All News and Events


Press Release: Colorado Worker Group Intervenes to Oppose Constitutional Challenge to State’s Workers’ Rights Statute

On Monday, November 7, Colorado Legal Services and an anonymous farmworker filed a motion to intervene in order to defend the constitutionality of a Colorado statute that provides access to vital protections and services for farmworkers, particularly those who live and work in rural communities. Colorado Legal Services is represented by Public Justice, Towards Justice, … Continued

News Press Releases Exploitation of Immigrants and Guestworkers

Press Release: Involuntary servitude claims against Polis Administration allowed to proceed

Denver, Colorado – Yesterday, people currently incarcerated in Colorado won a major legal battle when a Denver District Court judge refused to dismiss a legal challenge that alleges Governor Polis and the Department of Corrections illegally coerces labor from people who are incarcerated in the state. In 2018, through the passage of Amendment A, Colorado … Continued

News Press Releases Forced Labor and Trafficking

Press Release:  Immigration detainees win federal court victory in long-running lawsuit against GEO Group

 Immigration detainees win federal court victory in long-running lawsuit against GEO Group Yesterday, a class of thousands of former immigration detainees won a path-breaking victory in federal court in their long-running lawsuit against the GEO Group—the private corporation that runs the Aurora, Colorado ICE detention facility. The plaintiffs allege that GEO forced them to clean … Continued

News Press Releases Abuses of Corporate Power Exploitation of Immigrants and Guestworkers Forced Labor and Trafficking

Press Release: Plaintiffs in Palmer V. Amazon revive safety claims in Second Circuit Victory

For Immediate Release Today, the Second Circuit Court of Appeals revived Amazon workers’ COVID-19 safety claims at its JFK8 facility in Staten Island. Derrick Palmer, a plaintiff in the case, released the following statement: “I’m thrilled the Court agreed that I and other Amazon workers in New York have the right to demand basic workplace … Continued

News Press Releases Abuses of Corporate Power COVID-19

Press Release: New York Nursing Home Nurse Files Lawsuit to Stop Predatory Arbitration Seeking Tens of Thousands of Dollars Because He Left His Job

Date: September 16, 2022 New York Nursing Home Nurse Files Lawsuit to Stop Predatory Arbitration Seeking Tens of Thousands of Dollars Because He Left His Job Brooklyn, NY — Today, Benzor Shem Vidal, a New York nurse who immigrated from the Philippines, filed a lawsuit against his former employer, Advanced Care Staffing, in federal court … Continued

News Press Releases Abusive Debt Collection

Press Release: Legal Advocates Urge End of Colorado Department of Corrections Involuntary Servitude Policy

Denver, CO –  Last week, lawyers in a pending proposed class action lawsuit against the state alleging the widespread use of coercive and cruel tactics to compel incarcerated people to work, filed a notice of supplemental authority with the trial court arguing that a recent Court of Appeals decision supports the viability of their claims … Continued

News Press Releases Forced Labor and Trafficking

Press Release: Groundbreaking Lawsuit against Petsmart Alleging Illegal Training Repayment Agreement

July 28, 2022 | San Mateo, CA — Today, BreAnn Scally, a former PetSmart pet groomer filed a groundbreaking class action lawsuit against the retail pet supply giant, alleging that the firm is engaged in a scheme to trap trainee pet groomers in their low-wage jobs by levying thousands of dollars in abusive and unenforceable … Continued

News Press Releases Abuses of Corporate Power Abusive Debt Collection

Press Release: Drivers Sue to Block Uber, Lyft’s Illegal Price Fixing

Antitrust Violations Prevent Rideshare Drivers from Controlling Work, While Creating an Unfair Advantage for Rideshare Platforms MEDIA ADVISORY FOR: June 21, 2022 CONTACT: Elizabeth Brennan at 213-999-2164 SAN FRANCISCO – Three California rideshare drivers today filed a first-of-its-kind class action lawsuit in Superior Court of the State of California seeking to stop Uber and Lyft … Continued

News Press Releases

Press Release: Farmworker Advocates File Lawsuit Challenging Overtime Pay Standards Rule on Cesar Chavez day

Denver, CO – Today, on Cesar Chavez day, a holiday that celebrates the life of a civil rights activist who worked endlessly for the rights of agricultural workers, Colorado Jobs with Justice, a coalition of labor, community, faith, and student organizations that unites to advance workers’ rights and economic, racial and gender justice, and Patricia … Continued

News Press Releases Policy Advocacy

Press Release: Lawsuit Filed Challenging Polis Administration’s Alleged Violations of State Constitutional Amendment Prohibiting Involuntary Servitude

DENVER, February 15, 2022 – This morning, Richard Lilgerose and Harold Mortis, who are currently incarcerated by the State of Colorado, filed a proposed class action lawsuit against the state, Governor Polis, and the Department of Corrections alleging that Colorado engages in persistent and widespread violations of the state’s constitutional prohibition against slavery and involuntary servitude. The … Continued

News Press Releases Forced Labor and Trafficking

Press Release: Workers Advocate for Legislation for Safer and Healthier Workplaces

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: January 26, 2022 CONTACT: Paul Westrick, 303-941-2314 Workers Advocate for Legislation for Safer and Healthier Workplaces Bill to give Colorado workers the ability to raise concerns about workplace health and safety practices without fear of retaliation DENVER, CO –Senators Pettersen and Rodriguez and Representatives Herod and Sullivan will be joined by … Continued

News Press Releases Policy Advocacy

Press Release: Former Blush & Blu workers file lawsuit over rampant wage theft and race-based worker mistreatment

On Friday, three former employees of Blush & Blu, one of the few remaining lesbian bars in the country, filed a lawsuit against the prominent Denver bar. The workers allege that Blush & Blu and its owner Jody Bouffard discriminated against one of the bar’s only Black workers, habitually failed to pay its employees minimum wage, and, at times, … Continued

News Press Releases Discrimination Wage Theft / Misclassification