State lawmakers step in to protect workers amid federal workplace health and safety rollbacks
Denver, CO – Yesterday, the state released data from the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), detailing how many Colorado workers died on the job in 2024. The data shows that 92 lives were lost at work in our state, a significant increase from the 83 workers killed in 2023, and the 89 fatalities recorded in 2022. These are not just statistics, they are husbands, fathers, sisters, and neighbors who lost their lives simply trying to earn a living. These fatalities were followed this past summer by one of the deadliest agricultural workplace tragedies in recent memory, the death of six workers at Colorado’s Prospect Ranch Dairy.
Despite this loss of life, federal enforcement of workplace health and safety protections plummeted last year. Indeed, the number of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement cases between January and September 2025 was 35% lower than similar periods in prior years, and OSHA-imposed penalties declined 47% from average penalties imposed during similar periods each year since 2009. Even as enforcement activity has plummeted, federal officials have proposed dismantling federal workplace safety protections that have been on the books for decades. Colorado lawmakers propose to fill the gap left by this federal administration. House Bill 2026-1054 would create state-level workplace health and safety protections, including by adopting the federal General Duty Clause as it was interpreted before the proposed rollbacks.
“The Trump administration is selling out workers to please his corporate donors, and Colorado is fighting back,” said Colorado Representative Manny Rutinel. “By gutting OSHA, the Trump administration is giving bad actors a green light to cut corners. That’s how people die on the job. If Trump is abandoning workers, Colorado will step up to fill the void and protect our neighbors.”
“Too many workers in my community have told me that they feel unsafe at work,” said Elizabeth Velasco, Colorado Representative for District 57. “And 92 workplace fatalities are 92 too many. I fear what will happen without federal workplace health and safety enforcement or adequate protections. It is my job as a legislator to ensure that Colorado does its part to prevent future tragedy.”
Many Centro members are vulnerable, immigrant workers,” explained Mayra Juarez-Denis, Executive Director of Centro de Los Trabajadores. “It is devastating to see our workers accept dangerous jobs because they have no other options to feed their families. All jobs should be safe, and we demand that Colorado can step up and make that basic goal a reality.
“Teamsters represent some of the most dangerous crafts in the country,” said Tammy Munoz of Teamsters Local 455. “Our union members understand those risks, but they also know that steps can be taken to keep workers safe. Without federal enforcement, Colorado workers are left unprotected, and our union employers are forced to compete with employers that cut corners and violate the law. We need Colorado to step in and fix that.”
“Workers just want to do their jobs and get home to their families,” said Jason Wardrip, Business Manager at the Colorado Building and Construction Trades Council. When workers are injured, it hurts their careers, their income, and their health. It also hurts the Colorado economy. It has become very clear that Colorado can no longer rely solely on federal officials to enforce basic workplace safety requirements. I appreciate these legislators stepping up to protect workers.”
“No one should have to risk their life just to put food on the table,” said Valerie Collins, an attorney with Towards Justice. “Colorado cannot wait. Workers need health and safety protections before it’s too late.”
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