Aurora Employment Discrimination Complaint Process

Labor and Employment Colorado 4 Minutes Read · published February 09, 2026 Flag of Colorado

In Aurora, Colorado, employees who believe they experienced unlawful employment discrimination should document incidents promptly and contact the appropriate enforcement agency for investigation. For complaints involving a City of Aurora employer or city employee, start with the City Human Resources office; for private employers you can file with the Colorado civil rights authority or the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). This guide explains where to file, typical timelines, forms, enforcement routes and immediate actions to preserve evidence and rights.

Penalties & Enforcement

Employment discrimination is enforced primarily through administrative agencies and civil litigation rather than municipal bylaw fines. Remedies typically include reinstatement, back pay, equitable relief and money damages; specific civil fines or per-day municipal penalties are not specified on the cited pages. Enforcement and investigation may be handled by multiple authorities depending on the employer and the statutes invoked.

  • Enforcers: the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)[1], the Colorado Civil Rights Division within the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)[2], and the City of Aurora Human Resources for city employees[3].
  • Monetary remedies: back pay, compensatory and punitive damages where available under federal or state law; exact caps and calculations depend on statute and employer size and are detailed by the enforcing agency.
  • Civil litigation: after administrative processing, claimants commonly may obtain a Notice of Right to Sue or equivalent and file in state or federal court per the agency notice.
  • Non-monetary orders: reinstatement, injunctive relief, policy changes and training requirements imposed by the agency or court.
  • Typical enforcement steps: intake, investigation, conciliation/mediation, determination, and where applicable issuance of right-to-sue letter or administrative order.
Start documenting dates, witnesses and copies of communications immediately.

Applications & Forms

The EEOC and Colorado DORA provide intake and charge forms for employment discrimination complaints; the City of Aurora Human Resources posts procedures for city employee complaints or internal grievance processes. Specific form names, filing fees and online submission methods are provided on each agency page; if a specific fee or deadline is not shown on the cited page, this guide notes that it is "not specified on the cited page."

How to file in Aurora

  • Document the discrimination: dates, locations, witnesses, pay stubs, emails, performance reviews.
  • City employees: contact City of Aurora Human Resources to learn internal complaint, investigation and appeal steps.[3]
  • State charge: file with the Colorado Civil Rights Division (DORA) for violations of Colorado anti-discrimination law.[2]
  • Federal charge: file with the EEOC for violations of federal statutes such as Title VII, ADA, ADEA; the EEOC explains filing timelines and forms.[1]
  • If conciliation fails or a right-to-sue is issued, consult legal counsel to consider filing a civil suit in state or federal court.
If you are unsure which agency applies, file with the EEOC or the state agency promptly to preserve deadlines.

Key procedural timelines

  • Filing deadlines: federal and state agencies set statute-of-limitations windows; the EEOC explains limits that commonly affect federal filings and dual filing situations (see the EEOC link for exact timing).[1]
  • Investigation length: investigations and conciliation vary; specific durations are case-dependent and not specified on the cited pages.
Preserve evidence in original form and make certified copies where possible.

FAQ

Who handles employment discrimination complaints in Aurora?
The City Human Resources office handles complaints involving city employees; the Colorado Civil Rights Division and the U.S. EEOC handle private- and public-sector discrimination claims and investigations.[2][1]
How long do I have to file an employment discrimination complaint?
Timelines vary by statute and agency; consult the EEOC and Colorado DORA pages promptly to determine the applicable deadline, and file as soon as possible to preserve rights.[1][2]
Can I file with both the state and the federal agency?
Yes—filing practices and dual filing rules are described by the agencies; filing with one agency can preserve rights under the other in many cases, so follow the agency guidance linked above.[1][2]

How-To

  1. Collect documentation: timeline, emails, evidence and witness names.
  2. Contact City of Aurora Human Resources if the complaint involves a city employer and ask about the internal grievance process.[3]
  3. File a charge with the Colorado Civil Rights Division if state protections apply; complete any required intake forms as instructed on DORA's site.[2]
  4. File with the EEOC for federal claims and request a Notice of Right to Sue if you later wish to litigate.[1]
  5. Follow investigation steps, participate in mediation/conciliation when offered, and if needed, consult an employment lawyer to evaluate filing a civil action after administrative remedies.

Key Takeaways

  • Document facts and preserve evidence immediately.
  • City employees should use Aurora Human Resources first for internal remedies.
  • State and federal agencies provide separate filing routes and remedies.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission - How to File
  2. [2] Colorado Division of Civil Rights (DORA)
  3. [3] City of Aurora Human Resources

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