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June 17, 2024 HB 24-1451
Legislative Council Staff
Nonpartisan Services for Colorado’s Legislature
Final Fiscal Note
Drafting Number:
Prime Sponsors:
LLS 24-1165
Rep. Herod; Ricks
Sen. Buckner; Coleman
Date:
Bill Status:
Fiscal Analyst:
June 17, 2024
Signed into Law
Brendan Fung | 303-866-4781
brendan.fung@coleg.gov
Bill Topic: INCLUDE HAIR LENGTH IN CROWN ACT
Summary of
Fiscal Impact:
☒ State Revenue
☒ State Expenditure
☐ State Transfer
☐ TABOR Refund
☒ Local Government
☒ School Districts
The bill adds hair length to the definition of race in the context of discrimination in
public education, housing, public accommodation, and advertising. It may minimally
increase state revenue, and state and local workload beginning in FY 2024-25.
Appropriation
Summary:
No appropriation is required.
Fiscal Note
Status:
This final fiscal note reflects the enacted bill.
Summary of Legislation
The CROWN Act, enacted under House Bill 20-1048, specified that discrimination in public
education, employment, housing, public accommodation, and advertising on the basis of race
includes hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles that are commonly or historically
associated with race. The bill adds hair length that is commonly or historically associated with
race to the list of traits associated with one’s race.
Background
The Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
enforces the state’s anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing, and public
accommodations. Aggrieved individuals who believe they have been discriminated against may
file a complaint and proceed through an administrative investigation with the CCRD and Civil
Rights Commission. Only after the commission makes a determination on the case may an
individual file a civil action in a district court.
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June 17, 2024 HB 24-1451
State Revenue and Expenditures
The bill’s expansion of an existing protected class is expected to have a minimal impact on state
revenue and expenditures. To the extent additional civil penalties and filing fees are collected,
state revenue subject to TABOR will increase. The bill may also increase workload as follows:
in DORA to the extent that unfair or discriminatory practice complaints are filed with the
CCRD;
in the trial courts of the Judicial Department to the extent that additional civil cases are filed
under the bill;
in the Department of Personnel and Administration to the extent that state employees
challenge employment decisions on the basis of discrimination; and
in the Department of Law to provide legal services to state agencies.
The fiscal note assumes compliance with the law. Any increase is expected to be minimal and
does not require a change in appropriations.
Local Government and School Districts
Similar to the state, to the extent that cases are brought against local government entities or
handled by district attorneys, workload will increase. Workload may increase for schools to
update rules to comply with state anti-discrimination laws.
Effective Date
The bill was signed into law by the Governor and took effect on June 3, 2024.
State and Local Government Contacts
Education Judicial Law
Personnel Regulatory Agencies
The revenue and expenditure impacts in this fiscal note represent changes from current law under the bill for each
fiscal year. For additional information about fiscal notes, please visit the General Assembly website.