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This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state family, medical, and sick leave laws.

The General Assembly passed several bills to support workers in the state.  Legislation included bills to ensure paid sick leave for most workers, expand unemployment, protect against hair discrimination, protect whistleblowers who raise concerns about workplace safety in a public health emergency, and provide support services to workers who experience audible exposure to traumatic events.  In addition, the General Assembly passed bills to support workforce training programs and permit academic credit for work‑related experience.

This memorandum provides information about the regulation of professions and occupations in Colorado.  Over 100 professions and occupations are currently required to be licensed, certified, or registered in Colorado, or are authorized to use an exclusive professional title, known as title protection.  The Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) regulates the majority of professions and occupations.  Certain professions are regulated by other state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Educatio

This issue brief provides an overview of state‑sponsored retirement plans, retirement plan marketplaces, and multiple employer retirement plans for private sector workers. The brief also includes a discussion of related federal laws and Congressional activity.

This issue brief provides an overview of the Colorado unemployment insurance (UI) program, including UI benefits, funding, and solvency in the context of recent economic downturns. 

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.  Each state in the United States administers its own unemployment insurance program and policies vary by state.  The Division of Employment and Training within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) administers the state program for Colorado.

Report No. 2020-TE7

Note: A more recent evaluation was issued in March 2025. Click HERE to access the March 2025 report.

This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing Demographic Notes (notes) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.5, C.R.S. It outlines the number of notes per session, the process for requesting notes, the preparation and timing of notes, and the preparation of revised and final notes.

Procedures for Demographic Notes Form

Federal law requires employers to pay their employees a minimum hourly wage.  States are allowed to set different pay standards than the federal minimum wage requirement; however, if the state and federal law differ, such as in Colorado, the higher wage prevails.   This issue brief provides an overview and history of federal and Colorado minimum wage laws and provides a summary of how other states compare to the federal standard.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered three bills to encourage employment and job retention and ensure access to apprenticeship programs for workers in Colorado.

During the 2019 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several bills regulating professions and occupations including legislation addressing registered athletic trainers, genetic counselors, and sign language interpreters.   New laws expand and clarify licensure requirements for plumbers, barbers and cosmetologists, emergency medical technicians, and motor vehicle and powersport vehicle wholesalers, as well as recodify regulation of community association managers.  Finally, the General Assembly continued regulation of certified public accountants and electrician

This memorandum is an assessment of the fiscal impact of the attached proposed Amendment L.045 to Senate Bill 19-188. This fiscal assessment is for the impact of the bill with inclusion of this amendment only. Any other added amendment could influence the fiscal impact.

This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) and the changes made to PERA by Senate Bill 18‑200.

During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly created and continued programs related to employment training and recruitment.

During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly considered bills encouraging economic development in the state; bills relating to disclosures for rental car companies and rates for parts and labor by motor vehicle manufacturers; and bills that continued regulation of mortgage lenders, made changes to the regulation of real estate appraisers, and modified licensing requirements of real estate brokers.

This memorandum addresses questions around recent announcements and consideration of changes to the state employee payroll schedule.  Legislative Council Staff has received inquiries regarding the timing and amount of state employee payroll during the months of July and August 2018 as a result of a March 8, 2018 email from the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) to Executive Branch employees.  The email announces a transition in July 2018 from monthly to biweekly lag pay.

During the 2017 legislative session, the General Assembly considered measures related to professional licensing and regulation, wage law transparency, workers’ compensation insurance, and workforce development programs.

Colorado’s workers’ compensation law provides various benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses. This issue brief provides an overview of the employer obligations to the program, workers’ compensation benefits, and how the program is administered.

FY 2017-18 Information Technology Request.

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The state program is administered by the Division of Employment and Training within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado’s unemployment insurance program, including employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and the process for receiving benefits and filing an appeal.

The Colorado legislature considered several important bills related to labor and employment, consumer protection, licensing and professional occupations, liquor law, procurement, and telecommunications and technology during the second session of the 69th General Assembly. This document summarizes the legislation.