HB 26-1272

HB 26-1272, also known as Extreme Temperatures Worker Protections, is a Colorado bill that aims to safeguard workers from extreme hot and cold temperatures. It requires employers to develop safety plans for their employees who work in such conditions by September 1, 2028, and mandates the Department of Labor and Employment to create guidelines and collect data on temperature-related injuries or illnesses starting January 15, 2027. The bill also calls for regular updates to these safety measures every five years. Since it has been signed into law, employers in Colorado will now need to implement these protections for their workers exposed to extreme temperatures.

Official Summary

The bill requires the department of labor and employment (CDLE), on or before January 1 15 , 2027, to begin collecting data concerning temperature-related injury or illness or temperature-related emergencies at worksites in the state, including by requiring the division of labor standards and statistics (division) to:Develop a platform on CDLE's website where users can provide information about occurrences of temperature-related injury or illness or temperature-related emergencies;Obtain from the department of public health and environment (CDPHE) data that CDPHE has collected through its syndromic surveillance program regarding occurrences of heat-related injury or illness or heat-related emergencies; andCollect similar data from the division of workers' compensation and the Center for Improving Value in Health Care.     On or before January July 1, 2028, the bill requires the division to develop a model temperature-related injury and illness prevention plan (TRIIPP) that thereafter must be made available on CDLE's website. Additionally, the bill requires the division to review and update the model TRIIPP at least every 5 years and grants the division authority to adopt rules necessary to implement the bill's provisions.      Employers of workers who are exposed to extreme hot or cold temperatures at worksites are required to develop and submit a TRIIPP to the division on or before September 1, 2028, and the division is required to develop procedures regarding how often employers will be required to submit an updated TRIIPP and how the division will handle review of TRIIPPs.      Lastly, the bill requires CDLE to develop training standards related to temperature safety and ensure that employers are providing proper training to workers who are affected by extreme temperatures.(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

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