February 19, 2026
Honoring the fullness of Black history calls us to remember the individuals and families whose hard work and resilience helped shape this country, even when their stories were left out of history books. It is a legacy rooted in strength, endurance and faith. Understanding the past is not simply an act of remembrance, but a necessary step toward shaping a more just and equitable future.
The Colorado Black Equity Study embodies that very commitment.
On June 4, 2024, Governor Polis signed SB24-053 into law, establishing the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study Commission and directing History Colorado to lead the Colorado Black Equity Study. This three-year initiative, expected to conclude in 2027, is conducting in-depth research into the policies, systems and practices that have harmed Black Coloradans throughout the state’s history and examining how those impacts continue today.
Born out of advocacy and fully funded by donors and community partners, the study is a community-led effort aiming to use those findings to better understand Colorado history and help shape future policy.
It examines education, workforce training, housing, criminal justice and policing, health care, tax policy and access to wealth building. At every stage, community engagement remains central, ensuring that lived experiences inform and guide the research.
“We’re talking to Coloradans of all experiences, all hues, because this is our history, and it’s time that we reimagine what it looks like to really be rooted in something that honors everyone,” says Program Manager of the Colorado Black Equity Study Chloe Duplessis. “When we create programs that directly address and repair harm and expand access to learning, housing and healthcare – we build the support our communities truly need.”
Rose Community Foundation is honored to be one of many community partners to support the Colorado Black Equity Study.
“From the beginning, Rose Community Foundation recognized the importance of investing in a study that centers Black voices, acknowledges historical context and creates a foundation for long-term systems change,” says Director of Justice for Black Coloradans Yarkenda Payne-Diallo. “This partnership has helped strengthen the credibility and reach of the Colorado Black Equity Study while signaling the importance of this work to other institutions and stakeholders across the state.”
Updates are shared as they become available, with the most recent update published in January 2026. Once complete, History Colorado and the Commission will produce a report made up of both the historical research and economic impact analysis The report will determine whether Colorado’s state practices, systems and policies have contributed to past and present discrimination against Black Coloradans and will offer recommendations designed to address inequities and guide future policy decisions.
“There are so many contributions from Black Coloradans and Black Americans in the areas of innovation and industry and just the very foundation of this country,” says Chloe. “This is about shared history. We have to eliminate the distance we’ve created. When you recognize that we all heal or harm together, that we all benefit from this – then you get it. There is no Colorado history without Black history. There is no American history without Black history.”
Learn more about the study, future community listening sessions and how you can support here.