Serving Colorado's Counties
To all county elected officials, commissioners, and key staff...get to know us!
We have had numerous requests from membership to put back in place an HR function as we have had in the past, as part of our loss prevention to assist the members. With that in mind, the Board has asked for us to survey the membership to find out if you would like for us to add an HR consultant to the CTSI staff to assist in training and assistance on HR topics and assist in limited the employment related claims.
Thank you for taking the time to fill out the following form to register for our informational seminar. Please note that one person can sign up multiple people to attend. We look forward to seeing you!
In November 2016, Colorado citizens voted for Amendment 70, which raises the state minimum wage. The minimum wage is the lowest wage that can be paid to most workers under the law. Since July 24, 2009, the federal minimum wage for covered nonexempt employees has been $7.25 per hour. The federal minimum wage provisions are contained in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The federal minimum wage law supersedes state minimum wage laws only where the federal minimum wage is greater than the state minimum wage. Alternatively, in states like Colorado, where the state minimum wage is greater than the federal minimum wage, the state minimum wage prevails, and employees are entitled to the higher minimum wage.
Amendment 70 posed the following question to Colorado voters:
Shall there be an amendment to the Colorado constitution increasing the minimum wage to $9.30 per hour with annual increases of $0.90 each January 1 until it reaches $12 per hour effective January 2020, and annually adjusting it thereafter for cost-of-living increases?
The Amendment passed by 55.4% resulting in the state minimum wage rising from $8.31 per hour to $9.30 on January 1, 2017. Because the Amendment raises the rate in stages, each year since has seen an increase, as shown in the following table.
The minimum wage reached $12 in 2020, so from now on, the minimum wage will adjust based on the annual cost of living as measured by the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U). The cost-of-living adjustment increases by .24 for 2022.
In May of 2019, Colorado lawmakers passed House Bill 19-1210, which gives local jurisdictions the power to set their own minimum wage, subject to certain restrictions. The bill went into effect on January 1, 2020. For more information, view the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment fact sheet on Authority of Local Governments to Enact Minimum Wages.
Effective January 1, 2022, Colorado will raise its minimum wage rate to $12.56 per hour. Counties should begin paying all minimum wage employees the new rate of $12.56 for regular employees and $9.54 for tipped employees unless and until they enact a local minimum wage law. For more information, contact CTSI at 303 861 0507.
A PDF version of this Technical Update is available here.
Although we missed seeing you in person, we had a great time getting to know some of you over videoconference at this year's Newly Elected Officials Seminar. If you missed it, or would like to see it again, please first download the packet below and then click play on the video.
In 2018 alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimated that distracted driving accounted for 2,841 driving-related fatalities. Defined as any activity that takes a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving, distracted driving is an ever-increasing problem as more and more technology creeps into our vehicles, dividing our focus. Texting, cell phone use, eating, changing the station on the radio, or even carrying on a conversation all count as distracted driving. There are three types of distractions while driving:
Many common activities people engage in while driving can be distracting. One of the biggest and most risky is cell phone use, which causes visual, manual, and cognitive distractions. According to insurance claim data, 19% of auto accidents in 2019 were caused by phone-based distractions.
People tend to think that they are good at multitasking, especially while driving; however, study after study has found that the brain cannot give full attention to more than one task at a time. Driving is a complex task that requires the full focus and attention of every driver on the road. Distracted driving can cause life-changing injuries, and it can be fatal.
The best way to avoid distracted driving is to limit distractions before putting the vehicle in drive. Plan your route before starting the trip, as even GPS navigation systems can be a distraction. Set the radio, climate controls, etc., before driving. Do not eat while driving. If you are taking a long trip, plan to stop for food and rest breaks. Put cell phones out of sight and out of reach. Set your cell phone to send an automatic text informing anyone who texts that you are driving and will contact them later, or better yet, turn off your cell phone while in the car. According to one study, using a cell phone while driving reduces your focus on driving by 37%.
Counties can help prevent distracted driving by establishing clear procedures for what is and is not acceptable behavior in county vehicles, such as banning employees from cellphone use while driving. Make safe driving a priority with training plans that encourage employees to pull over if they need to make a phone call, check a map, send a text, or engage in other potentially distracting activities.
Auto accidents pose an enormous risk to the county pools and endanger county employees. Implement clear policies that discourage distracted driving in county vehicles. In addition, provide training to county employees about the risks of distracted driving. CTSI offers several safety videos on distracted driving, including “Hang up and Drive” and a Defensive Driving Refresher webinar. Members will need to login to view the videos. For more information about the dangers of distracted driving or for information on implementing a fleet safety program, contact CTSI Loss Control at (303) 861 0507.
A PDF of this Technical Update is available here.
