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HFWA timeline

Colorado HFWA vs. Airlines: Timeline & Updates

Bookmark this page for every major HFWA development touching Colorado-based crews. We track investigations, union litigation, airline lawsuits, and how those fights ripple into leave-misuse investigations for United, Southwest, Frontier, and every other carrier with Denver-based employees.

At-a-glance

HFWA requires paid sick leave, limits documentation requests, and bans retaliation. Airlines are only exempt if a collective bargaining agreement delivers equal or greater rights. Every dispute listed here tests that promise.

Need help fast?

Use the Investigation Survival Guide and leave-misuse checklist to prepare before management calls.

Need counsel?

Contact the HFWA attorney panel or HFWA rights guide for the legal framework they will ask about.

2020-2021

Milestones

  • HFWA takes effect statewide, guaranteeing paid sick leave, retaliation protections, and public health emergency leave for nearly all Colorado workers, including airline crew bases.

2022

Milestones

  • Colorado investigates Southwest Airlines, concluding the carrier underpaid HFWA sick leave.
  • CDLE issues a $1.331 million assessment for alleged violations tied to flight attendants.

2023

Milestones

  • Southwest and the state reach a settlement that cuts the fine by roughly 90 percent and treats certain unionized crews as exempt if their CBA promises equal or greater protections.
  • Colorado agrees not to pursue specific HFWA complaints from Southwest union members covered by qualifying CBAs.
  • Transport Workers Union Local 556 sues Colorado, arguing the settlement unlawfully sidelines HFWA rights and skips required rulemaking.
  • United Airlines sues Colorado, claiming HFWA is preempted by federal law and should not apply to its flight operations.
  • United withdraws the lawsuit without prejudice later in the year, leaving HFWA intact for crews unless a CBA-based exemption applies.

2024-2025

Milestones

  • Airlines for America (A4A) pursues a federal lawsuit challenging HFWA on behalf of multiple carriers.
  • Colorado-based investigations continue into alleged leave misuse and retaliation, with HFWA anti-retaliation clauses at the center of many cases.

Staying ready for the next filing

HFWA litigation evolves with each union grievance, CDLE investigation, or carrier policy change. Subscribe to newsroom alerts and send tips to tips@faldf.com.

  • Bookmark the main News hub for banner alerts.
  • Share anonymous intel about new "leave misuse" investigations via the contact page.
  • Encourage peers to snapshot CDLE decisions or settlement letters for this archive.