What is Title VI?
Title VI is a section of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 requiring that "No person in the United States shall on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance." Title VI does not address gender discrimination. It only covers race, color and national origin. Other Civil Rights laws prohibit gender discrimination.
It is the policy of the City of Colorado Springs’ Public Works and Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Departments (PWD) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability, as provided by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and related legislation at the federal level.
PWD takes steps to ensure nondiscrimination in all programs and activities, whether those programs and activities are federally funded or not. As such, this policy applies to all operations of PWD and applies to contractors and anyone who acts on behalf of PWD. Federal financial assistance includes grants, training, use of equipment, donations of surplus property, and other assistance.
Prohibited discrimination may be intentional or unintentional. Seemingly neutral acts that have disparate impacts on individuals of a protected group and lack a substantial legitimate justification are a form of prohibited discrimination. Harassment and retaliation are also prohibited forms of discrimination.
Title VI Civil Rights Complaint Process and Form
Your Rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Who is eligible to file a complaint?
Anyone who believes they have been excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination under any PWD program or activity because of their race, color, national origin, age, gender, or disability may file a complaint.
Discrimination includes lack of access, harassment, retaliation and disparate impacts from a program or activity. Harassment includes a wide range of abusive and humiliating verbal or physical behaviors. Retaliation includes intimidating, threatening, coercing, or engaging in other discriminatory conduct against anyone because they filed a complaint or otherwise participated in a discrimination investigation
How do you file a complaint?
Complaints must be filed in writing within 180 days from the last date of the alleged discrimination. However, contact the PWD Title VI Coordinator if you believe your complaint may fall outside this deadline. Reasonable efforts will be made to assist persons with disabilities, non-English speakers, and others unable to file a written complaint.
Complaints may be submitted via mail, email, fax, or in-person to:
PWD Title VI Coordinator/Support Services Division Manager City of Colorado Springs Public Works Department
30 South Nevada Avenue MC 410
Colorado Springs, Colorado, 80903
Ph No: (719) 385-5918
PWTitleVI@coloradosprings.gov
Complaints may also be filed directly with the following agencies:
Colorado Department of Transportation
Civil Rights and Business Resource Center
2829 W. Howard Place
Denver, CO, 80204
Phone: (303) 757-9234
Federal Highway Administration, Colorado Division
12300 West Dakota Avenue, Suite 180
Lakewood, CO, 80228
Phone: (720) 963-3000
Fax: (720) 963-3001
Title VI Civil Rights Form - Public Works and Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department
What happens after a complaint is filed?
Title VI complaints must be investigated within sixty (60) days. The City of Colorado Springs PWD will forward applicable complaints to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), who will then forward them to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for review as required. If your complaint is forwarded to one of these agencies, you will be provided the name and contact information of the employee handling your complaint.
While Mountain Metro Transit is part of the Public Works Department, their complaint process is different. View Mountain Metro Transit's Title VI process.
Investigating a complaint includes interviewing all parties involved and key witnesses. The investigator assigned by the Title VI Coordinator may also request relevant information such as books, records, electronic information, and other sources of information from all involved parties. You may specify if there is a particular individual or individuals that you feel should not investigate your complaint due to conflict of interest or other reasons.
Any alleged retaliation should be reported in writing to the investigator.
Any non-transportation-related complaints regarding Title VI should be filed with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the Department of Justice, or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.