House Bill 24-1260 Summary

• Prohibits employers from disciplining, discharging, or taking adverse employment action against employees who refuse to attend or participate in employer-sponsored meetings with religious or political content, or who decline to listen to religious or political communications from the employer.

• Applies to all employers in Colorado except religious institutions on religious matters, with limited application to state employees (only regarding fraternal or labor organization decisions).

• Excludes legally required trainings (such as sexual harassment training), diversity/equity/inclusion training, job-duty-related communications, and voluntary conversations from the prohibition.

• Establishes complaint procedures through the Department of Labor and Employment with a one-year filing deadline, allowing aggrieved employees to request authorization to proceed to district court within 60 days.

• Authorizes courts to award reinstatement, minimum $10,000 damages or actual damages (whichever is greater), up to $10,000 additional penalties for repeated violations, equitable relief, and attorney fees and court costs.

• Appropriates $278,564 to the Department of Labor and Employment for 2.8 FTE to implement the law.