Racial Equity Study

The bill requires the state historical society (society), commonly known as history Colorado, establishes the Black Coloradan racial equity commission (commission) in the legislative department to conduct a study to determine , and make recommendations related to, any historical and ongoing effects of slavery and subsequent systemic racism on Black Coloradans that may be attributed to Colorado state practices, systems, and policies, and to identify measures that are consistent with the constitution to address those effects. The study includes historical research conducted by the state historical society (society), commonly known as history Colorado, and an economic analysis.

The society may enter into an agreement with a third-party entity to conduct all or parts of the study. As part of the study, historical research. The society shall conduct at least 2 public comment community engagement sessions for members of the public to provide input to the society related to the study its historical research. The society shall provide the commission with quarterly updates about the status of its research. 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. commission with the results of its research and any recommendations. The commission shall enter into an agreement with a third party to conduct an economic analysis of the financial impact of systemic racism on historically impacted Black Coloradans utilizing the findings of the society's historical research. The third party shall deliver the results of its economic analysis to the commission.

At the conclusion of this study, the commission shall submit a report to the general assembly and the governor about the study and make the report available on a publicly accessible webpage of the general assembly's website. The report must include a description of the study's goals, the results of the historical research and economic analysis, and the commission's recommendations. After the commission submits the report, the commission shall work with any parties necessary to implement the recommendations in the report.

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 commission receiving $100,000 $785,000 of gifts, grants, or donations for the purpose of conducting the study.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)