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Colorado Employment Law: Your Complete Guide to Worker Rights (2025)

Colorado has some of the most progressive employment laws in the United States. From paid family leave (FAMLI) to strong discrimination protections, Colorado workers enjoy broader rights than most states. However, Colorado is still an at-will employment state, meaning employers can fire you for almost any reason—with important exceptions.

This guide covers all major areas of Colorado employment law, helping you understand your rights as a worker.

Colorado Employment Law Overview

Key Facts:

  • At-will employment state: Employers can fire you for most reasons (with important exceptions)
  • FAMLI paid leave: Up to 12 weeks paid family/medical leave starting 2024
  • Strong discrimination protections: Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) covers employers with 1+ employees
  • Lawful activities protection: Can’t be fired for legal off-duty activities (including marijuana use in most cases)
  • Equal Pay Act: Salary transparency required in all job postings
  • Minimum wage: $14.42/hour (2025)

Major Areas of Colorado Employment Law

Wrongful Termination in Colorado

Colorado follows at-will employment, but you cannot be fired for illegal reasons.

Protected from termination for:

  • Discrimination based on protected characteristics
  • Retaliation for filing workers’ compensation
  • Retaliation for taking FAMLI leave
  • Lawful off-duty activities (marijuana, smoking, political activities)
  • Refusing to break the law
  • Taking FMLA leave (if eligible)
  • Jury duty or voting

Learn more:

Workplace Discrimination in Colorado

Colorado has strong anti-discrimination laws under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA).

Protected characteristics:

  • Race, color, national origin, ancestry
  • Sex, gender identity, gender expression
  • Sexual orientation
  • Religion or creed
  • Age (18+ under state law; 40+ under federal law)
  • Disability (mental or physical)
  • Marital status
  • Pregnancy, childbirth, related conditions
  • Genetic information
  • Military or veteran status

Coverage: CADA applies to employers with 1 or more employees (broader than federal law)

Key topics:

  • Filing with Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD)
  • CCRD vs. EEOC complaints
  • Proving discrimination
  • Damages available

Wages and Hours in Colorado

Colorado has strong wage and hour protections.

Key wage laws:

  • Minimum wage: $14.42/hour (2025), adjusted annually for inflation
  • Overtime: 1.5x for hours over 40/week, plus daily overtime for certain industries
  • Final paycheck: Immediately upon termination (fired) or next payday (quit)
  • Meal breaks: Required 30-minute unpaid break for shifts 5+ hours
  • Rest breaks: Required paid 10-minute break per 4 hours worked

Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act:

  • Salary ranges must be in all job postings
  • Equal pay for substantially similar work
  • Cannot ask about salary history
  • Retaliation for discussing wages is illegal

Sexual Harassment in Colorado

Sexual harassment is illegal under federal and Colorado law.

Types of harassment:

  1. Quid pro quo: Job benefits exchanged for sexual favors
  2. Hostile work environment: Severe or pervasive unwelcome sexual conduct

Colorado protections:

  • Applies to employers with 1+ employees (CADA)
  • Third-party harassment covered
  • Same-sex harassment illegal
  • Mandatory training required for some employers

Filing deadline: 6 months with CCRD, 300 days with EEOC

Workplace Retaliation in Colorado

Colorado law prohibits retaliation for exercising legal rights.

Protected activities:

  • Filing workers’ compensation claim
  • Taking FAMLI or FMLA leave
  • Reporting discrimination or harassment
  • Reporting wage violations
  • Discussing wages with coworkers
  • Requesting reasonable accommodations
  • Whistleblowing about illegal activity
  • Using lawful products off-duty
  • Jury duty, voting, political activities

Retaliation includes: Firing, demotion, pay reduction, hostile treatment, schedule changes

Leave Laws in Colorado

Colorado has the most comprehensive paid leave program in the western United States.

Colorado FAMLI (Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance):

  • Effective: January 1, 2024
  • Coverage: Employers with 1+ employees
  • Duration: Up to 12 weeks (16 weeks for pregnancy complications)
  • Wage replacement: Up to 90% (capped at $1,100/week for 2024)
  • Reasons: Serious health condition, family care, bonding with newborn/adopted child, safe leave
  • Job protection: Cannot be fired for taking FAMLI leave

Federal FMLA:

  • Employers with 50+ employees
  • Up to 12 weeks unpaid leave
  • Similar protections as FAMLI

Other leave:

  • Paid sick leave (varies by locality—check Denver, Boulder, etc.)
  • Jury duty leave (protected)
  • Voting leave (up to 2 hours paid)
  • Military leave (USERRA protections)

Employment Contracts in Colorado

Most Colorado employees work at-will, but certain agreements affect your rights.

Common agreements:

  • Non-compete agreements: Must be reasonable (limited time, geography, scope)
  • Non-solicitation agreements: Can’t solicit clients or employees after leaving
  • Confidentiality agreements: Protect trade secrets
  • Severance agreements: Payment for releasing legal claims
  • Arbitration agreements: Disputes resolved through arbitration

Colorado restrictions:

  • Non-competes for low-wage workers may be unenforceable
  • NDAs cannot prevent reporting illegal conduct or discrimination

Filing Employment Law Complaints in Colorado

Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD)

For: Discrimination, harassment, retaliation
Deadline: 6 months from violation
Contact: 303-894-2997 | ccrd.colorado.gov

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment – Wage and Hour

For: Unpaid wages, overtime violations, final paycheck issues
Deadline: 2 years (3 years if willful)
Contact: 303-318-8441 | cdle.colorado.gov

Colorado FAMLI Division

For: Paid family leave violations
Deadline: 2 years
Contact: 303-318-8804 | famli.colorado.gov

Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation

For: Workers’ comp retaliation
Contact: 303-318-8700 | cdle.colorado.gov/workers-compensation

EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission)

For: Federal discrimination claims
Deadline: 300 days
Contact: 1-800-669-4000 | eeoc.gov

Colorado vs. Federal Employment Law

Colorado often provides stronger protections than federal law:

Issue Colorado Federal Law
Minimum Wage $14.42/hour (2025) $7.25/hour (FLSA)
Overtime Time and a half over 40/week + daily OT in some industries Time and a half over 40/week
Paid Family Leave Yes – FAMLI (12-16 weeks paid) No (FMLA is unpaid)
Discrimination Coverage 1+ employees (CADA) 15+ employees (Title VII)
Age Discrimination 18+ (state law) 40+ (federal ADEA)
Meal Breaks Required (30 min for 5+ hours) Not required
Final Paycheck Immediate (if fired) No federal requirement
Salary Transparency Required in job postings Not required

Key takeaway: Colorado workers have stronger protections than most U.S. workers.

Common Colorado Employment Law Questions

Can I be fired for using marijuana in Colorado?

Colorado law protects off-duty legal marijuana use, but employers can fire you if:

  • You’re impaired at work
  • Your job is safety-sensitive
  • It would violate federal law (federal contractors, DOT-regulated positions)
  • It would cause employer to lose federal funding

When must I receive my final paycheck in Colorado?

  • Fired (involuntary): Immediately upon termination
  • Quit (voluntary): Next regular payday

Colorado requires immediate payment when fired—one of the strictest laws in the U.S.

How long do I have to file a discrimination claim in Colorado?

You have 6 months to file with the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD)—one of the shortest deadlines in the nation. You have 300 days to file with the EEOC for federal claims.

Does Colorado require paid sick leave?

State law doesn’t require paid sick leave, but FAMLI provides paid leave starting in 2024. Some cities (Denver, Boulder) have local paid sick leave ordinances.

Can my employer ask about my salary history?

No. Colorado’s Equal Pay Act prohibits employers from asking about your previous wages or salary history.

What is Colorado FAMLI?

Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave (16 weeks for pregnancy) starting January 1, 2024. It covers serious health conditions, family care, bonding with a new child, and safe leave. Funded by payroll tax, it provides up to 90% wage replacement.

Resources for Colorado Workers

Legal Assistance

Colorado Legal Services

Colorado Bar Association – Lawyer Referral Service

  • Find an employment attorney
  • Phone: 303-860-1115
  • Website: cobar.org

Government Resources

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Colorado Civil Rights Division

Colorado FAMLI Division

Related Topics

Need help with an employment law issue in Colorado? Get a free, confidential consultation from an employment law expert. Colorado has short filing deadlines (6 months for discrimination)—don’t wait.

Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment laws vary by state and change frequently. For advice specific to your situation, consult a licensed employment attorney in Colorado. Employment Law Aid is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation.