It can happen anywhere, and it does. People seek housing everyday to survive and feel safe. But not everyone can get into where they want to be based on first appearances.

Whether it’s due to race, gender, disability, nationality, religion, sexual orientation or another reason, housing discrimination exists.

“We do know what the trends are nationally,” John Paul Marosy of Denver Metro Fair Houing Center said in an email. “Most common complaints of discrimination relate to disability, race, retaliation and sex or gender identity.”

The Southwest Center for Independence, a Durango nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities, and the nonprofit Denver Metro Fair Housing Center will co-host two public forums in Cortez and Durango to talk about housing discrimination, how to avoid it and what to do if it happens.

“Over 80% of households with housing vouchers by the housing division of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs include at least one person with a disability,” the Denver center said in an email.

The forums will provide information about recent state and federal fair housing laws by expert presenters.

Participants will acquire the knowledge to stand up for their rights by getting legal answers and tools from experts and getting facts about laws that protect housing voucher holders, families, LGBTQ folks, people with disabilities and veterans.

Property managers and landlord will gain an understanding of steps to guarantee fair housing legal compliance with the most recent state landlord/tenant laws. They’ll also learn what discrimination looks like and how to avoid common mistakes while administrating fair housing requests for reasonable accommodations and modifications.

It will take place in Durango on Wednesday, Oct. 4, from 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Durango Recreation Center at 2700 Main Ave. Participants can attend in person or online via Zoom and can register at eventbrite.com and search for “fair housing forum Durango.”

Cortez’s forum will take place Thursday, Oct. 5 at 1:30 to 4 p.m. at the Cortez City Hall at 123 East Roger Smith Ave., Cortez, CO 81321. Participants can attend in-person or online via Zoom and can register at eventbrite.com and search for “fair housing forum Cortez.”

The event is free and preregistration is required.

According to a news release, presenters include Kelly McCullough, director of legal services; Kelly Wesolosky of the Colorado Civil Rights Division; Molly Hostetler of Disability Law Colorado; and John Paul Marosy of Denver Metro Fair Housing Center.

Refreshments and English/Spanish translation services will be provided in person. Participants can contact SWCI at (970) 259-1672 for questions and ASL interpreters.