Quick Answer: Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (EPEWA) requires ALL employers — even those with just 1 employee — to include salary ranges AND a general description of benefits in every job posting. This applies to jobs in Colorado and remote positions open to Colorado residents. Penalties can reach $10,000 per violation.
What Is EPEWA?
The Equal Pay for Equal Work Act (EPEWA), effective January 1, 2021 (with amendments in 2024), is the most comprehensive salary transparency law in the United States. Unlike other states, Colorado has no employee threshold — the law applies to every employer.
Key requirements:
- Salary range — Must include compensation or a range
- Benefits description — General description of all benefits offered
- Internal postings — Must notify employees of promotion opportunities
Who Must Comply?
EPEWA Applies To:
- ALL employers — No minimum employee threshold
- Jobs performed in Colorado (even partially)
- Remote positions open to Colorado residents
- Internal promotions and transfer opportunities
Critical difference: Colorado is the only state requiring benefits disclosure in job postings. This catches most out-of-state employers off guard.
What Must Be Included?
Colorado requires two things most employers forget:
- Compensation — Salary or hourly range the employer genuinely expects to pay
- Benefits — General description of all benefits and other compensation (health insurance, retirement, PTO, bonuses, equity)
Marketing Manager - Denver
Salary: $80,000 - $100,000
Great benefits package!
❌ "Great benefits" is not a description
Marketing Manager - Denver
Salary: $80,000 - $100,000
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision; 401(k) with 4% match; 3 weeks PTO; annual bonus eligible
✓ Specific benefits listed
Missing Benefits Description = Non-Compliant
Colorado's most common violation. Fix it now.
Generate Benefits-Compliant Posting →What About Remote Jobs?
Colorado's remote work rules caused controversy in 2021 when some employers started excluding Colorado applicants. The state clarified:
- If you're willing to hire someone in Colorado, you must comply
- Explicitly excluding CO applicants is legal but damages your employer brand
- Many companies now just comply for all remote postings
→ Read our full remote jobs compliance guide
Penalties for Non-Compliance
| Violation | Penalty |
|---|---|
| First violation | $500 - $10,000 |
| Subsequent violations | $500 - $10,000 each |
| Failure to keep records | Additional fines |
→ See complete penalties breakdown by state
Who This Applies To
Yes — even 1 employee
Yes — no exemptions
Yes — if open to CO residents
Yes — must notify employees
Yes — if hiring in CO
Generally no — W-2 only
Make Your Colorado Postings Compliant
Don't forget benefits. Use our tool to generate complete, EPEWA-compliant disclosure text.
Key Takeaways
- Colorado applies to ALL employers — no size threshold
- You must include salary range AND benefits description
- Remote jobs are covered if open to Colorado residents
- Internal promotions require employee notification
- Penalties up to $10,000 per violation