Colorado's First Muslim State Senator Advertises Paid Capitol Internship Requiring Applicants to "Identify as a Muslim and/or as Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian"

Colorado State Senator Iman Jodeh (D), celebrated as the first Muslim elected to the Colorado legislature, is openly advertising a paid legislative internship at the state Capitol that explicitly limits applicants by religion and national origin.

The flyer for the MENASA & Muslim Joint Legislative Caucus program states that one of the primary qualifications is to “Identify as a Muslim and/or as Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.”

This is not a preference or an “interest in the community” soft criterion. It is listed first among the requirements for a position that offers a $1,000 stipend, involves working in person part-time in Sen. Jodeh’s and Rep. Yara Zokaie’s offices during the 2027 legislative session (early January through mid-May), and requires resumes and cover letters to be sent to a Colorado General Assembly email address (iman.jodeh.aide@coleg.gov) by November 30, 2026...

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 prohibits employment discrimination on the basis of religion and national origin. The law covers state and local governments... 

Colorado’s own anti-discrimination statute (C.R.S. § 24-34-402) similarly bars discrimination in employment and related training programs based on religion, race, national origin, or ancestry, and restricts advertisements that express discriminatory eligibility requirements...