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DENVER, CO – The House Health & Human Services Committee today passed legislation to better understand how extreme temperatures impact working conditions and worker safety. HB26-1272 passed committee by a vote of 8-5.
“Colorado workers are increasingly exposed to dangerous heat and cold as our weather becomes more extreme,” said Meg Froelich, D-Englewood. “As federal action to protect our workers has stalled out, this bill lays the groundwork for keeping Colorado workers safe from extreme temperatures. Given Colorado’s budget constraints, we’re focused on collecting this important data to help us understand how extreme temperatures impact worker health and safety. Through data collection and readily available temperature-related injury and illness prevention plans, we’re moving forward with a bill that puts workers first today and creates a roadmap for the future.”
“There’s a gap in support for Colorado workers exposed to dangerous heat and cold, and we need to do more to keep our workers safe and healthy on the job,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “Colorado is facing a significant budget deficit, so our bill focuses on data collection of temperature-related injuries, illnesses and emergencies in workplaces. Climate change is already impacting working conditions and HB26-1275 is the first step toward creating a safer future for Colorado workers.”
HB26-1272 outlines a pathway for Colorado to protect workers from extreme temperatures. This bill would require the state to collect and analyze temperature-related injuries, illnesses, and emergencies at worksites, as well as hospital visits and related workers' compensation in the state. This data would serve as an important baseline for future rulemaking and temperature-related injury prevention planning.
Under this bill, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) would develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan (TRIIPP) by 2028. TRIIPPs typically include methods for cooling down, such as access to water, shade, and gradual acclimatization for workers. Once created, the TRIIPP would be available to lawmakers and employers on CDLE’s public website. CDLE would be responsible for updating the TRIIPP annually to meet the needs of workers.
This legislation is the first step toward keeping workers safe on the job by prioritizing education and evidence-gathering that reflect conditions across industries and regions in Colorado. The findings from this bill’s implementation will inform future protections and legislation.