Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Laws: Making Colorado a Better Place

By Linda Lidov

It is hard to imagine that less than two years ago, it was actually legal in Colorado to discriminate against gay and transgender people simply for being who they are. But thanks to legislation that has passed under the Democratic-led legislature and Governor Bill Ritter, LGBT people in Colorado are now protected from discrimination in areas of employment, public accommodations, and housing.

We can be proud that Colorado now joins 19 other states and the District of Columbia that have updated their nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation. Thirteen of these states, including Colorado, also include gender identity/expression.

Here is a brief summary of each law:

EMPLOYMENT: Passed in May 2007, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act expands Colorado’s employment nondiscrimination protections to include sexual orientation, defined as heterosexuality, homosexuality, bisexuality, transgender status, or perception thereof. It makes it illegal to consider these things when making employment- related decisions or to make any inquiries about an applicant’s sexual orientation, inclusive of transgender status. The law applies to employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, on-the-job training, and vocational training programs and schools.

PUBLIC ACCOMMODATIONS: Passed in May 2008, the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status in public accommodations. Covered entities may not deny a gay or transgender person participation, entry, or services. A place of public accommodation is any place of business that offers sales or services of any kind to the public, or that offers facilities, privileges, advantages or other accommodations to the public, such as hotels, restaurants, stores, hospitals, clinics, and health clubs.

HOUSING: Also passed in May 2008 as part of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, this law prohibits unfair housing practices on the basis of sexual orientation or transgender status. It applies to landlords, lessors, sellers, homeowner associations, lenders, real estate agencies, insurers, advertisers, cities, counties, government agencies, and others involved in showing, selling, renting, transferring, or leasing housing or residential real estate.

Individuals who have experienced discrimination and would like to file a complaint should contact the
Colorado Civil Rights Division at 303-894-2997 or by visiting the web:
www.dora.state.co.us/civil-rights/complaint_process.htm.

Additional information can be found at www.ColoradoProtectsAll.info.