Diane Hazel Discusses Impact of New Colorado Antitrust Legislation

Foley & Lardner LLP Partner Diane Hazel is quoted in the Law360 article, “New Colo. Laws Alter Health Care, Antitrust Enforcement,” discussing new legislation in Colorado that reenacts the state’s antitrust laws with changes that expand standing and give the state’s attorney general more leeway to go after violators.

“These changes to the Colorado Antitrust Act could significantly impact companies to the extent they operate in Colorado, their actions impact Colorado consumers or workers, or they otherwise fall within the act’s jurisdiction,” said Hazel.

Hazel highlighted the inclusion of workers in the bill’s legislative declaration that competition is fundamental to a healthy marketplace that protects workers and consumers.

“I think it does reflect a larger trend of antitrust expanding into not just consumers, but seeking to protect workers as well,” Hazel said.

For companies considering making a series of acquisitions, Hazel advised them to think about “how those acquisitions are viewed as a whole, and not just one acquisition at a time.”

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