The Office of New Americans Welcomes the Colorado Refugee Services Program

Creates shared home for all of Colorado’s New American services and programs.

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Applications Now Open for Benefit Recovery Fund

The Benefit Recovery Fund provides compensation for eligible undocumented individuals who have lost employment through no fault of their own. Applications are now open.

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Working with New Americans Resources and Tool Kits

Unlock the potential of New American talent and explore innovative strategies from recruiting to upskilling to harness this talent pool.

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The Office of New Americans Annual Report 2023 is Now Published

Request Feedback from the New Americans Community Advisory Committee (NACAC)

State agencies can request programmatic, policy, or other input from refugee and immigrant leaders statewide.

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Colorado Migrant Welcome Guide

The Colorado Migrant Welcome Guide is now available! (Spanish translation is now uploaded)

This welcome packet is intended to assist asylum seekers and migrants who do not yet have an immigration legal status but are intending to call Colorado home.

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Office of New Americans

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Welcome to the Colorado Office of New Americans

Who Are New Americans?

A New American is defined by law as a Coloradan who has arrived, and a person who will arrive, to Colorado as an immigrant or refugee, and includes their children.

New Americans are Coloradans! They are children, parents, teachers, students, patients, doctors, contractors, homeowners, entrepreneurs, family members, friends, coworkers, and neighbors.

What Is the Office of New Americans?

The Office of New Americans (ONA) serves as the point of contact for state agencies, private sector organizations, and the public to advance the integration and inclusion of New Americans in Colorado communities. ONA sits at the intersection of policy development and implementation, and HB 21-1150 ensures that ONA leadership continues to advise the Governor and his team on immigration, New Americans and New American integration into Colorado.

Starting on October 1, 2024, ONA is also home to the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP). CRSP is the state refugee office and is responsible for the statewide coordination of refugee resettlement under the authority of the Refugee Act of 1980.

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Vision

ONA’s vision is that all New Americans have equitable access to opportunity and well-being.

Mission

ONA’s mission is to facilitate the integration and inclusion of New Americans into Colorado’s civic, economic, and social life. 

What Is Integration?

Integration is a dynamic, two-way process in which newcomers and the receiving society work together to build secure, vibrant, cohesive communities (Source: Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees).

The Migration Policy Institute (MPI) defines immigrant integration as “the process of economic mobility and social inclusion for newcomers and their children.” MPI goes on to say that successful integration builds communities that are stronger economically and more inclusive socially and culturally.

Immigrant integration benefits us all, and an intentional, responsive process to engage and welcome transforms all community stakeholders, enriching our collective social, economic, and civic life. Effective integration is inclusive and fosters a sense of belonging in newcomers and receiving community members alike.