDIVIDUALS AND10
COMMUNITIES, WHOSE UNPAID LABOR FORMED THE BASIS FOR WEALTH11
AND POWER IN THIS COUNTRY , ARE OWED THE OPPORTUNITY AND12
RESOURCES TO BUILD WEALTH AND POWER FOR THEMSELVES . LIKE MANY13
WESTERN STATES, COLORADO IS WIDELY PERCEIVED AS HISTORICALLY14
ABSTINENT FROM PARTICIPATING IN SLAVERY . HOWEVER, SLAVERY WAS15
053-2- ONLY FULLY ABOLISHED IN THE COLORADO CONSTITUTION IN 2018.1
(II) C
OLORADO DEMONSTRATES A TRACK RECORD OF RACIAL2
DISCRIMINATION, RESULTING DIRECTLY IN RACIAL DISPARITIES. THE KU3
K
LUX KLAN WIELDED GREAT INFLUENCE AND POWER IN DENVER AND IN4
STATE POLITICS IN THE 1920S. MAJOR COLORADO TOWNS SUCH AS5
D
ENVER, GRAND JUNCTION, PUEBLO, AND CANON CITY WERE HOTBEDS6
OF KLAN ACTIVITY. THE KLAN IN COLORADO PEAKED IN 1925. BY THIS7
TIME, IT HAD INFILTRATED ALL LEVELS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT . THE8
K
LAN CONTROLLED MANY MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE , HELD A STATE9
SUPREME COURT JUDGESHIP AND SEVEN DENVER DISTRICT COURT10
BENCHES, AND HAD CONTROLLING MAJORITIES IN SOME TOWN COUNCILS .11
S
OME OF THE MOST NOTABLE KLANSMEN AT THE TIME INCLUDED THE12
MAYOR AND POLICE CHIEF OF DENVER AND THE GOVERNOR OF COLORADO.13
(III) T
HE IMPACT OF THOSE IN POWER TRANSPIRES INTO POLICIES ,14
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES ADOPTED AT THE STATE LEVEL . THOSE POLICIES,15
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES ARE BUILT UPON OVER DECADES AND FURTHER16
INGRAIN INEQUITIES THAT HAVE A DISPARATE IMPACT ON BLACK17
C
OLORADANS.18
(IV) I
N 2020, THE HOME OWNERSHIP GAP BETWEEN BLACK AND19
W
HITE COLORADANS WAS THIRTY -ONE PERCENT. JUST TWENTY-FIVE20
PERCENT OF ADULT BLACK COLORADANS HAVE EARNED A21
POSTSECONDARY DEGREE OR CREDENTIAL , WHILE NINETY-ONE AND22
FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT OF TIER ONE JOBS IDENTIFIED IN THE COLORADO23
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL 'S 2022 TALENT PIPELINE REPORT AND24
SEVENTY AND FOUR-TENTHS PERCENT OF TIER TWO JOBS REQUIRE A25
POSTSECONDARY CREDENTIAL . IN COLORADO, BLACK INDIVIDUALS26
CONSTITUTE FIVE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION BUT SEVENTEEN PERCENT27
053
-3- OF THOSE IN JAIL AND EIGHTEEN PERCENT OF THOSE IN PRISON . AT1
THIRTEEN AND SEVEN -TENTHS PERCENT UNEMPLOYMENT , BLACK2
WORKERS IN COLORADO FACED HIGHER UNEMPLOYMENT RATES THAN3
OTHER RACIAL GROUPS SURVEYED BETWEEN MAY 2021 AND APRIL 2022.4
B
LACK COLORADANS EXPERIENCE A WIDE ARRAY OF NEGATIVE HEALTH5
OUTCOMES AT RATES THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATE TO WHITE6
C
OLORADANS IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS : FOOD INSECURITY, INFANT7
MORTALITY, CHILDHOOD ASTHMA, DIABETES, AND HIV AND AIDS. THE8
AVERAGE BLACK COLORADAN HAS A LIFE EXPECTANCY NEARLY THREE9
YEARS FEWER THAN THE AVERAGE WHITE COLORADAN.10
(V) D
ISPARITIES IN BOTH K-12 EDUCATION AND POSTSECONDARY11
TRAINING, INCLUDING HIGHER EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE TRAINING ;12
HOME OWNERSHIP; HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE ;13
AND A SYSTEMICALLY UNJUST CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM , COMBINED WITH14
POLICE BRUTALITY, HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO A REALITY IN WHICH HALF OF15
B
LACK FAMILIES IN COLORADO ARE CONSIDERED LOW -INCOME. A LACK16
OF ACCESS TO ECONOMIC MOBILITY AND FINANCIAL PROSPERITY HAS17
IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS FOR GENERATIONS . BLACK COLORADANS'18
LOST EARNINGS AND ASSETS DETRACT FROM COLORADO'S LABOR FORCE19
AND TAX BASE, AS WELL AS THE GROWTH OF COLORADO'S ECONOMY.20
(VI) R
ACIAL EQUITY STUDIES ARE TOOLS USED TO QUALIFY AND21
QUANTIFY PAST DISCRIMINATION AND RECOMMEND CERTAIN CORRECTIVE22
MEASURES AS MAY BE WARRANTED BY THE STUDY 'S FINDINGS.23
(b) T
HEREFORE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY DECLARES THAT AN24
INDEPENDENT STUDY MUST BE CONDUCTED AND A STEERING COMMITTEE25
BE CREATED IN THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO DETERMINE THE26
EXTENT TO WHICH BLACK COLORADANS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND27
053
-4- CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION DIRECTLY LINKED TO1
HARMFUL PRACTICES, SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF THE STATE AND TO2
QUANTIFY THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF ANY DISCRIMINATION DISCOVERED3
DURING THE STUDY.4
2-2-2302. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 23, UNLESS THE
5
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :6
(1) "C
OMMISSION" MEANS THE BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL
7
EQUITY STUDY COMMISSION CREATED IN SECTION 2-2-2303.8
(2) "E
CONOMIC ANALYSIS" MEANS THE ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
9
CONDUCTED BY A THIRD-PARTY ENTITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2306.10
(3) "F
UND" MEANS THE BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY
11
STUDY CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 2-2-2308.12
(4) "H
ISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS" OR "BLACK
13
C
OLORADANS" MEANS AFRICAN AMERICAN PERSONS, INCLUDING
14
INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE ORIGINS IN ANY OF THE BLACK RACIAL GROUPS,15
WHO HAVE RESIDED OR WHO ARE RESIDING IN COLORADO.16
(5) "H
ISTORICAL RESEARCH" MEANS THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH
17
CONDUCTED BY THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY PURSUANT TO SECTION18
2-2-2305.19
(6) "S
TATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY" OR "SOCIETY" MEANS THE STATE
20
HISTORICAL SOCIETY ESTABLISHED IN SECTION 24-80-201 AND COMMONLY21
KNOWN AS HISTORY COLORADO.22
(7) "S
TUDY" MEANS THE STUDY TO DETERMINE ANY POTENTIAL
23
HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT24
SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO25
THIS PART 23.26
(8) "T
HIRD-PARTY ENTITY" MEANS AN ENTITY THAT SATISFIES THE
27
053
-5- QUALIFICATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION 2-2-2303 (2) AND THAT HAS1
ENTERED INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COMMISSION OR WITH THE2
SOCIETY TO CONDUCT ALL OR PART OF THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH .3
2-2-2303. Black Coloradan racial equity study - third-party4
entity qualifications - commission created - membership - staff5
support - legislative intent. (1) (a) T
HERE IS ESTABLISHED IN THE
6
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT THE BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY7
COMMISSION TO CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE , AND MAKE8
RECOMMENDATIONS RELATED TO , ANY POTENTIAL HISTORICAL AND9
ONGOING EFFECTS OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT SYSTEMIC RACISM ON10
B
LACK COLORADANS THAT MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO PRACTICES , SYSTEMS,
11
AND POLICIES OF THE STATE. THE COMMISSION IS ONLY REQUIRED TO12
CONDUCT A STUDY IF , PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2309, SECTIONS13
2-2-2304,
2-2-2305, 2-2-2306, AND 2-2-2307 BECOME EFFECTIVE. THE
14
GOALS OF THE STUDY ARE TO:15
(I) D
ETERMINE THE EXTENT TO WHICH BLACK COLORADANS HAVE
16
EXPERIENCED AND CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE RACIAL DISCRIMINATION17
DIRECTLY LINKED TO HARMFUL PRACTICES , SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF18
THE STATE THAT HAVE EXISTED HISTORICALLY OR THAT CONTINUE TO19
EXIST;20
(II) Q
UANTIFY THE ECONOMIC IMPACT ON BLACK COLORADANS,
21
INCLUDING IMPACTS ON INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES , OF ANY22
DISCRIMINATION DISCOVERED DURING THE STUDY , TO THE EXTENT THAT23
THE STUDY ESTABLISHES THAT DISPARITIES ATTRIBUTABLE TO PAST OR24
PRESENT DISCRIMINATION EXIST; AND25
(III) I
DENTIFY MEASURES THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE
26
CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS THE EFFECTS OF DISCRIMINATION THAT MAY27
053
-6- BE ATTRIBUTED TO PRACTICES, SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF THE STATE.1
(b) T
HE STUDY INCLUDES HISTORICAL RESEARCH CONDUCTED BY
2
THE SOCIETY PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2305 AND AN ECONOMIC3
ANALYSIS CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2306.4
(c) (I) I
T IS THE INTENT OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT THE
5
STUDY BE FUNDED ENTIRELY BY GIFTS , GRANTS, AND DONATIONS; THAT6
GIFTS, GRANTS, AND DONATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE7
COURSE OF THE STUDY; AND THAT NO ADDITIONAL GENERAL FUND MONEY8
BE APPROPRIATED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STUDY .9
(II) T
HE STUDY IS CONTINGENT ON MONEY BEING AVAILABLE TO
10
CARRY OUT THE STUDY . IF MONEY IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE11
COMMISSION, STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, OR ANY OTHER ENTITY TO12
CARRY OUT IT'S DUTIES REQUIRED PURSUANT TO THIS PART 23, THE13
COMMISSION, SOCIETY, OR ENTITY IS NOT REQUIRED TO CARRY OUT THE14
DUTIES. A CONTRACT WITH A THIRD-PARTY ENTITY MUST PROVIDE THAT15
THE CONTRACT IS CONTINGENT ON FUNDS BEING AVAILABLE FOR THAT16
PURPOSE.17
(2) (a) A
THIRD-PARTY ENTITY THAT ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT
18
WITH THE COMMISSION OR SOCIETY TO CONDUCT ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OR19
RESEARCH PURSUANT TO THIS PART 23 MUST HAVE:20
(I) E
XPERIENCE WORKING WITH BLACK COMMUNITIES;
21
(II) A
N UNDERSTANDING OF BLACK HISTORY AND CULTURE, WITH
22
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE WORKING ON ISSUES RELATED TO BLACK23
HISTORY, SOCIAL EQUITY, CIVIL RIGHTS, AND ECONOMIC MOBILITY; AND24
(III) A
N UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA AND HOW IT
25
PASSES THROUGH GENERATIONS .26
(b) T
HE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY MAY BE FROM OUTSIDE COLORADO.
27
053
-7- (3) (a) THE COMMISSION CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS :1
(I) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR:
2
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN QUANTIFYING THE
3
ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;4
(B) O
NE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF
5
PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;6
(C) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS LEGAL EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL
7
LAW AND RACIAL JUSTICE; AND8
(D) O
NE PERSON WHO IS A HISTORIAN WITH EXPERTISE IN THE
9
HISTORY OF BLACK COLORADANS;10
(II) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS , APPOINTED BY THE SPEAKER OF
11
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:12
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN QUANTIFYING THE
13
ECONOMIC IMPACTS ON HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;14
(B) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN RESEARCHING THE
15
HISTORY AND IMPACT OF SLAVERY AND SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK16
C
OLORADANS;
17
(C) O
NE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF
18
PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;19
AND20
(D) T
WO MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ; AND
21
(III) T
HE FOLLOWING MEMBERS, APPOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT OF
22
THE SENATE:23
(A) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS LEGAL EXPERTISE IN CONSTITUTIONAL
24
LAW AND RACIAL JUSTICE;25
(B) O
NE PERSON WHO HAS EXPERTISE IN RESEARCHING THE
26
HISTORY AND IMPACT OF SLAVERY ON BLACK COLORADANS;27
053
-8- (C) ONE COMMUNITY REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TRACK RECORD OF1
PUBLIC SERVICE WITH HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS;2
AND3
(D) T
WO MEMBERS OF THE SENATE .
4
(b) T
HE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE SHALL APPOINT ONE OF THE
5
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WHO IS A SENATOR AS THE CHAIR OF THE6
COMMISSION. THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES SHALL7
APPOINT ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION WHO IS A MEMBER OF8
THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AS THE VICE-CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION.9
(c) T
HE APPOINTING AUTHORITIES SHALL APPOINT MEMBERS OF
10
THE COMMISSION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF11
THIS SUBSECTION (3), BUT NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2024. THE TERM12
OF APPOINTMENT IS FOR THE DURATION OF THE COMMISSION 'S EXISTENCE.13
I
F A VACANCY ARISES ON THE COMMISSION , THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY
14
SHALL APPOINT A REPLACEMENT TO FILL THE VACANCY AS SOON AS15
POSSIBLE.16
(d) N
ONLEGISLATIVE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION SERVE
17
WITHOUT COMPENSATION BUT ARE ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT FOR18
ACTUAL AND NECESSARY EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE DISCHARGE OF THE19
MEMBERS' DUTIES.20
(e) T
HE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL STAFF SHALL ASSIST THE
21
COMMISSION IN CARRYING OUT ITS DUTIES ; EXCEPT THAT LEGISLATIVE22
COUNCIL STAFF SHALL NOT:23
(I) C
ONDUCT RESEARCH FOR THE COMMISSION OR DRAFT THE
24
REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2307;25
(II) O
RGANIZE OR OTHERWISE FACILITATE A COMMUNITY
26
ENGAGEMENT SESSION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 2-2-2305 (2); AND27
053
-9- (III) TRAVEL FOR THE PURPOSE OF ASSISTING THE COMMISSION ,1
UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE2
COUNCIL.3
2-2-2304. Commission - meetings - duties. (1) (a) T
HE CHAIR OF
4
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONVENE THE FIRST MEETING OF THE5
COMMISSION NO LATER THAN FORTY -TWO DAYS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE6
DATE OF THIS SECTION.7
(b) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL NOT MEET MORE THAN SIX TIMES IN A
8
CALENDAR YEAR AND SHALL NOT MEET DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION ;9
EXCEPT THAT:10
(I) M
EETINGS WITHIN THE FIRST THREE MONTHS AFTER THE
11
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION DO NOT COUNT TOWARD THE12
SIX-MEETING LIMIT; AND13
(II) T
HE COMMISSION MAY MEET ONCE DURING A LEGISLATIVE
14
SESSION FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF A QUARTERLY UPDATE FROM THE SOCIETY15
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2305 (4).16
(c) M
EMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY PARTICIPATE REMOTELY
17
IN COMMITTEE MEETINGS.18
(d) T
HE COMMISSION MAY NOT TRAVEL UNLESS AUTHORIZED BY
19
THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ; EXCEPT THAT20
MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION MAY TRAVEL TO PARTICIPATE IN A21
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 2-2-2305 (2).22
(2) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL:
23
(a) C
OLLABORATE WITH THE SOCIETY ABOUT THE STUDY 'S SCOPE
24
OF RESEARCH IN THE SUBJECT AREAS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 2-2-2305 (1);25
(b) I
F THE SOCIETY ENTERS INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH A
26
THIRD-PARTY ENTITY TO CONDUCT ALL OR PART OF THE HISTORICAL27
053
-10- RESEARCH, ASSIST WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A RUBRIC FOR SELECTING1
THE ENTITY;2
(c) C
OLLABORATE WITH THE SOCIETY ABOUT DETERMINING THE
3
TIMING AND GEOGRAPHIC REACH FOR EACH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT4
SESSION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 2-2-2305 (2) TO MAXIMIZE ATTENDANCE5
AT THE SESSION, CONSULT WITH THE SOCIETY ABOUT WHETHER TO HOLD6
ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY E NGAGEMENT SESSIONS , AND HELP THE SOCIETY7
MAXIMIZE ATTENDANCE AT THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS ;8
(d) P
ROVIDE FEEDBACK TO THE SOCIETY FOLLOWING THE RECEIPT
9
OF UPDATES ABOUT THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH ;10
(e) E
NTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE OR MORE THIRD -PARTY
11
ENTITIES TO CONDUCT AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS , AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION12
2-2-2306;
AND
13
(f) D
RAFT AND SUBMIT THE REPORT REQUIRED PURSUANT TO
14
SECTION 2-2-2307.15
(3) A
FTER THE COMMISSION SUBMITS THE REPORT TO THE
16
GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND GOVERNOR PURS UANT TO SECTION 2-2-2307 (1),17
THE COMMISSION SHALL WORK WITH ANY PARTIES NECESSARY , INCLUDING18
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY , TO IMPLEMENT THE19
RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT .20
2-2-2305. Black Coloradan racial equity study - historical21
research. (1) (a) A
S PART OF THE STUDY, THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
22
SHALL CONDUCT HISTORICAL RESEARCH TO DETERMINE ANY POTENTIAL23
HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT24
SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS THAT MAY BE ATTRIBUTED TO25
PRACTICES, SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF THE STATE. THE HISTORICAL26
RESEARCH MUST FOCUS ON AND INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING , AS EACH27
053
-11- MAY BE ATTRIBUTABLE TO STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES , POLICIES,1
SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES:2
(I) R
ESEARCH ON POTENTIAL HISTORICAL AND ONGOING EFFECTS
3
OF SLAVERY AND SUBSEQUENT SYSTEMIC RACISM ON BLACK COLORADANS4
IN THE FOLLOWING SUBJECT AREAS : ACCESS TO ASSET AND WEALTH5
BUILDING, INCLUDING RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL LOANS , CAPITAL6
INVESTMENTS, AND GRANTS FOR BUSINESSES ; TAX POLICY; K-127
EDUCATION; POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION, INCLUDING HIGHER EDUCATION8
AND WORKFORCE TRAINING PROGRAMS ; HOME OWNERSHIP AND ACCESS TO9
HOUSING AS AN OWNER OR TENANT ; HEALTH DISPARITIES AND ACCESS TO10
HEALTH CARE; POLICING AND POLICE BRUTALITY; INCARCERATION FOR11
CRIMES; AND OVERALL TREATMENT OF BLACK COLORADANS AND TRENDS12
IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM . THE SOCIETY SHALL FOCUS ITS13
RESEARCH IN THE SUBJECT AREAS BASED ON GUIDANCE FROM THE14
COMMISSION ABOUT SPECIFIC TOPICS FOR STUDY WITHIN THE SUBJECT15
AREAS.16
(II) R
ESEARCH INTO THE EXTENT STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES '
17
POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ANY18
HARM CAUSED TO HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS.19
(b) I
N CONDUCTING THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH , THE SOCIETY MAY
20
CONSIDER AND INCORPORATE OTHER RESEARCH AND STUDIES THAT ARE21
RELEVANT TO THE SUBJECT AREAS DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1). 22
(2) (a) T
HE SOCIETY SHALL CONDUCT AT LEAST TWO COMMUNITY
23
ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS IN DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS IN THE24
STATE FOR THE PUBLIC TO OFFER INPUT BASED ON LIVED EXPERIENCE WITH25
STATE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES , POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES26
THAT HAVE RESULTED IN SYSTEMIC RACISM AND DISCRIMINATION AGAINST27
053
-12- HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS AND THEIR IMPACT ON1
INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, AND THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE . EACH2
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SESSION MUST BE HELD AT A TIME AND IN A3
PLACE THAT THE COMMISSION DETERMINES IS SUFFICIENT TO MAXIMIZE4
ATTENDANCE. THE SOCIETY SHALL ALLOW MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO5
PARTICIPATE AND PROVIDE COMMENTS IN PERSON , REMOTELY, AND IN6
WRITING.7
(b) T
HE SOCIETY MAY CONDUCT ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY
8
ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS OR ENGAGE WITH THE COMMUNITY THROUGH9
INTERVIEWS AND OTHER METHODS DETERMINED BY THE SOCIETY .10
(3) T
HE SOCIETY MAY ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH ONE OR
11
MORE THIRD-PARTY ENTITIES TO CONDUCT ALL OR PART OF THE12
HISTORICAL RESEARCH.13
(4) B
EGINNING THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF
14
THIS SECTION, THE SOCIETY SHALL PROVIDE THE COMMISSION WITH15
QUARTERLY UPDATES ABOUT THE STATUS OF THE STUDY . THE SOCIETY16
SHALL CONSIDER THE COMMISSION 'S FEEDBACK ON THE UPDATES.17
(5) N
O LATER THAN TWO YEARS AND SIX MONTHS AFTER THE
18
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION, THE SOCIETY SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT19
TO THE COMMISSION WITH THE RESULTS OF ITS HISTORICAL RESEARCH20
CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION AND ANY RECOMMENDATIONS OF21
THE SOCIETY.22
2-2-2306. Black Coloradan racial equity study - economic23
analysis - contractor. (1) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL ENTER INTO AN
24
AGREEMENT WITH ONE OR MORE THIRD -PARTY ENTITIES TO CONDUCT AN25
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL IMPACT OF SYSTEMIC RACISM ON26
HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK COLORADANS UTILIZING THE FINDINGS27
053
-13- OF THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND , IF FEASIBLE, AN ESTIMATION OF THE1
FINANCIAL IMPACT ON COLORADO'S ECONOMY RESULTING FROM STATE2
GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES , POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES IN3
C
OLORADO.
4
(2) (a) T
HE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY SHALL BEGIN CONDUCTING ITS
5
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS AFTER THE SOCIETY HAS COMPLETED ITS RESEARCH6
AND NO LATER THAN THE DATE THAT THE COMMISSION RECEIVES THE7
HISTORICAL RESEARCH REPORT FROM THE SOCIETY PURSUANT TO SECTION8
2-2-2305
(5).
9
(b) N
O LATER THAN SIX MONTHS AFTER BEGINNING TO CONDUCT
10
ITS ECONOMIC ANALYSIS, THE THIRD-PARTY ENTITY SHALL DELIVER THE11
RESULTS OF ITS ANALYSIS TO THE COMMISSION .12
2-2-2307. Black Coloradan racial equity study - report -13
presentation to legislative committees. (1) N
O LATER THAN THREE
14
YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION , THE COMMISSION15
SHALL SUBMIT A REPORT TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND THE GOVERNOR16
ABOUT THE STUDY. THE COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE THE REPORT TO THE17
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION , THE COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER18
EDUCATION, THE COLORADO ATTORNEY GENERAL , AND THE HEALTH19
EQUITY COMMISSION CREATED IN SECTION 25-4-2206, AND MAKE THE20
REPORT AVAILABLE ON A PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE WEBPAGE OF THE21
GENERAL ASSEMBLY'S WEBSITE. THE REPORT MUST INCLUDE:22
(a) A
DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY'S GOALS;
23
(b) T
HE RESULTS OF THE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC
24
ANALYSIS;25
(c) R
ECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE CONSISTENT WITH THE
26
CONSTITUTION TO ADDRESS ANY PAST HARM POTENTIALLY CAUSED BY27
053
-14- GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND PRACTICES THAT ARE1
DISCOVERED THROUGH THE STUDY ;2
(d) R
ECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW OUTCOMES OF THE
3
HISTORICAL RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF PAST HARM4
POTENTIALLY CAUSED TO BLACK COLORADANS BY THE PRACTICES,5
SYSTEMS, AND POLICIES OF THE STATE CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE6
STATE HISTORY STANDARDS FOR K-12 STUDENTS; AND7
(e) R
ECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW TO INCREASE PUBLIC
8
AWARENESS ABOUT RESEARCH AND ECONOMIC ASSESSMENTS OF PAST9
HARM POTENTIALLY CAUSED TO HISTORICALLY IMPACTED BLACK10
C
OLORADANS BY GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES , POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND
11
PRACTICES.12
(2) T
HE COMMISSION SHALL PRESENT THE REPORT DESCRIBED IN
13
THIS SECTION TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STATE , CIVIC,14
MILITARY, AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE AND THE SENATE STATE ,15
VETERANS, AND MILITARY AFFAIRS COMMITTEE , OR THEIR SUCCESSOR16
COMMITTEES, DURING THE NEXT REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT17
BEGINS AFTER THE REPORT IS SUBMITTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND18
GOVERNOR OR, IF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS IN REGULAR SESSION WHEN19
THE REPORT IS SUBMITTED AND UPON REQUEST OF THE CHAIR OF THE20
COMMITTEE, DURING THAT ONGOING REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION .21
2-2-2308. Gifts, grants, and donations - cash fund. (1) T
HE
22
COMMISSION MAY SEEK , ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR23
DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS24
SECTION. THE COMMISSION SHALL TRANSMIT ALL MONEY RECEIVED25
THROUGH GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS TO THE STATE TREASURER, WHO26
SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY27
053
-15- STUDY CASH FUND CREATED IN THIS SECTION .1
(2) T
HE COMMISSION MAY ACCEPT DONATIONS OF IN -KIND
2
SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING FOR TECHNICAL3
ASSISTANCE.4
(3) (a) T
HE BLACK COLORADAN RACIAL EQUITY STUDY CASH FUND
5
IS CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY . THE FUND CONSISTS OF GIFTS,6
GRANTS, AND DONATIONS CREDITED TO THE FUND PURSUANT TO7
SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER MONEY THAT THE8
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY APPROPRIATE OR TRANSFER TO THE FUND . THE9
STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME DERIVED10
FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE11
FUND.12
(b) M
ONEY IN THE FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED AS
13
FOLLOWS:14
(I) T
O THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL FOR THE COMMISSION TO CARRY
15
OUT THIS PART 23; AND16
(II) T
O THE SOCIETY FOR CONDUCTING HISTORICAL RESEARCH
17
PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2305.18
(c) (I) I
F BY JUNE 30, 2025, THE MONEY IN THE FUND HAS NEVER
19
REACHED OR EXCEEDED SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY -FIVE THOUSAND20
DOLLARS, THE STATE TREASURER SHALL RETURN FROM THE FUND TO THE21
GRANTOR OR DONOR THE AMOUNT OF THE GRANTOR 'S OR DONOR'S GIFTS,22
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS.23
(II) I
F SECTIONS 2-2-2304, 2-2-2305, 2-2-2306, AND 2-2-2307
24
TAKE EFFECT PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-2-2309 (1), ON THE DAY PRIOR TO25
THE REPEAL OF THE FUND FOUR YEARS LATER PURSUANT TO SECTION26
2-2-2309
(2), THE STATE TREASURER SHALL RETURN FROM THE FUND TO
27
053
-16- EACH GRANTOR OR DONOR THE MONEY REMAINING IN THE F UND IN AN1
AMOUNT THAT IS PROPORTIONAL TO THE GRANTOR 'S OR DONOR'S SHARE2
OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS DEPOSITED TO3
THE FUND.4
(III) I
F ANY MONEY REMAINS IN THE FUND AFTER THE STATE
5
TREASURER RETURNS MONEY TO DONORS OR GRANTORS PURSUANT TO6
SUBSECTION (3)(c)(I) OR (3)(c)(II) OF THIS SECTION, AS APPLICABLE, THE7
STATE TREASURER SHALL, PRIOR TO THE REPEAL OF THE FUND, TRANSFER8
ALL UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE9
GENERAL FUND.10
2-2-2309. Effective dates - repeal of part. (1) S
ECTIONS
11
2-2-2304,
2-2-2305, 2-2-2306, AND 2-2-2307 WILL TAKE EFFECT IF THE
12
COMMISSION RECEIVES SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY -FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS13
OF GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS PART 23.14
T
HE DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL SHALL NOTIFY
15
THE REVISOR OF STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE ON WHICH THE16
CONDITION SPECIFIED IN THIS SUBSECTION (1) HAS OCCURRED BY17
E-MAILING THE NOTICE TO REVISOROFSTATUTES .GA@COLEG.GOV.18
S
ECTIONS 2-2-2304, 2-2-2305, 2-2-2306, AND 2-2-2307 TAKE EFFECT
19
UPON THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE SOCIETY HAS20
RECEIVED SEVEN HUNDRED EIGHTY -FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS OF GIFTS ,21
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION OR , IF THE22
NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT DATE, UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO23
THE REVISOR OF STATUTES.24
(2) T
HIS PART 23 IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025; EXCEPT
25
THAT, IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS26
SECTION, THEN THIS PART 23 IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE FOUR YEARS AFTER27
053
-17- SECTIONS 2-2-2304, 2-2-2305, 2-2-2306, AND 2-2-2307 TAKE EFFECT.1
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-80-211, add (2)2
as follows:3
24-80-211. Society and division - duties - repeal. (2) (a) 4
S
UBJECT TO AVAILABLE MONEY , THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY SHALL
5
CONDUCT HISTORICAL RESEARCH AS DESCRIBED IN PART 23 OF ARTICLE 26
OF TITLE 2.7
(b) T
HIS SUBSECTION (2) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2025;
8
EXCEPT THAT, IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT9
TO SECTION 2-2-2309 (1), THEN THIS SUBSECTION (2) IS REPEALED,10
EFFECTIVE FOUR YEARS AFTER THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR11
OF STATUTES.12
SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act13
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the14
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except15
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V16
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this17
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take18
effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in19
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the20
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.21
22
053
-18-