Three New Colorado Laws That Go Into Effect In 2018

COLORADO -- A new year brings new laws. Here are just three laws Colorado residents should know about.

Minimum Wage

Perhaps the biggest change Colorado workers will see come Jan. 1 is the minimum wage. The minimum wage will increase $10.20 per hour thanks to Amendment 70, which was passed by Colorado voters in 2016. The minimum wage will increase each year under the amendment until it reaches $12 per hour in January 2020.

Teen Sexting

The state is cracking down on sexting among juveniles. Beginning Jan. 1, there will be punishments for juveniles who are found sexting. The punishments range from courses where children can learn about the consequences of sharing nude photos to a misdemeanor count, according to The Greeley Tribune. The newspaper reported that in some cases teenagers can be charged with sexual exploitation.

Protecting Debtors

Frustrated with debt collection agencies? Beginning Jan. 1, collection agencies will have to prove a chain of custody of debt before they can sue the debtors. The law, which is meant to protect debtors, also allows the Attorney General's Office to investigate claims against collection agencies who may have violated the law.

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