2021 Legislative Update

Announcements & Reminders

  Stay Tuned for Upcoming Rule Changes

• Changes in legislation will require adopting new emergency rules, effective September 6, 2021. These anticipated rule changes reflect the provisions in House Bill 21-1050 Workers' Compensation related to the timely payment of benefits and conservatorship. Additional information on the upcoming changes will be shared on our website.
  • Some emergency rules will require programming changes for insurance carriers and self-insureds. 

  Surcharge Rates

• Workers’ Compensation Cash Fund: 1.35%
• Premium Cost Containment Program: 0.01%
• Subsequent Injury Fund/Major Medical Fund: 0.10%
• Calculate, File, and Pay surcharge online

  Worker's Claim for Compensation (WC 15)

• On July 1, 2021, the Division published a revised Worker's Claim for Compensation (WC 15). 
• You may view additional form changes in the "Updated Forms" section near the bottom of this page. 

  2021 Workers’ Compensation Act

• The 2021 Workers’ Compensation Act is now available.
• Complete the preorder form and email it to cdle_dowc_rfs@state.co.us to secure your copy.

Statutory Changes

This year the General Assembly adopted two bills that impact workers’ compensation in Colorado. This summary briefly highlights some of the key substantive and procedural changes.

  Bill HB21-1207 - Overpayment of Workers’ Compensation Benefits

• Signed: May 17, 2021
• Effective: January 1, 2022
• Key Changes:
  • Limits the definition of overpayments to those which occur because of fraud, duplication of benefits (i.e., offsets or wages), or errors on an admission.  
  • Temporary benefits paid after the date of MMI are no longer considered overpayments; however, they can be credited against permanency. 

  Bill HB21-1050 - Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado

• Signed: July 6, 2021
• Effective: September 7, 2021
• Key Changes:
  • Reduces the maximum benefit cap from 25% to 19%.
  • Benefits are considered timely paid as of the date of receipt, or three days after mailing if postmarked at least three business days prior to the due date.
  • A benefit or penalty must be at issue before compensability is considered ripe for litigation.
  • Mileage must be submitted 120 after incurred, paid within 30 days.
  • Read the full bill language for other important updates including offsets, apportionment, appeals, and more.

Rule Changes

 Rule 4 - Carrier Compliance    

• The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation adopted rule language, effective April 30, 2021, introducing a new audit for carriers and changing the current fine structure.   
• Key Changes: 
  • Changes to the claim audit fine structure and allows for resetting of claim audit fines after a successful audit.
  • A new Policy Compliance Audit.

 Rule 6 - Modification, Termination, or Suspension of Temporary Disability Benefits    

• The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation adopted rule language, effective July 1, 2021, that allows for retroactive modification of benefits.  
• Key Changes: 
  • An addition to the Petition to Suspend, Modify, or Terminate to allow for retroactive changes to temporary benefits so long as it is requested within 30 days of the first indemnity admission.

Sign up to receive rule hearing notices

  Rule 5 - Claims Adjusting Requirements

• The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation adopted rule language, effective July 1, 2021, that changes the claims adjusting requirements.  
• Key Changes: 
  • Allows for electronic filing of admissions and motions.
  • Changes the reporting requirements for fatalities and when more than three people are injured in the same accident.
  • Changes to Final Admissions required attachments. The Physician’s Report of a Workers’ Compensation Injury (WC 164) is no longer required unless concurrently provided.

  Rule 7 - Closure of Claims and Petitions to Reopen    

• The Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation adopted rule language, effective July 1, 2021, that removes a step in the reopening process.
• Key Changes: 
  • Petition to Reopen (WC 37) is removed. To reopen a claim, parties should file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts.

Updated Forms

• WC15 - Worker's Claim for Compensation
• WC43 - Rejection of Coverage by Corporate Officers or Members of a Limited Liability Company
• WC45 - Rejection of Coverage By Partners and Sole Proprietors Performing Construction Work on Construction Sites
• WC49B - Workers Compensation Act Poster (Spanish Version) 

• WC54 - Petition to Modify, Terminate, or Suspend Compensation/Objection to Petition to Modify, Terminate, or Suspend Compensation
• WC112 - Payroll Statement Form
• WC113 - Surcharge Form
• WC181 - Medical Billing Dispute Resolution Intake Form

Updated Publications

Previous Legislative Updates