Colorado § 2-2-2305 - Black Coloradan racial equity study - historical research.

§ 2-2-2305. Black Coloradan racial equity study - historical research.

(1) (a) As part of the study, the state historical society shall conduct historical research to determine any potential historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans that may be attributed to practices, systems, and policies of the state. The historical research must focus on and include all of the following, as each may be attributable to state governmental entities, policies, systems, and practices:

(I) Research on potential historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans in the following subject areas: Access to asset and wealth building, including residential and commercial loans, capital investments, and grants for businesses; tax policy; K-12 education; postsecondary education, including higher education and workforce training programs; home ownership and access to housing as an owner or tenant; health disparities and access to health care; policing and police brutality; incarceration for crimes; and overall treatment of Black Coloradans and trends in the criminal justice system. The society shall focus its research in the subject areas based on guidance from the commission about specific topics for study within the subject areas.

(II) Research into the extent state governmental entities' policies, systems, and practices may have contributed to any harm caused to historically impacted Black Coloradans.

(b) In conducting the historical research, the society may consider and incorporate other research and studies that are relevant to the subject areas described in this subsection (1).

(2) (a) The society shall conduct at least two community engagement sessions in different geographic locations in the state for the public to offer input based on lived experience with state governmental entities, policies, systems, and practices that have resulted in systemic racism and discrimination against historically impacted Black Coloradans and their impact on individuals, families, and the community as a whole. Each community engagement session must be held at a time and in a place that the commission determines is sufficient to maximize attendance. The society shall allow members of the public to participate and provide comments in person, remotely, and in writing.

(b) The society may conduct additional community engagement sessions or engage with the community through interviews and other methods determined by the society.

(3) The society may enter into an agreement with one or more third-party entities to conduct all or part of the historical research.

(4) Beginning three months after September 5, 2024, the society shall provide the commission with quarterly updates about the status of the study. The society shall consider the commission's feedback on the updates.

(5) No later than two years and six months after September 5, 2024, the society shall submit a report to the commission with the results of its historical research conducted pursuant to this section and any recommendations of the society.

Source: L. 2024: Entire part added, (SB 24-053), ch. 368, p. 2478, § 1, effective August 7 (see editor's note).

Editor's note: Section 2-2-2309 provides that this section is effective if the commission receives seven hundred eighty-five thousand dollars of gifts, grants, or donations for the purposes of this part 23 and the director of research of the legislative council notifies the revisor of statutes in writing of the date on which the condition specified has occurred by emailing the notice to revisorofstatutes.ga@coleg.gov. This § 2-2-2305 takes effect upon the date identified in the notice that the commission has received seven hundred eighty-five thousand dollars of gifts, grants, or donations for the purposes of § 2-2-2309 or, if the notice does not specify that date, upon the date of the notice to the revisor of statutes. The revisor of statutes was notified on September 6, 2024, that the condition specified occurred on September 5, 2024. For more information, see SB 24-053 (L. 2024, p. 2481).