What is wrongful termination in Colorado?

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Colorado has   dramatically expanded employee protections   in recent years, particularly with the 2022 POWR Act.    1. Public Policy Exception — Crawford    Crawford Rehabilitation Services, Inc. v. Weissman , 938 P.2d 540 (Colo. 1997), recognized the wrongful discharge tort. Plaintiff must show: - A clear public policy expressed in a constitutional, statutory, or regulatory provision; - Conduct that directly furthered that policy; - Causal connection to the termination.    2. Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act — C.R.S. § 24-34-402 (POWR Act amendments)   Prohibits discrimination based on   disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, religion, age (40+), national origin/ancestry, marital status, pregnancy, military status  . Applies to employers with   1+ employees  .    POWR Act (2024 effective)   significant changes: -   Eliminated the federal "severe or pervasive" standard   for harassment — now harassment need only be subjectively and objectively offensive. -   Mandatory record retention   for personnel/discrimination records. -   Limited NDAs   in discrimination/harassment settlements. - File with   CCRD within 300 days   (extended from 180); private suit available after exhaustion.    3. Healthy Families and Workplaces Act — C.R.S. § 8-13.3-401   Effective 2021. Paid sick and safe leave for all employers (1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year). Anti-retaliation.    4. Colorado Whistleblower Statutes   -   Public-sector  : C.R.S. § 24-50.5-103. -   Private-sector  : limited — C.R.S. § 24-114-102 (for state contractors) and statute-specific protections. -   PHEW Act   (Public Health Emergency Whistleblower) — C.R.S. § 8-14.4 — for public health-related reporting.    5. Workers' Comp Retaliation — C.R.S. § 8-2-118   Recognized through  Lathrop v. Entenmann's , 770 P.2d 1367 (Colo. App. 1989).    6. Equal Pay for Equal Work Act — C.R.S. § 8-5-101   Strong wage transparency and anti-retaliation rules.    7. WARN Act   Federal WARN applies; no state WARN.    8. Lawful Off-Duty Conduct — C.R.S. § 24-34-402.5   Prohibits termination for   lawful off-duty conduct   — broader than most states; covers marijuana use (with caveats post- Coats v. Dish Network ).    9. Statute of Limitations   - Public policy tort:   2 years   (C.R.S. § 13-80-102). - CADA: 300 days to CCRD; 2 years for civil action. - HFWA: 2 years.  This is legal information, not legal advice.