Sen. James Coleman, a Denver Democrat, speaks at the June 4, 2024 signing of a bill to require a racial equity study in Colorado. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)
Supporters of a new state law requiring a racial equity study have raised enough money to fund the first year of work.
A combination of individuals, foundations and corporate funders donated the necessary $785,000 to pay for the initial phase of the study, Democratic Sen. James Coleman of Denver told Colorado Newsline.
Colorado Public Radio first reported the funding success.
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The entire financial commitment is about $1.8 million for three years of work. Coleman hopes this success — and the work it will produce — will create momentum for the rest of the fundraising.
“The culture where I come from, we don’t get excited until the job is done,” he said. “We celebrate small victories … and I’m grateful for what we’ve done, the job is not finished.”
Senate Bill 24-53 establishes a commission to oversee a History Colorado study into how racism has created inequality in Colorado in areas like housing, economic mobility, education, health care and the criminal justice system. Ultimately, the group will recommend legislation based on the study’s data and findings.
The 14-member commission, which will include people with a variety of expertise appointed by legislative leadership and Gov. Jared Polis, will need to start meeting by September.
“The findings are going to be dedicated to the Black community, but the ultimate outcome is that everyone will benefit,” Coleman said, referring to the areas of study as “poverty issues” that affect groups across racial lines.
The law did not come with any state funding. Instead the study will rely on community donors to complete it. That money is directly donated to the group Collaborative Healing Initiative within Communities and then funneled to the state’s treasury department to pay for the work.
Coleman said donors for the first round of money include the Denver Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, the Black Resilience in Colorado community fund and Gary Community Ventures.
“It’s been a real blessing to get a lot of support, but then you have individuals who really put their pennies and nickels and dimes together to make sure that this got across the finish line,” Coleman said.
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