Colorado legislature takes major step to protect workers exposed to extreme temperatures

Today, the Colorado General Assembly took a historic step to protect the state’s workforce by passing House Bill 26-1272 or also known as Extreme Temperatures Worker Protections. The legislation establishes a critical first step toward keeping workers safe on the job by gathering evidence and prioritizing education on temperature-related injury prevention planning in the face of increasing extreme heat and cold events caused by climate change.

While the original bill was scaled down significantly, the findings from this bill’s implementation will inform future protections and legislation.

Following two years of negotiations with stakeholders and elected leaders, HB26-1272 introduces a phased approach to worker safety, requiring the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to begin collecting data on temperature-related injuries, illnesses, and emergencies. The state will provide a model Temperature-Related Injury and Illness Prevention Plan (TRIIPP) for any employer to use as a resource.

“Workers continue to be impacted by climate change, to die on the job because of extreme temperatures, and rollbacks of protections by the federal government,” said Rep. Elizabeth Velasco of House District 57, a prime sponsor of HB26-1272. “It’s important for Colorado to stand with working families, to provide safe and dignified conditions at work and make sure that everyone can make it home safe after work. We still have more work to do, but I am proud and grateful for this opportunity to start the road map, and remain committed to continuing to push forward.”

After passing on a party-line vote of 43-22 in the State House last week, the bill passed 21-14 in the Colorado Senate on Wednesday. Senators Dylan Roberts (SD-8) and Lindsey Daugherty (SD-19) were the only two Democrats to vote against the measure.

"Every worker deserves safe conditions,” said Senate Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter of Senate District 20, one of the prime sponsors in that chamber. “But that’s not happening in jobs where workers are exposed to extreme heat and cold. Because of the effects of climate change, many workers are being exposed to dangerous weather conditions that can seriously impact their health and livelihood. This bill helps build a resilient future that protects workers."

“The federal government has failed to step in to create clear guidelines on safe temperatures for working conditions, so it is up to us to enact protections,” said Sen. Mike Weissman (SD-28), the other prime sponsor in the Senate. “This bill takes the first step by collecting data on how workers are impacted by extreme temperatures and creating recommendations. This will lay the groundwork for evidence-based policies that keep workers safe amid Colorado’s new normal.”

The bill’s passage is a victory for the Coalition to Protect Workers from Extreme Temperatures, a group of 30 organizations that has advocated for these protections since forming in 2024. Advocates emphasized that many serious injuries – from heat stroke to frostbite – historically go unreported due to fear of employer retaliation. While anecdotal evidence indicates the lack of reporting is particularly prevalent in the Latino community, which is overrepresented in outdoor and industrial jobs with high exposure to extreme temperatures, this legislation offers workers an opportunity to report injuries or sickness through anonymous channels.

“Workers have been coming to the Capitol to share their challenges with working in extreme cold and heat,” said Rep. Meg Froelich (HD-3), the second prime sponsor in the House. “Too often they were dismissed and their testimony labeled anecdotal. With this bill we will gather the data on the documented harms of climate change to workers. This is an important step to bring justice to our essential workers.”

The strong need for protection from extreme temperatures is reflected in two consecutive years of Colorado Latino Policy Agenda (CLPA) survey data. Statewide surveys of more than 3,300 Latinos in 2024 and 2025 indicated that more than 85% of Latinos supported basic protections for workers who must work in dangerously hot or cold temperatures, demonstrating broad, nonpartisan support across the state.

“For three years, our coalition has worked in good faith with stakeholders, legislators, and the Governor's office to find a practical path forward for this essential safety legislation,” said Alex Sánchez, President and CEO of Glenwood Springs-based Voces Unidas, a founding member of the Coalition to Protect Workers from Extreme Temperatures. “This bill is about dignity and the fundamental right to come home safe from a work shift. We thank the sponsors for their courage and leadership, and we look forward to the Governor signing this bill into law.”

Gov. Polis has signaled that he intends to sign it into law within the next 30 days. Voces Unidas and the coalition extend their deepest thanks to Gov. Polis and the bill’s primary sponsors and the community members who advocated for this bill.

Special thanks to COLOR, Hispanic Affairs and Green Latinos for serving on the coalition's steering committee.