Colorado Workers’ Compensation Guide 2026

Give written notice and file WC15

Colorado DOWC tells workers to notify the employer in writing within 10 working days of the injury. Report immediately, identify when and how it happened, keep proof of delivery, and preserve witness, wage, restriction, and treatment records.

The employer’s report is not the worker’s claim. File the Worker’s Claim for Compensation, Form WC15, with the Division. DOWC says to file within two years of injury. A limited three-year reasonable-excuse route and other statutory exceptions can be fact-specific, so do not rely on them.

Choose from the designated provider list

For non-emergency care, the employer generally must provide a designated list of up to four doctors or clinics. Choose one from that list. The Division says the list should be provided within seven days after notice; if the employer does not properly designate, the worker may gain a right to choose a provider.

The authorized treating physician controls restrictions, referrals, MMI, and much of the medical path. Obtain approval before changing providers except where law permits, and keep copies of work-status notes and mileage records.

Medical, temporary, and permanent benefits

Accepted claims can pay reasonable authorized medical care. TTD is two-thirds of AWW when the authorized physician removes the worker from work or restrictions cannot be accommodated. TPD applies when injury-related reduced hours or pay produce a wage loss. The weekly maximum is selected by the July 1 injury-date period.

Three missed shifts form the waiting period; those shifts become payable when disability lasts more than two weeks. Temporary benefits generally end upon return at pre-injury wages, regular-work release, specified modified-work events, a missed rescheduled appointment under the rule, MMI, or an authorized insurer order or process.

At MMI, scheduled impairment and whole-person impairment follow different rates and formulas. Permanent total disability, disfigurement, death benefits, offsets, lump sums, and combined caps also have separate rules.

Read admissions, denials, and hearing deadlines

Carriers use admissions and other notices to accept, deny, change, or close benefits. Read every document immediately. A dispute can involve compensability, AWW, medical authorization, restrictions, MMI, impairment, termination, offsets, penalties, or reopening.

The Office of Administrative Courts hears contested workers’ compensation matters. Individual objection, application, response, appeal, and reopening periods differ; the deadline printed on the document and the governing rule control. Informal discussions do not necessarily extend a formal deadline.

Use official help without confusing it with legal advice

DOWC Customer Service can explain forms and procedure in English or Spanish. The Division also publishes an injured-worker guide, forms, desk aids, a provider lookup, and attorney resources. It does not represent either side.