Colorado AI Act vs NYC Local Law 144
Side-by-Side Comparison
Understand the key differences between Colorado's comprehensive AI law and NYC's hiring-focused regulation.
Colorado AI Act
- Scope: All high-risk AI systems
- Coverage: 8 decision areas
- Effective: June 30, 2026
- Penalties: Up to $20,000/violation
NYC Local Law 144
- Scope: Hiring & promotion AI only
- Coverage: Employment decisions
- Effective: July 5, 2023 (enforced now)
- Penalties: $500-$1,500/violation
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Colorado AI Act | NYC LL144 |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Colorado (state-wide) | New York City only |
| Effective Date | June 30, 2026 | ✅ July 5, 2023 (active) |
| Scope | All high-risk AI systems | Automated Employment Decision Tools (AEDTs) |
| Decision Areas Covered |
|
|
| Who Must Comply | Developers & Deployers | Employers & Employment Agencies |
| Impact Assessment | ✅ Annual (deployers) | ✅ Annual bias audit |
| Independent Auditor Required | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Consumer/Candidate Notice | ✅ Required before decision | ✅ 10 days before use |
| Public Disclosure | ✅ AI systems + risk management | ✅ Audit results on website |
| Risk Management Policy | ✅ Required (deployers) | ❌ Not specified |
| Developer Obligations | ✅ 5 specific duties | ❌ Not specified |
| Enforcement Agency | Colorado Attorney General | NYC Dept of Consumer & Worker Protection |
| Maximum Penalty | $20,000 per violation | $500-$1,500 per violation |
| Cure Period | ✅ Yes (first violation) | Varies by violation |
Which Law Applies to You?
You Need Colorado Compliance If:
- You do business in Colorado
- You develop or deploy high-risk AI
- Your AI makes consequential decisions
- You serve Colorado residents
You Need NYC Compliance If:
- You hire or promote in NYC
- You use AI for candidate screening
- Your AI scores or ranks applicants
- You're an employer or employment agency
Important: If you use hiring AI in both Colorado and NYC, you must comply with both laws. NYC LL144 is already enforced, while Colorado takes effect in 2026.
Key Takeaways
Broader Scope
Colorado covers 8 decision areas vs NYC's focus on hiring only. Colorado is more comprehensive.
Timing Difference
NYC is enforced NOW (since July 2023). Colorado takes effect June 2026. Prioritize NYC if applicable.
Higher Stakes
Colorado penalties are 13x higher ($20K vs $1.5K). Both require annual assessments and public disclosure.
Check Your Multi-State Compliance
Use our AI Inventory tool to assess compliance across Colorado, NYC, and other jurisdictions.