Laws to Extend Federal Indian Boarding School Research Program, Uncover and Define Systemic Racial Inequities in Colorado Go Into Effect

DENVER, CO – On August 7, two new laws will go into effect. HB24-1444 will implement History Colorado recommendations to support healing generational trauma in tribal communities, capture oral histories and dive deeper into long-standing inequities faced by tribal communities. SB24-053 will examine racial disparities and the impact of systemic racism on Black Coloradans.

“History Colorado’s research about the dark history of federal Indian boarding schools left us with a choice on how to right these wrongs and better support our tribal communities today,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango, sponsor of HB24-1444. “This law extends this important research for another three years, acknowledging the abuse and forced assimilation that occurred, and addressing some of the longstanding inequities still faced by our tribal communities.”

“I was proud to join this bipartisan effort to acknowledge and address the injustices faced by American Indian communities in Colorado,” said Senator Jeff Bridges, D-Arapahoe County, sponsor of HB24-1444. “By extending the federal Indian boarding school research program until 2027 and providing new funding, we are helping ensure that the voices and experiences of tribal communities are heard and respected.”

“We cannot erase the horrors of the past, but we must face them,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB24-1444. “This new law directs the state of Colorado to continue to expose the truth about the American Indian boarding schools.”

HB24-1444, in consultation with tribes, extends the federal Indian boarding school research program within History Colorado until 2027. Enacted in 2022 through HB22-1327, this research program was tasked with researching the victimization that occurred at American Indian boarding schools in Colorado. History Colorado released the findings from their report and recommendations in October 2023, which revealed that nine institutions in the state attempted to assimilate American Indian students. HB24-1444 invests $1 million to continue the program in consultation with different tribes, putting forward recommendations to work toward social, educational and economic equity for tribal communities.

“Systemic racism has impacted Black Coloradans in every facet of our lives, leading to negative impacts like poorer health outcomes and less likelihood of accumulating generational wealth,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-053. “While one law can’t make up for the impacts that Black Coloradans have endured, this legislation will help us identify the impacts that racial inequalities have had on our Black community so we can take intentional and effective action.”

“Black Coloradans have been living with the impacts of systemic and historic racism – and the structural inequities that have resulted from it – for decades,” said Senator James Coleman, D-Denver, sponsor of SB24-053. “Studying that painful legacy is the first step towards addressing it, and will give us a deeper understanding of the impacts of past and current racial discrimination and policies on our community. This is an important opportunity for our state, and I am looking forward to continuing this conversation so we can begin to repair the damage and create a better and more equitable future for all Black Coloradans.”

“Racial equity studies can be a useful tool to address racial inequity by compiling data of the long-term impacts that systematic racism has had on Black communities,” said Rep. Naquetta Ricks, D-Aurora, sponsor of SB24-053. “Our legislation directs History Colorado to look further into how racial inequalities have impacted the success of Black Coloradans so we can develop meaningful policy that will make a real difference for our future.”

SB24-053 creates the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission to determine and make recommendations on the lasting effects of systemic racism in Colorado’s practices, systems, and policies. History Colorado will conduct research across areas such as economic mobility, housing, K-12 education, health care and the criminal justice system.

Racial equity studies, like the one outlined in this law, can be used as tools to qualify and quantify past discrimination and recommend certain corrective measures. The study also includes an economic impact analysis of the racial discrimination determined by the study.