Search Publications

This memorandum provides an overview on the federal immigration system, Colorado’s role in immigration, and patterns of immigration in the state and nationally. It then discusses the impact of immigration on different sectors of the economy and state government programs and services, and highlights recent state legislation to address these issues.

During the 2025 legislative session, the Colorado General Assembly considered several measures to change or expand the regulation of certain professions including physicians and other medical professionals, motor vehicle dealers, plumbers, electricians, and real estate appraisers. The General Assembly also passed several laws continuing the regulation of certain professions under the state sunrise and sunset review process.

During the 2025 legislative session, the General Assembly considered various measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to wage and hour laws, vocational rehabilitation, and workforce development.

Report No. 2025-TE5

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own. The state program is administered by the Division of Employment and Training within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). This issue brief provides an overview of Colorado’s unemployment insurance program, including employer contributions to the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund and the process for receiving benefits and filing an appeal.

Colorado’s workers’ compensation law provides various benefits to employees who suffer work-related injuries and illnesses. This issue brief provides an overview of the employer obligations to the program, workers’ compensation benefits, and how the program is administered.

This memorandum addresses questions around recent announcements and consideration of changes to the state employee payroll schedule.  Legislative Council Staff has received inquiries regarding the timing and amount of state employee payroll during the months of July and August 2018 as a result of a March 8, 2018 email from the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) to Executive Branch employees.  The email announces a transition in July 2018 from monthly to biweekly lag pay.

This memorandum memorializes the process for requesting and preparing Demographic Notes (notes) pursuant to Section 2-2-322.5, C.R.S. It outlines the number of notes per session, the process for requesting notes, the preparation and timing of notes, and the preparation of revised and final notes.

Unemployment insurance (UI) provides temporary, partial wage replacement to workers who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.  Each state in the United States administers its own unemployment insurance program and policies vary by state.  The Division of Employment and Training within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) administers the state program for Colorado.

During the 2021 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to workforce development, the treatment of workers, and workers’ compensation.

This memorandum provides an overview of the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) and the changes made to PERA by Senate Bill 18‑200.

In December 2024, the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced that it is suspending the publication of monthly employment, unemployment, and wage statistics for Colorado due to data quality concerns, beginning with data for January 2025. Colorado is the only state whose data are affected. Select measures of employment and wages will continue to be reported on a quarterly basis, published five months after the end of each quarter.

During the 2018 legislative session, the General Assembly created and continued programs related to employment training and recruitment.

This memorandum provides information about the regulation of professions and occupations in Colorado.  Over 100 professions and occupations are currently required to be licensed, certified, or registered in Colorado, or are authorized to use an exclusive professional title, known as title protection.  The Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) regulates the majority of professions and occupations.  Certain professions are regulated by other state agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Educatio

The General Assembly passed several bills to support workers in the state.  Legislation included bills to ensure paid sick leave for most workers, expand unemployment, protect against hair discrimination, protect whistleblowers who raise concerns about workplace safety in a public health emergency, and provide support services to workers who experience audible exposure to traumatic events.  In addition, the General Assembly passed bills to support workforce training programs and permit academic credit for work‑related experience.

Report No. 2022-TE4

To date, Colorado and eight other states have enacted paid family and medical leave laws.  The other states include California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.  In addition, Hawaii has a paid medical leave law.  This memorandum provides a summary of the major components of the paid family and medical leave laws in each of these states.

This memorandum provides a summary of various workforce development programs in Colorado.

This memorandum provides an overview of programs that are designed to provide a boost to Colorado's economy, including incentivizing businesses to locate in Colorado, expand their Colorado-based workforce, or otherwise grow their Colorado business operations.  This memorandum does not include programs that are focused on workforce development or programs designed to attract tourists to the state.

The General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment during the 2022 legislative session, including numerous bills on workforce development, as well as bills on wage theft, non-compete agreements, and whistleblower protection, among others. 

Report No. 2023-TE19

During the 2024 legislative session, the General Assembly considered several measures related to labor and employment, including measures related to workforce development, workers’ compensation, and state employee benefits.