Colorado will study the lingering effects of slavery and systemic racism on Black Coloradans under a law signed by Gov. Jared Polis on Tuesday — but only if fundraising goals are met.

The new law, Senate Bill 53, establishes the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Commission to conduct the study with History Colorado. The study and any recommendations from it are expected within two-and-a-half years. Then, the commission will conduct an economic analysis of systemic racism’s financial impact on Black Coloradans.

But first, the commission needs to raise at least $785,000 by June 30, 2025. If that deadline isn’t met, donations will be returned and the study won’t happen. Collections are being taken up at chicdenver.org. Backers hope to reach that milestone sooner so the work can begin. The study is entirely donation-funded.

“Black Coloradans have been living with the impacts of systemic and historic racism — and the structural inequities that have resulted from it — for decades,” Sen. James Coleman, a Denver Democrat and bill sponsor, said in a statement. “Studying that painful legacy is the first step towards addressing it, and will give us a deeper understanding of the impacts of past and current racial discrimination and policies on our community.”

When unveiling the proposal in December, backers cited data showing continuing disparities felt by the Black community, from lower homeownership rates compared to white Coloradans to disproportionate incarceration rates.

The study and resulting recommendations will help future legislators and policymakers to close those gaps, the backers said.

“While painful, this racial equity study will help us craft future policies that uplift Black families instead of putting barriers in front of them,” Rep. Naquetta Ricks, an Aurora Democrat, said in a statement.

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