In a recent government meeting, officials discussed significant updates to the city's anti-discrimination code, which has not been revised since 1984. The proposed changes aim to align local laws with current state and federal protections, ensuring consistency and inclusivity across various protected classes.
Key recommendations include the addition of protections for sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, as well as specific employment-related protections against discrimination based on genetic information, pregnancy, and military status. The meeting highlighted the need to remove outdated terminology, such as replacing \"handicap\" with \"disability\" and eliminating references to \"civil union\" in favor of \"marital status.\"
Council members expressed the importance of these updates, noting that the current code does not reflect the broader protections available under Colorado law, which surpass federal standards. A \"catch-all\" provision is also proposed to encompass any future protected classes that may be established under state, federal, or local law.
The council plans to introduce an ordinance at the next meeting to formalize these changes. Members emphasized the need for clear communication with residents regarding the updates, suggesting that a presentation detailing the new protected classes and the rationale behind the changes would be beneficial.
As the city moves forward with these revisions, officials acknowledged the necessity of a systematic approach to reviewing other outdated segments of the code, with plans to develop a schedule for comprehensive updates in the future. The meeting concluded with a commitment to keep the community informed about the progress and implications of these important legal adjustments.