The Colorado Job Application Fairness Act (CO S.B. 58) goes into effect on July 1, 2024, seeking to prevent age discrimination during the initial hiring process. This article outlines the key points of the Act and what employers in Colorado need to do to comply.
What Does the Act Prohibit?
Starting July 1st, 2024, employers are prohibited from asking for the following information on initial job applications:
- An applicant’s age or date of birth; and
- Dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution (unless directly related to a specific job requirement).
This applies to all application formats, including online forms, paper applications, and even verbally during the initial stages.
Are There Any Exceptions?
The Act allows employers to verify an applicant’s age if:
- The job has a legal age requirement (e.g., serving alcohol); or
- It is mandated by federal, state, or local law (e.g., driver’s license requirement for truck drivers).
Next Steps
Employers can ensure their hiring practices comply with the Job Application Fairness Act by focusing on selecting the best candidates based on their qualifications.
Employers can ensure their hiring practices comply with the Job Application Fairness Act by:
- Reviewing and revising application forms – Remove any questions that request age, date of birth, or educational attendance dates unrelated to the job.
- Focusing on skills and experience – Refine your application to focus on qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
- Considering alternative verification methods – If a legal age requirement exists, explore alternative ways to verify it later in the process, such as requesting a copy of an ID during the interview stage.
- Training hiring staff – Educate your team on the Act’s requirements and how to conduct age-neutral interviews.
