Colorado’s attorney general issued an alert this week after state offices recorded a notable uptick in complaints from immigrant workers alleging unpaid wages, stolen tips and other forms of exploitation. The advisory, distributed to community organizations, employers and law enforcement, aims to make clear that both state and federal wage laws apply to all workers — regardless of immigration status — and to encourage victims to come forward.

“We will not allow employers to take advantage of the people who are building our communities,” Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement accompanying the alert. The office said it would increase outreach to affected communities, coordinate with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and use civil enforcement tools “to recover stolen wages and pursue penalties when necessary.”

Advocates who work closely with immigrant laborers welcomed the attention but stressed that longstanding fears — including retaliation, job loss and immigration consequences — continue to deter reporting. “Workers are terrified to come forward because their livelihoods, and sometimes their families, are on the line,” said a representative of a Denver immigrant-rights organization who asked not to be named to protect their clients. Community groups are hoping the attorney general’s outreach will lessen those barriers and connect victims with legal assistance.

Wage theft commonly surfaces in industries that employ large numbers of immigrant workers, including construction, hospitality, agriculture and restaurant work. Cases range from employers failing to pay overtime or final wages to more egregious schemes in which tips are pocketed or workers are paid below the minimum wage. Under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and Colorado’s own wage statutes, workers can seek restitution and, in some cases, penalties against employers.

Beyond the immediate injustice to individuals, advocates and economists say the phenomenon has broader economic and international consequences. Many immigrant workers send remittances to families in Mexico, Central America and other countries; unpaid wages therefore ripple outward, tightening household budgets and amplifying economic insecurity abroad. “This is not only a local labor-law issue — it is a cross-border human and economic concern,” said an economist familiar with migrant remittance flows.

The attorney general’s move comes amid a nationwide conversation about labor enforcement, immigrant protections and the role of state authorities in filling enforcement gaps. Colorado’s approach emphasizes civil remedies and outreach rather than immigration enforcement, a distinction intended to reassure victims that reporting wage theft will not automatically trigger deportation proceedings. The state office said it would refer criminal matters, when warranted, to local prosecutors.

Employers facing allegations are reminded in the advisory that failure to comply with wage laws can result in orders to repay employees, fines and potential litigation costs. Labor experts say prevention — clear payroll practices, timely paychecks and worker education — remains the most effective strategy for avoiding disputes and preserving workforce stability.

As Colorado steps up enforcement and community groups prepare to expand legal clinics and hotlines, the battle over wage theft is likely to become a defining labor-policy test for the state. For immigrant workers, advocates say, the question is whether outreach and enforcement will translate into safer conditions and the ability to reclaim pay that is legally theirs.