When I began my campaign for Attorney General in 2017, my commitment to diversity and inclusion was a central part of my platform. I wrote then, after marching in the Denver Pride Parade, that I was inspired by former Governor Roy Romer’s call for Coloradans to “learn together and appreciate our diversity as a people.” Those words, and Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s lifelong fight for equal justice for all, continue to drive me to fight for diversity and inclusion.
I recognize that this work remains essential. Several weeks ago, I responded to an intimidation effort by some Republican attorneys general to dissuade companies and law firms from continuing their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. In a legal opinion I issued, I made plain that their legal argument–that the recent cases involving affirmative action in college admissions undermines such programs–was just wrong. To explain why DEI programs are both crucial and legal, I delivered a speech that explained their importance.
Governor Romer’s call for us to learn from others requires that we support everyone and not allow traditional hiring practices to overlook or fail to reach out to deserving individuals who come from different backgrounds. At our department, we are committed to ensuring equal opportunities for all and creating mentoring and outreach programs that include everyone. We also host gatherings, hold events, and engage in conversations that seek to enable everyone to feel valued and heard.
I recognize that we face real challenges in advancing equality for all–and that includes recent Supreme Court decisions. Still, I remain optimistic, as I witness progress. For example, I recently traveled to Grand Junction and was encouraged by a conversation I had with Colorado Mesa President John Marshall about that community’s Pride Parade and their embrace of LGBTQ+ equality. You can listen to that conversation here.
