Harassment: Colorado

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Authors: Stuart R. Buttrick, Susan W. Kline and Mary L. Will, Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Summary

• The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) prohibits harassment on the basis of race, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age or religion. See Harassment Under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
• The CADA provides an affirmative defense against harassment claims. See Harassment Under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
• Harassment under the CADA can be enforced by either the Colorado Civil Rights Division or by private suit, but remedies to individual victims are limited under the Act. Prior to bringing a lawsuit, an individual must exhaust administrative remedies through the CCRD unless the individual's health is so poor that pursuing administrative remedies would cause irreparable harm. See Enforcement and Remedies.