As summer starts to sizzle in Colorado, and the Colorado General Assembly closes its session, employers have seen a flurry of new laws affecting Colorado employees.
Articles about Colorado Labor and Employment Law Articles.
Colorado’s Public Health Emergency Sick Leave Requirement Is Extended Again
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently extended its determination that a public health emergency exists due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On April 12, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced the renewal of the public health emergency determination.
Colorado Senate Passes Non-Compete Bill to Further Limit Use of Agreements and Increase Non-Compliance Penalties
The Colorado Senate recently passed House Bill 22-1317 which, if enacted into law, would significantly limit the enforceability of any non-compete agreements executed after the law’s effective date for employers with employees working or living in Colorado. If Governor Polis signs the proposed legislation, it could go into effect as
Colorado Issues First Round of Regulations and Guidance on its Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program
In 2020, Colorado enacted a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program, following roughly a dozen states that have adopted similar programs in recent years.1 Since that time, the state has been building a new state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program pursuant to this law,2 and recently
Colorado Overhauls Noncompete Law to Limit Enforcement to High Wage Earners, Impose Penalties for Employer Violations
Colorado has enacted the most significant change to its legal landscape concerning restrictive covenants in the employment context in the state’s history.
HB 22-1317: A New, More Restrictive Era for Restrictive Covenants in Colorado
The 2022 legislative session of Colorado’s General Assembly closed with a bang. Among a number of new bills affecting employers, perhaps none was as closely watched as HB 22-1317, which provides substantial changes to noncompete and nonsolicitation agreements in Colorado. The bill passed both houses of the legislature and
Colorado Poised to Further Limit Use of Non-Compete Agreements, Raise Penalties for Non-Compliance
On May 3, 2022, the Colorado Senate passed House Bill 22-1317 which, if enacted into law, would significantly limit the enforceability of any non-compete agreements executed after the law’s effective date for employers with employees working or living in Colorado.
Colorado’s Public Health Emergency Paid Sick Leave Requirement Continues Into 2022
Nearly two years after declaring a public health emergency exists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (“HHS”) has extended that determination yet again. On January 14, 2022, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced the eighth consecutive renewal of the nationwide
Colorado Cracks Down on Restrictive Covenant Agreements, Authorizing Potential Criminal Penalties
Colorado has enlisted the help of the criminal justice system to reinforce its strong public policy against restrictive covenants. Beginning on March 1, 2022, violations of Colorado’s restrictive covenants statute, C.R.S. § 8-2-113, may subject employers to criminal liability.
Colorado Criminalizes Certain Restrictive Covenants
Colorado’s legal landscape continues to shift. Through one sentence in a 304-page bill enacted in 2021, SB 21-271 criminalized violations of Colorado’s restrictive-covenant statute, section 8-2-113, C.R.S. Effective March 1, 2022, violations of section 8-2-113 are a Class 2 Misdemeanor. As a result, a violation of section 8-2-113 could
Colorado’s Vaccine Mandate for Healthcare Providers Remains in Effect Despite Stays to CMS Vaccine Mandate
Healthcare providers in Colorado must be cognizant of multiple rules relating to vaccine mandates for their employees.
Colorado’s November 2021 Rulemaking: ‘Use It or Lose It’ PTO Is Finally Dead, and Other Highlights
On November 10, 2021, after a public hearing and comment submission period, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) published three final rules: (1) the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order #38 (COMPS 38), (2) the 2022 Publication and Yearly Calculation of Adjusted Labor Compensation Order (2022 PAY
Colorado Proposes Expanded Definition of Vacation Pay, New Highly Compensated Employee Exemption, Modifications to Paid Sick Time Calculations, and Other Revisions to Wage Regulations
The Colorado Department of Labor Division of Labor Standards and Statistics has proposed modifications to its Wage Protection Rules and has published proposed Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #38. If adopted for 2022, the Wage Protection Rules would significantly expand the definition of “vacation pay” under
The Public Health Emergency Supplemental Leave Requirement in Colorado Is Not Over
The pandemic may be waning, but the requirement for Colorado employers to provide supplemental public health emergency leave to employees under certain COVID-19–related circumstances continues. On October 15, 2021, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra announced another extension of the nationwide COVID-19 public health emergency, effective October
Douglas County, Colorado Enacts Public Health Order That Conflicts With Colorado, CDC and OSHA Guidance on COVID-19 Quarantine Protocols
On October 8, 2021, the Douglas County Health Department—which recently separated from the Tri-County Health Department (that covered Douglas, Adams and Arapahoe Counties—issued a public health order relating to COVID-19 mitigation protocols (the “PHO”).