Colorado Politics’ Marissa Ventrelli reports that House Bill 1005, the union-backed repeat offender from last session, is back on its way to Gov. Jared Polis’ desk. The bill would repeal Colorado’s second-election requirement before a union security agreement can be established, making it easier for labor organizations to impose fees on all workers in a unionized workplace, whether those workers actually joined the union or not.
So here we are, ladies and gentlemen: I agree with Governor Polis. Hell can officially freeze over. Polis vetoed this bill last year over concerns about mandatory dues deductions and the lack of compromise between labor and business, and according to Colorado Politics, he has indicated he may do it again unless the two sides reach an agreement. Good. Veto it. Then laminate the veto.
The Bullet Point Brief
- House Bill 1005 would repeal Colorado’s second-election requirement before a union security agreement can be created. Translation: one less chance for workers to say, “No thanks, please stop reaching into my paycheck.”
- Under current Colorado law, that second election requires 75% approval. Apparently, requiring serious worker consent before mandatory fees kick in is now considered a crime against progress.
- Polis vetoed this legislation last year, saying mandatory dues deductions should require a high bar of participation and support, especially while Coloradans are worried about groceries, the economy, and job security. Credit where it is due: the governor nailed that one.
- Supporters say the bill would strengthen workers’ ability to organize and negotiate. Opponents say it would force workers to pay union representation fees without enough consent. One side calls it empowerment. The other calls it involuntary payroll extraction with a bumper sticker.
- The bill passed the House 42-22 and the Senate 23-12, both on party-line votes. Nothing screams “worker unity” like a straight partisan shove through the Capitol hallway.
My Bottom Line
Look at me, agreeing with Jared Polis. I may need a minute. Maybe a chair. Maybe a weather report from the underworld. But on this one, the governor is right.
This bill is not about whether workers can form a union. Colorado Politics makes that plain. Union formation is governed by federal law, and workers already get to vote on that. This bill is about what happens after that, when the question becomes whether every worker, union member or not, can be required to pay union dues or fees.
That is where consent matters. A union that truly represents workers should not be afraid of a high bar before taking money from their paychecks. If the value is obvious, make the case. Win the vote. Earn the support. Do not ask the Legislature to sand down the guardrails so the money slides easier.
The union lobby can dress this up as worker empowerment all it wants. I see a gift-to-the-union piece of legislation that makes it easier to impose fees on people who did not join. That is ridiculous. Workers are not ATMs for political organizations with better branding.
So yes, Governor Polis should threaten the veto and carry through with it. Not because unions are always wrong. Not because business is always pure as mountain snow. Because taking money from workers should require strong consent, not legislative convenience. Basic fairness still matters, even when the Capitol forgets where it parked it.
Source: Colorado Politics
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