The Human Rights Commission was established in 2016 as part of the city’s comprehensive Human Rights Ordinance, which protects citizens from discrimination in areas such as employment, housing, education, and public accommodation (LCO Chapter 516). The responsibilities of the Human Rights Commission are to receive, initiate, investigate, seek to conciliate, hold hearings on and pass upon complaints alleging unlawful discrimination, and to cooperate with the community in the development of education programs regarding equal opportunity of all individuals in Lakewood.

The commission is made up of three members: One will be the Director of Planning and Development or his or her designee for the City; the second member is be appointed by the mayor; and the third member is appointed by majority vote of council. Each member of the Commission shall serve a term of three years and until his or her successor has been appointed and qualified for office.