The deadlocked vote last week over funding the Colorado Civil Rights Commission continues to draw reaction, as well as a Tuesday rally to defend the agency. Both the Division of Civil Rights and the Civil Rights Commission are up for a sunset review hearing on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m., the first step in re-authorizing the agency.

In a story first reported Thursday by Colorado Politics, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) failed to pass a 2018-19 budget for the commission last week with a 3-3 tie vote, split along party lines.  For now, that vote means the agency will not be funded as of July 1, 2018.

Reaction to the decision has been swift and angry. Sunday, the Colorado Working Families Party, which backs progressive candidates, issued a statement calling on the Republican members of the JBC to end their efforts to undermine the state civil rights agency.

Executive Director Carlos Valverde continued, “we stand steadfastly opposed to any attempts to disempower, dismantle, or de-fund the Colorado Civil Rights Division. We view Thursday’s action by the Republican members of the Joint Budget Committee to be sadly reflective of the dysfunction in our national politics, where attacks on immigrants, people of color, women, LGBTQ people, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities have become tragically commonplace in service to an extreme ideological agenda.”

Good Business Colorado, a non-partisan group with more than 50 small business members, also spoke out against the decision. “The vote to de-fund the Civil Rights Commission may not seem on its surface to be a business issue – but it truly is because it ensures we have the strong foundation on which we are building the Colorado economy. “Creating a baseline of respect and dignity for all people is a key component to building Colorado’s economy… The Civil Rights Commission gives our employees, customers, and community the confidence that they can be treated fairly and equally in our state. “

Sen. Kevin Lundberg of Berthoud, one of the three Republicans who voted against the division’s funding (which includes the commission) said Thursday he wanted to see if the agency survives the sunset review. The review, which will include a bill later this session, would determine if the agency is reauthorized. The Department of Regulatory Agencies, which conducts those reviews, recommended continuation for another nine years.

Lundberg has advocated for a change to the commission’s mission since last year as he travels on the campaign trail in a bid for state treasurer. He is slated to participate in a forum for state treasurer candidates at Colorado Christian University Monday night.

On Tuesday, One Colorado and the Women’s Lobby of Colorado will hold a rally in support of the agency on the west steps of the state Capitol at 12:30 p.m.