COLORADO SPRINGS — The next time you’re looking for a job in Colorado, take a closer look at the job posting and see if the pay aligns with your expectations. Employers in the state are being fined if they don’t provide that pay transparency. Since 2021 it has been the law and the standard in the state.

”I was at a point where not only am I starting a family, but I was looking for a career change and something that was stable and concrete. So, I was looking for my career, my official career. I was tired of job-hopping. I was a serial job hopper for a while,” said Drew Moreno, who just wrapped up an intense job search.

He is now working at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center to help others do the same.

”There were a few applicants who were coming in who were not English speaking. I myself am bilingual and to be able to help the community in that way, that experience moving forward propels me even further day to day,” said Moreno.

He says Colorado’s requirement for employers to post the pay for each job he applied for completely changed his approach and his willingness to apply for more challenging work.

”It’s almost taboo,” said Moreno. “When I would get advice from people from previous generations like my parents and my grandparents they would always say just take what they give you. Be happy you have a job. I had that mindset going forward. I think with this policy change I think there’s going to be a change in the way this generation thinks about what your worth is as a worker.”

Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows Colorado’s average hourly wage grew 11.5% between January 2021, when the wage transparency law started, and May of this year. Other states like California and New York have taken notice; following Colorado’s lead, they are two of at least 20 states with some type of pay transparency law on the books now.

Leaders at the Pikes Peak Workforce Center say while some employers were frustrated by having to include salary ranges in job postings, many employers are evolving and reaching out to see what positions should actually pay.

”We have access to national databases that span all different job postings and really give us the industry standards. With businesses who are questioning it and wondering what they should pay, providing the actual data to them really gives them a foot in the door to be able to offer a quality job,” said executive director and CEO of the Pikes Peak Workforce Center Traci Marques.

As other states look to duplicate this kind of pay transparency, job seekers believe it’s making a difference.

”I know what they’re offering me. I know I can either ask for more and if they’re not willing to accommodate, I know there are other options,” said Moreno.

The inspiration and ultimate goal for this pay transparency law in Colorado is to try to close the pay gap for women and minorities.

While a majority of companies in the state have complied, some are being fined and still aren’t being transparent with pay scales.

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This article was written by KOAA.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (KOAA) — The suspect in the deadly mass shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colorado, made a virtual court appearance Wednesday morning.

Andreson Lee Aldrich, who identifies as nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, appeared in a wheelchair for an advisement hearing. Aldrich only spoke when directly questioned by the judge on whether they had watched a video on their advisement before the hearing.

The suspect's public defenders waived having charges read aloud. They will be held without bond with a next appearance on December 6, 2022. That date could change due to a scheduling conflict with a public defender.

El Paso County Court

Normally, a bond would be set. However, District Attorney Michael Allen had already stated the suspect is being held without bond. Allen said his office will continue to work to keep the suspect jailed without bond.

The alleged gunman was moved from a hospital to the El Paso County Jail Tuesday afternoon.

The suspect was arrested on 10 counts, including first-degree murder and bias-motivated crime, according to court records.

First-degree murder carries a maximum sentence of life in prison if convicted in Colorado.

State law on bias-motivated crimes refers to "unlawful acts against persons or groups because of a person’s or group’s race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical or mental disability, or sexual orientation for the purpose of inciting and provoking bodily injury or damage to property."

The local and federal investigation into the mass shooting is ongoing, and additional charges could be filed.

Five people were killed and 17 others were wounded in the attack at Club Q late Saturday night. Two patrons are credited with stopping the gunman, potentially saving countless lives.

This story was originally reported on koaa.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — A section of the historic Rainbow25 flag was unfurled outside City Hall in Colorado Springs, Colorado, to honor the lives lost, those wounded and a community impacted by Saturday's shooting at Club Q.

The "Sacred Cloth" pride flag is a section of the historic flag sewn by Gilbert Baker in 2003 to mark the 25th anniversary of his 1978 creation of the original pride flag.

The original flag was 1.25 miles long. After being displayed in Key West, Florida, it was cut up into sections, with section 93 declared the 'sacred cloth.'

It was displayed in Orlando, Florida following the 2016 Pulse nightclub shootings and has returned to the city every year on the anniversary of the attack.

“As Colorado Springs mourns, we are heartened that this historic flag has been offered for display,” said Jessie Pocock, Inside Out Youth Services executive director and CEO. “We are grateful for this incredible demonstration of compassion.”

This story was originally reported on KOAA.com.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — An elementary school in Colorado Springs, Colorado, is one step closer to a zero-waste lunch program.

"Students threw about 500 foam trays in the landfill every week," said Buena Vista Elementary kitchen manager Tammy Burghart. "I got tired of seeing all the waste. We went from five to six trash cans down to one."

After 13 years, Burghart said she was happy to finally get reusable lunch trays last month.

Buena Vista Elementary School is the second school in District 11 to get reusable lunch trays.

The next step in the sustainability initiative is replacing plastic utensils.

Burghart said she hopes other schools can follow her school's lead.

"Now, if I could get the kids to eat their vegetables, I would be in Heaven," she said.

This story was originally reported on KOAA.com.