Daniel Ramos to Leave One Colorado
Daniel Ramos, current Executive Director of One Colorado and One Colorado Education Fund, is saying his goodbyes to the organization. Daniel played a critical and influential role in the development and success of One Colorado. Although the organization’s community regrets to see him go, The Board of Directors announced that his departure from One Colorado will be effective on August 1, 2020.
“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,” said Ramos.
One Colorado did not want Ramos to leave without the honor that he deserves. 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. 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 percent 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. The organization will seek input and participation from key stakeholders, as they stated that their priority is to find the most qualified individual to lead the organization in this complex and changing world.
“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,” said Ramos.
