Arapahoe County Human Services and Fleet and Facilities Workers Ratify First Contracts

Hundreds of AFSCME members in Arapahoe County, Colorado, voted to ratify their first union contract with the county, officially becoming organized locals with AFSCME Colorado. 

Two units — the Arapahoe County Department of Human Services, which has more than 500 workers, and the Fleet and Facilities departments, which has 80 workers — are the first unit who organized under a law that granted collective bargaining rights to county workers statewide to ratify their first contract. 

In doing so, the workers finally achieved many of the goals they had on their agenda when they first organized. 

Starting Jan. 1, 2026, they will have a fair process for discipline, a grievance procedure, seniority protections, and a 4% across-the-board raise, among many other improvements. 

“I am so proud of all the work our organizing and bargaining teams have put in over the last few years that finally got us our first contract,” said Heather Morgan, a social case worker for the Arapahoe Department of Human Services. “Having protections including a grievance process, just cause, layoff and recall protections may seem pretty basic, but they are all areas that have been a struggle throughout my time at Arapahoe County.” 

For years, workers were frustrated when they tried to improve their working conditions. Wages had been based on a “merit” system, which was ambiguous and led to favoritism. And there had been no wage increases to match the rising cost of living in the county.  

But the workers found a voice through their union and their efforts are beginning to pay dividends. 

The Arapahoe County workers now look forward to building their new local, and are optimistic their fellow county workers will follow in their footsteps.