-->

Sorry, we're having issues playing this video.
In the meantime, try watching one of the videos below.

DENVER — Colorado lawmakers have unveiled a bill that would extend whistleblower protections for employees who raise health and safety concerns at their workplaces.

The bill is a continuation of a 2020 law that added additional protections to workers in all industries.

HB20-1415 prohibits employers from retaliating against employees who choose to wear protective equipment, like masks and face guards, or who speak up with concerns about the employer’s health and safety practices. Additionally, the 2020 law set up a process for employees to take those complaints directly to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment before the courts, which advocates say has resulted in quicker responses.

However, the law is relatively narrow in scope. The whistleblower protections and report process only apply to declared public health emergencies.

“Without whistleblower protections, workers could be subjected to bad faith employers responding to their concerns by demoting them, firing them, cutting their hours or otherwise retaliating against them,” said Nina DiSalvo, a policy director with the nonprofit Toward Justice.

Since the Public Health Emergency Whistleblower Act was put into place, data from CDLE, which was released by Rep. Leslie Herod during a press conference Wednesday, shows 126 complaints have been filed with the state. Of those, CDLE is actively investigating...

Read Full Story: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/local-news/lawmakers-unveil-bill-to-ext...