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Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

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A montage of numerous images of CDPS employees at various events including an award ceremony, polar plunge, halloween, and bike to work day

Our Commitment:

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Our department is dedicated to equity, inclusion, non-discrimination and protecting the civil rights of our employees and the public we serve. 

CDPS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees and does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, creed, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and sexual orientation), religion, national origin, citizenship, age, veteran status, disability or marital status.

The goal of CDPS is to create an environment that is inclusive, respectful, and equitable, and to employ the talents of people with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives to accomplish the various missions of public safety.

Unlawful discrimination or any conduct calculated to discriminate is prohibited. Retaliation against any employee expressing their rights under any civil rights law is prohibited.

Civil Rights & Non-Discrimination

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It is the policy of the Colorado Department of Public Safety to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, disability, age, low-income, or limited English proficiency (LEP).

The CDPS Director of Civil Rights serves as the department's federal Title VI Coordinator, providing administrative direction necessary to ensure that policies and procedures relating to Title VI are implemented throughout all divisions of the department.

Accessibility

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CDPS is committed to protecting, providing service to, and engaging with all people in Colorado; we are committed to providing equitable access to our services to all Coloradans. Our ongoing accessibility effort works towards being in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) version 2.1, level AA criteria. These guidelines not only help make web content accessible to users with sensory, cognitive, and mobility disabilities but ultimately to all users, regardless of ability. This website is just part of a meaningful change in making all State of Colorado services inclusive and accessible. We welcome comments on how to improve this website’s accessibility for users with disabilities and for requests for accommodations to any State of Colorado services. Please alert us immediately via this website feedback form so that we can resolve it. You can also contact Theresa Staples

If you need to request an accommodation for CDPS services, information, meetings or events, please contact our Chief Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer: or 720-219-3409.

Additional State Accessibility Services

Aira: Free for up to 30 minutes per session

The State of Colorado is excited to offer a new service for blind and low-vision Coloradans through a partnership with Aira, an app that provides live, on-demand visual interpreting through human-to-human assistance. Coloradans get free access for up to 30 minutes per session while navigating state locations and digital services, reducing barriers to services and creating a more welcoming Colorado for all.

To learn more about Aira, including frequently asked questions about the service, visit the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) Aira webpage.

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Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Initiative

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In July 2020, CDPS launched an initiative to weave equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) into the fabric of everything we do. Our department has formed an EDI Council consisting of staff from all of our divisions, who represent a diverse cross-section of our members. This Council is responsible for creating and implementing a department-wide EDI strategic plan, in alignment with the Governor's Executive Order on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion and the state's universal policy. 

CDPS appointed a dedicated Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Officer, Theresa Staples, to lead the initiative. Additionally, we have support staff whose job duties have been updated to include a focus on implementing the department's EDI strategic plan and on ensuring that CDPS achieves a culture where every person feels welcome, heard and included. 

CDPS reports progress on our EDI efforts regularly to the Governor's Office and annually to the Colorado legislature as part of our SMART Act hearings.

How we foster equity, diversity, and inclusion at CDPS

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Recruitment

  • We review all job descriptions with an equity lens.
  • Completed a study to identify & overcome barriers to recruit & select diverse State Troopers.
  • Expanding outreach to underutilized populations.
  • Piloting a veteran internship program to build post-service skills.

Hiring Process

  • Don't ask applicants for their prior salary - helps avoid carrying forward inequities.
  • Redact names & identifying information from resumes to reduce opportunity for unconscious bias.
  • All interviewers must complete unconscious bias training.
  • We encourage diversity on selection panels.

Compensation

  • Complete thorough compensation analysis for each new pay action to ensure equity in pay.
  • Investigate complaints of wage discrimination.
  • Conducting salary analyses and group compensation analyses.

Policy

  • Chief EDI Officer ensures CDPS members comply with Federal Civil Rights Law.
  • CDPS policies prohibit discrimination, harassment & retaliation.
  • Currently completing equity impact analysis of all CDPS policies.

Training

  • All employees must complete mandatory Civil Rights and EDI training.
  • We offer multiple other discussion & training opportunities year-round.

Culture

  • EDI Council & implementation teams work to weave equity, diversity & inclusion into daily life.
  • Leadership regularly communicates EDI values.
  • Offer regular events to explore & celebrate culture and diversity.