It is with both deep sadness and deep gratitude that the Board of Directors announces Daniel Ramos’ departure as Executive Director of One Colorado and One Colorado Education Fund, effective August 1, 2020. Since 2011, near the very inception of the organization, Daniel has played a critical and influential role in the development and success of the organization. Board members, staff, donors, legislative friends and our One Colorado community will miss him and his inspiring leadership, but we wish him the best of luck in his next endeavor leading a non-profit dedicated to protecting democracy and expanding the civic engagement ecosystem in Colorado.We would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Daniel and publicly recognize his amazing education and advocacy service to our communities. During his tenure, Colorado has gone from the “Hate State” to one of the leading states for LGBTQ rights. LGBTQ Coloradans have legal protections and opportunities that were once unimaginable. We want to thank Daniel for the 9+ years of dedicated service. Joining the One Colorado team right out of college, Daniel has played many roles in the organization. Under his leadership, One Colorado has become one of the nation’s premier LGBTQ education and advocacy organizations. In partnership with the One Colorado team, accomplishments include:

• Developing campaigns to win civil unions and marriage equality for LGBTQ families;
• Leading a coalition to reauthorize the Colorado Civil Rights Division;
• Passing historic legislation to ban conversion therapy on LGBTQ youth, make it easier for transgender and non-binary Coloradans to update the state identity documents, expand access to PrEP and PEP by allowing pharmacists to prescribe the medication, and ban the gay and transgender panic defense;
• Launching a groundbreaking research project on LGBTQ health disparities, called “Closing the Gap: The Turning Point for LGBTQ Health;”
• Launching One Colorado’s State Agencies Project to engage state agencies in advancing pro-equality policies and practices;Turning out 84% of One Colorado supporters to vote in the 2018 election and winning a pro-equality majority in the Colorado legislature;

Receiving national recognition for One Colorado’s work in taking Colorado from a “fair” equality state in 2010 to a “high” equality state in 2020.In the coming months, the Board of Directors will conduct a nationwide search for a new One Colorado Executive Director. We will seek the input and participation from key stakeholders, as it is our priority to find the most qualified individual to lead the organization in this complex and changing world. We will share the new job announcement soon.“Daniel has led the growth and legislative success of the organization and we will sorely miss him. We are grateful for his exceptional service to improving the lives of LGBTQ Coloradans,” stated former One Colorado Board Chair Joe Megyesy.We look forward to continuing to partner with Daniel in his new role. This year, we celebrate 10 years of One Colorado and we are excited for the next 10 years as the premier education and advocacy organization, helping to make lived equality a reality for LGBTQ Coloradans. If you have any questions or concerns during this transition process, please do not hesitate to email us at info@one-colorado.org.Sincerely,Ellen Winiarczyk, Ed.D., Chair, Board of Directors, One Colorado Education FundIris Halpern, Chair, Board of Directors, One Colorado-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------From Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, One Colorado:After nearly a decade with One Colorado, I recently announced to the board of directors I will be departing from my role as Executive Director in August 2020. While I have a mix of emotions as I move into this next chapter of my career, I am excited that I will be able to continue in the work toward building an equitable, engaged, and just future for Colorado.The decision for my transition was a difficult one and did not come easily. I am extremely proud of all that One Colorado staff, board, and members have accomplished during the past 10 years and hold dear to my heart the relationships I’ve built during my time as Executive Director.This organization has been more than a job to me; it’s been a core piece of my identity. I grew up in this organization, as this was my first organization after graduating college. I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many different people and hear so many stories. I also want to say thank you to the LGBTQ community as a whole. Without you, the organization would not be as strong and vibrant as it is. I am so honored to have been the leader of this incredible organization and will watch with much excitement and anticipation as it makes strides in supporting and creating a fair and just state.With pride,Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, One Colorado