Press Release: Colorado Lawmakers Signal Ongoing Commitment to Tackling Algorithmic Exploitation

Press Release: Colorado Lawmakers Signal Ongoing Commitment to Tackling Algorithmic Exploitation

by Anthony Lux| Apr 23, 2025

CCLP Statement, Consumer Protections, Legislative Updates, News Release

The following press release was jointly-released today by The American Economic Liberties Project, Towards Justice, and Colorado Center on Law and Policy.

Press Release: Colorado Lawmakers Signal Ongoing Commitment to Tackling Algorithmic Exploitation

Landmark Debate on HB25-1264 Marks Critical Step in Taking on Surveillance Pricing and Discriminatory Wages

DENVER, CO - Last night, the Colorado House of Representatives indefinitely postponed HB25-1264. This first-of-its-kind bill would have prohibited billion-dollar corporations from using personal surveillance data to charge certain consumers more and pay certain workers less. While the bill won't move forward this session, the legislative debate it sparked has positioned Colorado as a national leader in confronting the economic harms of AI-driven price discrimination and wage suppression.

The Judiciary Committee's earlier hearing on the bill sparked widespread attention and energized a coalition of lawmakers, labor organizers, and advocates who remain committed to ensuring that Coloradans are protected from exploitative algorithmic practices. Legislators and advocates alike say this isn't the end of the conversation so much as it's the beginning of a larger statewide push for algorithmic accountability, privacy protections, and fair markets.

"The fight for fair wages and fair prices is only just beginning," said Rep. Javier Mabrey, lead sponsor of the bill. "We knew going in that this would be a first step in a much longer campaign to educate the public and rein in corporate abuse. Colorado has always been willing to take on big fights, and this one is no different. We'll be back."

"Big Tech has operated without guardrails for far too long," said Rep. Lorena Garcia, co-sponsor of the bill. "Coloradans shouldn't have to surrender their privacy just to afford groceries or earn a living wage. This bill was about drawing a line, and while it won't advance this session, the fight to hold tech giants accountable for their exploitative business models is far from over."

"We see firsthand how algorithms decide what we earn without ever telling us why," said Erick Amatefe, a rideshare driver and member of Colorado Independent Drivers United. "This bill helped bring that into the spotlight. It's encouraging to know lawmakers are listening and taking this seriously - because our livelihoods are on the line."

"Only the largest corporations have the data and technology necessary to individualize prices and wages based on private personal information," explained Nina DiSalvo, Policy Director with Towards Justice. "Using that data, mega corporations not only extract wealth from workers and consumers, they also gain a competitive edge over small businesses. I am grateful that Colorado is starting the conversation about how to defend against this behavior."

"When companies can secretly decide what we pay or what we earn based on personal data, it's not just a privacy issue-it's a market fairness issue," said Charles Brennan, Director of Income and Housing Policy at Colorado Center on Law and Policy. "Most people have no idea this is happening, and no way to challenge it. This bill started an important conversation about how to ensure transparency and basic protections for consumers and workers alike in an increasingly data-driven economy."

"Corporations are using mass surveillance and hidden algorithms to manipulate prices and wages in ways that distort fair competition," said Lee Hepner, Senior Legal Counsel at the American Economic Liberties Project. "Without intervention, these predatory tactics will become entrenched, making fair markets impossible to maintain."

Lawmakers in multiple states have introduced similar legislation in 2025, including in California and Illinois. Colorado's early efforts, even if paused for now, have become a blueprint for future action.

For question or comment, please contact Kelsea-Marie@economicliberties.us.

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The American Economic Liberties Project works to ensure America's system of commerce is structured to advance, rather than undermine, economic liberty, fair commerce, and a secure, inclusive democracy. Economic Liberties believes true economic liberty means entrepreneurs and businesses large and small succeed on the merits of their ideas and hard work; commerce empowers consumers, workers, farmers, and engineers instead of subjecting them to discrimination and abuse from financiers and monopolists; foreign trade arrangements support domestic security and democracy; and wealth is broadly distributed to support equitable political power.

Towards Justice is a nonprofit law firm that represents workers in litigation and other advocacy in an effort to build worker power and advance economic justice in our home state of Colorado and across the country.

Colorado Center on Law and Policy is an antipoverty organization advancing the rights of every Coloradan. CCLP is dedicated to combating poverty and fostering economic equity in Colorado. We focus on systems-level change, supporting long-term, sustainable upward mobility for our communities, beyond meeting basic needs.

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