Language Access
Federal Resources:
Department of Justice, Language Access: https://www.justice.gov/open/language-access
Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Language Access: https://www.justice.gov/crt/availability-language-assistance-services
Federal Government Limited English Proficiency official website: https://www.lep.gov/
Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency": https://www.lep.gov/executive-order-13166
Title VI Guidance for Recipients: https://www.lep.gov/title-vi-guidance-for-recipients
More Information on State Courts and Language Access: https://www.lep.gov/state-courts
State Resources:
Working with State Courts to Remove Language Barriers to Justice, Colorado Judicial Department: https://www.justice.gov/archives/opa/blog/working-state-courts-remove-language-barriers-justice
MOA between Department of Justice and Colorado Judicial Department: https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/crt/legacy/2011/06/30/Colorado_MOA_6_28_11.pdf
City and County of Denver Resources:
Complaint Processes:
Language Access Complaint Process
The City of Denver has established the following complaint process to empower residents to provide their feedback and highlight gaps in service, non-compliance with local and federal statutes and regulations, and other impediments to the provision of high-quality, customer-centered programs, activities, and services to Denver residents.
For language access complaints for federally funded programs:
• A resident may file a complaint regarding a federally funded program by submitting their complaint to the City’s Title VI Coordinator.
• The complaint must be submitted in writing and signed by the complainant.
• Complete the City and County of Denver Title VI Complaint Form, print it, sign it, and mail, fax, or email it to:
ATTN: Title VI Coordinator Title VI Policy and Plan City and County of Denver Agency for Human Rights and Community Partnerships 201 W Colfax, Dept 1102 Denver, CO 80202
Fax: 710-913-8470 Email: titleVI@denvergov.org
• Complaints for federally funded programs may also be submitted to the Department of Justice.
• Download their complaint form and mail it to:
Federal Coordination and Compliance Section – 4CON Civil Rights Division U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530
• Or call the Title VI Hotline at 1-888-TITLE-06 (Voice or TDD)
For language access complaints regarding non-federally funded programs:
• Fill out the form on the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office website
• Or contact the Director of the Denver Anti-Discrimination Office, Darius Smith, at darius.smith@denvergov.org or 720-913-8458 or TTY: 720-913-8475
For language access complaints based on accessibility and ADA requirements:
• Deaf/hard of hearing people are a protected class. They are entitled to effective communication and equal access to all government programs, services, and events (ADA, Title II).
• With regards to language access, this includes providing ASL interpretation, open captioning via Communication Access Real-time Translation (CART) or an assistive listening device (ALD) for sound amplification upon request.
• Fill out the ADA complaint form
• If you need assistance with completing this form because of a disability, please contact the ADA coordinator at disabilityaccess@denvergov.org