EVERYTHING COLORADO

Unemployment rate: According to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, as of December 2021, the state's unemployment rate was 4.0%, which is lower than the national unemployment rate of 4.2%. This indicates that there may be a competitive job market in Colorado.

Minimum wage: In Colorado, the minimum wage for non-tipped employees is $12.56 per hour as of January 1, 2022. The minimum wage for tipped employees is $9.54 per hour. These rates are subject to change and may vary depending on the city or county.

Discrimination complaints: The Colorado Civil Rights Division is responsible for investigating and enforcing discrimination complaints in the state. In 2020, the agency received 2,431 employment discrimination charges, which is a slight decrease from the previous year. The most common complaints were related to disability, retaliation, and race.

Protected classes: Colorado has several protected classes under state and federal law, including race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and military status. Employers are prohibited from discriminating against employees or job applicants based on any of these characteristics.

Employee turnover: According to a 2020 report by the Colorado Workforce Development Council, the average annual turnover rate for Colorado employers was 48.5%. This suggests that retaining employees may be a challenge for some organizations.

Diversity in the workforce: Colorado has a diverse population, with a large Hispanic/Latino community and growing populations of Asian and African Americans. In 2020, the state's workforce was 68.4% white, 14.4% Hispanic/Latino, 4.1% Black, and 4.0% Asian. Employers may need to consider diversity and inclusion initiatives to attract and retain a diverse workforce.

Marijuana legalization: Colorado was one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana in 2012. However, employers may still enforce drug-free workplace policies and may choose not to hire employees who test positive for marijuana. The state's marijuana laws may have implications for drug testing policies and employee privacy rights.

Overall, employers in Colorado must comply with state and federal employment laws, including anti-discrimination laws, minimum wage laws, and workplace safety regulations. Employers may also need to consider the unique characteristics of Colorado's workforce and legal landscape when making hiring and human resources decisions.

Some of the largest cities in Colorado include: Denver, Colorado Spring, Auror, Fort Collin, Lakewood, Thornto, Arvada, Westminste, Pueblo, Centennial, Boulder, Greeley, Longmont, Loveland, Broomfield, Grand Junction, Castle Rock, Commerce City, Parker, Littleton