Despite Democratic control, Colorado resembles right-to-work states
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Colorado's blue-state status is tarnished by a prominent red mark: a legacy of suppressing labor unions.
Why it matters: This legislative session, Democratic lawmakers and labor leaders worked in tandem to flip the dynamic with a bill that would make it easier for unions to collectively bargain.
Yes, but: Democratic Gov. Jared Polis plans to veto the bill and keep Colorado aligned with conservative, right-to-work states.
State of play: Colorado is unique given its requirement for a second state-run election before unions can collectively bargain and collect mandatory union fees.
- The second election requires a 75% supermajority of those voting or more than 50% of all eligible voters, whichever is greater.
By the numbers: The extra hurdle contributes to a low union membership rate in Colorado — 8% in 2024 — putting it on par with right-to-work states like Alabama, Kansas and Mississippi, according to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- The lack of a union contract leads to lower wages and benefits, as well as reduced workplace safety, researchers report.
What they're saying: In a recent interview, Polis says he believes "there's a better solution for Colorado than the Labor Peace Act," but he wants a compromise between labor unions and the business community that is "sustainable."
- The two sides negotiated for months but reached an impasse at the end of the legislative session.
The big picture: The current law took hold in 1943 as part of deal between workers' rights and business interests.
- Critics consider it a byproduct of the era's backlash against organizing workers and a vestige of a movement that shares roots with white supremacy campaigns.
- Business interests argue that removing the second vote would hurt Colorado's competitiveness in recruiting companies, citing an industry-backed study that warned about reduced job growth and a higher cost of living.
Flashback: In 2007, the last time Democrats controlled the governor's office and state Legislature, the party's lawmakers passed a similar bill to eliminate the second labor election, but then-Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter vetoed the measure.
- The next year, voters rejected a ballot measure to make Colorado a right-to-work state.
The bottom line: The union fight won't end with the governor's veto of Senate Bill 5.
- Organized labor plans to push a ballot measure in 2026 that makes it harder to fire employees, while conservative interests are preparing another ballot question to make Colorado officially a right-to-work state.