New Colorado Privacy Regulations Take Effect July 1st

A recent article that appeared in the NonProfit Times reminds charities that a new Colorado Privacy Act (CPA) takes effect on July 1, 2023 and, unlike other similar legislation in other states, this law has no exception for nonprofits. Highlights of the rule appear in the Colorado Attorney General’s press release and additional details are available here.

Among other things, nonprofits and businesses will be required to:

• Confirm whether or not they process individuals’ personal data and provide them access to that information. 
• Enable individuals to opt out of the processing of their personal information. 
• Provide individuals the right to correct inaccurate personal information. 
• Provide individuals the right to have personal information deleted.
• Provide a meaningful privacy notice to individuals detailing their various rights.

Fortunately, BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., those that are found to meet all 20 BBB Charity Standards) already address these bullet points. BBB Charity Standards 18 (b), which addresses privacy concerns, requires charity websites to have a clear, prominent and easily accessible privacy policy on any of its websites that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

While Standard 18(b) was introduced as a voluntary standard to help protect donor privacy, we are encouraged that a state government appears to agree with these recommendations. This demonstrates that our standards accurately predicted some fundamental privacy principles that will become a required practice for many organizations starting this summer.

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Video of the Week

As part of the Building Trust Video series, BBB WGA interviews Mike Horak, Development Director, Denver Children’s Home (a BBB Accredited Charity) which serves as an educational and mental health treatment facility to help both children and families. The organization seeks to help children and families develop coping skills and tools to help them move past their trauma, find strength and value in themselves and pursue a successful future.

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Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features an interview with Shawnee Benton Gibson, CEO, Spirit of A Woman (S.O.W.) Leadership Development Institute and the Co-Founder of the ARIAH Foundation. Ms. Benton Gibson is the subject of a documentary called “Aftershock” which follows her and her family’s advocacy on reproductive issues.

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We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• For All Seasons
• Polar Bears International
• Operation USA

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.