Office of Equity and Belonging

The Office of Equity & Belonging is working to eliminate systemic and institutional racism from the city's policies, programs, and practices. As stewards of democracy, we strive to transform Boulder into a more inclusive, safe, and welcoming environment for all who live, work, learn and play in our community.

Historically, the way Boulder's city services and opportunities have been structured has not served everyone in our community equally — in access, in outcomes, or in influence over how decisions get made. The Office of Equity and Belonging exists to help change that by ensuring that the city delivers and makes decisions in ways that are fair, inclusive and responsive to the people our organization serves and affects.

Creating equitable outcomes requires institutional transformation that addresses how our city organization functions and operates day to day. It demands shifting and embedding processes that shape city government in the ways we make decisions, how resources are allocated and how staff work to support and improve our community. Because these systems exist across every department, our work extends beyond the Office of Equity and Belonging and becomes part of our collective city culture and how we operate.

The Office of Equity and Belonging supports departments in building the knowledge, tools and best practices needed to make equity part of our daily work. Through building staff capacity, developing shared frameworks and processes, and elevating and implementing creative and innovative approaches, the Office of Equity and Belonging supports departments in applying an equity focus lens in hiring, purchasing, planning and public engagement. Our aim is to center those most impacted by government services and decisions to ensure they have a place in shaping it.

Together, these efforts can create a lasting and meaningful impact in improving systems that determine how city services reach the community.