Protect Your Rights: How to Handle Wage Discrimination in Denver

Distraught employee trying to understand how to handle Wage Discrimination in Denver.

Wage discrimination remains a serious issue affecting workers in Denver and across Colorado. If your employer violated your rights by paying you unfairly due to your gender identity, age, national origin, or another protected status, you have legal options. Understanding the laws protecting you and seeking help from an experienced wage discrimination attorney can ensure you receive fair compensation. This guide explains how to recognize discrimination, what legal protections exist, and how to take legal action against unfair pay practices.

Understanding Wage Discrimination in the Workplace

Wage discrimination occurs when an employer pays an employee less than a co-worker performing substantially similar work based on protected classes such as gender, race, sexual orientation, or disability. Many employees face unequal pay without realizing their rights under federal and state laws that mandate equal compensation for equal work.

Common signs of wage discrimination include:

  • Receiving lower pay than colleagues with similar responsibilities.

  • Being denied raises or bonuses while others in the same role receive them.

  • Unequal access to health insurance, retirement benefits, or other compensation.

  • Retaliation after questioning wage rate disparities.

If any of these apply to you, consulting a Colorado wage attorney can help determine whether you have a discrimination claim.

Both federal and state laws protect employees from wage discrimination. These laws ensure eligible employees receive fair wages regardless of protected status.

Federal Laws Protecting Against Wage Discrimination

  • Equal Pay Act (EPA) – Requires that men and women in the same workplace receive equal pay for equal work.

  • Title VII of the Civil Rights Act – Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, gender, religion, or national origin.

  • Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – Protects workers from wage discrimination due to related medical conditions or disabilities.

  • Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) – Prevents unfair pay based on age for employees over 40.

Colorado State Laws Addressing Wage Discrimination

  • Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA) – Strengthens protections against workplace discrimination for Colorado employees.

  • Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act – Mandates Colorado employers to ensure equal pay for workers performing substantially similar work.

  • Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) – Investigates and enforces employment law violations related to wage rate discrimination.

If your employer violated any of these laws, you have the right to file a complaint and seek compensation with the help of a labor and employment attorney in Denver.

What to Do If You Experience Wage Discrimination

If you suspect discrimination, taking the right steps can help you build a strong case.

1. Gather Evidence

  • Collect pay stubs and records showing wage disparities.

  • Compare your compensation with that of coworkers in similar positions.

  • Save emails, performance reviews, and company policies related to pay.

2. Consult a Wage Discrimination Attorney

A skilled employee rights attorney in Denver can evaluate your case, explain your legal rights, and help file a discrimination claim.

3. File a Complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD)

The CCRD investigates claims of employment discrimination and ensures Colorado state law is upheld.

If your employer refuses to resolve the issue, your employment attorneys can help you file a lawsuit to recover unpaid wages, medical bills, and damages for emotional distress.

Who Can File a Wage Discrimination Claim?

Anyone in an employment relationship—whether a current employee, job applicant, or prospective employee—can file a claim if they experience unlawful sex discrimination, age discrimination, or discrimination based on other protected categories. Even if an employer refuses to hire a job seeker due to wage expectations based on protected status, that individual can pursue legal action under Colorado law.

Reasonable Accommodations and Wage Equity

Under the Disabilities Act, employers must provide reasonable accommodations for employees with disabilities. If an employer reduces wages due to medical reasons or denies a raise to an employee needing accommodations, this may be considered discrimination.

Retaliation for Reporting Wage Discrimination

Employers cannot retaliate against employees for reporting wage discrimination. If an employer demotes, fires, or harasses an employee for filing a complaint, that employee can take legal action for retaliation with the help of Denver labor attorneys.

Why You Need an Experienced Wage Discrimination Attorney

Filing a wage discrimination claim can be complex. An employment attorney ensures you receive the fair wages you deserve.

How Bourassa Law Group Can Help

At Bourassa Law Group, our team of employment attorneys fights for workers facing employment discrimination. We specialize in cases involving unequal pay, workplace discrimination, and Colorado labor law violations. If you have been underpaid due to discrimination, we will stand by your side and fight for justice.

Take Action Today

If you believe you are a victim of discrimination, reach out to Bourassa Law Group today for a free consultation. Our experienced attorneys are ready to fight for your rights and help you secure the compensation you deserve.

Don’t wait—protect your rights, contact us now.

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