Our Process - What You Should Know

The Colorado Civil Rights Division works to eliminate discrimination in employment, housing and places of public accommodation through enforcement, mediation and education, under Colorado Civil Rights Law. The Division also engages in preventative measures by providing training and information to groups and individuals regarding discrimination.

What You Should Know Before Starting a Complaint

If you think that you have been discriminated against, please watch our video presentation, What you Need to Know Before Filing a Charge. This video will begin to assist you in determining if you have been discriminated against and if the Civil Rights Division has any authority over your issues. These videos are in the process of being updated and do not yet include the reference to sexual orientation as described within this website. Please call with any questions you may have regarding them.

What you Need to Know Before Filing a Charge (Available Soon. Please call with any questions.)
Lo Que Necesitas Saber Antes de Presentar Una Queja - (en Espanol)

If, after viewing the video presentation, you decide that you wish to file a charge of discrimination, you will need to complete an Intake Packet for the area in which you will be making a Charge. The Intake Packets are accessible further down this page. Please call or email with any questions you may have.  

Filing a Timely Charge of Discrimination 

There is a legal requirement that a charge must be filed within a specific period of time (statute of limitations) from the date of notice of the last discriminatory act. After the statute of limitations has passed the Colorado Civil Rights Division does not have jurisdiction. In Employment cases the statute of limitations is six months; in Housing cases the statute of limitations is one year; and in Public Accommodations cases the deadline is sixty days.

• Employment filing deadline: six (6) months

• Housing filing deadline: one (1) year

• Public Accommodations filing deadline: sixty (60) days

However, regarding Employment cases, please note that if more than six (6) months, but 300 or less days, have passed since the date of the alleged adverse action, the Colorado Civil Rights Division may be able to accept and refer your charge to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The EEOC may be able to investigate your claim. Please contact the Colorado Civil Rights Division at (303) 894-2997 if you wish to discuss a possible referral.

Areas Outside the Jurisdiction of the Civil Rights Division

Despite our name, we cannot handle all issues that are often associated with the term "civil rights." For instance, the Colorado Civil Rights Division does not have jurisdiction over claims involving:

• federal employees filing against a federal employer

• police and sheriff misconduct

• judicial or court matters

• prisoners' rights

• characteristics such as personal appearance, political affiliation, lack of education and training, short-term disabilities, and personality conflicts

• labor relations issues, including wage and hour matters not based on a protected class and workers' compensation

If you have determined that the Colorado Civil Rights Division does not have jurisdiction over your concern, you may be able to find the appropriate agency to handle your problem in our Resource Directory which can be reached through the link on our Home Page.

To proceed with the complaint process and submit an Intake Packet, click on "Complaint Process" in the menu on the left.