summary
Introduced
01/08/2025
01/08/2025
In Committee
04/09/2025
04/09/2025
Crossed Over
05/01/2025
05/01/2025
Passed
06/03/2025
06/03/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
06/03/2025
06/03/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
CONCERNING A PROHIBITION ON WHISTLEBLOWER RETALIATION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
AI Summary
This bill establishes comprehensive legal protections for law enforcement whistleblowers in Colorado, prohibiting employers from retaliating against peace officers who, in good faith, disclose information about public safety dangers or alleged law violations to proper supervising authorities. The legislation creates a private right of action for employees who experience retaliation, allowing them to seek remedies such as reinstatement, back pay, compensatory damages, and attorney fees after exhausting internal administrative procedures. The bill requires law enforcement agencies to provide training or workplace postings about these protections by January 1, 2026, and defines specific terms like "employee" and "employer" to clarify the law's scope. Importantly, the bill includes protections with several nuanced exceptions: employers can still take legitimate disciplinary actions for non-retaliatory reasons, and employees cannot claim protection if they knowingly disclose false information or report their own misconduct. The law applies to P.O.S.T.-certified peace officers and non-certified deputy sheriffs, and establishes a two-year statute of limitations for filing claims. The bill aims to create a transparent and safe reporting environment within law enforcement agencies while preventing unjust workplace retaliation.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (64)
Jennifer Bacon (D)*,
Chad Clifford (D)*,
Byron Pelton (R)*,
Dylan Roberts (D)*,
Matt Ball (D),
Carlos Barron (R),
Shannon Bird (D),
Andrew Boesenecker (D),
Brandi Bradley (R),
Jeff Bridges (D),
Max Brooks (R),
Kyle Brown (D),
Jarvis Caldwell (R),
Sean Camacho (D),
Michael Carter (D),
James Coleman (D),
Lisa Cutter (D),
Monica Duran (D),
Regina English (D),
Cecelia Espenoza (D),
Tony Exum (D),
Meg Froelich (D),
Lorena García (D),
Julie Gonzales (D),
Ryan Gonzalez (R),
Eliza Hamrick (D),
Nick Hinrichsen (D),
Jamie Jackson (D),
Iman Jodeh (D),
Dusty Johnson (R),
Junie Joseph (D),
Rebecca Keltie (R),
Cathy Kipp (D),
Chris Kolker (D),
Sheila Lieder (D),
Mandy Lindsay (D),
William Lindstedt (D),
Meghan Lukens (D),
Javier Mabrey (D),
Bob Marshall (D),
Julie McCluskie (D),
Karen McCormick (D),
Dafna Michaelson Jenet (D),
Kyle Mullica (D),
Amy Paschal (D),
Jacqueline Phillips (D),
Naquetta Ricks (D),
Manny Rutinel (D),
Emily Sirota (D),
Lesley Smith (D),
Marc Snyder (D),
Katie Stewart (D),
Tammy Story (D),
Brianna Titone (D),
Alex Valdez (D),
Katie Wallace (D),
Ron Weinberg (R),
Michael Weissman (D),
Jenny Willford (D),
Faith Winter (D),
Ty Winter (R),
Steven Woodrow (D),
Dan Woog (R),
Yara Zokaie (D),
Last Action
Governor Signed (on 06/03/2025)
Official Document
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