Senate passes Worker Protection Act to remove second-election barrier for unions

The Senate on May 1 approved House Bill 10 o 5, legislation removing the second-election requirement for union certification, a practice sponsors called a long-standing obstacle to organizing.

Senator Danielson, the sponsor on the floor, tied the vote to International Workers Day and framed the bill as restoring workers' ability to organize without an additional, high-threshold second election. "This 83 year old law that was designed to union bust is not working for Colorado," Danielson said, arguing the measure aligns Colorado with other states and respects the outcome of an initial majority vote.

Other senators spoke in support. Senator Trudeau recounted committee testimony from a worker who, after joining a union, no longer had to juggle three jobs; "After she joined the union, she didn't have that uncertainty anymore," Trudeau said. Senator Marshman said the bill "removes an unnecessary and unprecedented barrier," and urged an aye vote.

Opponents, including senators voting no, argued the change removes safeguards and noted possible interactions with future governors' policy positions. Despite a partisan floor battle, the clerk announced House Bill 10 o 5 passed with 23 ayes and 12 nos.

The bill was placed on the third-reading calendar and adopted; next steps include enrollment and transmittal consistent with legislative procedure.

(Quote sourcing: floor remarks by Senators Danielson, Trudeau, and Marshman were recorded during third-reading consideration.)