JOINT RELEASE: General Assembly Democrats, Colorado Workers Advocate for Legislation for Safer and Healthier Workplaces

Bill to give Colorado workers the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices without fear of retaliation

DENVER, CO – Senators Brittany Pettersen (D-Lakewood) and Robert Rodriguez (D-Denver) and Representatives Leslie Herod (D-Denver) and Tom Sullivan (D-Centennial) today joined Colorado workers, the Communication Workers of America, Towards Justice, American Federation of Teachers, the Plaintiff Employment Lawyers Association, and other worker advocates at a virtual press conference in support of a soon-to-be-introduced bill, which provides permanent whistleblower protections for workers who speak out about health or safety concerns at their workplace. 

The legislature passed legislation in 2020 establishing these protections during a public health emergency, while this new bill will make the protections permanent.

“With the passage of HB 20-1415 we gave workers the protection to speak out about health and safety concerns without fear of retaliation only during public health emergencies,” Sen. Pettersen said. “Essential workers will still be essential after the pandemic. We need to extend these protections permanently to keep workers and the public safe.”  

“Workplace health and safety concerns existed before the pandemic and will exist after it is over,” Rep. Herod said. “We need to make the existing protections permanent to keep workers and the public safe."

“The pandemic highlighted that these protections weren’t in place,” Sen. Rodriquez said. “No worker should have to be worried about losing their job, or having their hours cut because they speak out about working conditions that threaten them and their colleagues. As a state we owe it to workers to give them these protections because it keeps all of us safe.” 

“Colorado workers should be able to make their voices heard without fear of losing their jobs. We need to make permanent the whistleblower protections we passed in 2020 so workplaces continue prioritizing the health and safety of their workers,” Rep. Tom Sullivan said. 

The soon-to-be-introduced bill protects workers in the public and private sectors by ensuring that all workers have the same protections, including the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices or hazards to their employer, other workers, the public, or government agencies.

The legislation also protects workers from retaliation, discrimination, or adverse action, allows workers to wear personal protective equipment while at work without fear of discrimination, and requires employers to notify employees of their rights.

When employees do raise concerns, various remedy options are included under the bill including filing a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) or bringing an action in court. The legislation also gives CDLE the authority to enforce and investigate claims.