The Colorado House Business Affairs & Labor Committee today passed legislation to combat wage theft and boost the economic security of workers in the construction industry, ensuring construction workers receive pay for their work.
“Wage theft is a serious problem in Colorado, with over $720 million in wages withheld from hardworking Coloradans every single year,” said Majority Leader Monica Duran, D-Wheat Ridge. “The construction industry, which includes many Latino and immigrant workers, has disproportionately high rates of wage theft that leave workers questioning how they’re going to pay their bills. This legislation is crucial in ensuring that Coloradans get paid for the work that they do and holding contractors who do not honor commitments to pay their employees accountable.”
HB24-1008 improves wage theft accountability by requiring general contractors to cover lost wages if a subcontractor commits wage theft and increases transparency to improve compliance. It also imposes a $2,000 fine on a subcontractor if they do not forward a written demand for payment to the general contractor.
The bill passed in committee by a vote of 8-3 and now moves to appropriations.