.png){kind=logo}
DENVER, CO - The House Judiciary Committee today passed legislation sponsored by Representative Yara Zokaie and Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker to strengthen Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws. HB25-1239 passed by a vote of 7-4.
“With anti-discrimination safeguards and federal programs for vulnerable communities under attack from the current federal administration, Coloradans are counting on us to secure protections against discrimination,” said Rep. Yara Zokaie, D-Fort Collins. “Our legislation works to improve protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, including expanding the deadline to file a discrimination complaint to one year and allowing members of a protected class to receive monetary compensation for discriminatory acts. This is crucial to protecting our most vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities, so they can seek appropriate compensation for the harm they experience to ensure equal access to justice.”
“From housing to employment, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act has been a critical piece of the puzzle for Coloradans to pursue justice for discrimination, and this legislation builds on this work to expand protections to ensure victims can receive the justice they deserve,” said Speaker Pro Tempore Andy Boesenecker, D-Fort Collins. “People with disabilities, small businesses, and other victims of discrimination would greatly benefit from this legislation that expands avenues to justice by providing access to legal support and effective recourse for Coloradans who experience discrimination.”
HB25-1239 expands protections under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) to protect vulnerable communities, especially Coloradans with disabilities. The bill would better allow victims of discrimination to receive monetary compensation for unfair housing practices, discrimination in places of public accommodation, or a violation of their civil rights under the CADA for all protected classes. Under the bill, victims would be able to pursue attorney’s fees and costs, actual monetary damages, non-economic damages of up to $50,000, and fines of $5,000 per violation.
Awards for damages for non-economic loss or injury are limited to $50,000, and small businesses are entitled to a 50 percent reduction of the amount of the non-economic loss or injury if the defendant corrects the violation within 120 days after the complaint is filed and did not knowingly or intentionally make or cause the violation.
The bill would also extend the deadline to file a discrimination complaint related to public accommodations from 60 days to one year.