Rep. Junie Joseph Joins Lawmakers to Champion DEI at the State Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 21, 2025

DENVER, Colo. — Representative Junie Joseph joined fellow state lawmakers at the Colorado State Capitol this week to reaffirm the state’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), emphasizing that inclusion strengthens both Colorado’s economy and its democracy.

Speaking after the press conference, Joseph said the goal was to send a clear message that Colorado will not back down in the face of growing national attacks on DEI programs. “When every Coloradan is valued, included, and given the opportunity to contribute, our economy, our democracy, and our shared future are stronger,” she said. “DEI isn’t a distraction — it’s a necessity. It means recognizing the talent we already have here at home and ensuring everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”

During the event, lawmakers underscored the tangible benefits of DEI initiatives, noting that inclusive practices are linked to higher productivity, greater innovation, and stronger communities. A 2024 study by the University of Colorado Denver found that organizations making measurable progress on diversity and pay equity see clear gains in labor productivity. The Colorado Department of Human Resources has also reported that supplier diversity — ensuring businesses of all sizes and ownership structures have access to state contracts — strengthens the state’s economy and expands opportunity for Coloradans.

Yet disparities persist. According to Axios Denver, Black Coloradans face an unemployment rate of 6.8 percent, nearly twice the 3.4 percent rate among white workers. Lawmakers at the event said such inequities demonstrate why DEI efforts remain essential in public institutions and private industry alike.

“Diversity and inclusion are not buzzwords; they are the foundation of innovation and fairness,” Joseph said. “Colorado’s progress depends on our ability to bring everyone to the table.”

The press conference also served as a response to a series of national rollbacks targeting DEI efforts, particularly under the Trump Administration. In recent months, former President Donald Trump has renewed his campaign rhetoric around eliminating DEI offices and programs, while a series of executive orders issued during his prior term sought to end diversity initiatives under the guise of restoring “merit-based opportunity.” Civil rights organizations have condemned those actions as efforts to erode fairness and silence discussions about race and equity in education, employment, and government.

“Across the country, we’re seeing deliberate attempts to silence conversations about inclusion and equity,” Joseph said. “Here in Colorado, we reject that approach. We’re moving forward — not backward.”

Following the event, Joseph said she plans to convene a legislative working group focused on inclusive procurement and supplier diversity, as well as statewide community roundtables aimed at sharing best practices for equitable policymaking. “Let’s move beyond debating whether DEI is worthwhile,” she said. “It’s time to focus on making it measurable, effective, and embedded in everything we do. Colorado’s future depends on all of us pulling together — and that means elevating every voice, in every community.”