House committee postpones bill aimed at protecting workers from extreme temperatures

Representatives Lorena Velasco and Judy Froelich asked the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Monday to postpone House Bill 12‑86, legislation that would require employers to provide basic protections for workers exposed to extreme heat and cold.

The sponsors told the committee the bill would mandate employer-provided water, shade and rest breaks, access to heated or cooled shelters for warming or cooling, emergency shelter during extreme conditions, training about heat- and cold-related illness in a worker’s preferred language, and penalties for violations.

"This bill provides basic life-saving provisions, such as access to water provided by the employer and shade, physical breaks to warm up or cool down in the shade, shelter or another area that provides heating or cooling," Rep. Velasco said. "We also had clear penalties for violations, relief, offer for damages, consistent enforcement mechanisms within Colorado law."

The nut graf: Sponsors framed the measure as a workplace safety response to rising heat- and cold-related illnesses and deaths in Colorado; supporters said health data and worker testimony show the state needs enforceable protections, while opponents raised concerns about feasibility and scope. Instead of voting on the merits, the committee granted the sponsors’ request to postpone the bill indefinitely so they can continue negotiations with stakeholders.

Rep. Velasco emphasized the bill’s connection to recent climate-preparedness work in state government, citing the Colorado Resilience Office and a climate preparedness roadmap that followed the passage of Senate legislation referenced by the sponsor. "Climate change isn't just an environmental crisis. It's a public health emergency and workplace health emergency," she said, adding that Colorado recorded heat-related emergency visits, hospitalizations and deaths in recent years.

Rep. Froelich, a co-sponsor, said organizers and a coalition of labor, health and environmental groups collected hundreds of worker testimonials and remain committed to returning with an amended, workable bill. "We made the decision to include state workers in the bill because they are outside working in these temperatures," she said. "We will get to a place where we have something that the First Floor can get behind."

At the sponsors’ request the committee adopted a reverse roll call motion to postpone House Bill 12‑86 indefinitely. The clerk announced the outcome as recorded in committee: the chair said the tally was 12 in favor, 2 opposed and one excused. The motion carried and the bill was effectively tabled pending further sponsor action.

Supporters who testified in committee included labor organizations and public-health advocates; Rep. Velasco read excerpts of worker testimony collected during outreach in her district, including accounts of heat- and cold-related illness. Sponsors said the measure was intentionally broad to cover agriculture, hospitality, construction and emergency-response workers.

Opponents argued certain employers and industries raised operational concerns and asked for narrower, more practicable language; sponsors said they are willing to work with critics and stakeholders before reintroducing the measure.

The committee’s indefinite postponement makes the bill inactive for the remainder of the legislative session unless sponsors refile or successfully move to revive it. Sponsors said they intend to continue negotiations over the interim and bring the bill back in amended form.