Jokers, Jewels & Justice 2019 honors Governor Polis and benefits The Center’s training and consulting program RANGE Consulting

The Center on Colfax hosts Jokers, Jewels & Justice on Thursday, March 14, 2019 at the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Denver. The 2019 theme of the sold out event is “Bring Your Whole Self To Work.” The event draws leaders from Denver’s business and legal communities to support RANGE Consulting, The Center’s program offering professional training for LGBTQ-related HR concerns. The 2019 event will honor Governor Jared Polis, State Representative Brianna Titone, and Colorado Legal Services for their leadership in promoting LGBTQ equity and inclusion in Colorado. Author Darnell Moore will speak about his experiences as an African American gay man and the importance of welcoming and including all members of the LGBTQ community into society.

About RANGE Consulting

RANGE Consulting offers LGBTQ inclusivity training to foster workplace cultures that treat all employees with dignity and respect. “We provide employees with practical tools and empower them to make positive changes in policy and their workplace culture,” said Center CEO Debra Pollock. “Our trainings are creating work environments across the state that are free from discrimination and harassment. Employers we’ve worked with have found that LGBTQ inclusiveness increases productivity and job satisfaction and makes good business sense for all Colorado companies. Proceeds from this event will help us expand our training programs as well as help us continue our work to offer free referrals to LGBTQ-friendly attorneys for those seeking legal assistance.”

Governor Jared Polis receives the Gerald A. Gerash Leadership Award

After serving in the U.S. Congress for 10 years representing Colorado’s second congressional district, Jared Polis was elected as the first openly gay man to serve as a state governor. The Center will honor Governor Polis with the Gerald A. Gerash Leadership Award, named for LGBTQ Colorado civil rights pioneer Jerry Gerash who among other accomplishments helped found The Center in 1976. After a successful career in business, Governor Polis committed himself to making sure other Coloradans had  the opportunity to pursue their dreams. He served six years on the State Board of Education, where he worked to raise pay for teachers and reduce class size for students. He also founded several public charter schools for at-risk youth, and served as superintendent of one of them, the New America School, which helps immigrants earn their high school diploma. During his time in Congress, the Center for Effective Lawmaking ranked Jared the most effective member of Colorado’s House delegation due to his success working across the aisle to improve Colorado’s schools, protect public lands, and support startups and small businesses. He was elected Governor of Colorado on November 6, 2018. Governor Polis’ husband Marlon Reis will attend the dinner to accept the award on the Governor’s behalf.

Rep. Brianna Titone receives the Visionary in Action Award

The Center honors State Representative Brianna Titone, the first transgender woman to be elected to Colorado’s legislature. She has been a member of the Jefferson County LGBTQ+ Caucus since 2017. She now represents the Arvada community.

Colorado Legal Services Receives 2019 Barristers of the Year Award

Colorado Legal Services will be honored as 2019 Barristers of the Year for helping to make Colorado more inclusive and representative of the LGBTQ community by providing training to their member lawyers on issues pertaining to the transgender community.

Event Chairs & Sponsors

Jokers, Jewels & Justice was co-chaired by Center Board Co-Chair Michael Song and Center Board Member Jolynn Crownover.

Jokers, Jewels & Justice is made possible thanks to the support of presenting sponsor The Vinnik Companies, owners of LaContes Clone Bar and Dispensary, and Pure Greens, Colorado’s largest cannabis cultivator.

Supporting Sponsors include Miller Coors, Franklin D. Azar & Associates P.C., Super Farm, Weekly Focus Korean News Leader of Colorado, and Wolf/Stutz Properties.

Participating Sponsors include Bedrock Landscaping Materials, Bronstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, Buddy Boy Brands, Denver Human Rights & Community Partnerships, Feldmann Nagel Cantafio Margulis Gonnell, PLLC Attorneys at Law, Good Chemistry Nurseries, Hernandez & Associates P.C. Attorneys at Law, Interactive Global Solutions, Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., Johnson Knudson Law, Matthew Shepard Foundation, Messner Reeves LLP, Native Roots Foundation, Peyton Family foundation, Recht Kornfeld PC, The Sawaya Law Firm, The Law Frim of Springer & Steinberg P.C., Squire Patton Boggs, Tetzlaff Law, U.S. Bank, and Vivage Senior Living with additional support from Ketel One Vodka and Bulleit Bourbon.