HB26-1054 • 2026

Protections for Worker Safety

Section 1 of the bill requires an employer to ensure the employer's workplace is free from recognized hazards, as interpreted consistent with the federal occupational safety and health administration'

Budget Education Labor

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor: Rep. M. Rutinel, Rep. E. Velasco, Sen. K. Wallace, Rep. J. Bacon, Rep. K. Brown, Rep. S. Camacho, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. M. Froelich, Rep. J. Jackson, Rep. J. Joseph, Rep. S. Lieder, Rep. M. Lindsay, Rep. J. Mabrey, Rep. K. McCormick, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. J. Phillips, Rep. E. Sirota, Rep. L. Smith, Rep. B. Titone, Rep. S. Woodrow, Rep. Y. Zokaie
Last action: 2026-05-13
Official status: Senate Third Reading Lost with Amendments - Floor
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary notes that it applies to the reengrossed version, but the official status indicates the Senate Third Reading was lost with amendments; therefore, this text may not represent final enacted law.

Colorado Worker Safety Act

This bill requires employers to keep workplaces free from recognized hazards and allows workers, organizations, or the state to take legal action against violations.

What This Bill Does

Requires employers to ensure their workplace is free from recognized hazards based on federal standards as of September 1, 2025.
Mandates that employers construct, equip, arrange, operate, and conduct workplaces to provide reasonable protection for the lives, health, and safety of all workers.
Requires employers to comply with workplace health and safety rules adopted by the Attorney General.
Allows the Attorney General or Division of Labor Standards to refer safety concerns to state or local authorities like fire departments.
Permits labor organizations, worker groups, or injured individuals to file civil lawsuits against employers who violate these rules.
Authorizes courts to order employers to pay statutory damages and penalties for each violation found.

Who It Names or Affects

Employers in Colorado, excluding the federal government, public entities as defined by state law, and the State itself.
Workers employed or working in any workplace covered by this law.
Labor organizations and worker organizations that support workers' rights.
The Attorney General.

Terms To Know

General Duty Clause: A rule requiring employers to keep workplaces free from recognized hazards that could cause harm or death, interpreted consistent with federal standards as of September 1, 2025.
Stringent: Describes a law or standard that is stricter, more demanding, or provides greater rights and safety protections for workers than what is otherwise required by law.
Statutory Damages: A specific amount of money set by the court that an employer must pay to a worker for each violation found, up to $1,000 per violation or more for repeated or willful violations.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not apply to federal government employers, public entities as defined in state law, or the State itself.
Specific safety standards depend on rules adopted by the Attorney General after this bill passes.
The effective date is not listed in the provided text.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.009

HOU Appropriations

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment changes specific parts of the bill to replace references to a 'Division' with the 'Attorney General'.

Removes two lines from page 3 of the original bill.
Changes the word 'DIVISION' to 'ATTORNEY GENERAL' on page 4, line 19 of the bill.
Updates a reference in the committee report to say 'Attorney General' instead of 'Division'.
Adds an instruction to change another instance of 'DIVISION' to 'ATTORNEY GENERAL' on page 8 of the bill.

The amendment text only lists specific line numbers and words to strike or substitute, so it does not explain what rules or duties will apply to the Attorney General after these changes.
Because the full original bill is not provided here, we cannot describe exactly which sections of law are being removed on page 3.

L.010

HOU Appropriations

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment creates a new 'Workplace Health and Safety Fund' to hold penalty money collected from employers, which the Attorney General can use for enforcement, education, and rule-making.

It establishes a new fund called the Workplace Health and Safety Fund in the state treasury.
Penalties collected under specific workplace safety laws must be deposited into this new fund instead of other accounts.
The Attorney General is allowed to use money from this fund for enforcing safety rules, creating educational materials for workers and employers, and making new regulations.
Money left in the fund at the end of a year stays in the fund rather than being moved to the state's general budget.

The amendment text focuses on changing legal codes regarding money management but does not explain how much penalty money will be collected or exactly which employers are affected.
Some parts of the text refer to specific page and line numbers in a committee report that were struck out, making it unclear what other changes might have been removed from the original bill.

L.012

HOU Appropriations

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment gives the Attorney General's new worker protection unit stronger legal tools to force cooperation during investigations and allows it to enforce specific wage laws when other state agencies do not act.

The Attorney General can ask a court for an order if someone refuses to follow investigation requests like subpoenas or warrants.
Courts can require people to appear, produce documents, or face legal orders to ensure they cooperate with investigations into worker rights violations.
If the division of unemployment insurance does not investigate misclassified workers within 30 days or declines to act, this new unit can step in and enforce the law.
The Attorney General is given explicit authority to independently bring lawsuits to enforce laws regarding wage determinations found in Title 8.

The amendment text uses legal terms like 'injunctive relief' which means a court order stopping or forcing an action, but does not explain every specific type of penalty.
The exact definition of the laws mentioned as 'Part 2 of Article 14.4 of Title 8' is not included in this amendment text.

L.001

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment adds a new definition for 'worker organization' to include community-based nonprofits and membership groups that support workers, while also updating the bill's rules so these organizations are treated similarly to labor unions.

It defines a "labor organization" as an exclusive representative under existing state law.
It creates a new definition for "worker organization" to include community-based nonprofits or membership groups that help workers with mutual aid, protection, or empowerment.
It updates the bill's text in two places to ensure worker organizations are included alongside labor organizations.

The amendment only provides definitions and does not explain exactly what specific rights or protections these new groups will receive under the rest of the law.

L.002

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment removes references to 'the Division' from the bill's text.

Removes the phrase 'OR THE DIVISION' on page 4, line 23 of the original bill.
Deletes the words 'THE DIVISION,' found on page 5, line 1.
Strikes out the words 'THE DIVISION,' located on page 6, line 25.

The amendment text only lists specific lines to delete and does not explain what role 'the Division' played in the original bill or how removing it changes worker safety rules.
Without seeing the full context of the deleted sections, it is unclear if this change affects which government agency enforces workplace safety laws.

L.003

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment changes the bill to specifically name employers instead of using a general term for any person when discussing workplace safety rules.

The text on page 5 is changed from 'A PERSON' to 'AN EMPLOYER'.
The text on page 6 is also changed from 'A PERSON' to 'AN EMPLOYER'.

L.004

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment allows Colorado to create its own strict workplace safety rules if the federal government removes a current rule after September 1, 2025.

If a federal health or safety standard is canceled or revoked on or after September 1, 2025, state officials can make a new Colorado rule to replace it.
The new state rule must be at least as strict as the old federal rule that was removed.

This change only applies if a federal safety standard is actually repealed or revoked after September 1, 2025; no action happens otherwise.
The text does not explain exactly how quickly 'as soon as practicable' must be for creating the new state rule.

L.005

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment stops the bill from being used to block news reporters or media organizations unless a court finds it is absolutely necessary and very specific to fix a real workplace safety danger.

The law cannot be interpreted as giving courts power to stop lawful activities by the press, such as reporting on events.

This amendment only applies if stopping the press is needed to fix a specific health or safety hazard at work.
It does not explain exactly what counts as 'lawful activity' for the press in every situation, leaving that definition open to court interpretation.

L.006

HOU Business Affairs & Labor

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment gives the new worker safety rules a specific name called the 'Colorado Worker Safety Act' and updates all section numbers in the bill to match this change.

It adds an official short title for Part 2 of the law named the "Colorado Worker Safety Act".
It changes the number of one existing section from 8-14.4-203 to 8-14.4-204.

The amendment text only shows how numbers and titles are changed, so it does not explain what specific safety rules the law creates.
Because this is a technical editing change, there are no new limits or unknown effects on workers described in this document.

L.022

SEN Appropriations

Passed [*]

Plain English: This amendment requires the Attorney General to ask for more money in their budget request if they decide extra funds are needed to run a new worker safety program.

The Attorney General must check if they have enough resources to manage Part 2 of the bill.

The amendment does not explain what specific tasks or costs are included in 'Part 2' of the law.
It is unclear how much money might be needed since no dollar amounts are listed.
The text does not say what happens if the Joint Budget Committee refuses to give the requested funds.

L.014

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would cancel a specific part of the bill in January 2028 and require state officials to study creating their own workplace safety program by January 2029.

It removes Part 2 of the law starting on January 1, 2028.
It requires the Department to conduct a study about making a new state-run workplace safety and health program approved by federal officials.
The results of this study must be included in an official report presented during a hearing in January 2029.

This amendment was marked as 'Lost', meaning it did not pass and is not part of the final law.
The text does not explain what specific rules were inside Part 2 that would be removed, only that the whole section ends.

L.015

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would stop the worker safety law from starting unless a specific federal safety law is first canceled.

The bill will only become active if the federal 'Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970' is repealed.

This amendment was voted down in the House, so it did not pass.
Because this change would make the law depend on a future event that has not happened yet, the bill cannot take effect under these rules.

L.016

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: This amendment changes a requirement in the bill so that something must happen once every year instead of happening all the time.

The word 'CONTINUOUSLY' is removed from the text.

The official text does not explain what specific action or report needs to be done annually, only that it should no longer happen continuously.

L.017

Second Reading

Passed [**]

Plain English: This amendment expands the list of employers covered by worker safety rules to include public entities and the state government, not just the federal government.

The bill now requires public entities to follow workplace safety laws if they are defined in section 24-10-103 (5).
The bill now requires the state government to follow workplace safety laws if it is defined in section 24-10-103 (7).

This summary cannot explain exactly what 'public entity' or 'state' means because those definitions are found in other sections of the law not included here.

L.018

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would remove several specific sections of the bill that deal with workplace safety rules.

It deletes lines on page 4 and all of pages 5 and 6 from the original text.
It removes a section at the top of page 7 regarding legal updates.

The amendment only lists which parts to delete without explaining what those deleted rules actually said or why they were removed.
Because the specific safety requirements are not included in this text, it is impossible to explain exactly how worker protections would change beyond knowing that some sections disappear.

L.023

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would change who can sue employers for safety violations by allowing only the Attorney General to file civil cases and explicitly stopping workers from suing on their own.

Only the state's Attorney General is allowed to file a lawsuit against an employer that breaks workplace safety rules.
The bill no longer allows individual workers or private groups to sue employers for these violations.

This amendment was voted down and did not become part of the final law, so it does not change current rules.
The text only shows specific edits to pages 5 through 7, so other parts of the bill are not explained here.

L.025

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would stop the worker safety law from starting unless and until a specific federal workplace safety law is completely canceled.

The bill will not take effect immediately upon passing.

The text does not explain what happens if the federal law is never repealed, leaving it unclear if this state law would ever become active.
This amendment was marked as 'Lost', meaning it did not pass and these changes were not made to the final bill.

L.028

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment would remove language requiring Colorado workplace safety rules to be at least as strict as federal standards.

It deletes the words 'OR MORE STRINGENT THAN' from page 7 of the bill.

The full text of the original sentence is not provided, so it is unclear exactly how removing these words changes the overall safety requirement.
This amendment was lost and did not become part of the final law.

L.029

Second Reading

Lost [**]

Plain English: This amendment adds a special 'safety clause' to the bill that claims it is urgently needed for public safety, which would allow lawmakers to pass it faster.

Adds new Section 14 stating the General Assembly finds this act necessary for immediate public peace, health, or safety.
Removes page 16 of the original bill text.

The amendment was marked as 'Lost', meaning it did not pass and is not part of the final law.
The exact legal effect on how quickly the bill can be passed depends on state rules that are not included in this text.

Bill History

2026-05-13 Senate
Senate Third Reading Lost with Amendments - Floor
2026-05-11 Senate
Senate Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
2026-05-08 Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
2026-05-08 Senate
Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
2026-05-07 Senate
Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Unamended to Appropriations
2026-05-05 Senate
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
2026-05-05 House
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
2026-05-04 House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
2026-05-01 House
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
2026-02-26 House
House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Amended to Appropriations
2026-01-14 House
Introduced In House - Assigned to Business Affairs & Labor

Official Summary Text

Section 1
of the bill requires an employer to ensure the employer's workplace is free from recognized hazards, as interpreted consistent with the federal occupational safety and health administration's interpretation of the general duty clause of the 'Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970' (OSH Act) as of September 1, 2025. Additionally, employers have the general duty to:
Ensure that each workplace is constructed, equipped, arranged, operated, and conducted as to provide reasonable and adequate protection to the lives, health, and safety of all individuals employed or working in the workplace; and
Comply with standards for workplace health and safety adopted by rule by the
division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment (division)

attorney general.
The bill authorizes the following actions to address workplace health and safety concerns:
The attorney general
or the division
may refer workplace health and safety concerns to relevant state or local authorities;
The attorney general,
the division,
a labor organization,
a worker organization,
or a person aggrieved by a violation of the bill may file a civil action;
For each violation of the bill or of rules adopted pursuant to the bill, a court may order
the person

an employer
that violates the bill or rules to pay statutory damages to a person aggrieved by the violation; and
A court may order
a person

an employer
that violates the bill or rules adopted pursuant to the bill to pay a penalty
to the attorney general
for each violation.
The bill creates the workplace health and safety fund (fund) into which penalties collected pursuant to the bill are credited. The money in the fund may be used by the
division

attorney general
for specified purposes.
The bill authorizes the
division

attorney general
to adopt rules:
To replace any requirement of the OSH Act
or the 'Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977'
that is repealed
or
revoked;
or amended in any manner that results in the federal protections of workers' rights or worker safety becoming less stringent;

and

To define standards for workplace health and safety if there is no standard in effect under the OSH Act; and
As necessary to implement the bill.

Section 2

authorizes the attorney general to apply to the appropriate district court for an order for specified relief if a person fails to obey an investigative demand, subpoena, warrant, or other investigative process related to worker and employee protection.

Sections

2

3

through

8

11
make conforming amendments.
(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)
(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REVISED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the Second House
LLS NO. 26-0599.01 Josh Schultz x5486 HOUSE BILL 26-1054
House Committees Senate Committees
Business Affairs & Labor State, Veterans, & Military Affairs
Appropriations Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING WORKER SAFETY PROTECTIONS.101
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
Section 1 of the bill requires an employer to ensure the employer's
workplace is free from recognized hazards, as interpreted consistent with
the federal occupational safety and health administration's interpretation
of the general duty clause of the "Occupational Safety and Health Act of
1970" (OSH Act) as of September 1, 2025. Additionally, employers have
the general duty to:
! Ensure that each workplace is constructed, equipped,
arranged, operated, and conducted as to provide reasonable
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
May 8, 2026
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
May 5, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
May 4, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Rutinel and Velasco, Bacon, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, Froelich, Jackson, Joseph,
Lieder, Lindsay, Mabrey, McCormick, Nguyen, Phillips, Sirota, Smith, Titone, Woodrow,
Zokaie
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Wallace,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
and adequate protection to the lives, health, and safety of
all individuals employed or working in the workplace; and
! Comply with standards for workplace health and safety
adopted by rule by the division of labor standards and
statistics in the department of labor and employment
(division).
The bill authorizes the following actions to address workplace
health and safety concerns:
! The attorney general or the division may refer workplace
health and safety concerns to relevant state or local
authorities;
! The attorney general, the division, a labor organization, or
a person aggrieved by a violation of the bill may file a civil
action;
! For each violation of the bill or of rules adopted pursuant
to the bill, a court may order the person that violates the bill
or rules to pay statutory damages to a person aggrieved by
the violation; and
! A court may order a person that violates the bill or rules
adopted pursuant to the bill to pay a penalty to the attorney
general for each violation.
The bill creates the workplace health and safety fund (fund) into
which penalties collected pursuant to the bill are credited. The money in
the fund may be used by the division for specified purposes.
The bill authorizes the division to adopt rules:
!To replace any requirement of the OSH Act or the "Federal
Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977" that is repealed,
revoked, or amended in any manner that results in the
federal protections of workers' rights or worker safety
becoming less stringent;
! To define standards for workplace health and safety if there
is no standard in effect under the OSH Act; and
! As necessary to implement the bill.
Sections 2 through 8 make conforming amendments.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 2 to article2
14.4 of title 8 as follows:3
PART 24
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY5
1054-2-
8-14.4-201. Short title.1
THE SHORT TITLE OF THIS PART 2 IS THE "COLORADO WORKER2
SAFETY ACT".3
8-14.4-202. Definitions.4
AS USED IN THIS PART 2, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE5
REQUIRES:6
7
(1) (a) "E MPLOYER" HAS THE MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION8
8-4-101 (6).9
(b) "EMPLOYER" DOES NOT INCLUDE:10
(I) THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT;11
(II) A PUBLIC ENTITY, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-10-103 (5); OR12
(III) THE STATE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 24-10-103 (7).13
(2) " L ABOR ORGANIZATION" MEANS AN EXCLUSIVE14
REPRESENTATIVE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 8-3.3-102 (13).15
(3) "OSH ACT " MEANS THE FEDERAL "OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY16
AND HEALTH ACT OF 1970", 29 U.S.C. SEC. 651 ET SEQ.17
(4) "STRINGENT" MEANS A LAW, RULE, OR STANDARD'S OVERALL18
EFFECTIVENESS IN PROTECTING THE RIGHTS AND SAFETY OF WORKERS. A19
LAW, RULE, OR STANDARD IS CONSIDERED TO BE MORE STRINGENT IF IT20
IMPOSES A SAFETY REQUIREMENT OR OBLIGATION ON EMPLOYERS THAT IS21
STRICTER OR MORE DEMANDING THAN WHAT IS OTHERWISE IMPOSED BY22
LAW OR IF IT PROVIDES FOR GREATER RIGHTS , BENEFITS , REMEDIES, OR23
PROCEDURES FOR WORKERS THAN WHAT IS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY LAW.24
(5) " W ORKER ORGANIZATION" MEANS A COMMUNITY -BASED25
NONPROFIT OR MEMBERSHIP-BASED ORGANIZATION DEDICATED TO26
SUPPORTING WORKERS, ASSISTING WORKERS WITH MUTUAL AID OR27
1054-3-
PROTECTION IN CONNECTION WITH WORK, OR EMPOWERING VULNERABLE1
WORKERS.2
(6) "W ORKPLACE" MEANS ANY PLACE WHERE AN EMPLOYER3
REQUIRES A WORKER TO PERFORM TASKS , JOBS , OR PROJECTS FOR4
COMPENSATION.5
8-14.4-203. General duty to maintain a safe workplace.6
(1) AN EMPLOYER SHALL ENSURE THE EMPLOYER'S WORKPLACE IS7
FREE FROM RECOGNIZED HAZARDS, WHICH DUTY SHALL BE INTERPRETED8
CONSISTENT WITH THE FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH9
ADMINISTRATION'S INTERPRETATION OF THE GENERAL DUTY CLAUSE OF10
THE OSH ACT, 29 U.S.C. SEC. 654 (a)(1), AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 2025.11
(2) AN EMPLOYER HAS THE GENERAL DUTY TO:12
(a) ENSURE THAT EACH WORKPLACE IS CONSTRUCTED, EQUIPPED,13
ARRANGED, OPERATED, AND CONDUCTED IN A MANNER AS TO PROVIDE14
REASONABLE AND ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE LIVES , HEALTH, AND15
SAFETY OF ALL INDIVIDUALS EMPLOYED OR WORKING IN THE WORKPLACE;16
AND17
(b) C OMPLY WITH STANDARDS FOR WORKPLACE HEALTH AND18
SAFETY THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ADOPTS BY RULE PURSUANT TO19
THIS PART 2.20
8-14.4-204. Enforcement - referral to state or local authorities21
- statutory damages - civil action - injunction - withdrawal from22
dangerous workplace.23
(1) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY REFER WORKPLACE HEALTH24
AND SAFETY CONCERNS TO RELEVANT STATE OR LOCAL AUTHORITIES ,25
INCLUDING THOSE CHARGED WITH ENFORCING BUILDING CODES ,26
SANITATION, FIRE RISK PREVENTION , AND INDUSTRIAL HAZARD27
1054-4-
PREVENTION.1
(2) (a) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, A LABOR ORGANIZATION , A2
WORKER ORGANIZATION, OR A PERSON AGGRIEVED BY A VIOLATION OF3
THIS PART 2 MAY FILE A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST AN EMPLOYER THAT4
VIOLATES THIS PART 2 FOR ALL AVAILABLE EQUITABLE RELIEF, INCLUDING5
THE PREVENTION OF UNJUST ENRICHMENT; INJUNCTION; THE DETERRENCE6
OF THE USE OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY , EQUIPMENT, OR DEVICES; AND7
THE PREVENTION OF FURTHER WORK IN OR OCCUPANCY OF A DANGEROUS8
WORKPLACE.9
(b) AN ACTION BROUGHT BY AN AGGRIEVED PERSON PURSUANT TO10
THIS SECTION MAY BE BROUGHT BY ONE OR MORE WORKERS ON BEHALF OF11
THEMSELVES OR OTHER WORKERS SIMILARLY SITUATED.12
(c) IF A COURT IMPOSES AN INJUNCTION OR A STOP WORK ORDER13
LIMITING WORK OR PROHIBITING THE USE OF DANGEROUS MACHINERY ,14
EQUIPMENT, OR DEVICES OR AN INJUNCTION OR A STOP WORK ORDER FOR15
A DANGEROUS WORKPLACE, THE EMPLOYER MUST EITHER:16
(I) R EASSIGN WORKERS TO WORK THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE17
DANGEROUS MACHINERY, EQUIPMENT, OR DEVICES AND THAT DOES NOT18
OCCUR IN THE DANGEROUS WORKPLACE; OR19
(II) PAY WORKERS AT THEIR REGULAR RATE OF PAY FOR AT LEAST20
THE FIRST TEN REGULAR WORKING DAYS IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO WORK21
DUE TO THE INJUNCTION OR STOP WORK ORDER.22
(d) T HE COURT MAY AWARD A PERSON FOUND TO HAVE BEEN23
AGGRIEVED BY A VIOLATION OF THIS PART 2 STATUTORY DAMAGES IN AN24
AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED ONE THOUS AND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION ,25
EXCEPT IF THE EMPLOYER:26
(I) R EPEATEDLY VIOLATES THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED27
1054-5-
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-14.4-205, IN WHICH CASE THE STATUTORY1
DAMAGES FOR THE SECOND VIOLATION OR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION2
MUST NOT EXCEED TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS; OR3
(II) W ILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED4
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-14.4-205 OR DEMONSTRATES PLAIN5
INDIFFERENCE TO THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION6
8-14.4-205, IN WHICH CASE THE STATUTORY DAMAGES FOR EACH7
VIOLATION MUST NOT EXCEED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS PER8
VIOLATION.9
(e) IN ADDITION TO OTHER RELIEF AUTHORIZED BY THIS SECTION,10
THE COURT MAY ORDER AN EMPLOYER THAT VIOLATES THIS SECTION TO11
PAY A PENALTY FOR EACH VIOLATION OF THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED12
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-14.4-205. PENALTIES IMPOSED PURSUANT TO13
THIS SUBSECTION (2)(e) SHALL BE CREDITED TO THE WORKPLACE HEALTH14
AND SAFETY FUND CREATED IN SECTION 24-31-108 (7)(a). THE PENALTIES15
MUST NOT EXCEED ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS PER VIOLATION , EXCEPT IF16
THE EMPLOYER:17
(I) R EPEATEDLY VIOLATES THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED18
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-14.4-205, IN WHICH CASE THE PENALTY FOR THE19
SECOND VIOLATION OR ANY SUBSEQUENT VIOLATION MUST NOT EXCEED20
TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS; OR21
(II) W ILLFULLY VIOLATES THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED22
PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-14.4-205 OR DEMONSTRATES PLAIN23
INDIFFERENCE TO THIS PART 2 OR RULES ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION24
8-14.4-205, IN WHICH CASE THE PENALTY FOR EACH VIOLATION SHALL NOT25
EXCEED SEVENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS.26
(f) A COURT MAY AWARD THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, A LABOR27
1054-6-
ORGANIZATION, A WORKER ORGANIZATION, OR A PERSON FOUND TO HAVE1
BEEN AGGRIEVED BY A VIOLATION OF THIS PART 2 REASONABLE COSTS2
AND ATTORNEY FEES INCURRED.3
(g) E ACH DAY A VIOLATION OF THIS PART 2 CONTINUES4
CONSTITUTES A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT OFFENSE, AND EMPLOYMENT OF5
ANY WORKER IN VIOLATION OF THIS PART 2 CONSTITUTES, WITH RESPECT6
TO EACH WORKER EMPLOYED, A SEPARATE AND DISTINCT OFFENSE.7
(h) T HIS PART 2 SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO REPLACE THE8
"WORKERS' COMPENSATION ACT OF COLORADO", ARTICLES 40 TO 47 OF9
THIS TITLE 8, AS THE APPROPRIATE MECHANISM FOR ADDRESSING10
JOB-RELATED INJURIES.11
(i) T HIS PART 2 SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED TO AUTHORIZE12
INJUNCTIVE RELIEF THAT HAS THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OR EFFECT OF13
INTERFERING WITH LAWFUL, CONSTITUTIONALLY PROTECTED ACTIVITY OF14
THE PRESS, UNLESS SUCH RELIEF IS NECESSARY AND NARROWLY TAILORED15
TO REMEDY A SPECIFIC WORKPLACE HEALTH OR SAFETY HAZARD.16
17
8-14.4-205. Rules.18
(1) I F, AT ANY TIME AFTER SEPTEMBER 1, 2025, ANY OSH ACT19
HEALTH OR SAFETY STANDARD, OR RULE ADOPTED THEREUNDER, IS20
REPEALED OR REVOKED, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY , AS SOON AS21
PRACTICABLE, ADOPT RULES ESTABLISHING A STATE STANDARD FOR22
EMPLOYERS IN THE STATE THAT IS AS STRINGENT AS OR MORE STRINGENT23
THAN THE FEDERAL OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH OR SAFETY STANDARD BEING24
REPEALED OR REVOKED AS A MINIMUM STANDARD FOR EMPLOYERS IN THIS25
STATE.26
(2) ANY STANDARD ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (1) OF27
1054-7-
THIS SECTION MAY BE ENFORCED THROUGH SECTION 8-14.4-204.1
(3) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY ADOPT RULES AS NECESSARY TO2
IMPLEMENT THIS PART 2.3
8-14.4-206. Attorney general additional budget request.4
IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DETERMINES THAT ADDITIONAL5
RESOURCES ARE NEEDED TO EFFECTIVELY ADMINISTER THIS PART 2, THE6
ATTORNEY GENERAL SHALL REQUEST THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES IN THE7
ATTORNEY GENERAL 'S BUDGET REQUEST TO THE JOINT BUDGET8
COMMITTEE. 9
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-31-1302, add (3)10
and (4) as follows:11
24-31-1302. Worker and employee protection unit - creation12
- duties - court order - injunctive relief - attorney fees.13
(3) I F A PERSON , OR AN AGENT THEREOF, FAILS TO OBEY AN14
INVESTIGATIVE DEMAND, SUBPOENA, WARRANT, OR OTHER INVESTIGATIVE15
PROCESS ISSUED OR CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS16
SECTION, THE ATTORNEY GENERAL MAY APPLY TO THE APPROPRIATE17
DISTRICT COURT FOR AN ORDER TO EFFECT THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.18
THE APPLICATION MUST STATE REASONABLE GROUNDS ON WHICH THE19
ATTORNEY GENERAL BELIEVES THAT THE ORDER IS NECESSARY TO20
INVESTIGATE A DEPRIVATION OF A PERSON 'S RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, OR21
IMMUNITIES SECURED OR PROTECTED BY THE STATE CONSTITUTION OR22
LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OR THE STATE OF COLORADO. IF THE COURT23
IS SATISFIED THAT REASONABLE GROUNDS EXIST, THE COURT IN ITS ORDER24
MAY:25
(a) R EQUIRE THE ATTENDANCE OF OR THE PRODUCTION OF26
DOCUMENTS BY A PERSON, OR BOTH;27
1054-8-
(b) G RANT INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS NECESSARY TO OBTAIN1
COMPLIANCE WITH INVESTIGATIVE DEMANDS, SUBPOENAS, WARRANTS, OR2
OTHER INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES ISSUED OR CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO3
SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION; AND4
(c) G RANT FURTHER RELIEF AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN5
COMPLIANCE WITH INVESTIGATIVE DEMANDS, SUBPOENAS, WARRANTS, OR6
OTHER INVESTIGATIVE PROCESSES ISSUED OR CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO7
SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION.8
(4) C OSTS AND ATTORNEY FEES SHALL BE AWARDED TO THE9
ATTORNEY GENERAL WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SUCCESSFULLY10
ENFORCES THIS SECTION.11
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-31-1303, amend12
(1)(b) and (2)(b); and add (3) as follows:13
24-31-1303. Worker misclassification - wage determinations14
- investigation and enforcement by the unit - coordination with15
department of labor and employment.16
(1) (b) The unit may investigate and enforce an alleged17
misclassification that is not described in subsection (1)(a) of this section18
if the unit provides written notice to the division of unemployment19
insurance of the unit's intent to pursue a misclassification investigation.20
and the division of unemployment insurance:21
(I) Declines to investigate the matter;22
(II) Has investigated the matter and made a formal determination;23
or24
(III) Fails to respond to the unit within thirty days after the date25
of the notice.26
(2) (b) If the division of labor standards and statistics has not27
1054-9-
referred a wage determination to the unit, the unit may enforce the wage1
determination if the unit provides written notice to the division of labor2
standards and statistics of the unit's intent to enforce the wage3
determination. and the division of labor standards and statistics:4
(I) Declines to pursue enforcement of the wage determination;5
(II) Has attempted to pursue enforcement of the wage6
determination and has been unsuccessful in enforcing the determination7
in full after the later of twelve months after the determination or the8
conclusion of any appeals;9
(III) Fails to respond to the unit within thirty days after the date10
of the notice; or11
(IV) Has not initiated an investigation.12
(3) T HE UNIT MAY INVESTIGATE AND ENFORCE AN ALLEGED13
VIOLATION OF PART 2 OF ARTICLE 14.4 OF TITLE 8.14
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-31-101, amend15
(1)(i)(XXX) and (1)(i)(XXXI); and add (1)(i)(XXXII) as follows:16
24-31-101. Powers and duties of attorney general.17
(1) The attorney general:18
(i) May independently initiate and bring civil and criminal actions19
to enforce state laws, including actions brought pursuant to:20
(XXX) Beginning January 1, 2026, part 10 of article 12 of title 38;21
and22
(XXXI) Section 13-16-126; AND23
(XXXII) PART 2 OF ARTICLE 14.4 OF TITLE 8.24
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-101, amend25
the introductory portion as follows:26
8-14.4-101. Definitions.27
1054-10-
As used in this article 14.4 PART 1, unless the context otherwise1
requires:2
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-102, amend3
(2)(b) and (4) as follows:4
8-14.4-102. Prohibition against discrimination based on claims5
related to health and safety.6
(2) (b) A contract or agreement that violates subsection (2)(a) of7
this section is void and unenforceable as contrary to the public policy of8
this state. A principal's attempt to impose such a contract or agreement is9
an adverse action in violation of this article 14.4 PART 1.10
(4) A principal shall not discriminate, take adverse action, or11
retaliate against a worker based on the worker opposing any practice the12
worker reasonably believes is unlawful under this article 14.4 PART 1 or13
for making a charge, testifying, assisting, or participating in any manner14
in an investigation, proceeding, or hearing as to any matter the worker15
reasonably believes to be unlawful under this article 14.4 PART 1.16
SECTION 7. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-103, amend17
(1) as follows:18
8-14.4-103. Principal post notice of rights - rules.19
(1) A principal shall post notice of a worker's rights under this20
article 14.4 PART 1 in a conspicuous location on the principal's premises.21
SECTION 8. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-104, amend22
(1) introductory portion as follows:23
8-14.4-104. Relief for aggrieved person.24
(1) A person may seek relief for a violation of this article 14.425
PART 1 by:26
SECTION 9. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-105, amend27
1054-11-
(1)(a), (1)(b)(I), and (2)(a) as follows:1
8-14.4-105. Enforcement by the division - rules.2
(1) (a) Within two years after an alleged violation of this article3
14.4 PART 1, an aggrieved individual or whistleblower may file a4
complaint against a principal with the division as specified in this5
subsection (1).6
(b) Until the date the division makes a complaint form publicly7
available:8
(I) An aggrieved individual or whistleblower may file a complaint9
of a violation of this article 14.4 PART 1 with the division in any form, by10
mail or electronic mail;11
(2) The division shall either:12
(a) Investigate alleged principal violations of, or interference with13
rights or responsibilities under, this article 14.4 PART 1 and complaints14
filed with the division by aggrieved individuals and whistleblowers; or15
SECTION 10. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-106, amend16
(1), (2) introductory portion, (3)(a), (3)(b), and (4) as follows:17
8-14.4-106. Relief authorized.18
(1) An aggrieved individual may, within ninety days after19
exhausting administrative remedies pursuant to section 8-14.4-105,20
commence an action in district court against a principal for a violation of21
this article 14.4 PART 1.22
(2) A court may order affirmative relief that the court determines23
to be appropriate, including the following relief, against a respondent who24
is found to have engaged in a discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory25
employment practice prohibited by this article 14.4 PART 1:26
(3) (a) In addition to the relief available pursuant to subsection (2)27
1054-12-
of this section, in a civil action br ought by a plaintiff under this article1
14.4 PART 1 against a defendant who is found to have engaged in an2
intentional discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory employment practice,3
the plaintiff may recover compensatory and punitive damages as specified4
in this subsection (3).5
(b) A plaintiff may recover punitive damages against a defendant6
if the plaintiff demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the7
defendant engaged in a discriminatory, adverse, or retaliatory8
employment practice with malice or reckless indifference to the rights of9
the plaintiff. However, if the defendant demonstrates good faith efforts10
to comply with this article 14.4 PART 1 and to prevent discriminatory,11
adverse, and retaliatory employment practices in the workplace, the court12
shall not award punitive damages against the defendant.13
(4) If a plaintiff in a civil action filed under this article 14.4 PART14
1 seeks compensatory or punitive damages pursuant to subsection (3) of15
this section, any party to the civil action may demand a trial by jury.16
SECTION 11. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 8-14.4-107, amend17
(1), (2)(a), (2)(b), and (3)(a) as follows:18
8-14.4-107. Whistleblower enforcement - qui tam - definition.19
(1) As used in this section, "whistleblower" means a worker with20
knowledge of an alleged violation of this article 14.4 PART 1 or the21
worker's representative.22
(2) (a) A whistleblower who has exhausted the administrative23
remedies pursuant to section 8-14.4-105 may bring a civil action against24
a principal for a violation of this article 14.4 PART 1 on behalf of the state25
in district court pursuant to this section. The state may intervene in the26
action to prosecute in its own name.27
1054-13-
(b) At the time that the action is filed, the whistleblower shall give1
written notice to the division of the specific provisions of this article 14.42
PART 1 alleged to have been violated.3
(3) The proceeds of any judgment entered pursuant to this section4
shall be distributed as follows:5
(a) Seventy-five percent to the division for enforcement of this6
article 14.4 PART 1; and7
SECTION 12. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-31-108, amend8
(4) and add (7) as follows:9
24-31-108. Receipt of money - subject to appropriation -10
exception for custodial money - legal services cash fund - creation -11
workplace health and safety fund - creation - definition.12
(4) There is hereby created in the state treasury the legal services13
cash fund. also referred to in this subsection (4) as the "fund" The14
department shall transmit all money received from state agencies as15
payment for legal services to the state treasurer, who shall credit the same16
to the LEGAL SERVICES CASH fund. The money in the LEGAL SERVICES17
CASH fund and all interest earned on such money is subject to annual18
appropriation by the general assembly to the department for the direct and19
indirect costs associated with providing legal services to state20
governmental entities and for any of the department's litigation expenses.21
Any unexpended money in the LEGAL SERVICES CASH fund at the end of22
the fiscal year remains in the LEGAL SERVICES CASH fund and shall not be23
credited or transferred to any other fund.24
(7) (a) T HE STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT PENALTIES25
COLLECTED FOR THE STATE PURSUANT TO PART 2 OF ARTICLE 14.4 OF26
TITLE 8 TO THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND, WHICH FUND IS27
1054-14-
CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY . THE MONEY IN THE WORKPLACE1
HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND MAY BE USED BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO2
COVER DIRECT AND INDIRECT COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH:3
(I) ENFORCEMENT ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED IN PART 2 OF ARTICLE4
14.4 OF TITLE 8;5
(II) C REATING, DISTRIBUTING, SHARING, AND PUBLICIZING6
MATERIALS DESIGNED TO EDUCATE WORKERS AND EMPLOYERS ABOUT7
THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THE FEDERAL "OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND8
HEALTH ACT OF 1970", 29 U.S.C. SEC. 651 ET SEQ.; PART 2 OF ARTICLE9
14.4 OF TITLE 8; AND RELATED REGULATIONS AND POLICIES; AND10
(III) RULE-MAKING CONDUCTED PURSUANT TO PART 2 OF ARTICLE11
14.4 OF TITLE 8.12
(b) (I) MONEY IN THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND IS13
ANNUALLY APPROPRIATED TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR USE IN14
IMPLEMENTING THE PURPOSES SET FORTH IN SUBSECTION (7)(a) OF THIS15
SECTION.16
(II) T HE STATE TREASURER MAY INVEST ANY MONEY IN THE17
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND NOT EXPENDED PURSUANT TO18
SUBSECTION (7)(a) OF THIS SECTION FOR THE PURPOSES OF PART 2 OF19
ARTICLE 14.4 OF TITLE 8 AS PROVIDED BY LAW. THE STATE TREASURER20
SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME DERIVED FROM THE21
INVESTMENT AND DEPOSIT OF MONEY IN THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND22
SAFETY FUND TO THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND . ANY23
UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEY REMAINING IN THE24
WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND AT THE END OF A FISCAL YEAR25
REMAINS IN THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND AND SHALL NOT26
BE CREDITED OR TRANSFERRED TO THE GENERAL FUND OR ANOTHER FUND.27
1054-15-
(c) T HE LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 24-75-402 DO NOT1
APPLY TO THE WORKPLACE HEALTH AND SAFETY FUND.2
SECTION 13. Applicability. This act applies to conduct3
occurring on or after the effective date of this act.4
SECTION 14. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,5
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate6
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for7
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state8
institutions.9
1054-16-