Gabe Evans’ Voted Against Labor And Union Protections In Colorado’s State Legislature, Including Bills That Strengthened Child Labor Laws And Wage Violation Enforcements

HB23-1196 Amended The Colorado Youth Act To Allow Aggrieved Parties, Including The Parents, To Pursue Legal Remedies For Violations Of The Act. “HB23-1196 Remedies At Law For Violating Colorado Youth Act Concerning clarifying that workers’ compensation is not the exclusive remedy for persons aggrieved by violations of the ‘Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971.’ The act amends the ‘Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971’ (CYEOA) to allow aggrieved parties, including parents of children protected by the CYEOA, to pursue remedies at law and in equity for violations of the act, in addition to workers’ compensation remedies, if: An injury occurs to a minor during a week when the employer intentionally required the minor to work hours in violation of those allowed by the CYEOA; or An injury occurs to a minor while the minor was engaging in work prohibited by the CYEOA. The act clarifies that economic damages for claims in tort recovered by a party aggrieved by a violation of the CYEOA against the employer of a minor pursuant to the act must be reduced by the amount of compensation and benefits that the minor or the minor's dependents received for the same harm through the employer's workers' compensation insurance.” [Colorado General Assembly, HB23-1196, introduced 2/13/23]

Colorado House Democrats: HB23-1196 Expanded The Legal Action That A Child, Or Parent Of The Child, Can Take To Hold A Company Accountable For Breaking Child Labor Laws. “Current Colorado law only allows a child worker to pursue legal action against a company for workers’ compensation. HB23-1196 amends language in the Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act of 1971 to expand the legal action that a child, or a parent of a child, can take to hold a company accountable for breaking child labor laws. The bill is in response to many recent child labor law violations, including a food sanitation corporation with Colorado facilities that was fined $1.5 million in penalties. Teens have twice the risk of nonfatal on-the-job injuries than older workers, necessitating the expansion of legal action that an underaged worker can pursue.” [Colorado House Democrats, Press Release, 3/9/23]

Evans Voted No On HB23-1196

Evans Voted No On HB23-1196. According to Colorado General Assembly vote records, Representative Evans voted No on HB23-1196. [Colorado General Assembly, HB23-1196, House Votes, voted 3/30/23]

  • HB23-1196 Passed With 44 Aye Votes And 18 No Votes. According to the Colorado General Assembly vote records, HB23-1196 passed with 44 Aye votes, 18 No votes, and 3 excused votes in the House. [Colorado General Assembly, HB23-1196, House Votes, voted 3/30/23]

HB23-1196 Was Signed Into Law

HB23-1196 Was Signed Into Law. According to the Colorado General Assembly, HB23-1196 was signed into law on June 7th, 2023. [Colorado General Assembly, HB23-1196, 6/7/23]

Evans Voted Against A Bill That Ensured Equal Pay For Equal Work By Requiring The Director Of The Department Of Labor And Employment To Investigate Employer Violations Of Wage Inequality

SB23-105 Ensured Equal Pay For Equal Work

SB23-105 Ensured Equal Pay For Equal Work By Requiring The Director Of The Department Of Labor And Employment To Investigate Employer Violations Of Wage Inequity. “SB23-105 Ensure Equal Pay For Equal Work Concerning the implementation of measures to ensure equal pay for equal work, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. Current law authorizes the director of the division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment (director) to create and administer a process to accept and mediate wage complaints, to provide legal resources concerning alleged wage inequity, and to promulgate rules as necessary for this purpose. The act changes these authorizations to requirements and further requires the director to create and administer a complaint mediation process by July 1, 2024. Additionally, the act requires the director to: Investigate complaints or other leads concerning employer violations of wage inequity; Upon finding a violation, order compliance and relief; and Promulgate rules to enforce the act. The act also requires an employer to: For each job opportunity, follow specific guidelines for posting the opportunity and provide specific information to employees regarding the compensation, benefits, and date that the application window is anticipated to close; and Make reasonable efforts to make known information regarding the candidate who is selected for the job opportunity. For positions with career progression, the act requires an employer to disclose and make available to all eligible employees the requirements for the career progression.” [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, introduced 1/31/23]

Colorado House Democrats: SB23-105 Strengthened Colorado’s Equal Pay For Equal Work Act To Require The Colorado Department Of Labor And Employment To Investigate Alleged Wage Inequality Cases. “SB23-105, passed the House by a vote of 41 to 21 and would strengthen Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act to ensure all Colorado workers are compensated equally for their labor. Specifically, this bill would require the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to accept and mediate complaints, provide legal resources concerning alleged wage inequality, and to promulgate rules to further prevent wage discrimination. Previously the department was only authorized to do so; this bill provides a clearer directive accompanied with the resources and staffing to back it up. This bill would also require CDLE to investigate complaints or other leads concerning wage inequality, and to address the situation if the complaint is found to be valid as well as requiring employers to follow specific guidelines for job postings. SB23-105 would also extend the maximum period for which a person pursuing a wage discrimination complaint may receive back pay to six years, doubling what is currently allowed under state law. ” [Colorado House Democrats, Press Release, 5/1/23]

  • Colorado’s Equal Pay For Equal Work Act Authorized The Department Of Labor To Create And Administrate A Process To Accept Wage Discrimination Complaints. “Wage discrimination based on sex - complaints - civil action - exceptions to prohibitions against wage differentials - prohibited acts of employer - employment announcements required - enforcement - rules. The act removes the authority of the director of the division of labor standards and statistics in the department of labor and employment (director) to enforce wage discrimination complaints based on an employee's sex and instead authorizes the director to create and administer a process to accept and mediate complaints of, and provide legal resources concerning, alleged violations and to promulgate rules for this purpose. An aggrieved person may bring a civil action in district court to pursue remedies specified in the act.” [Colorado General Assembly, SB19-085, introduced 1/17/19]

Evans Voted No On SB23-105

Evans Voted No On SB23-105. According to the Colorado General Assembly House vote records, Representative Evans voted No on SB23-105. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, House Votes, voted 5/1/23]

  • SB23-105 Passed With 41 Aye Votes And 21 No Votes. According to the Colorado General Assembly vote records, SB23-105 passed with 41 Aye votes, 21 No votes, and 3 excused votes in the House. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, House Votes, voted 5/1/23]

SB23-105 Was Signed Into Law

SB23-105 Was Signed Into Law. According to Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105 was signed into law on June 5th, 2023. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, signed act 6/5/23]

Evans Voted Against A Bill That Implemented Public Employees’ Workplace Protections Like The Right To Discuss Workplace Issues, Join An Employee Organization, And Raise Concerns Without Retaliation

SB23-111 Implemented Workplace Protections For Public-Sector Employees

SB23-111 Protected Public Employees From Employer Retaliation And The Right To Workplace Protections. “SB23-111 Public Employees’ Workplace Protection Concerning public employees’ workplace protection from employer retaliation, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The ‘National Labor Relations Act’ does not apply to federal, state, or local governments and the ‘Colorado Labor Peace Act’ excludes governmental entities, with an exception for mass transportation systems, which means that these labor laws do not cover most public employees. The act grants certain public employees, including individuals employed by counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, charter schools, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the university of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver health and hospital authority, the general assembly, and a board of cooperative services, the right to: Discuss or express views regarding public employee representation or workplace issues; Engage in protected, concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection; Fully participate in the political process while off duty and not in uniform, including speaking with members of the public employer’s governing body on terms and conditions of employment and any matter of public concern and engaging in other political activities in the same manner as other citizens of Colorado without discrimination, intimidation, or retaliation; and Organize, form, join, or assist an employee organization or refrain from organizing, forming, joining, or assisting an employee organization.” [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-11, introduced 1/31/23]

  • SB23-111 Provided Protections For Public Workers For Those Who Worked In Settings Like School Districts, Hospitals, And Courts. “Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in the political process outside of work hours. It would protect workers who raise concerns from retaliation — such as termination, threats and certain disciplinary actions — from their employers. It would extend that right to employees within counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the University of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the General Assembly.” [Colorado Newsline, 3/1/23]
  • SB23-111 Gave Public Workers The Right To Discuss Workplace Issues. “Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in the political process outside of work hours. It would protect workers who raise concerns from retaliation — such as termination, threats and certain disciplinary actions — from their employers. It would extend that right to employees within counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the University of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the General Assembly.” [Colorado Newsline, 3/1/23]
  • SB23-111 Gave Public Workers The Right To Organize Or Join An Employee Organization And Participate In The Political Process Outside Of Work Hours. “Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in the political process outside of work hours. It would protect workers who raise concerns from retaliation — such as termination, threats and certain disciplinary actions — from their employers. It would extend that right to employees within counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the University of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the General Assembly.” [Colorado Newsline, 3/1/23]
  • SB23-111 Gave Public Workers Protected Workers Who Raised Concerns From Retaliation. “Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in the political process outside of work hours. It would protect workers who raise concerns from retaliation — such as termination, threats and certain disciplinary actions — from their employers. It would extend that right to employees within counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the University of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the General Assembly.” [Colorado Newsline, 3/1/23]

SB23-111 Gave Public-Sector Workers The Right To Discuss Workplace Issues, Organize Or Join An Employee Organization And Participate In The Political Process Outside Of Work Hours. “Public workers in Colorado who work in settings like school districts, hospitals and courts could soon receive labor protections afforded to private-sector workers under a bill making its way through the Colorado Legislature. Senate Bill 23-111 would give public-sector workers the right to discuss workplace issues, organize or join an employee organization and participate in the political process outside of work hours. It would protect workers who raise concerns from retaliation — such as termination, threats and certain disciplinary actions — from their employers. It would extend that right to employees within counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, public colleges and universities, library districts, special districts, public defender’s offices, the University of Colorado hospital authority, the Denver Health and Hospital Authority and the General Assembly.” [Colorado Newsline, 3/1/23]

SB23-111 Gave Public-Sector Workers The Same Rights And Protections As Private-Sector Employees Had Under The Colorado Labor Peace Act. “Senate Bill 23-111 gives people who work in the public sectors — such as those within certain counties, municipalities, fire authorities, school districts, University of Colorado hospital authority, Denver health and hospital authority and the General Assembly — the same rights and protections that people in the private sector have enjoyed for decades under the Colorado Labor Peace Act. Public employers can’t fire, discipline or retaliate against an employee who testifies on a bill at the Capitol, for example, or someone who joins a union. It does not require employers to recognize or negotiate with unions. ” [Colorado Newsline, 7/3/23]

  • The Colorado Labor Peace Act Established Standards Of Fair Conduct In Employment Relations And To Oversee Collective Bargaining Unit Elections. “The Labor Peace Act authorizes the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics to establish standards of fair conduct in employment relations in order to protect the rights of the public, the employee, and the employer and to oversee collective bargaining unit elections.” [Colorado Department Of Labor And Employment, Labor Relations/Unions, accessed 4/17/24]

HEADLINE: “Public Workers Who Exercise Free Speech Will Be Protected Under New Colorado Law.” [Colorado Newsline, 7/3/23]

Evans Voted Against SB23-111

Evans Voted No On SB23-111. According to the Colorado General Assembly House vote records, Representative Evans voted No on SB23-111. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, House Votes, voted 4/29/23]

  • SB23-111 Passed With 43 Aye Votes And 19 No Votes. According to the Colorado General Assembly vote records, SB23-11 passed with 43 Aye votes, 19 No votes, and 3 excused votes in the House. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-105, House Votes, voted 4/29/23]

SB23-111 Was Signed Into Law

SB23-111 Was Signed Into Law. According to the Colorado General Assembly, SB23-111 was signed into law on June 6th, 2023. [Colorado General Assembly, SB23-111, signed act 6/6/23]

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