3.609.74 Protection Against Discrimination

County departments are to administer Colorado Works in such a manner that no client will, on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender (including transgender status), pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or physical or mental disability, or any other protected groups as described in the state department’s anti-discrimination policy, be excluded from participation, be denied any aid, care, or services, or other benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination in his or her interactions with the Colorado Works program. A. The references to “aid” includes all forms of assistance, including direct and vendor payments, work programs and information and referral services. B. The county department shall not, directly or through contractual or other arrangements, on the grounds of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender (including transgender status), pregnancy, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, political affiliation, or physical or mental disability, or any other protected status: : 1. Provide any aid to an individual which is different, or is provided in a different manner, from that provided to others; 2. Subject a client to segregation barriers or separate treatment in any manner related to access to or receipt of assistance, care services, or other benefits; 3. Restrict a client in any way in the enjoyment or any advantage or privilege enjoyed by others receiving aid, care, services, or other benefits provided under assistance programs; 4. Treat a client differently from others in determining whether he or she satisfies any eligibility or other requirements or conditions which must be met in order to receive aid, care, services, or other benefits provided under the Colorado Works program; 5. Deny a client an opportunity to participate in assistance programs through the provision of services or otherwise, or afford him or her an opportunity to do so which is different from that afforded others under programs of assistance. 6. Deny a client the opportunity to participate as a member of a planning or advisory body that is an integral part of the program. C. No distinction is permitted in relation to the use of physical facilities, intake and application procedures, caseload assignments, determination of eligibility, and the amount and type of benefits extended by the county department to clients. D. The county department shall ensure that other non-federal agencies, persons, contractors and other entities with which it contracts business are in compliance with the above prohibition of discrimination requirements on a continuing basis. The county department staff is responsible for being alert to any discriminatory activity of other agencies and for notifying the state department concerning the situation. E. The State department, through its various contacts with agencies, persons, and referral sources, will be continuously alert to discriminatory activity and will take appropriate action to assure compliance with these prohibitions against discrimination the county department, on notification by the state department, will also terminate payments to the offender or association with any agency, person, or resource being used which has been found by the state department or the Colorado Civil Rights Division to continue discriminatory activity against clients. F. A client who believes he or she is being discriminated against may file a complaint with the county department, the state department, the Colorado Civil Rights Division or directly with the federal government. When a complaint is filed with the county department, the county director is responsible for an immediate investigation of the matter and taking necessary corrective action to eliminate any discriminatory activities found. If such activities are not found, the client is given a written explanation of the outcome. If the client is not satisfied, he or she is requested to direct his or her complaint, in writing, to the state department, client services section, which will be responsible for further investigation and other necessary action. The client services section can be reached by email at cdhs_clientservices@state.co.us.]