Human Relations Commission moves to advance "difficult dialogues" series with CU and Interview Game partners

The Human Relations Commission on June 17 discussed partnering with University of Colorado-affiliated facilitators and Ami, creator of the Interview Game, to stage a series of community conversations aimed at reducing local tensions, particularly those tied to the Israel–Palestine conflict.

Commissioners described a plan for a kickoff event that could include theater or performance elements and a longer series of dialogues. Commissioner Christian said he and others met with Dr. Jennifer Ho of the University of Colorado and Ami, and that "they seemed very open" to collaborating with the commission. Commissioner Aaron said he appreciated the urgency of the effort and thanked a public commenter, Mark, for raising the need for an earlier start.

The proposal grew from conversations Christian summarized: use the Interview Game and a difficult-dialogues model to create a civic series that could include city representation, trained facilitators from CU, and public participants. Speakers agreed the project should be scoped to the commission's local role; one commissioner emphasized focusing on outcomes and how people should feel after participating. Commissioners discussed whether events should be public or take place as unrecorded, experiential trainings for officials before wider public sessions.

Next steps recorded in the meeting discussion include Aaron and Christian continuing planning with Dr. Ho and Ami, trying to have planning enough in motion for the commission’s next monthly meeting, and exploring a training on the Interview Game before the next meeting. A motion was raised to take a formal vote on partnering with CHA Difficult Dialogues for an event; the transcript records the motion being made but shows no recorded second or final tally. Notes from the meeting state commissioners intend to invite Dr. Ho and Ami to a future meeting and to assess budget and availability for training and facilitation.

Commissioners cited the context for urgency: recent local events and broader international developments that participants said have increased tensions in Boulder, and public comment urging sooner action. A commissioner also asked staff to check city protocols for in-person public comment as part of broader public-engagement questions.

The commission set a tentative plan to continue planning and to invite partners to a future meeting; a discussion with city council about related topics is scheduled for Oct. 21, 2025, per staff remarks at the meeting.