DENVER, CO — May 2026 — The Colorado Lotus Project, a groundbreaking data research initiative focused on understanding the experiences and needs of Colorado’s Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, is officially launching its next phase. The project will now operate under the nonprofit Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN), a 501c3 organization dedicated to uplifting and strengthening AANHPI communities through culture, education, and civic engagement.

Originally created to address the lack of comprehensive data on Colorado’s diverse AANHPI populations, the Colorado Lotus Project brings together research, community voices, and policy insights to highlight key challenges and opportunities.

“We’re excited for this next phase of the Colorado Lotus Project and our partnership with CACEN. Building upon CACEN’s strong foundation in the community and the progress from our first phase, we look forward to advancing our long-term goals of expanding accessible disaggregated data, increasing equitable resource allocation across Colorado, and laying the groundwork for a dedicated advocacy infrastructure,” says Jin A. Tsuchiya, Project Director, Colorado Lotus Project.

In partnership with Colorado Health Institute,which served as the project’s research and data lead, the Colorado Lotus Project integrates disaggregated data with community-informed and community-led storytelling, grounded in the voices, experiences, and leadership of AANHPI community members, and consolidates multiple data sources into an accessible report, fact sheets, and maps, that help community leaders, policymakers, and funders better understand and respond to AANHPI community needs.

The report revealed a striking gap: in 2018, only $0.60 of every $100 awarded by foundations in Colorado explicitly supported AANHPI communities, underscoring the importance of elevating this data so these communities are not overlooked.

The Lotus Project organizes its findings into seven key domains that shape quality of life and opportunity for AANHPI communities: (1) Demographics, (2) Health, (3) Housing, (4) Income and Economic Opportunity, (5) Education, (6) Crime and Justice, (7) and Democracy.

The Colorado Lotus Project, launched in May 2024, is entering its second phase in May 2026 to deepen data research on AANHPI communities in Colorado and better inform policies and programs through more accurate data and lived experiences.

2026 Priorities: Educating the Community and Activating the Data

In 2026, the Colorado Lotus Project will focus on community education and engagement around the report’s findings. CACEN plans to present the research to community organizations, government agencies, and conferences across the state to demonstrate how the data can inform programs, funding priorities, and policy decisions.

The next phase of the project will include updating the report with new and expanded data, with a focused effort on advancing analysis in health and civic engagement, alongside an updated look at the philanthropic landscape supporting AANHPI communities.

This year, the project will place special emphasis on the health and democracy domains.

• Democracy & Civic Engagement has emerged as a critical area of opportunity as an increasing number of Asian Americans in Colorado are stepping forward to run for office and take on leadership roles in public service. The Lotus Project aims to help strengthen this momentum by highlighting trends in civic participation and identifying ways AANHPI communities can overcome barriers to political engagement. The data will serve as a tool for organizations, candidates, and advocates working to expand representation and participation in the democratic process.

• Health & Wellness is another key focus for 2026. Many organizations across Colorado are already working to address both physical and mental health challenges within AANHPI communities. Through the Lotus Project, CACEN hopes to bring together stakeholders in this domain to better understand existing gaps, share resources, and explore opportunities for collaboration to improve health outcomes.

Long-Term Vision: Data, Advocacy, and Equity

The team continues to work towards the long-term goals initially sought out for this project:

• Use learnings to elevate and advance the needs of AANHPI communities in Colorado.

• Increase transparent, accurate, and accessible disaggregated data on Colorado’s AANHPI communities.

• Increase equitable resource allocation to support Colorado’s AANHPI communities.

The project also envisions forming an advocacy network that can translate data into policy action, helping community leaders and organizations push for systemic change.

Ultimately, the Colorado Lotus Project seeks to:

• Reduce disparities impacting AANHPI communities

• Increase philanthropic investment in Asian American organizations and initiatives

• Strengthen leadership pipelines, helping more Asian Americans step into public office and leadership roles

• Ensure policies and programs are informed by accurate data and lived experiences

Advisory Board

The Colorado Lotus Project is proud to announce the formation of its Advisory Board, bringing together a diverse group of community leaders and subject matter experts to help guide the project’s next phase and ensure its impact across Colorado’s AANHPI communities.

• Karam Ahmad, MPH, managing director of partnerships & development, Colorado Health Institute

• Harry Budisidharta, JD, community leader

• Philip Chung, PhD, senior director, learning and evaluation at The Colorado Health Foundation

• Mindy Duong, MSCJ, public safety professional

• Rachele Espiritu, PhD, health policy professional

• Kenneth Ho, MRP, MBA, real estate developer

• June Homdayjanakul, DrPH, MPH, public health professional

• Susanna Y Park, PhD, public health professional

• Jin A. Tsuchiya, MPP, project director of the Colorado Lotus Project

• Annie Guo VanDan, MBA, executive director of Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network

• Neal Walia, MPA, founder & principal, Lotus Public Affairs, and candidate for state representative

By bringing research and advocacy together, the Colorado Lotus Project hopes to provide a roadmap for building stronger, healthier, and more empowered AANHPI communities across Colorado.

For more information about the Colorado Lotus Project or to request a presentation, please contact:

Jin A Tsuchiya
Project Director, Colorado Lotus Project
Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network
lotusproject@coloradoasian.org

See the Colorado Lotus Project full report which includes an analysis of philanthropic funding for Colorado’s AANHPI communities.

The report also brings together data and stories to highlight the experiences of AANHPI people across seven domains: demographics, health, housing, income and economic opportunity, education, crime and justice, and democracy.