Former host Vic Vela settles discrimination claim against Colorado Public Radio

Vic Vela, the former Colorado Public Radio host, says he has settled his discrimination claim against his longtime employer.

Vela, who hosted CPR’s award-winning addiction and recovery podcast “Back from Broken,” in March filed a charge of discrimination with state and federal agencies, alleging the station’s management belittled and mocked his mental health concerns and accused him of using his addiction to manipulate higher-ups.

CPR fired Vela in January after he had worked at the station for nine years, he previously told The Denver Post.

On Friday, Vela confirmed the settlement, first reported by the Colorado Sun, and a CPR representative said the “matter has been resolved.” The parties didn’t disclose terms, but said they had agreed to allow Vela to produce future episodes of “Back from Broken.”

“What happened in the past, I’m gonna put that aside and focus on the positive,” Vela told The Post on Friday. “I’m continuing to work on a podcast that has moved a lot of people and been meaningful to a lot of people who struggle with drugs and alcohol. I’m really grateful to CPR for being on the same page.”

A CPR spokesperson, Clara Shelton, said in an email that the station “encourages Vic in his future endeavors and his continuing efforts to educate the community.”

Vela in March said management would not give him workplace accommodations that he said he needed to maintain his sobriety. The host has spoken candidly for years about his battles with addiction.

Management pushed back forcefully on Vela’s claims, saying he never asked for a single accommodation and that his behavior did not align with the station’s values.

“Vela was terminated not because of a disability or experience with addictions, but because he repeatedly failed to address his hostile behavior,” CPR President and CEO Stewart Vanderwilt wrote in a letter last month.

To view the article in it’s entirety, visit www.denverpost.com.