Gov. Jared Polis on Friday again vetoed a pro-union bill aimed at making it easier for organized Colorado workers to negotiate with their employers.
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Widely supported by Democrats in the legislature since its predecessor was introduced in the 2025 session, House Bill 1005 would have repealed a section of Colorado law that requires labor unions to pass two elections before they can fully negotiate with employers.
But Polis refused to sign the bill into law without approval from the state’s business community in 2025, and he rejected the measure for a second time late Friday afternoon.
In a letter to the state House of Representatives, Polis placed blame on labor and business leaders for not working together to improve existing laws.
“This year, both sides should have dropped their ideological dogmas and worked together to benefit all of Colorado. I am dismayed that both business and labor leaders failed to do so,” Polis wrote.
One of the bill’s sponsors, Sen. Jessie Danielson, said she was extremely disappointed to see the governor deny Colorado workers protection.
“This would have meant increased economic security, and when people are struggling to put food on the table, every little step forward for Colorado workers means something. This would have helped a great deal of people across the state,” she said.
Labor advocacy groups also castigated the governor’s decision Friday afternoon.
“Once again, Governor Polis is siding with billionaire CEOs and corporate lobbyists over workers, families and the democratic will of the people,” SEIU Local 105 President Stephanie Felix-Sowy said in a statement. “We look forward to working with a future governor who values democracy and workers’ rights.”
The current version of Colorado’s Labor Peace Act has a unique provision that requires newly unionized workers to pass a second election before they can negotiate union dues with their employer.
At least 75% of the votes must be in favor for the second election to pass, which Polis on Friday acknowledged “makes it nearly impossible to win union security at large employers where organizing might be even more important.”
But that concern did not outweigh the governor’s desire for business and labor leaders work together. Polis wrote that an agreement between the two groups is “most important” for a modern legislative framework.
“Changes to this law could have improved on the status quo for both sides and provided long-term stability and certainty, especially as we transition to the next gubernatorial administration,” he wrote.
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The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce praised Polis’ veto on Friday evening, stating it would help preserve worker choice over whether their wages go toward union dues.
“Workers across our state are already feeling the strain of rising costs,” Vice President of External Affairs Leslie Oliver said in a statement. “Ensuring people have a say over their own paychecks — your pay, your choice — matters now more than ever.”
But another of the bill’s sponsors, Rep. Javier Mabrey, said the legislation would have increased wages, noting that states with higher wages than Colorado are “free bargaining” states with no required second election for unions.
“In the middle of an affordability crisis, vetoing a bill like this is failing to meet the moment,” Mabrey said.
Sen. Iman Jodeh, who also sponsored the bill, said Polis’ veto raises the question of which gubernatorial candidate will advocate for workers and unions.
“We will bring this bill back next year, and we will continue bringing it back until Colorado finally repeals this outdated law and ensures that workers have the freedom and protections they deserve,” Jodeh said.
Polis on Friday also vetoed a bill meant to make lobbying more transparent by requiring lobbyists for the governor’s office, judicial branch and other state agencies to register with the Colorado secretary of state and disclose their position on the laws they’re trying to influence.
In a veto letter to the state Senate, Polis said Senate Bill 147 would hinder future governors from gathering information and evaluating legislation as it moves through the Capitol. Just like lawmakers may change their minds on bills right up until a vote is cast, so should the governor have the same right, he wrote.
“Functionally, no governor is in a position to express formal positions on every single bill prior to passage and final analysis, and yet, this bill would essentially require that very thing,” Polis said.
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