DENVER - Today, Governor Jared Polis and Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera marked International Women’s Day and highlighted the achievements of women throughout Colorado's history, inspiring a legacy of leadership that continues to help Coloradans thrive. Since taking office, Governor Polis and Lt. Governor Primavera have worked to make Colorado one of the best places in the country for women and families.
"I'm proud that the legacy of strong women who fought with grit and determination to create a Colorado for All continues today, and it's their steady drumbeat that moves our state forward -- from suffragists securing the right to vote to the dedicated public servants who serve as cabinet members," said Gov. Polis. "Now, as we look to recover from a crisis that has impacted parents, disproportionately women, too many Coloradans have had to make impossible choices -- work or care for their children. That's why we will work twice as hard here at the state to break down barriers and reduce costs for parents and ensure there are greater economic opportunities for generations to come."
“The strength and resilience of Colorado women throughout history is an inspiration today and every day as we continue the important work to promote gender equity and support women in the workforce, strengthen programs that empower young women in fields such as science, technology, education, and math (STEM), and ensure all women have access to high-quality and affordable healthcare for themselves and their families,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the participation of Colorado women, especially women of color, in the workforce. Governor Polis has highlighted this issue and continues advocating to help primary caretakers of children who are often women find success in their professional and personal lives:
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The Governor signed into law free, full-day kindergarten and advocated for universal preschool (UPK), which was recently passed by more than two-thirds of Colorado voters.
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Enacting the will of the voters, the state is creating a new, unified Department of Early Childhood that will oversee the universal preschool program which launches in 2023. Colorado’s UPK program will provide all Colorado families access to at least 10 hours of high-quality early care and education per week, per child, in the year prior to the child entering kindergarten.
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The Governor also signed the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, implemented paid family leave for state employees, and looks forward to working with the legislature to implement paid leave for all Colorado families.
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For the first time in Colorado history, women make up the majority of the Governor’s cabinet and senior staff.
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Governor Polis has worked to ensure that Energize Colorado, run by CEO Wendy Lea, is funded at high levels in order to offer small businesses, particularly those owned by women, minorities, and veterans, relief and a path to recovery— including access to capital, developing new ways to engage with customers in a safe way, innovating business models, or diversifying revenue streams.
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The Polis-Primavera Administration, signed a memorandum of understanding with AmeriCorps, Serve Colorado, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to increase enrollment in the Child Tax Credit (CTC), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), and Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) by utilizing AmeriCorps members. In the first seven weeks, two AmeriCorps NCCC teams helped 1,456 individuals with tax preparation, completing 1,209 tax returns returning $3,260,858 to the individuals and families. This includes $1,270,445 of child tax credits and $648,791 of earned income tax credits claimed.
Colorado was instrumental in the movement to achieve the 19th Amendment and was only the second state in the nation to ratify this legislation, giving women the right to vote for the first time in U.S. history on Dec. 15, 1919. Colorado voters banned gender discrimination in voting laws on November 7, 1893 -- more than 25 years before the ratification of the 19th Amendment before voters in any other state had done the same. Coloradans went on to elect Clara Cressingham, Frances Klock, and Carrie Clyde Holly, America’s first women to serve as elected officials in the state legislature on November 6, 1894.
Today, Colorado’s House of Representatives is one of only two legislative chambers in the country where women lawmakers hold a majority. To commemorate the month, History Colorado will be hosting a series of events shining a light on the women who changed the course of Colorado’s history. Colorado’s first Congresswoman Pat Schroeder will speak at the History Colorado Center on March 23, 2022.