Discrimination Lawyer in Boulder

What Colorado Law Protects Against in the Workplace

Colorado’s Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) prohibits workplace discrimination based on a broad list of protected classes: disability, race (including protective hairstyles), color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, creed, religion, age (40 and older), marriage to a co-worker, and marital status. A protected class is a characteristic the law shields from being the basis of employment decisions. CADA applies to Colorado employers regardless of company size, which is a meaningful difference from federal law.

Federal statutes add parallel protections. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) generally cover employers with 15 or more employees, or 20 or more for age discrimination claims. Both CADA and federal law prohibit not just outright termination but any adverse employment action tied to a protected class, including demotion, failure to promote, reduced hours, or a hostile work environment. Retaliation against someone for opposing discrimination, filing a complaint, or requesting a reasonable accommodation is its own separately prohibited act under CADA. Employers also carry a duty to provide reasonable accommodations for disability and for pregnancy- or childbirth-related conditions, absent an undue hardship.

Filing Deadlines for Discrimination Claims in Boulder

Timing is one of the most consequential facts in any discrimination matter. Under current requirements, a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) must be filed within 300 days of the alleged discriminatory act. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) operates under the same 300-day window in Colorado because the CCRD enforces a parallel state law. A worksharing agreement between the two agencies allows a single filing to be dual-filed with both, so employees don’t typically need to file separately with each.

Once the CCRD or EEOC issues a Notice of Right to Sue or a Dismissal and Notice of Rights, a lawsuit generally must be filed within 90 days of the date on that notice. For Boulder-area matters, state claims proceed in the Boulder County Combined Court, which serves Boulder and Longmont. Federal claims are heard in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado.

Ms. Bellac’s Recognition in Employment & Federal Discrimination Law

Patricia S. Bellac has been recognized by Colorado Super Lawyers and Martindale-Hubbell as a top practitioner in Colorado employment law, federal discrimination law, and ERISA claims. She has been named a Colorado Super Lawyer continuously since 2006, a designation that selects the top 5% of attorneys based on peer recommendation and independent research. That recognition tracks directly to the work we do on discrimination matters, not to general litigation volume.

Ms. Bellac is a frequent speaker and published author on discrimination policy, employment policies, ERISA, and wage claims. That depth of engagement with the subject shapes how we approach each case, whether a matter resolves through negotiated settlement, creative problem-solving outside of court, or full litigation.

Employer-Side Counsel: Prevention & Defense

Discrimination claims don’t just affect employees. We work with employers to reduce exposure before a complaint is filed, drafting and reviewing employee manuals, contracts, and workplace policies and advising on training programs designed to address CADA and federal compliance obligations.

When a complaint is filed or litigation begins, we represent employers in discrimination disputes and build a defense grounded in the specific facts of the workplace, the applicable law, and the employer’s documented practices. Because we work both sides of the employment relationship, we understand how the opposing party may construct its case and prepare accordingly.

Discuss Your Discrimination Matter with Our Boulder Attorneys

Whether you’re an employee who believes you’ve been treated differently because of a protected characteristic or an employer facing a complaint or looking to get ahead of one, we offer a consultation to talk through the facts and your options. Getting clarity on where you stand early can make a real difference in how a matter resolves.

Contact Patricia S. Bellac Law Firm at (303) 622-3883 to schedule a consultation with our Boulder employment discrimination attorneys.