Denver merges Human Rights offices, keeps core services and targeted community grants

Human Rights and Community Partnerships reorganized its internal structure to combine offices, reduce duplication and direct more funds into community programs, city officials told the mayor and City Council on Sept. 2.
Perla Gaylor, who identified herself as a Human Rights and Community Partnerships presenter, said the department consolidated nine offices and said the reorganization was intended to “connect and align work by reducing silos.”
The department emphasized continued support for aging services, immigrant and refugee affairs and community empowerment. Gaylor said the department “completed our DOJ settlement at 92% approval” and that her office will preserve key programs, mini grants and commissions while combining divisions such as Access for All (disability rights, deaf and hard‑of‑hearing services and anti‑discrimination) under shared leadership.
Why it matters: HRCP programs are frontline services for vulnerable residents — including older adults on limited incomes, immigrant and refugee populations, and people facing discrimination or financial fraud. Changes to structure and staffing can affect outreach and service delivery in neighborhoods across Denver.
What department leaders said: Perla Gaylor said HRCP started the realignment work in 2024 and focused on preserving community funding and programs. She said the department will post a job description for a Director of Community Empowerment after the hiring freeze lifts on Sept. 15 and that some long‑serving staff will retire at year‑end.
Officials described priority programs that will continue: financial empowerment and consumer protection (including partnerships with nonprofits such as Warren Village), immigrant and refugee outreach through My City Academy and online toolkits, and intergenerational technology training for older adults.
Discussion vs. decisions: the briefing described department directions and staffing strategies; council members asked which functions would stop because of reductions. Gaylor said, “Honestly, there's we haven't stopped doing anything. We just continue to do it with less people.” No formal motions or votes were taken.
Details and clarifications: HRCP said it oversees 10 commissions, has been working for more than a year to align administrative systems, and will continue to administer mini grants (about 10 last year) and targeted community sponsorships and booths for aging outreach.
Looking ahead: staff said they will coordinate with Denver Human Services and public‑health partners to address near‑term needs such as food security tied to SNAP changes and will convene task forces or community workgroups as needed.