Democrats tend to position themselves as champions of workers: pro-union, pro-labor. But a bill that passed recently at the Colorado statehouse called some of that into question – and caused a split among Democratic state legislators.   

Earlier this month, lawmakers voted to scale back overtime rules for farm workers. The vote followed several days of intense debate before 11 Democrats ultimately sided with Republicans to pass the bill.  

Supporters argue that existing overtime laws in Colorado hurt farmers by forcing them to pay steep overtime wages for farm labor. Supporters also say the rules often have the effect of reducing how much work seasonal farm laborers can get.   

But opponents of the bill say this move weakens protections designed to prevent the exploitation of farm laborers.  

So why did 11 Democrats split from their caucus to support the bill?   

Rae Solomon covers the state capitol for the Colorado Capitol News Alliance. She spoke with Erin O’Toole about how the bill will affect people who work in Colorado's farming industry – and what the vote reveals about labor issues at the statehouse this year. 

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Host and Producer: Erin O'Toole
Executive Producer: Brad Turner
 
Theme music by Robbie Reverb
Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions
In The NoCo is a production of KUNC News and Community Radio for Northern Colorado.