CO HB1222

Creates statutory authority for private employers in Colorado to adopt veterans preference employment policies when hiring new employees.

Allows private employers to give hiring preference to veterans (those with over 180 days of active duty service or discharged due to service-connected disability), National Guard members, and spouses of disabled veterans or veterans killed in the line of duty, provided the veteran or spouse is as qualified as other applicants.

Requires any veterans preference employment policy be applied uniformly to all hiring decisions.

Clarifies that private employers adopting such preference policies are not committing discriminatory or unfair labor practices under Colorado law.

Takes effect August 5, 2020, subject to potential referendum petition and approval by voters in the November 2020 general election.