Advocacy

Interested in advocating for breastfeeding in Colorado?

Join COBFC today or contact us!

Colorado Breastfeeding Laws

Click here for COBFC law information sheet.

Workplace Accommodation for Nursing Mothers Act (Colorado Revised Statutes 8-13.5-104)

Establishes a standard for ALL employers to express breast milk in the workplace. Employers must:

• Provide reasonable unpaid break time, or allow an employee to use paid break and/or meal time, to express breast milk for her nursing child up to 2 years after the child’s birth;
• Make reasonable efforts to provide a nursing mother with a private space in close proximity to her work area – other than a toilet stall – in which to express breast milk; and
• Not discriminate against women for expressing milk in the workplace.

Click here for information on your right to express breast milk at work.

Click here for COBFC Breastfeeding and Working videos.

Public Breastfeeding Law (Colorado Revised Statutes 25-6-302)

Establishes a mother may breastfeed in any place she has a right to be.

Colorado is involved in the national movement to recognize the medical importance of breastfeeding, within the scope of complete pediatric care, and to encourage removal of societal boundaries placed on breastfeeding in public.

Postponement of Jury Service for a Person Who is Breastfeeding a Child Act (Colorado Revised Statutes 13-71-119.5)

Establishes that a person who is breastfeeding a child is eligible for two, 12 month postponements of jury service.

Click here for COBFC information on the law.

Nursing Mothers’ Rights in Colorado Workplaces

and how to Exercise Them

You have a legal right to express breast milk at work!

Click here for breastfeeding tips and here for the Making Breastfeeding Work for Moms toolkit from Boulder County

“Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Act“ – this state law requires every Colorado employer to:

1. Provide you with “reasonable unpaid break time” or permission to use paid break time and/or meal time to express breast milk;
2. For two (2) years after your child is born;
3. Make reasonable efforts to provide a private place for you to express breast milk, that is not a toilet stall; and
4. Not discriminate against you for expressing milk in the workplace

If your employer is clueless, be an educator! TAKE ACTION!

STEP 1: Tell your employer what you know about these laws. Offer suggestions about how they can comply (where you could pump, when you could do it). Explain why breastfeeding your baby will make you a happier, healthier employee. Remind your employer that this is a short term situation. Get tips for approaching your employer, conversation starters and sample letters and education materials for you to give to your employer here.

**An employer’s refusal to let you pump at work or discrimination against you because you asked to is illegal.

Find an advocate to help you! TAKE ACTION!

STEP 3: The American Civil Liberties Union of Colorado (ACLU) – may be able to provide no cost legal services for you. Request assistance from the ACLU.

Private Civil Rights and Employment Attorneys – these attorneys may be able to represent you (often on a contingency fee basis) or help you find another attorney who can:

Colorado Department of Labor – Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers

Kimberly J. Jones | JONES LAW

4 W. Dry Creek Circle, Suite 100

Littleton, CO 80120

(303) 551-1289 (p)
(303) 484-4405 (f)
kim@jones-legal.com

Business Case for Breastfeeding Mini Grant

In 2009, the Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment presented The Business Case for Breastfeeding.

This two‐day training program was part of a national initiative to increase breastfeeding duration and exclusivity rates among employed breastfeeding women. The goal was to increase workplace lactation support for employed breastfeeding women by conducting effective outreach, education and technical assistance activities with employers.The training included why breastfeeding is good for business, conducting effective outreach with businesses and easy steps to implement a lactation support program at a worksite.Applicants committed to both of the following:

• Will recruit at least one worksite (your own or an employer in your region) within the next 12 months and work with them to create a breastfeeding friendly worksite
• Will provide follow‐up information on how you have used skills learned in the training

The Colorado Breastfeeding Coalition (COBFC) is offering an opportunity for a COBFC member or local Colorado breastfeeding coalition to apply for funding (up to $500) to offer worksite lactation support. Availability is limited.

Please Contact Us for more information.

Breastfeeding and Employers

The COBFC is committed to supporting breastfeeding in the workplace. Employers in Colorado who invest in a breastfeeding families have proven to produce a 3 to 1 ROI (return on investment) through less sick days, greater employee retention,and lower healthcare costs.

Are you an employer, advocate, or employee looking for help supporting breastfeeding employees or recognized locations? Visit the Lactation Friendly Workplace Recognition program page.

Click here for information on the Business Case for Breastfeeding resources and here for ideas and employer solutions. 

Current Legislation and Advocacy Projects

COBFC Strategic Goal: To lead and collaborate with partners to advocate for breastfeeding support in Colorado on behalf of all breastfeeding families and pass appropriate legislation.

Actions:

1. Pass enforcement provision to the Workplace Accommodations for Nursing Mothers Act. This will involve: researching other state legislation, approaching partners and legislators, gaining support in the Colorado legislature, drafting legislation, holding an Advocacy Day surrounding breastfeeding and the legislation, spread the word via social media, and testify to state legislators. The initial goal is for a bill to be drafted and presented to the Colorado legislature in the 2018 session. Want to be involved? Contact us!
2. Support partner organizations with advocacy efforts and related legislation. This would include paid leave legislation and others from partner organizations around the state. Know of a way COBFC can be involved or support an organization? Contact us!

Local Colorado Coalitions

Connect with USBC to ensure your local coalition is on the list!

Resources for Local Coalitions:

• Tools and Resources from Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition
• Coalition Building
• Texas Community Action Kit for Protecting, Promoting and Supporting Breastfeeding
• CDC Breastfeeding Report Card
• Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Support Breastfeeding