Boulder County and the City of Boulder to begin disparity study

CO News - Published Dec 15, 2023

The City of Boulder and Boulder County will be jointly working to conduct a disparity study into the experiences of small and diverse businesses in City and County procurement. If such disparities are found, the study will form part of the legal basis for seeking remedies to those disparities.

The study will specifically examine the experiences of small, minority- and woman-owned firms in City and County contracting, and will examine if such firms are utilized at rates matching their availability in the area. The study will examine the period covering fiscal years 2018 through 2022. The final report is currently expected to be delivered in the Autumn of 2024. In the meantime, interviews, surveys, and public engagement will be conducted.

"This study [will] document any barriers or systemic inequities that may exist so we can address them," said County Administrator Jana Petersen in a statement.

Read the press release from the City at https://bouldercolorado.gov/news/county-city-team-assess-business-equity.

Find the City's page for the study at https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/joint-disparity-study.