Bill to Boost Worker Protections Passes

DENVER, CO - The House today passed legislation that would allow public projects to use Project Labor Agreements to ensure worker protections. HB25-1130, sponsored by Representative Michael Carter and Majority Leader Monica Duran, passed by a vote of 40-22.

“This bill allows public construction projects to utilize project labor agreements to incentivize workers and employers to create contracts that work for both parties to reduce workplace conflict,” said Rep. Michael Carter, D-Aurora. “Project labor agreements offer benefits to both workers and employers to expand apprenticeship opportunities, secure a skilled workforce, and this bill clarifies that public construction projects can utilize these agreements.”

“I have proudly passed laws in the energy and public sectors to create safer work conditions and ensure Coloradans are paid a fair wage for their work,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “This bill seeks to extend protections to Colorado workers on public projects, making Colorado law more consistent across all sectors to protect Colorado workers.”

HB25-1130 would implement project labor provisions to ensure that state projects, like their energy sector counterparts, have the option and authorization to utilize this procurement method.

The bill defines a project labor agreement as a collective bargaining agreement between a lead contractor for a public project and construction labor organizations to establish the terms and conditions of employment of the construction workforce on the public project. The agreement must include provisions, including:

• Resolving disputes and grievances before the completion of work, 

• Containing guarantees around strikes and lockouts, 

• Ensuring a relatable source of trained, skilled, and experienced craft labor,

• Policy objectives regarding improved employment opportunities for minorities, women, or other economically disadvantaged Coloradans in the construction industry, and

• Allowing employers to choose the lowest qualified responsible bidder or lowest qualified responsible offeror without the consideration of union status at other construction sites.

This bill builds on laws sponsored by Majority Leader Duran, including the Colorado Quality Apprenticeship Training Act of 2019 to establish a statewide prevailing wage and apprenticeship utilization requirements for public projects and a 2023 law to create clear and fair working standards for Colorado workers transitioning into the clean energy sector.