If you were fired for an illegal reason in Colorado, there are some laws in place that can protect you. Workers in Colorado who were fired may be able to file a claim for damages if the reason they were fired violates state or Federal employment laws. If your employer terminated your employment unfairly or illegally you should speak with an employment attorney to find out if you are eligible to file a claim against that employer.
What Are Colorado’s Laws Against Discrimination?
Colorado is an at-will employment state. But, that doesn’t mean that your employer can fire you for any reason without penalty. Under Colorado law it’s illegal for employers to discriminate against employees by:
- refuse to hire
- to discharge or fire
- to refuse to promote
- to demote
- to harass during the course of employment
- to discriminate in matters of compensation
- to discriminate in the terms, conditions, or privileges of employment
or to terminate an employee’s employment based on a reason that is protected by law. In Colorado employees can’t be discriminated against on the basis of their:
- Disability (a mental or physical impairment which substantially limits a major life activity)
- Race (includes hair texture, hair type, or a protective hairstyle commonly or historically associated with race, such as braids, locs, twists, tight coils or curls, cornrows, Bantu knots, Afros, and headwraps).
- Creed
- Color
- Sex
- Sexual Orientation
- Gender Identity
- Gender Expression
- Religion
- Age (40+)
- National Origin
- Ancestry
- Marital Status
- Marriage to a Co-Worker (applies in limited circumstances)
- Pregnancy, childbirth, and related conditions
- Wage Transparency Act (sharing and comparing wage information with coworkers)
If your employment was terminated for any of these reasons it was unlawful and you may be able to file a claim and receive damages because of it.
What Other Laws Protect Colorado Workers From Wrongful Termination?
Colorado law is strict about discrimination, but there are also Federal laws that protect workers in Colorado from unlawful termination and other types of workplace discrimination. Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act makes it a Federal offense for an employer to violate a worker’s rights because of their race, gender, sex, religion, or where they are from. Other Federal laws that protect workers include the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Pregnancy Protection Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Age Discrimination In Employment Act.
Who Oversees the Wrongful Termination Laws in Colorado?
If you were wrongfully fired in Colorado you can file a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Commission (CCRD) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC is a Federal agency but has jurisdiction in Colorado. You only need to file one complaint however, the CCRD and the EEOC will share information to determine if your employer violated any state or Federal laws by firing you.
Get in Touch With a Lawyer That Takes Colorado Wrongful Termination Claims
If you have questions about your specific case and you want to know if you can file a wrongful termination claim for lost wages or other damages the best thing to do is speak with an employment attorney taking cases in Colorado. Fill out the Free Case Evaluation below now to get connected with a local Colorado employment attorney who can answer your questions directly.
