Why a Local Ordinance?

Office of Human Rights

Why a Local Ordinance?

There are protections against discrimination at the state and the federal level. So why does Boulder have a city ordinance?

When the City Council enacted the Human Rights Ordinance in 1972, there were two primary reasons for creating protection at a local level:

Protecting classes which are not protected at the state or federal levels such as sexual orientation, gender variance and genetic characteristics.
State and Federal agencies are dealing with a much larger volume of complaints and therefore a complaint at the state or federal level can be a time consuming proposition. The City of Boulder Office of Human Rights is generally able to process complaints more promptly than other larger agencies.

It is important to understand that, in most cases, complainants have a choice of jurisdiction under which to file. Here is contact information for other agencies that enforce civil rights:

Colorado Civil Rights Division
303-894-2997

Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity
303-672-5437

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunities Commission
303-866-1300

Last Updated on Friday, 21 September 2012 11:40

Schedule of events:

Saturday, Sept. 29:
Recognition of Boulder’s Immigrant Heritage, 11 a.m. at the Boulder Farmers Market, 13th Street between Arapahoe Street and Canyon Boulevard.

Monday, Oct. 1:
Free dinner followed by a screening of “The Least of These,” a film that considers how core American rights and values should apply to immigrants, particularly children, 6 p.m. A discussion of immigrant rights policy follows. YWCA of Boulder County, 2222 14th St. Boulder.

Oct. 1 – 7:
“Celebrating Diverse Cultures in Boulder Through Music and Dance,” performances Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings at 7:30; Daytime performances Saturday and Sunday, Pearl Street Studio, 2126 Pearl St. View complete performance schedule .

Monday, Oct. 1 and Thursday, Oct. 4:
Exploring Latina Heritage and Immigration Policy at the Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave.

Wednesday, Oct. 3:
“Los Immigrantes” interviews recorded over 29 years ago with some of the first Latino families in Boulder, 6 – 8:30 p.m. Boulder Public Library.

Through October 28:
“Boulder’s Latino History Project 1910-1955” photo exhibit, Boulder Public Library.