A Denver judge last week ruled that entertainers at strip clubs are workers protected by the city’s wage and employment laws, a ruling hailed by city regulators as a “significant win for worker protections in the adult entertainment industry.”

The twin rulings by Denver District Court Judge Jon J. Olafson on Nov. 20 upheld prior decisions by a city hearing officer that found Denver’s labor department had legal authority to investigate strip clubs for wage violations.

“Our office enforces wage theft laws for all industries and protects anyone performing work in Denver,” Denver Auditor Timothy M. O’Brien said in a statement. “Adult entertainment workers are no different, and we are pleased the courts agree.”

Denver Labor , in February, found Diamond Cabaret and Rick’s Cabaret “violated

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