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Workplace Discrimination in Denver, CO

Discrimination is an all-too-familiar scenario for many in the workplace. Likewise, it is also the most common type of workplace lawsuit that workers file. An experienced workplace discrimination attorney in Denver can help. Find out how.

What Is Workplace Discrimination?

Discrimination in the workplace deals with unfair treatment. These laws can vary, depending on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, physical disability, physical qualities, or age. Workplace discrimination can occur between employees or between employers and existing or prospective employees.

Denver, Colorado Labor laws make some types of workplace discrimination illegal. If illegal discrimination occurs, workers may be able to file a workplace discrimination lawsuit. A worker does not need to currently have employment from a company to face qualifying acts of discrimination. For instance, say the company chose not to hire someone. If it’s because of a qualifying characteristic, the individual may be able to file a claim.

Here are some of the most common types of discrimination that occur in the Denver, CO work environment:

  • Choosing not to hire someone because of their disability
  • Choosing not to promote someone because of their race
  • Excluding someone from a project because management says they’re too old
  • Making misogynistic comments about women
  • Deliberately paying men more than women because the boss values their work more

Should You File a Complaint With the HR Department or the EEOC?

Most Denver, CO companies have a human resources department and discrimination in the workplace falls within their portfolio. For that reason, raising concerns with the appropriate HR representative may include filing a written report, a possible sit-down interview, and an investigation.

Sometimes a company does not have a human resources department and there are no policies in place. To resolve the issue, you might take your concerns directly to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. They can assist you in investigating the claim and possibly filing a lawsuit.

Residents of Denver can file a discrimination claim with the EEOC Field Office in Denver. Once filed, your employer will receive a copy of the claim within 10 days. The EEOC will determine if your claim merits investigation, mediation, or dismissal.

What Laws Protect Against Discrimination In the Workplace?

There are federal workplace discrimination laws that help to protect employees. On a federal level, Denver employees have protections from discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. However, many states have even stronger laws that offer additional protections.

Let’s use an example. California is the first state where ethnic hair and the right to wear it naturally became a right with protections. In other states, employers may discriminate against natural hair because it is part of racial discrimination. 

The Colorado Fair Employment Act prohibits discriminatory practices in the workplace based on protected characteristics. Denver employers cannot be discriminate against their employees because of their age, race, sex, national origin, or religion. In addition, no employer can retaliate against an employee for filing a good faith claim about dangerous working conditions or illegal activities.

Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964

This specifically prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of race, religion, sex, color, or national origin. It typically applies to organizations with 15 or more employees. It also applies to schools (both public and private) and labor organizations. The EEOC’s primary responsibility is enforcing this law.

The Colorado Civil Rights Division enforces anti-discrimination laws in Denver. Colorado law forbids discrimination in the workplace but also disallows discrimination in housing practices, as well as in education and places of public accommodation. The CCRD investigates cases of both disparate treatment and disparate impact.

2025 Executive Orders

On January 21, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that significantly altered workplace discrimination policies, particularly for businesses with federal contracts. This directive repealed Executive Order 11246, originally enacted by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 to prohibit federal contractors from making employment decisions based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.

While this policy shift primarily impacts federal contractors, it could also influence private businesses, including those in Denver, CO. As a city with a growing technology, aerospace, and renewable energy sector—many of which rely on federal contracts—Denver-based employers may now reassess their diversity and inclusion initiatives. Without federal DEI mandates, some companies may choose to modify or reduce these programs in response to the changing regulatory environment.

Despite these federal changes, workplace discrimination protections remain in effect. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 continues to prohibit employment discrimination nationwide, and Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act ensures that workers in Denver and throughout the state still have legal recourse to challenge workplace bias and unfair treatment.

Other Notable Applicable Federal Discrimination Laws

Examples of State Workplace Discrimination Laws

  • Colorado Fair Employment Practices Act – prevents discrimination in employment on the basis of sex, race, religion, national origin, or disability. Also prohibits punitive punishments or wage reduction based on protected criteria.

What Is the Workplace Discrimination Process Like?

Filing a claim for workplace discrimination in Denver, Colorado can be a tricky process given the number of potential laws in play. This is especially the case when the characteristics with protections only qualify under state law. The EEOC enforces federal workplace discrimination laws. In some cases, individual state labor departments handle the claims that only qualify under state law.

Filing a Claim

For federal discrimination claims, workers typically have 180 days to file to stay within the statute of limitations. Because time is critical, it’s wise to hire a discrimination lawyer early in the process to help ensure your claim is properly prepared and submitted.

Claimants in , must include specific details when filing a claim. This often includes the employer’s name, the names of any involved parties, a description of the incident, and contact information for everyone connected to the issue. Providing accurate information can help avoid delays in processing the claim.

Once the investigation begins, the agency handling your case may request additional information. If this happens, you will typically be given sufficient time to provide the necessary details to keep your case moving forward.

Investigating the Claim

The investigation may involve interviewing the Denver employee, employer, and other employees at the same place of business. However, it may also include anyone else who may have relevant information. The agency determines that the claim is valid and discrimination did take place. The next step is generally to work for settlement or mediation. For this reason, both parties may have the incentive to work out a compromise.

Still, it might be necessary to file a lawsuit with the appropriate court. This is especially true if the parties cannot settle on the employee’s behalf. If that’s the case, a discrimination attorney in Denver issues what is known as a “Right To Sue” letter. This letter gives the employee suffering from discrimination the right to sue on their own accord.

The EEOC states that you have an avenue to appeal a decision that denies your initial claim. You’ll have to file an appeal within 30 days of the denial, either in person or through the online portal. This is where you may want an experienced Denver attorney to best help you navigate this process.

Work With an Experienced Workplace Discrimination Lawyer In Denver, Colorado

Consider hiring a Denver lawyer who specializes in discrimination as soon as the incident takes place. Experts often recommend that you resolve the issue internally through the proper HR channels. On the other hand, many employers mishandle these cases.

If you are considering a lawsuit an attorney becomes even more necessary. Denver, CO discrimination attorneys can help you with the paperwork, prepare you for depositions, and find corroborating witnesses to support your claim.

If the court rules in your favor, you might become entitled to several different compensatory benefits:

  • Back pay
  • Promotion
  • Reinstatement
  • Front pay
  • Reasonable accommodations
  • Payment of attorney’s fees, court costs, and expert witness fees

Are you ready to find out if you are eligible for these benefits in Denver? Start with a case review.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced discrimination attorney in Denver!

About the Author

Aaron is a professional legal writer with a B.S. in English Education from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. He has written, published, and edited thousands of legal articles for RequestLegalHelp, which has connected over 5 million people to legal help in the United States.

With over five years of experience writing thousands of legal articles for law firms across the U.S. and Canada, Aaron specializes in covering federal, state, and city-level legal issues ranging from auto accidents to wrongful terminations.

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