CO HB1309

Requires all Colorado employers to participate in the federal E-Verify program by January 1, 2013, to verify work eligibility status of all newly hired employees.

Establishes penalties for non-compliance: up to $5,000 for first offense, up to $25,000 for second offense, and up to $25,000 plus six-month suspension of business licenses for subsequent offenses.

Creates an employment verification cash fund to receive collected fines, with moneys appropriated to the Department of Labor and Employment for implementation and enforcement.

Requires the Department of Labor and Employment to notify employers quarterly about E-Verify requirements and post notice on its website; requires Secretary of State to include E-Verify requirements information on its website in consultation with the department.

Provides rebuttable presumptions protecting employers from liability for unknowingly employing unauthorized aliens or wrongfully terminating employees when they comply with federal law and participate in E-Verify in good faith.