Human Relations Commission

Legal basis

• BRC 2-3-6 · creates · Human Relations Commission source source
• BRC 12-1-8 · governs · Administration and Enforcement of Chapter (human rights ordinance hearings) source
• BRC 12-1-9 (2012) · governs · Judicial Enforcement of Chapter source
• Charter Sec. 130 · authorizes · General provisions concerning advisory commissions source

Appointed by

City Council. City Council appoints all five commissioners at a regular meeting before April. source

How

The city's annual boards and commissions recruitment (for 2026: applications December 8, 2025 to January 25, 2026; 15-minute Zoom interviews with one council member and board staff, February 2-13), then council nominations and votes at a regular meeting before April. On March 5, 2026 council approved the 2026 appointments, including one to the HRC, effective April 1, 2026. · annual (appointment in March, effective April 1) · City Council vote (2026: 9:0) source source source as of 2026-03-05

Seats

5 source

Seat types

• city resident commissioner ×5 at-large

source source

Term

5 years (or a shorter term where needed to stagger) source

Term limit

none set in BRC 2-3-6; neither BRC 2-3-1 nor Charter Sec. 130 sets a limit, and members serve until their successors are appointed source source

Staggering

staggered: shorter terms are used where needed so terms do not expire together (Charter Sec. 130's pattern is one term expiring each year) source source

Powers

mixed. Decides: Hears human rights ordinance cases (discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations, BRC 12-1) as a quasi-judicial board and issues remedial orders; runs human relations programs.. To council: Advises council and the city manager on human relations and the social impact of proposals, and recommends long- and short-range priorities, legislation and programs. Its hearing orders are reviewed in District Court (C.R.C.P. 106(a)(4)), not by council. source source source

Council liaison

not applicable: City Council does not assign council liaisons to city boards and commissions: its 2026 committee and board assignments list only intergovernmental bodies, internal council committees, outside local boards, Boulder Housing Partners, Chautauqua and sister cities, and council procedure bars members from speaking at board meetings unless council authorises it. source source

Staff liaison

Housing and Human Services · Christian Phillips source source source as of 2026-10-23

Relations

• Human Relations Commission appeals to Boulder County District Court · Judicial review of final HRC actions in the District Court for Boulder County under C.R.C.P. 106(a)(4). source
• City Council appoints Human Relations Commission source
• Human Relations Commission recommends to City Council source
• Human Relations Commission recommends to City Manager source
• Housing & Human Services staffs Human Relations Commission · staff liaison (Community Relations program) source source source