Legislation to Strengthen the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act Passes Committee
HB25-1239 would expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act
DENVER, CO – The Senate Judiciary Committee today advanced legislation to strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws.
HB25-1239, sponsored by Senators Lindsey Daugherty, D-Arvada, and Mike Weissman, D-Aurora, would expand protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities.
“The cost of hiring an attorney prevents many Coloradans from pursuing justice after facing discrimination,” said Daugherty. “People with disabilities who are denied housing or turned away from public spaces deserve a clear path to hold wrongdoers accountable and access the support they need to move forward.”
“People with disabilities should have the same rights to seek damages after experiencing discrimination as any other protected group,” said Weissman. “This bill ensures that people with disabilities can be compensated for attorney fees, emotional distress, and other noneconomic harms if they experience discrimination or violation of their civil rights.”
This bill comes from a task force established by the legislature in 2023 to study the rights of Coloradans with disabilities and make recommendations. HB25-1239 would be the largest expansion of CADA enforcement rights since CADA was passed nearly 70 years ago.
This bill would allow victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights under CADA for all protected classes. Under the bill, victims would be able to pursue attorney’s fees and costs, and either recovery of actual monetary damages, non-economic damages of up to $50,000, or a statutory fine of $5,000 per violation per aggrieved party.
Awards for damages for non-economic loss or injury would be limited to $50,000. A defendant would be entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the amount of the non-economic loss or injury if the defendant corrects the violation within 30 days of the complaint and did not knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly cause the violation.
HB25-1239 now heads to the Appropriations Committee for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.