SERVICES
Hate Free Colorado believes that the best way to stand up to hate is with respect, learning and understanding. Start a conversation. Find connection with others who are different than you. Recognize that we all deserve to be treated with kindness, respect and dignity. We can all learn to value each other for who we are, not who we are not. We are all part of the same human family.
Reporting is also important. If you have experienced or witnessed an incident of bias, hatred or bigotry, make sure and report it to your local police department. They can direct you to other resources like community organizations that can help.
Strengthening state hate crimes laws and enhanced training for law enforcement officers on how to identify and respond to hate crimes is also crucial. Better data collection and reporting by law enforcement agencies and increased public education would also be huge steps. We work with 18 coalition partners that are all here to help.
Hate crimes are varied and can require different actions depending on the crime. Please visit our resource page for more information.
PARTNERSHIP PROFILE
In 2017, Out Boulder County and the Boulder Police Department partnered to create an LGBTQ Liaison Program. A main pillar of the program was to create an environment where members of our community could feel safe in reporting incidents of hate and violence to law enforcement. Three members of the Boulder Police Department volunteered to be LGBTQ Liaisons and to begin this journey. Each of our law enforcement partners are proud members of the LGBTQ community and constantly look for opportunities to build trust—a lack of which has historically contributed to a fractured relationship between individuals of LGBTQ communities and law enforcement.
This program is focused on building personal relationships so that, when we encounter a member of the community in crisis—or who has been victimized, we can facilitate an introduction to a reliable member of the LGBTQ Liaison Program. The ability to build personal relationships, and faith in the LGBTQ liaisons of this program, has been pivotal in assisting our community in seeking justice for instances of hate and violence.
Over the past four years, we have continued our work by increasing the reach of this program to include a partnership with the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office and other local law enforcement agencies. Our collaboration has led to the creation of regional resources and, perhaps most importantly, a working group where we can engage in important dialogue—all while growing the partnerships that work towards creating a safer Colorado for our communities.
Out Boulder County, the Boulder County District Attorney’s Office, and the Boulder Police Department are all participants in Hate Free Colorado.
