Colorado Disability Discrimination Law Amended: Employment Law Manual Updated, Legal Timetable Added

Author: Gloria Ju

The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) has been amended to better align with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under the CADA, the terms disability, individual with a disability, and service animal (which replaces assistance dog) will have the same meaning as under the ADA and the ADA Amendments Act.

The CADA has also been amended to increase penalties for violations against individuals with disabilities who use service animals and to penalize those who cause harm to service animals.

These changes take effect August 6, 2014. As a result of these developments, the Colorado Disabilities (ADA) and EEO - Discrimination sections of the Employment Law Manual have been updated. In addition, an entry has been added to the Legal Timetable.