Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Diversity Equity Inclusion

We recognize that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are inextricably linked to our ability to achieve our organizational goals, to be an employer of choice and to deliver our mission of "delivering superior services to enhance the lives of everyone in our community."

Our DEI Commitment & Goals

We have an opportunity to listen, learn and act as a City to continue to build a local government that serves everyone. We commit to the following actions:

  • Offer internal training on a variety of equity, diversity and inclusion topics; requiring all leaders to attend anti-bias training.
  • Assess our services for equity and inclusion improvements.
  • Create and evaluate policies and key performance measures to support DEI initiatives and achieve greater inclusivity on our platforms.
  • Partner with external experts within each business area for enhancing our service delivery.
  • Research and implement best practices per work system to enhance the lives of everyone in our community.

Steps Towards Our Goals

The City's internal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee has identified short and long-term goals to keep moving this initiative forward.

  • Fall of 2022, launched a Request for Proposals to work with an external consultant to support our equity and inclusion journey.
  • In late 2021, a select number of City of Arvada team members participated in a training-of-trainers to develop trainings they could provide to their peers in 2022.
  • In 2020, the City joined the Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE), a nationally-recognized leader in advancing racial equity within government agencies. The City will work with GARE to identify materials and training for the City team and our community.
  • In 2020, the DEI Committee incorporated racial justice educational materials within internal communications and began offering several venues for City team members to discuss DEI actions, policing practices and more with a focus on continuous education on how to serve the needs of all members of our community.
  • In 2020, in response to concerns expressed by our community, the City removed an interpretive panel in Olde Town Arvada that conveyed a history of Ku Klux Klan activities in Arvada told in a way that many found offensive. (Future engagement around the City's history master plan will focus on incorporating diverse historical perspectives and elevating the parts of Arvada's history that represent the values and principles we revere most.)
  • As part of an ongoing commitment to listen, learn and act as a City to continue to build a local government that serves everyone, the City hosted two remote community meetings on September 30 and October 8, 2020.