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This memorandum provides an overview on the federal immigration system, Colorado’s role in immigration, and patterns of immigration in the state and nationally. It then discusses the impact of immigration on different sectors of the economy and state government programs and services, and highlights recent state legislation to address these issues.

In December 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that it is suspending the publication of monthly employment, unemployment, and wage statistics for Colorado due to data quality concerns, beginning with data for January 2025. Colorado is the only state whose data are affected. Select measures of employment and wages will continue to be reported on a quarterly basis, published five months after the end of each quarter.

This issue brief provides an overview of federal and state laws related to gender pay equity and a summary of past legislative efforts by the Colorado General Assembly on the topic.

This handbook is designed to be a reference guide for legislators and the public on the topic of Colorado laws related to liquor licensing. It covers the three-tier regulatory structure; license and permit types; general licensing requirements; enforcement; taxes and fees; and recent legislation.

Report No. 2025-TE5

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to workforce development, workers’ compensation, and state employee benefits.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered several measures to change or expand the regulation of certain professions including physicians and other medical professionals, motor vehicle dealers, plumbers, electricians, and real estate appraisers. The General Assembly also passed several laws continuing the regulation of certain professions under the state sunrise and sunset review process.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered various measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to wage and hour laws, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce development.

Report No. 2023-TE19

This memorandum provides an overview of all the statutory reports that are required to be sent to members of the Joint Business Committee in FY 2023‑24. Most of the reports can be found in the Required Reports Database. Some reports are included as part of the agency’s annual reporting. Please contact Legislative Council Staff if you are unable to locate a report. A list of the reports is provided in Table 1.

Memo No. 2023-TE21

Colorado's policymakers from all backgrounds face significant challenges in responding to the rapidly changing nature of work.

To date, Colorado and ten other states have enacted paid family and medical leave laws.  The other states include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.  However, the New Hampshire is voluntary for employers and relies on tax incentives for businesses to contribute.  In addition, Hawaii has a paid medical leave law that does not extend to family leave.  This memorandum provides a summary of the major components of the paid family and medical leave laws in each of these states.

This memorandum provides a summary of various workforce development programs in Colorado.

This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations.  This memorandum does not include programs that are focused on workforce development or programs designed to attract tourists to the state.

The General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment during the 2022 legislative session, including numerous bills on workforce development, as well as bills on wage theft, non-compete agreements, and whistleblower protection, among others. 

This memorandum highlights regional and sectoral differences in Colorado’s labor market and employment recovery from the pandemic‑induced recession, including in labor force, job openings, and employment. 

During the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered several measures concerning professions and occupations including health care professionals, sunrise and sunset reviews, and employment and licensure.

During the 2022 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered measures related to agriculture, including wildlife and conservation, workforce, the Colorado State Fair, and other agriculture‑related topics.

Report No. 2022-TE4

This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations.  This memorandum does not include programs that are focused on workforce development or programs designed to attract tourists to the state.

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

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to workforce development, the treatment of workers, and workers’ compensation.

This memo provides an overview of data on income inequality in Colorado and the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic by income and other demographic characteristics.  This memo uses new sources of publicly available high-frequency data from the U.S. Census Bureau and private companies to examine how the pandemic’s effects have been distributed among Colorado’s diverse households.