HomeMy WebLinkAbout1178 - Inclusivity of BoulderRESOLUTION NO. 1178
A RESOLUTION RE- AFFIRMING BOULDER'S STATUS
AS AND COMMITMENT TO BE AN INCLUSIVE
COMMUNITY, ITS COMMITMENT TO WORKING WITH
LOCAL PARTNERS TO IMPROVE SUPPORT FOR AND
INCLUSION OF DIVERSITY, AND ENCOURAGING
OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND THEIR ELECTED
LEADERS TO DO THE SAME.
WHEREAS, the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of the
American people — native and immigrant — makes our nation and communities richer and
stronger; and
WHEREAS, the City of Boulder is proud of its long history of working to protect
the civil rights and liberties of all of our residents, partner with our community leaders to
speak out against human injustices and abuses, and welcome immigrants to our
community; and
WHEREAS, Boulder has long advocated for public policies at all levels of
government that promote inclusion, equity, health, and well -being of all people who live
in our community; and
WHEREAS, Boulder strives to be inclusive in our city government through our
hiring practices, our recruitment and appointment of diverse members to serve on
advisory boards and commissions, and our communications and policies; and
WHEREAS, Boulder established a Human Relations Commission in 1973 to
help foster mutual respect, celebrate and promote understanding of the diversity of the
city's population, suggest appropriate changes to ordinances and policies, and enforce the
City of Boulder's Human Rights Ordinance to prohibit discrimination; and
WHEREAS, Boulder established an Immigrant Advisory Committee in 2005 to
advise the city on programs. services and processes that encourage and support
immigrants' participation in local government and make recommendations to the city on
policies and legislation affecting immigrants; and
WHEREAS, the City of Boulder's past and current work includes numerous
examples of efforts to embrace and support diversity and inclusion, including providing
services intended to facilitate transition into our community, providing safety net services
for our most vulnerable and marginalized residents, supporting Human Rights
protections, adopting affordable housing programs, supporting diversity through cultural
events such as immigrant heritage celebrations, and providing school -based programs
that offer all students the opportunity to succeed; and
WHEREAS, despite our community's collective efforts to create an inclusive and
supportive community, a number of people still do not feel welcome, included, or safe in
Boulder; and
WHEREAS, some members of our community continue to experience
discrimination, harassment, and intimidation based on their cultural, religious or personal
beliefs, identities, and practices; and
WHEREAS, while a large number of us never personally encounter
discrimination or acts of hatred directed towards us, those that do suffer greatly because
of it; and
WHEREAS, according to recent Community Foundation Trends reports, less
than half of Boulder County residents feel we are welcoming to immigrants from other
countries or racial and ethnic minorities; and
WHEREAS, recent international incidents of violence and terrorism have
triggered a spate of hateful and hurtful rhetoric and actions in America against refugees
and people of certain religious faiths and ethnic groups, causing local concerns and
triggering a need to explicitly re- confirm our intentions, beliefs and values around
inclusivity;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
BOULDER, COLORADO, that:
Boulder re- affirms its status as, and commitment to be, an inclusive community
and explicitly welcome all residents regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, country of
origin, sexual preference or gender identity, ability, religion, income, political persuasion,
citizenship status, or cultural practices; re- affirms its commitment to working with local
partners in continuing to pursue policies and programs that improve our community's
support for and inclusion of diversity; and encourages other jurisdictions and their elected
leaders to do the same.
PASSED AND ADOPTED THIS 15 DAY OF DECEMBER, 2015.
Mayor 4
Attest:
G5,1) Clerk