Lack of Salary Bands Screwed Me Over [CO]

Looking for advice for this situation I found myself in. For context, I'm a Manager in the media industry (mid sized company) with two reporting layers between myself and the CEO. I have gotten "Exceeds Expectations" on my annual performance reviews the last 6 years and have won numerous company wide awards for exemplary service.

My company underwent lay offs in Q1 of 2024. 3 people were moved onto our team as a result of the layoffs because they didn't have anyone to have these people to report to. We quickly learned how unfair wages are across the company. These were sales support positions, working remotely and they were making more than management and director positions on our team. Because we did not have work for 3 people to do and their skillset would not be up to par to the required work, my boss created 1 new position which would report to me for these 3 people to decide to apply for. 2 of them took the severance package, 1 of them opted to apply for the new position on my team. In accepting the position, she negotiated her salary with the President of our organization in a silo. Had I gotten wind of this, I would have chosen to pass on her as a candidate and post the job externally as her work ethic and knowledge did not warrant the salary requested. She ultimately accepted a salary which was $3,000 less than mine. She was based in New York where cost of living is higher than Colorado but I don't know that makes enough of a case for making what I make. She took a $14K pay cut when she accepted the position further emphasizing the wage gaps in our organization.

At the time, my boss tried to correct this but she was not successful. The CFO said the request "was off cycle" and when other promotions were being handed out off-cycle, the President (who was one foot out the door) said "Does she have an offer in hand and willing to walk?" I was floored someone would be willing to so brazenly say that. Up until that moment, I had thought I was a valued employee. I was promised they would correct my salary in 2025, and they'd make my 2024 salary right with a bonus. None of this was promised in writing of course so I hadn't fully counted on it but continued to work through the year in good faith that they'd correct their error. Fast forward to raise cycles in 2025. My boss put in for a promotion and salary adjustment for me but her boss failed to get this information to the CFO, putting this request, once again "off cycle." Another year where I am severely underpaid.

Would this situation warrant a discussion with an attorney? How should geography in this situation influence salary? Aside from leaving the company (I'm already looking for other employment) is there any other advice you would have for me?