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Discussion of proclamation language highlighting inclusivity and a welcoming community
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Summary and Background Information: At the Nov. 21 regular meeting, city council requested a study session to discuss language for a proclamation highlighting the city's position as an inclusive and welcoming community. Staff compiled the following information in preparation for council's discussion.
Administrative Efforts
Since Commerce City's is one of Colorado's most diverse municipalities, with Latinos comprising 46 percent of the population, the city manager initiated a Latino Engagement Taskforce (LET) in 2015 to help position the city to become a leader in building a stronger and more inclusive community. Facilitated by Cultivando, the goal of LET was to obtain constructive and solution-focused participation from community members on how Commerce City can better engage, involve, and authentically serve its Latino community. An application process was established to recruit interested Commerce City community members and with assistance from Cultivando staff, Promotoras outreach efforts were conducted. Twelve Latinas were selected from 15 applicants for the taskforce, with an average city residency of 13.6 years. Eleven of the 12 members self-identified as Spanish being their primary language and five self-identified as being bilingual (English/Spanish). Over a six month period, monthly meetings were held in Spanish and explored various city topics that were of interest to the taskforce. The attached report outlines recommendations to build meaningful access to needed services and a pathway forward towards greater civic engagement in building a quality community for a lifetime in Commerce City for and with all community members. City staff has begun to operationalize some of the recommendations and will expand efforts in 2017.
National Efforts
In September 2015, the White House Task Force on New Americans launched the "Building Welcoming Communities Campaig...
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