Colorado workers are protected against illegal discrimination by both state and federal laws, but to protect themselves, they rely on nonprofit advocacy organizations. Unfortunately, the new federal budget passed this summer slashes federal funding that kept many of these organizations afloat. The results could be disastrous for workers’ rights in the months and years ahead.
Disability rights organization’s budget slashed
Disability Law Colorado is one of the most important organizations in the state for protecting the rights of disabled people in housing, employment and more. The nonprofit provides education and training to help workers, employers and professionals understand the rights of disabled people. It also investigates claims of discrimination and helps with individual and class-action claims against employers who have practiced unlawful discrimination against disabled people.
To achieve all this, the nonprofit relies on donations, grants and government funding.
Now, with the passage of the so-called Big Beautiful Budget Bill, Disability Law Colorado faces a cut of an estimated 40% of its budget. The organization says this will make it impossible to continue helping workers as it did before. The nonprofit will have to turn down many cases because it won’t have the resources necessary to handle them. This means that more employers will be able to get away with illegal discrimination on the basis of disability.
Fight for your rights
The situation is very worrisome for disabled workers in Colorado, but it’s important to remember that the laws against disability discrimination haven’t changed. Disabled workers who have faced discrimination in the workplace may have to work a little harder to defend their rights.
This means it could be more important than ever for workers to seek out professional help for their employment law needs.