(1)
(a) There is hereby created, initially in the department of labor and employment,
the Colorado office of new Americans, the head of which shall be the director of the
Colorado office of new Americans, who shall be appointed by the executive director
of the department. The Colorado office of new Americans and the director of the
office are type 1 entities, as defined in section 24-1-105, and exercise their powers
and perform their duties and functions under the department of labor and
employment. The director of the ONA has regular access to the office of the
governor and has the power to convene other state agencies.
(b) The director shall staff the ONA in order to effectively meet the goals
and intentions set forth in this article 3.7 and to meet future needs of Colorado's
new American community. In order to successfully carry out the ONA's purpose, it
is the general assembly's intent that an individual's lived experience or work within
the immigrant community be considered when hiring decisions are made for ONA
staff. The ONA serves as the point of contact for immigrant-serving state agencies,
private sector organizations, and the public about immigrant issues in Colorado.
(c) The department shall report on the efficacy of the ONA and the ONA's
progress toward meeting the goals set forth in this article 3.7 as part of the
department's annual presentation to its legislative committee of reference
pursuant to section 2-7-203.
(2) The Colorado office of new Americans shall:
(a) Implement a statewide strategy to facilitate economic stability and
promote successful economic, social, linguistic, and cultural integration by
investing in the success of immigrants in Colorado;
(b) Identify and address issues related to integration;
(c) Foster enhanced inclusion for immigrants;
(d) Ensure equitable opportunities and access to services for immigrants;
(e) Establish and work with a community advisory committee that can
provide input to the state from Colorado's immigrant communities;
(f) Work directly with immigrant populations to hear and address their
concerns and obstacles in accessing services;
(g) On and after October 1, 2024, administer the Colorado refugee services
program in accordance with the goals of the ONA and manage or direct any other
relevant programs that might exist or be created on or after September 7, 2021,
including immigrant-focused state programs, initiatives, and policies that might
exist or be created in the future, so that the state's services for immigrants and the
state's approach to immigrant integration are cohesive, integrated, and elegant;
(h) Coordinate with and make recommendations to the governor, the general
assembly, and state agencies on ways to improve policies and programs to support
immigrant integration across the state, such as:
(I) Recommending changes in the organization, management, programs, and
budget of state agencies in order to promote the integration of immigrants;
(II) Coordinating with state agencies and public-private partnerships;
(III) Serving as a resource for community-based organizations serving
immigrants in Colorado;
(IV) Creating a public-private program to build up immigrant-serving
nonprofits statewide;
(V) Responding to inquiries and serving as the point of contact for
immigrant-serving agencies, state agencies, and the public about immigrant issues
in Colorado; and
(VI) Recommending and participating in cultural competency and diversity,
equity, and inclusion training for state departments;
(i) Ensure the ONA is utilizing data only as authorized under state and
federal law to inform the state's efforts to advance economic stability and
integration for immigrants. The ONA shall never use or share data solely for the use
of civil immigration enforcement.
(j) As funding allows, undertake studies, symposia, research, and factual
reports to gather insight and to formulate and present recommendations to the
governor, state agencies, and the general assembly related to issues of concern
and importance to immigrants in Colorado. The ONA shall also analyze economic
and demographic trends in order to make policy and programmatic
recommendations to the governor, state agencies, and the general assembly.
(k) To the extent possible, ensure that all ONA services, systems, vital
documents, and other communications and resources, including websites, are
accessible to all Coloradans, regardless of English proficiency and disabilities.
Where applicable and possible, the ONA shall ensure compliance exceeds the
compliance requirements of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
42 U.S.C. sec. 12101 et seq., as amended, any available English proficiency plans,
and the Colorado anti-discrimination act in part 6 of article 34 of title 24.
(l) Contribute education and workforce data beginning in the 2025-26 state
fiscal year, as necessary, to the Colorado statewide longitudinal data system
consistent with the governance practices established by the Colorado statewide
longitudinal data system governing board pursuant to section 24-37.5-125 (4).
(3) As funding allows, the ONA shall promote integration activities among
immigrants by using a model similar to the family resource center program set forth
in part 1 of article 3 of title 26.5 with the goal of implementing immigrant support
through community-based initiatives and nonprofit organizations where immigrants
and immigrant families can access formal and informal support to promote their
health, economic well-being, and integration. The activities must include, but need
not be limited to:
(a) Economic opportunities such as:
(I) Workforce development, skills recognition, and barrier reduction;
(II) Initiatives that increase economic stability;
(III) Entrepreneurship and higher education attainment; and
(IV) Naturalization among eligible individuals;
(b) Increased access, such as:
(I) Connecting immigrants to local, state, and federal resources and to other
resources as they are available or relevant to meet the immigrants' needs;
(II) Connecting immigrants and immigrant families with English language
learning programs; and
(III) Providing immigrants and immigrant families with referrals to
community-based organizations; and
(c) State education and outreach by:
(I) Promoting and celebrating the success and contributions of Colorado's
immigrant community; and
(II) Engaging with the receiving community in order to foster inclusivity and
integration by building awareness, promoting mutual understanding, and increasing
social bridging opportunities.
(4) The ONA shall advise and provide guidance to the governor, state
agencies, and the general assembly on any immigrant issue.
(5) (a) On or before November 1, 2022, and, notwithstanding section 24-1-136
(11), on or before November 1 each year thereafter, the director of the office of new
Americans, or the director's designee, shall submit a report to the general
assembly. The report shall include a review and summary of the activity,
information, and data on all the programs that the office administered during the
prior fiscal year.
(b) In order to minimize the costs associated with preparing the report
required by subsection (5)(a) of this section, the ONA is authorized to incorporate or
append to such report any other reports it is required by law to develop.