People v. Rediger

**What Happened** A person named Rediger was charged with interfering with a public employee at a nonprofit school where he served as owner-director. The case centered on whether someone who owns and runs a private nonprofit school that receives government regulation should be considered a "public employee" under Colorado law. Rediger was convicted at trial, but he appealed the decision. **What the Court Decided** The Colorado Supreme Court overturned Rediger's conviction. The court ruled that being the owner-director of a nonprofit school does not make someone a "public employee," even if the school is regulated by government agencies. The court also found serious errors in the jury instructions that were so significant they required a completely new trial. **Why This Matters for Workers** This ruling clarifies an important distinction between public and private employees. Just because a private organization receives government funding or oversight doesn't automatically make its workers "public employees." This affects what legal protections apply and what charges can be brought in workplace disputes. The decision helps define the boundary between public and private employment, which can impact workers' rights, benefits, and the laws that govern their workplace relationships.