More than a dozen new laws went into effect this year, including a new state minimum wage and a ban on cell phones while driving. Here’s a quick guide on some of the new rules.
New Cell Phone Ban
Senate Bill 65 prohibits Colorado drivers from using cell phones and any other handheld devices while driving, unless they’re safely mounted and connected to hands-free audio. There are exceptions for drivers responding to an emergency and exclusions for government employees like first responders. Interestingly, HAM radios are also exempt.
Cage-Free Eggs
House Bill 1343 passed in 2020 and has incrementally been shifting egg production toward cage-free, but starting this year, egg producers in Colorado must provide at least one square foot of floor space per hen. The new law exempts hens in medical research, transportation, 4-H programs, and small farms with less than 3,000 hens.
Minimum Wage Increase
The minimum wage in Colorado is now $14.81 per hour for non-tipped workers and $11.79 per hour for tipped employees. Denver’s minimum wage also went up to $18.81 per hour — the highest in the state.
- Related: The Hard Truth of Denver’s Uniquely High Minimum Wage [City Cast Denver 🎧]
Gig Drivers Protections
Under House Bill 1129, delivery apps like DoorDash and Uber Eats are required to show customers the total amount they will pay for an order up front — including fees — along with how much the delivery person will be paid for the order. The legislation also requires that the entirety of customer tips go to the delivery person.
Toll Lane Violation Fees
The Colorado Department of Transportation has begun using electronic technology to enforce express lane violations on US-36, I-70, and parts of I-25. The automated system will identify drivers who illegally weave in and out of toll lanes and issue a $75 ticket. The penalty increases to $120 if unpaid after 20 days.
