On Thursday, August 27, Governor Polis signed an executive order directing action on equity, diversity and inclusion across the state. “Colorado is committed to elevating our state to a place where all Coloradans can live and work in healthy, inclusive, and equitable environments,” said Governor Jared Polis. “Through this action, we have the opportunity to take action and examine where inequity and systemic racism exist, identify solutions, and make real change.”
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate systemic inequities in our communities, Pitkin County Public Health applauds the Governor and State of Colorado for taking action at the state-level. We also thank Web Brown, Director of CDPHE’s Office of Health Equity, and Sarah Hernandez, Deputy Director of CDPHE’s Office of Health Equity and Chair of the Colorado Equity Alliance, whose leadership helped make this Executive Order a reality. “With equity and inclusion being a core value of Pitkin County Public Health, we firmly believe in the catalyzing power of equity to engage and enrich our community as we identify and design solutions together. We would like to take this opportunity to also thank everyone across the Roaring Fork Valley who has formally or informally joined our COVID-19 response efforts to help amplify our safety messages and minimize the transmission of the virus across all of our communities.
Many local organizations and leaders have already made great strides in advancing racial equity and social justice, not only during these recent months but well beyond the start of the pandemic as well. As we work to grow our equity efforts, we appreciate those who have helped us thoughtfully identify our role in advancing equity, dismantling systems of oppression, and developing strong collabroations that build upon existing strengths in our communities. If anyone would like to join our Tri-County Hispanic/Latinx Outreach and Engagement Team, please email [email protected]
