A group of Colorado lawmakers want the state to conduct a study on the legacy of slavery and the ongoing impact of racism on Black Coloradans.
They say the numbers tell the story – disparities by race persist on everything from homeownership, to education and health outcomes.
“We know those disparities still exist and in some places they exist very clearly along the historic redlines of Denver,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver.
Redlining is the discriminatory practice of denying services such as mortgages and insurance to people in certain neighborhoods – based on race.
Members of the Democratic Black Caucus want History Colorado to conduct a study, backed by data, on the impacts of racial discrimination – in order to map a path forward for a different future.
“What really binds us in our work is being able to question some of the systems around us and dismantle them so that we can find better outcomes for African Americans as well as our neighbors across the state,” said Rep. Jennifer Bacon, D-Denver.