Today marks Equal Pay Day, a significant reminder of the persistent wage gap that continues to impact women across Colorado. Despite some progress, women’s work environment remains unstable, especially as they grapple with the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty of shifting federal policies. These challenges are further compounded by federal tax cuts and budget reductions, which disproportionately harm women—particularly those in public sector and essential roles. What’s more, women of color face an even wider wage gap, as ethnic disparities exacerbate the inequities they experience. As Coloradans, it’s crucial to recognize the obstacles women face in this volatile time and what lies ahead in the fight for economic equity.
While progress has been made, the gender wage gap remains a significant issue. Despite the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, women in Colorado still earn just 85 cents for every dollar paid to similarly qualified men. Nationally, the gender wage gap is widening, and efforts to combat pay discrimination are being undermined. Women of color experience an even wider gap, with Black women, Latina women, and Indigenous women earning far less than their White counterparts. The rollback of protections under the Trump administration, designed to help workers uncover pay discrimination, makes it even harder for women to address this inequality.
Public sector jobs, such as those in education and government, have long been a stronghold for women’s employment. In recent years, women saw substantial gains in these fields. However, federal policy attacks—such as cuts to public education and government funding—directly threaten these gains. Women make up a significant portion of the public sector workforce, especially in education. Funding cuts not only undermine the quality of public education but also jeopardize the livelihoods of many women who depend on these jobs. This is especially concerning for women of color, who are more likely to work in these essential sectors.
The economic fallout from the pandemic revealed a troubling trend: women’s labor force participation fell dramatically, more so than men’s, and it took longer for women to recover. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research (IWPR), women’s ability to reenter the workforce was closely tied to the availability of child care, which was severely disrupted during the pandemic. As child care services and jobs slowly began to return, women’s workforce participation began to recover. However, without consistent and accessible child care infrastructure, these recovery gains remain fragile. Women of color, in particular, faced greater barriers due to their overrepresentation in low-wage, essential roles.
Unions have long been an essential tool in advocating for women’s rights in the workplace, especially in securing better wages and working conditions. Through collective bargaining, unions help workers fight for equal pay and better workplace protections. For women, unions provide a crucial support system to push back against policies that disproportionately affect them. In Colorado, unions have been instrumental in advocating for gender equity, and as women continue to face these economic challenges, their role remains more important than ever.
As Coloradans, we must take action to support women in the workforce and help close the gender gap. One critical step is supporting SB25-005, the Worker Protection Act, currently under consideration in the Colorado legislature. This bill aims to strengthen protections for workers and improve wage transparency. Specifically, it would make it easier for workers to report pay discrimination, increase penalties for employers who violate pay equity laws, and promote a more equitable working environment for all workers.
Now is the time to act! Contact your local legislator and urge them to support SB25-005 and other legislation that promotes equal pay and fair labor practices. By advocating for stronger protections for workers, we can ensure that women in Colorado—especially women of color—receive the support they need to thrive in the workforce. Let’s work together to pass the Worker Protection Act to strengthen collective bargaining and raise wages for women other marginalized workers.
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