Colorado counts the reporting deadline in working days. You have 10 working days to tell your employer about the injury in writing. Your claim itself is protected by a form called the Worker's Claim for Compensation (WC15), filed with the Division within two years of your injury.
Colorado also limits your first choice of doctor to the employer's list of at least four providers, with one chance to switch later.
Colorado temporary pay, step by step
You get two-thirds of your average weekly wage, paid every two weeks. For injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027, the weekly maximum is $1,464.12.
Average weekly wage is your usual gross pay averaged over a week. Two-thirds of that figure is your rate until it hits the cap.
The first three shifts you miss are unpaid. Miss more than two weeks and those shifts are paid back. Our check estimator shows how the two-thirds rule plays out on your wages.
| Weekly check | two-thirds (66 2/3%) of your average weekly wage, paid every two weeks |
|---|---|
| Weekly cap, injuries from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027 | $1,464.12 |
| Waiting period | first three shifts unpaid, paid back if you miss more than two weeks |
Colorado filing windows
- Written report to your employer: within 10 working days.
- WC15 claim with the Division: within two years of your injury.
- Petition to review a judge's order: within 20 days of the date the order was mailed.
- Request to change doctors: in writing within 120 days of the first designation and before maximum medical improvement (MMI).
The 20-day window starts at mailing, not when you open the envelope, so some of those days may be gone before the order reaches you. The WC15 is what puts your claim on file with the Division, so send it even if your employer already knows about the injury.
Choosing and changing a Colorado doctor
Your employer gives you a list of at least four providers and you pick one. If you later want someone else, Colorado allows a one-time change. Ask in writing within 120 days of the first designation and before you reach MMI, the point where your doctor expects no more real progress.
If the insurer has denied the claim outright, our page on a denied workers comp claim covers the first moves.
Fees for a Colorado workers comp lawyer
Colorado sets a benchmark rather than a flat cap. In a case that is not appealed, a contingent fee (a percentage of what is won) above 25% of the contested benefits is presumed unreasonable. Contested benefits are the ones the insurer was refusing to pay. Ask any attorney you speak with to put the percentage in writing before work begins.
People also ask
How do I reach the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation?
The Division, part of the Department of Labor and Employment, takes calls at 303-318-8700.
Is the WC15 the same as telling my boss?
No. The written report to your employer is due within 10 working days. The WC15 is a separate claim form filed with the Division within two years.
Are the first shifts I missed ever paid?
Yes, if you miss more than two weeks of work. Otherwise the first three shifts stay unpaid.