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Labor Relations / Unions

Navigating Labor Relations in Colorado

Labor-management relations are covered by various laws and by type of employment. The Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (Division) in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment administers and enforces these labor-management laws. 

Private Sector (non-government) employees/employers

Most private sector employees and employers are covered by federal law (the National Labor Relations Act), administered by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Employees, employers, and unions can file charges alleging unfair labor practices, or file petitions seeking an election regarding union representation. Complaints of unfair labor practices must be filed with the NLRB within six months of the alleged violation.

In the small fraction of private-sector employment not covered by federal law - mainly agriculture, very small employers, and mass transportation (e.g., RTD) - the Labor Peace Act (LPA), C.R.S. Title 8, Article 3, lets workers petition for an election for representation, sets rights and responsibilities related to representation or concerted (group) activity, and allows complaints for violations.

Even in private-sector employment covered by federal law, a second election is required under the LPA to authorize all-union agreements (union security clauses) for mandatory union dues.

View Labor Peace Act Elections Data

For more information:

Labor Peace Act Forms:

Agricultural employees/employers

The Labor Peace Act covers most employment in agriculture -- see the “Private sector” section above.

State & County government employees/employers

State government employees/employers

The Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act (Partnership Act), C.R.S. § 24-50-1101 et seq., covers classified employees as defined by the state personnel system. Non-classified state employees and certain positions are excluded from coverage under the Partnership Act (e.g., ALJs, state troopers, temporary appointees, legislative branch employees, and confidential, managerial, or executive employees).

Covered state employees form one partnership unit currently represented by Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (Colorado WINS) for collective bargaining purposes. 

Under the Partnership Act, the State Personnel Director decides whether certain employees are appropriately classified as “covered employees” and the Division may hear appeals regarding that decision. 

The Partnership Act permits covered state employees to choose their own representatives, sets rights and responsibilities related to representation or concerted (group) activity by employees, and allows complaints for violations.

For more information:

Partnership Act Forms:

County government employees/employers

The Collective Bargaining by County Employees Act (COBCA), C.R.S. Title 8, Article 3.3, covers employees in Colorado counties with a population of more than 7,500 people, according to the most recent U.S. decennial census. COBCA does not apply to a City and County (e.g., Denver and Broomfield), municipalities, schools or special districts, certain political subdivisions of the state, or counties with a population of less than 7,500. Some types of employees are excluded from COBCA coverage (e.g., temporary or seasonal and confidential, managerial, or executive employees).

COBCA permits county employees to petition for representation by an employee organization of their choosing, sets rights and responsibilities related to representation or concerted (group) activity by employees, and allows complaints for violations.

Absent agreement of the parties, COBCA requires the Division to determine the appropriate bargaining unit before conducting a representation election. 

Under COBCA, the Division of Labor Standards & Statistics will post all certifications (or decertifications) of employee organizations as exclusive representatives of county employees, as well as all related hearing officer decisions and orders, and written decisions and final judgments of fact finders. Future postings will continue to be added after the finalization of election results and decisions as soon as feasible. (Note: Past decisions may not reflect subsequent changes in statute, regulation, or policy.)

View COBCA Election Data

View COBCA Decisions and Orders

For more information:

COBCA Forms:

Other public (government) employees/employers

The Protections for Public Workers Act (PROPWA), C.R.S. § 29-33-101 et seq., covers almost all state or local government employment excluded from coverage under the LPA, the Partnership Act, and COBCA (e.g., small counties, municipalities, school districts, political subdivisions of the state, and special districts). Some employees' coverage under PROPWA may be limited based on their duties and responsibilities. PROPWA protects these other public employees' expressive activity, concerted activity, and PROPWA-specific activity from retaliation, discrimination, or interference by their public employers.

For more information:

PROPWA Forms:

Contact Us

Division's Labor Relations Unit | cdle_laborrelations@state.co.us 

Division of Labor Standards and Statistics | 303-318-8441 | Contact Us