SB 23-111: Protections for Public Workers Act

• Creates new Article 33 establishing workplace protection rights for public employees in counties, municipalities, schools, higher education institutions, and other specified public employers.

• Grants public employees rights to discuss workplace issues, engage in protected concerted activity, participate in political processes while off-duty, and organize or join employee organizations without retaliation or discrimination.

• Prohibits public employers from discriminating against, coercing, intimidating, or retaliating against employees for exercising protected rights, and forbids interference with employee organizations.

• Establishes the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics as enforcement authority with power to adjudicate unfair labor practice charges, with appeals to Colorado Court of Appeals limited to jurisdictional and discretionary review.

• Appropriates $151,751 to the Department of Labor and Employment (0.9 FTE) and $57,100 to the Department of Law (0.3 FTE) for the 2023-24 fiscal year; takes effect 90 days after adjournment or upon voter approval if subject to referendum petition.