Human Relations Commission

The function of the Human Relations Commission is to foster mutual respect and understanding and to create an atmosphere conducive to the promotion of amicable relations among all members of the Boulder community.

The Human Relations Commission strives to:

Celebrate and encourage understanding of the diversity of the city's population;
Encourage education programs with the potential to change ideas and attitudes;
Conduct research to define key issues in the community in order to suggest appropriate changes to ordinances and policies; and
Enforce the City of Boulder's Human Rights Ordinance that prohibits discrimination by serving as a quasi-judicial hearing board for human rights ordinance cases.

Bias Motivated Crime Sentence Enhancements

Reflecting community feedback, including but not limited to, the Community Perceptions Assessment, Human Relations Commission public hearings, and comments shared with City Council, the City Attorney’s Office has finalized language for an ordinance addressing sentence enhancements for bias motivated crimes. A summary of key points as well as the full ordinance text may be found here:

Bias Motivated Crime Sentence Enhancements - Proposed Language .

First reading of this ordinance was held by City Council on Aug. 6, 2019. Council public hearing was held on Aug. 27, 2019.

Note: The HRC has allocated all 2019 funding for the Human Relations Fund. Please check back later in the year for information on 2020 funds. The HRC will still be accepting funding applications later in the year for Indigenous Peoples' Day and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day events.

The Human Relations Commission generally meets the third Monday of the month at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 1777 Broadway.

Staff Liaison: Clay Fong at 303-441-3141
Board Secretary: Mari Camacho at 303-441-4389

The Human Relations Commission consists of five members appointed by City Council, each to a five-year term.

Human Relations Commission Members

NAME	CONTACT INFORMATION	PHONE	APPOINTMENT DATES
Nikhil Mankekar, Chairperson (he, him, his)	[email protected]	720-449-6520	2015-2020
Lindsey Loberg, Deputy Chairperson (they, them, theirs)	[email protected]	414-687-6671	2017-2019
Art Figel (he, him, his)	[email protected]	303-541-9748	2017-2022
Sharon Simmons (with assistance from Gracie, her service dog) (she, her, hers)	[email protected]	720-361-3373	2018-2023
Stanley Deetz (they, them, theirs)	[email protected]	303-499-4120	2018-2021