h_jud_2018a_2018-03-13t13:32:17z1 Hearing Summary

Speaker Duran, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1256, concerning continuation of the regulation of civil rights issues, and, in connection therewith, implementing the recommendation in the Department of Regulatory Agencies' 2017 sunset review and report on the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) and the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRC) to continue the division and commission. Speaker Duran was joined by Representative Herod.  Speaker Duran provided background on the CCRD and CCRC, and discussed the merits of the bill.  She also cited some instances where anti-discrimination laws have been enforced. Representative Herod provided input on the importance of civil rights enforcement, and discussed the work of the CCRD.

Mr. Arturo Alvarado, representing the Denver Metro Fair Housing Center, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Alvarado discussed the importance of maintaining the CCRD and CCRC from a housing perspective. Mr. Alvarado explained how his organization interacts with the CCRD.

Mr. Daniel Shannon, representing Gary's Auto Repair Shop, Mr. Mizraim Cordero, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, and Ms. Iris Halpern, representing the Colorado Trial Lawyers Association, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Shannon discussed the benefits of the CCRD and CCRC to small businesses. Mr. Cordero discussed the processes observed in litigating civil rights claims, and the benefits to business of maintaining the CCRD and CCRC. Ms. Halpern explained the interplay of federal and state civil rights laws, and discussed certain benefits of maintaining the CCRD and CCRC.

Ms. Iman Jodeh, representing the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, and Mr. Scott Levin, representing the Anti-Defamation League, testified in support of HB 18-1256. Mr. Levin discussed historic discrimination against Jews, and the continued need for the CCRD and CCRC. Ms. Jodeh discussed the importance of the CCRD to her community, and the potential impact of discontinuing the division to Colorado's economy. Discussion ensued regarding trends in discrimination over the past year.

Mr. Christiano Sosa, representing the Arc of Colorado, and Ms. Ashley Wheeland, representing the Women's Lobby, testified in support of HB 18-1256. Ms. Wheeland discussed the importance of the work of the CCRD. Mr. Sosa discussed the need to maintain the CCRD from the perspective of the disability community.

Mr. Barry Roseman, representing the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, and Ms. Emma Bliesener, representing Padres y Jovenes Unidos, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Bliesener discussed the need to continue the CCRD and CCRC. Mr. Roseman discussed recent trends in discrimination, and discrimination cases that are covered only by Colorado law, and not federal law. He spoke against placing certain restrictions on the CCRD and CCRC.  Discussion ensued regarding changing the representation of the CCRC, and applying certain judicial rules to the commission.

Ms. Betty Boyd, representing the American Association of University Women, and Ms. Judith Marquez, representing 9to5 Colorado, testified in support of HB 18-1256. Ms. Boyd discussed the charge of the CCRD, and the benefits of its activities. She also noted the Colorado Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice's support for the bill. Ms. Marquez explained how her organization relies on the CCRD to enforce civil rights laws, and cited some examples of discrimination.

Ms. Karla Gonzales Garcia, representing the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, and Ms. Andrea Wilkins, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of HB 18-1256. Ms. Gonzales Garcia discussed the importance of the work of the CCRD, and trends in discrimination. Ms. Wilkins discussed the protections afforded by the CCRC.

Ms. Keira Havens, representing herself, and Ms. Christina Johnson, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Johnson discussed the importance of maintaining the CCRD. Ms. Havens explained that now is not the time to consider sunsetting the CCRD and CCRC.

Ms. Emma Davis, representing herself, and Ms. Lehua La'a, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Davis discussed the potential impact of cutting funding for the CCRD and CCRC. Ms. La'a explained how a person's name might affect employment prospects, and civil rights recourse in the absence of the CCRC and CCRD. Ms. La'a responded to questions regarding how she navigates job hunting.

No amendments were offered to HB 18-1256. Various committee members provided their positions on HB 18-1256. Representative Herod and Speaker Duran provided closing remarks in support of the bill.