DENVER | A state civil rights committee is currently examining allegations of antisemitism at Denver’s Auraria Campus, which hosts the University of Colorado Denver, Community College of Denver, and Metropolitan State University of Denver.
This investigation is overseen by the 10-member Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, which heard testimonies from First Amendment and civil rights scholars, as well as representatives from the Anti-Defamation League and members of the public during a meeting on Wednesday.
The scrutiny follows a notable incident in April 2024, during which anti-war demonstrators occupied the Auraria Campus quad. The protest aimed to voice opposition against university policies related to Israel and the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Demonstrators called for the university to condemn what they described as “the genocidal actions of Israel,” divest from companies operating in Israel, and end study abroad programs linked to the country. This action culminated in at least 40 arrests when police in riot gear dismantled the encampment.
Susan Rona from the Anti-Defamation League’s mountain states region shared during the hearing that, in 2024, the organization reported 279 antisemitic incidents across Colorado. Of these, 51 incidents occurred on college campuses. This represents a significant increase of 42% compared to the previous year, leading to concerns regarding the safety and well-being of Jewish students.
“Many Jewish students report feeling isolated, targeted and excluded from campus activity and spaces by these protests,” Rona said, highlighting the distress experienced by the affected community.
In response to the rise in campus antisemitism, the Trump administration had previously targeted universities, including Harvard and Columbia, for probes into antisemitism and implemented freezes on research funding.
Committee Chair Alvina Earnhart emphasized the need to differentiate between protected speech and actions that violate civil rights during her remarks. “We must hold our public institutions accountable when they fall short,” Earnhart stated, underscoring the commitment to maintain a balance between safeguarding civil rights and freedom of expression.
The committee’s investigation aims to contribute to improved federal, state, and educational policy approaches and develop suitable recommendations for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and other federal entities.
During the discussions, Deborah Hellman, a law professor at the University of Virginia, addressed the complexities surrounding claims related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. She informed attendees that for claims to constitute violations, they must meet a high evidentiary standard. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs and activities.
“Antisemitism, to be sure, ought to be condemned, but universities have a right and a responsibility to balance open inquiry with protecting students,” Hellman stated, advocating for measured responses.
Brandon Rattiner, senior director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Colorado, expressed hope that the committee’s work would shed light on the challenges faced by Jewish students on campus and apply pressure on university administrators to improve conditions.
However, he warned against using campus antisemitism as a platform to critique higher education as a whole. “The challenge is balancing the need to take antisemitism seriously with the need to not instrumentalize the fight against antisemitism to achieve other political aims,” Rattiner emphasized.
“The Jewish community is a community that is very committed to higher education, and we want to see it done well,” he added.
About a dozen individuals provided written or spoken testimonies during the hearing. Among them was Jeffrey Mühlrad, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace and a participant in the encampment. Mühlrad argued, “We are not calling for divestment out of hatred, but out of love — for human life, for justice, and for the values our institutions claim to uphold.” He cautioned that conflating this call with antisemitism is both incorrect and dangerous, suggesting it undermines genuine efforts to combat antisemitism by misusing it to stifle legitimate dissent.
Nancy Jackson, a former Arapahoe County commissioner and Jewish alumna of the University of Colorado system, submitted written testimony advocating for the First Amendment rights of all individuals, including those of college students.
“Antisemitism refers to hatred of Jewish people, and as you no doubt know, Jews have been the victims of horrendous acts of violence because of antisemitism,” Jackson wrote. “What we have on campuses today, however, is different. What is occurring is political protest against Israeli policies towards Palestinians, especially in Gaza.”
The committee’s next public meeting is slated for July 31, followed by another hearing on August 20. Administrators from the three campuses involved are scheduled to provide testimony at the August session.
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