7 CCR 1103-12
COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT STATE LABOR RELATIONS RULES 7 CCR 1103-12 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] _________________________________________________________________________ Adopted February 9, 2024; effective April 1, 2024.
Rule 1. Authority.
1.1 These Rules are issued under the authority of, and as enforcement of, Colorado Revised Statutes (“C.R.S.”) Title 24, Article 50 (2022) (the “Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act,” C.R.S. § 24-50-1101 et seq.), as well as the general labor law implementation and enforcement authority of C.R.S. Title 8, Articles 1 and 3 (2022), and are intended to be consistent with the rulemaking requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, C.R.S. § 24-4-103. These Rules are promulgated pursuant to the Division’s authority in C.R.S. §§ 24-50-1103, -1106(4), and C.R.S. § 8-3-105.
1.2 The Director of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics in the Department of Labor and Employment has the authority to enforce C.R.S. § 24-50-1101 et seq. and these Rules.
1.3 Incorporations by Reference. C.R.S. § 24-50-1101 et seq. is hereby incorporated by reference into these Rules. Copies are available for public inspection and a reasonable charge at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, 633 17th Street, Denver CO 80202. Electronic access is available from the website of the Colorado Secretary of State. Pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-4-103(12.5)(b), the agency shall provide certified copies of them at cost upon request or shall provide the requestor with information on how to obtain a certified copy of the material incorporated by reference from the agency originally issuing them. All Division Rules are available to the public at www.coloradolaborlaw.gov. Where these Rules have provisions different from or contrary to any incorporated or referenced material, the provisions of these Rules govern so long as they are consistent with Colorado statutory and constitutional provisions.
1.4 Separability. These Rules are intended to remain in effect to the maximum extent possible. If any part (including any section, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or number) is held invalid, (A) the remainder of the Rule remains valid, and (B) if the provision is held not wholly invalid, but merely in need of narrowing, the provision should be retained in narrowed form. Rule 2. Definitions.
2.1 “Authorized representative” means a person designated by a party to an unfair labor practice complaint to represent the party during the Division’s complaint and/or appeal process. To designate an authorized representative, the party must comply with the requirements of Rule 4.1.1.
2.2 A “covered employee” is defined as “an employee who is employed in the personnel system of the state established in Section 13 of Article XII of the State Constitution,” unless the individual is not covered for one of the reasons provided in C.R.S. § 24-50-1102(3)(a)-(h).
2.3 “Director” refers to the Director of the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and his or her designee, unless otherwise specified in these Rules.
2.4 An “employee organization” has the same meaning as in C.R.S. § 24-50-1102(7), and a “certified employee organization” has the same meaning as in C.R.S. § 24-50-1102(1).
2.5 “Division” refers to the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
2.6 “Electronic mail” (“email”) refers to the electronic transmission of messages, including documents, via the Internet.
2.7 “Mail” refers to first-class mail, sent through the United States Postal Service, postage prepaid.
2.8 “Unfair labor practice” is defined as in C.R.S. §§ 24-50-1107, -1108, -1109, -1111, and -1112, but does not include disputes over the interpretation, application, and enforcement of any provision of the partnership agreement.
Rule 3. Filing.
3.1 Documents may be filed with the Division by electronic mail, facsimile, or other electronic means when possible; U.S. mail is also an acceptable filing method. A document is considered “filed” with the Division when it is received by the Division; any document received after 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time is considered “filed” the next business day. Rule 4. Unfair Labor Practices.
4.1 Unfair Labor Practice Complaints
4.1.1 The party filing an unfair labor practice complaint shall be designated the charging party. The party against whom a complaint is filed shall be designated the respondent. Either party may designate an authorized representative to act on its behalf in filing a complaint with the Division. The party may designate an authorized representative by filing the Division-approved form with the Division. The party may revoke the authorized representative’s authority by contacting the Division in writing.
4.1.2 An unfair labor practice complaint must be received by the Division no later than six months after the date that the alleged unfair labor practice occurred.
4.1.3 Unfair labor practice complaints shall be filed on the designated form provided by the Division. The charging party shall set forth a clear and concise statement of the facts constituting the unfair labor practice.
4.1.4 The Division will evaluate unfair labor practice complaints to determine if the Division has jurisdiction over the alleged conduct and if sufficient evidence has been shown from which an unfair labor practice may be reasonably inferred.
4.1.5 If the unfair labor practice complaint provides insufficient evidence, the Division will notify the charging party and may request additional information.
4.1.6 Failure to respond in a timely manner to requests from the Division for additional supporting information and/or documentation may result in dismissal of the unfair labor practice complaint.
4.1.7 After determining that a charging party’s unfair labor practice complaint contains sufficient allegations and evidence that, if proven true, would state a claim of an unfair labor practice, the Division shall give notice of the allegations and request an answer be filed by the respondent.
4.1.8 The respondent shall file an answer responding to each allegation in the complaint, and attach any documentation or evidence the respondent wishes the Division to consider in reviewing the complaint, within 21 calendar days of the date the Division sends a copy of the complaint to the respondent.
4.1.9 In any stage of any Division investigation, proceeding, or other action, if information is provided to the Division by a source requesting or otherwise warranting confidentiality, then the source shall remain confidential if that information is used: (1) as a basis for procuring other evidence, not offered as evidence itself; (2) as evidence of liability, but not to establish individual relief for the source of the information; or (3) in other circumstances in which confidentiality is necessary and appropriate. Any such confidential source is unlawful to disclose (unless the source consents) in any administrative or judicial proceeding, in response to any records or information request, or in any other manner, in order to effectuate statutory requirements. To the extent applicable, the provisions and practices regarding confidential sources stated in the Wage Protection Rules, 7 CCR 1103-7 (as amended and modified) are incorporated by reference.
4.1.10 Upon receiving a request in writing to the Division stating the reason required for an extension, the Division may, in its discretion, extend the period for the respondent to file an answer to the complaint for good cause.
4.1.11 Upon written request, other parties or entities may be designated as intervenors or may be joined as charging parties or respondents, at the Division’s discretion.
4.1.12 Upon receipt of the complaint, answer, and any supplemental documents, the Division shall make a determination as to whether an unfair labor practice has been committed and issue findings and orders.
4.1.13 The burden of proof for establishing an unfair labor practice is on the charging party.
4.1.14 The Division may exercise its discretion to have an investigation sequenced and/or divided into two or more stages on discrete questions of liability or relief (e.g., bifurcation), yielding two or more determinations and/or phases of the investigation.
4.1.15 A charging party may withdraw an unfair labor practice complaint at any time prior to issuance of a determination.
4.2 Unfair Labor Practice Appeals
4.2.1 An appellant, either the charging party or respondent, may file an appeal within 35 calendar days from the date of the Division’s determination. A valid appeal is a written statement that is timely filed with the Division, explains the basis for the appeal, and has been signed by the appellant or the appellant’s authorized representative.
4.2.2 On appeal, questions of fact are reviewable for clear error, while questions of law are reviewable de novo.
4.2.3 Upon receipt of the appeal, the Division will notify the parties of the date of the hearing and any interim deadlines, and send a copy of the appeal and a copy of the record of its investigation to the parties by mail or electronic mail. All evidence submitted to the Division as part of the investigation is part of the record on appeal and need not be resubmitted.
4.2.4 The hearing officer shall have the power and authority to call, preside at, and conduct hearings on the appeal, including the power to administer oaths and affirmations, order and take depositions, certify to official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records deemed necessary as evidence in connection with a disputed determination. The hearing officer shall make a decision on each relevant issue raised, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order.
4.2.5 Parties who timely file a valid appeal of the Division’s determination will be afforded an administrative appeal hearing before a Division hearing officer. Parties may be required to appear by telephone.
4.2.6 The parties may submit new testimonial evidence, which is defined as any evidence that is elicited through the statements of individual witnesses, to the hearing officer in accordance with deadlines imposed by the Division. New evidence must be sent to all other parties to the appeal. Failure to send all new evidence to all other parties to the appeal may result in the evidence being excluded from the record. The parties may submit new documentary or other non-testimonial evidence in accordance with deadlines imposed by the Division and upon showing “good cause,” which may be assessed based on any relevant factors, including but not limited to:
4.2.7 An appeal may, at the discretion of the hearing officer, be sequenced and/or divided into two or more stages on discrete questions of liability or relief (e.g., bifurcation), yielding two or more decisions and/or phases of the appeal.
4.2.8 After the hearing, a decision shall be issued on each relevant issue raised, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, and orders, and shall be served on all parties by mail, or electronic mail, as consistent with applicable law. Absent timely modification by the Director, the decision shall constitute final agency action, and the final decision of the Division. A party may seek judicial review of the decision pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-50- 1115(1).
Rule 5. Appeals of Coverage Decisions by the State Personnel Director.
5.1 Appeals of a decision by the State Personnel Director regarding whether an employee or group of employees are appropriately classified as “covered employees” may be filed with the Division on the Notice of Appeal form provided by the Division. The hearing officer will review the State Personnel Director decision de novo.
5.2 A certified employee organization or the State may file a Notice of Appeal with the Division within 35 calendar days from the date of the decision of the State Personnel Director. A valid appeal is a written statement that is timely filed with the Division, explains the basis for the appeal, and has been signed by the appellant or the appellant’s authorized representative.
5.3 The appellant shall provide the State Personnel Director (SPD) with a copy of the Notice of Appeal at the time of filing with the Division. The SPD shall have 21 calendar days to file a Response, after which the appellant shall have 21 calendar days to file a Reply.
5.4 The State Personnel Director (SPD) may authorize another official, department, division, agency, or other person to respond to the Notice of Appeal, provide information or evidence regarding the Notice of Appeal, or otherwise participate in the appeal. The SPD may so authorize in writing, or a state official may represent that they have been so authorized in a submission that is also copied to the SPD.
5.5 Upon receipt of the Notice of Appeal, the Response, and the Reply, the Division shall assign a hearing officer, who may set the matter for hearing or make a decision on the existing record. The hearing officer shall have the power and authority to call, preside at, and conduct hearings on the appeal, including the power to administer oaths and affirmations, order and take depositions, certify to official acts, and issue subpoenas to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, correspondence, memoranda, and other records deemed necessary as evidence in connection with a disputed ruling of the State Personnel Director.
5.6 The hearing officer shall make a decision on each relevant issue raised, including findings of fact, conclusions of law, and an order sustaining, overruling or modifying the ruling of the State Personnel Director. Testimony and further evidence may be allowed at the hearing, at the discretion of the hearing officer. Parties may be required to appear by telephone.
5.7 The hearing officer’s decision constitutes a final agency action pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-4-106, unless written exceptions to that decision are filed in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act (C.R.S. § 24-4-101 et seq.) and any Division filing instructions accompanying the hearing officer’s decision. If timely exceptions are filed, the decision on the exceptions constitutes the final agency action. The Division shall promptly provide all parties with a copy of the hearing officer’s decision by mail or electronic mail, as consistent with applicable law. A party may seek judicial review of the decision pursuant to C.R.S. § 24-50-1115(1) and in accordance with the State Administrative Procedure Act.
_________________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Notes History New rule eff. 01/01/2021.
Rules 1.1, 4.1.2 eff. 03/02/2022.
Entire rule eff. 04/01/2024.