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ColoradoSB26-1862026 Regular SessionSenate

Update Workers' Compensation Statutes Allow Electronic Filing

Sponsored By: Brianna Titone (Democratic), Janice Marchman (Democratic), Mark Baisley (Republican), Rebecca Keltie (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Labor & EmploymentTelecommunications & Information Technology

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

8 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 4 mixed.

Injured workers notify employers to change doctors

Injured workers have a one-time option to change their designated workers’ compensation treating doctor through January 1, 2028. To use this option, the worker must notify the employer. The employer must notify the insurer, if needed, and the first authorized treating doctor.

Successful workers receive half of late-notice penalties

An employer or insurer can owe a penalty for late notice admitting or denying workers’ compensation liability. The penalty can reach one day’s compensation for each day late, capped at 365 days. If the worker wins the compensation claim, the worker receives 50% of any qualifying penalty paid. The other 50% goes to the Colorado Uninsured Employer Fund.

Workers with lawyers can submit settlements electronically

Workers with lawyers can submit workers’ compensation settlement papers electronically. The Division serves the settlement approval order on the worker’s lawyer. For workers without lawyers, it serves the order on the insurer or self-insured employer.

Employers must report injuries and deaths promptly

Employers must report injuries to the Division of Workers’ Compensation and insurer within 10 days. They must immediately report a work-related death or an accident injuring three or more employees to the director. Required injury notices must be written on Division forms and served on the Division. The Division serves an employee’s notice on the employer, its agent, or its insurer. If the employer fails to give required notice, anyone may give it.

Business officers get simpler coverage rejection notices

Corporate officers and limited liability company members can reject workers’ compensation coverage using a Division-approved written form. They send it to the employer’s insurer, or to the Division if the employer has no insurer. Certified mail is no longer specified as required. The rejection takes effect the day after the insurer or Division receives the notice, ending the individual’s coverage.

Electronic workers’ compensation filings carry service duties

Colorado’s workers’ compensation rules recognize service by physical copy, email, or the Division’s electronic filing system. Filing means serving the Division or court, and service includes required copies to other parties. Beginning July 1, 2006, employers and insurers must file notices denying liability electronically, unless exempted for few filings or financial hardship. Required document exchanges must happen on the same day. A technical rejection does not invalidate notice to a claimant, but can leave required service incomplete. A rejected notice denying liability does not count as proper service on the Division.

Workers get flexible motions and appeal deadlines

Parties can request evidence exchange, a prehearing conference, or extra time without a written motion if they show good cause. When every party has a lawyer, permission for evidence exchange is not required. The Office of Administrative Courts must send written hearing notice at least 30 days ahead, by regular mail or email—not fax. Written orders and service certificates must be served on each interested party or representative, without listing specific delivery methods. Covered appeal papers and orders must be served rather than mailed. Service certificates control certain deadlines, including 20 days for opposing briefs and 21 days to seek court review of a panel order.

Workers’ claim deadlines now start with service

Several claim deadlines now start when documents are served, rather than mailed or delivered. After liability is denied, workers have 45 days from service to request an expedited hearing; hearings are set within 60 days, with limited extensions. Workers have 30 days to contest a final admission, with hearing timing tied to independent medical examination procedures when applicable. Respondents have 20 days to act after service of notice that the Division received an independent medical examination report. Employers, insurers, or claim administrators must provide the claim file within 15 days after service of a written submission or file request. The file must be complete, with a privilege log for withheld materials. Parties have 10 working days after service of a summary order to request a full order.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mark Baisley

    Republican • Senate

  • Rebecca Keltie

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Ava Flanell

    Republican • House

  • Brandi Bradley

    Republican • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Carlos Barron

    Republican • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Jarvis Caldwell

    Republican • House

  • Kenny Nguyen

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 0

House vote • 5/12/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 65 • No: 0

House vote • 5/9/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-186 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 11 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/7/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 5/5/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-186 to the Committee of the Whole and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/2/2026House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/21/2026Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/21/2026House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/21/2026House

  5. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/12/2026House

  6. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    5/11/2026House

  7. House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

    5/9/2026House

  8. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    5/7/2026Senate

  9. Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs

    5/7/2026House

  10. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

    5/6/2026Senate

  11. Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

    5/5/2026Senate

  12. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology

    5/1/2026Senate

Bill Text

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