CO HB1001

Expands the definition of "employer" to include individuals who own or control at least 25% of ownership interests in an employer, making them personally liable for wage violations

Increases administrative claim thresholds from $7,500 to $13,000 (July 2026) with automatic annual increases of $1,000 or inflation adjustment starting January 2028

Establishes fines for employee misclassification: $5,000 for willful violations, $10,000 if unremedied within 60 days, up to $50,000 for repeat willful violations unremedied within 60 days

Strengthens retaliation protections by extending coverage to workers (not just employees) and businesses that contract for labor, with adverse action within 90 days of protected activity presumptively retaliatory

Appropriates $328,210 from the general fund for FY 2025-26 to the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, adding 2.8 FTE positions for implementation