Community Engagement

The Statewide Equity Office’s Community Engagement Program works to strengthen the connection between the State of Colorado government and the diverse communities we serve by:

• Managing a community engagement resource library for State agencies and
   
• Partnering with State agencies to host booths at a variety of community events throughout the state.

The Statewide Equity Office is dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility through active engagement with both State of Colorado employees and community members.

To further this commitment, five distinct Statewide Communities of Practice: Accessibility, External Strategy, Internal Strategy, Supplier Diversity: Construction, and Supplier Diversity: Goods & Services were launched in June 2024.

These groups, composed of individuals with professional and lived experience from the community and State agencies, guide the equity office’s strategic directions and initiatives.

The External Strategy Statewide Community of Practice is composed of both internal and external partners who inform the program by sharing concerns and recommendations from the communities we serve. This group plays a vital role in guiding our community engagement efforts, providing community happenings, and ensuring that our strategies and those of other State agencies align with the current needs and priorities of the communities we serve.

External Strategy Mission Statement

To utilize the tools and resources of the Statewide Equity Office to center equity in external outreach and engagement for State of Colorado offices.

External Strategy Goals & Objectives: COLOR

1. C: Create opportunities for employees to collaborate, build a sense of engagement, and explore new perspectives.  
2. O: Organize and disseminate educational resources for equitable community engagement practices.
3. L: Listen to the diverse needs of the community and share the knowledge gained.
4. O: Offer State agencies fiscal support by providing financial knowledge, resources, and partnerships with the SEO.
5. R: Review community engagement policies and practices to identify, elevate, and share best or promising practices. 

The Internal Strategy Statewide Community of Practice partners with State agencies to engage stakeholders in human resources and equity professions, integrating equity into workforce strategies. This group, primarily composed of internal State of Colorado employees with some external partners, informs the work of the program through an array of considerations based on iterative feedback.

Members offer valuable insights into workforce equity, diversity, and inclusion challenges, suggest improvements for training programs, and advocate for policies that promote a fair and inclusive workplace.

Internal Strategy Vision

We envision a workplace where everyone has an equitable opportunity to thrive, regardless of who they are or where they come from.

Internal Strategy Mission Statement

As State government representatives, we partner through innovative interagency collaboration to:

• Advise on strategies and structures to promote Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (EDIA)
• Identify and escalate EDIA-related systemic barriers
• Provide input on existing policies and procedures
• Create and share resources and best practices for promoting EDIA

The Statewide Community of Practice for Accessibility brings together experts, stakeholders, and individuals with lived experiences to focus on improving accessibility. This group will make recommendations for the ADA Accommodation Fund, identify new training opportunities, help develop an ADA Transition Plan, and help create an accessibility resource library to enhance awareness and readiness for improved access in the state.

Accessibility Mission Statement

To empower State of Colorado agencies, community members, and local governments by providing best practices in accessibility, fostering a culture of inclusive design, and promoting equity in all policies, programs, and practices across Colorado.
 

The Supplier Diversity Statewide Communities of Practice bring together diverse perspectives from within the State government and from external partners with a shared focus on inclusive procurement practices and removing barriers to participation for small and historically underutilized businesses.

Members provide valuable perspectives, ensuring that our approaches are aligned with the evolving priorities and needs of diverse populations. By sharing best practices, addressing challenges, and aligning strategies, the community aims to expand opportunities for underrepresented suppliers, drive economic growth, and ensure that procurement processes reflect the diversity of the communities served.

The collaborative efforts enhance transparency, support equitable access to contracts, and contribute to a more inclusive and responsive supply chain.

Construction Mission Statement

To identify best practices and generate ideas that promote equity in design and construction within Colorado State government through collaboration, shared experiences, and a desire to institute legislative changes that codify equitable practices across the state.

Construction Goals

1. Contractor Readiness through Removal of Barriers 
   The contractor readiness goal will focus on improving resources to assist bidding vendor success in improving their business operations, provide educational resources to assist with financial literacy, and provide training to help understand the complexities of the State of Colorado’s design and construction project opportunities.
    
2. Technical Assistance and Outreach 
   This goal will provide a toolbox to make vendors successful with support for vendors to give them more exposure to State projects. 

Goods & Services Mission Statement 

To advance equity for small and diverse Colorado businesses through advocacy, education, and strategic initiatives by increasing access to governmental purchasing. We are dedicated to fostering inclusive economic growth by dismantling barriers, cultivating diverse networks, and advocating for policies that create a fair and equitable environment where all can thrive.

Goods & Services Goals

1. Increase supplier readiness/understand and remove barriers.
2. Create reports to determine supplier diversity participation and create policies to encourage utilization of historically underutilized businesses and small businesses.
3. Provide technical assistance and outreach to businesses.
4. Provide training to help buyers understand the importance of using underutilized and small businesses and provide them with tools to make it easier to use these business types.
    

The Statewide Equity Office is looking for State of Colorado employees and community members who want to provide feedback on the office’s strategies and goals through a Statewide Community of Practice. 

These groups consist of State of Colorado employees and community members who lend their professional and lived experience perspectives. This ensures that our strategies effectively resonate with the diverse communities they aim to serve. For non-State employees, participation in these groups is compensated, emphasizing the value and importance of their contributions.

To apply, fill out the Statewide Community of Practice Application. If you have any issues filling out the application, please contact the Statewide Equity Office. 

If you have any questions, please email us at dpa_StatewideEquityOffice@state.co.us.