That Colorado pay range law has a loophole I just found

I was applying for a project coordinator role in Denver last week and noticed the posting listed $58,000 to $72,000. Then I clicked the fine print and it said the company must post a range because of the state law, but they can still pay below if they claim a different 'internal equity' factor. That surprised me because I thought the law meant the range was binding. I called a friend who works in HR and she told me that Colorado's Equal Pay for Equal Work Act only requires the range to be posted, it does not force them to pay within it if they can justify the number otherwise. She has seen two candidates get $5,000 less than the bottom of the posted range this year. So if you're job hunting in a state with pay transparency rules, do not assume the posted range is a promise. Has anyone else found this loophole in their own state or have a way to push back during negotiations?

1 comments

1 Comment

terry12d ago

Did she say if that internal equity excuse actually holds up when you push back?