(DENVER) – The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced today that the Colorado Uninsured Employer (CUE) Fund board expanded the program to all funding levels as of July 1, 2023. This change allows for payment of all seven tiers of benefits outlined in §8-67-107(b) to injured workers. This includes medical benefits, funeral expenses, temporary benefits, death benefits, permanent total disability, permanent partial disability, and disfigurement.
The CUE Fund offers financial aid to individuals injured while working for employers who didn't have workers' compensation insurance at the time of the injury. Considered and passed during the 2017 legislative session, HB17-1119 created the fund and the CUE board. On January 1, 2020, the CUE Fund started accepting claims for benefits, and the benefits injured workers can receive from the program depend on its level of funding. In the past year, the number of available benefit types has increased from three to the seven aforementioned types.
“Since its inception, the CUE Fund board aimed to ensure that injured workers may be eligible to receive all the benefits outlined in HB17-1119,” said Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation Director Paul Tauriello. “It’s a great moment for our workers’ compensation system that the fund is in the position to provide these benefits to injured workers. Our division works hard to ensure employers know their responsibilities and have the proper coverage. When employers do not carry workers’ compensation insurance, the CUE Fund is vital to assisting injured workers in providing for themselves and their loved ones while helping them focus on a full recovery.”
Businesses with one or more employees operating in Colorado must carry workers' compensation insurance. This applies to all employers, regardless of whether the employees are part-time, full-time, or family members. Employers can learn about workers' compensation requirements by visiting cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/employers or calling 303-318-8700. When an injury occurs, injured workers should report their injury in writing to their employer within 10 days of the incident or as soon as possible if more than 10 days. Injured workers are also encouraged to submit a Worker's Claim for Compensation to the Division of Workers' Compensation at 633 17th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202. For more injured worker resources and information, visit cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/injured-workers or call 303-318-8700.
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