Proponents to Revise Language After Colorado Review Hearing on ‘Just Cause’ Employee Initiative

A review-and-comment hearing held March 21, 2025, for Initiative 2025‑26 No. 43 examined proposed language that would require private‑sector employers in Colorado to establish "just cause" before discharging or suspending an employee and would allow affected employees to sue within 180 days, with courts authorized to order reinstatement and back pay.

The hearing, conducted by Legislative Council staff and the Office of Legislative Legal Services, focused on questions about the initiative’s single‑subject compliance, definitions of key terms, the scope of who qualifies as an employee, and procedural mechanics for litigation and attorney‑fee awards. Proponents from labor organizations told staff they would return with clarifying edits.

The memorandum read at the start of the hearing summarized four principal purposes of the proposal: to require an employer to establish just cause before discharge or suspension; to mandate employer policies to prevent specified conduct; to permit an employee to file a civil action within 180 days after an alleged wrongful discharge or suspension; and to authorize courts to provide relief including reinstatement, rehiring, back pay or front pay. When asked, a proponent representative said, "Yes," that summary reflected their intent.

Legislative staff pressed…