How much does workers' comp pay in Colorado?
- Colorado TTD generally pays two-thirds of average weekly wages up to the limit applicable to the injury date.
- Scheduled permanent impairment uses a separate statutory dollar rate; whole-person impairment uses the rating, statutory age factor, 400 weeks and the applicable TTD rate, subject to benefit limits.
Official-source review: . General guidance, not legal advice.
Calculate Colorado ordinary total-disability pay
Estimated weekly TTD
$800.00
Assumes full temporary disability and a correct AWW. Does not establish eligibility, apply waiting periods or offsets, or model partial disability.
Colorado permanent-award rules: what actually drives the payout
- Colorado separates scheduled losses from whole-person medical impairment.
- A whole-person illustration is rating × age factor × 400 weeks × applicable TTD rate.
- The age factor is taken from the statutory table, not guessed from age.
- Combined benefit limits and prior benefits can reduce payable amounts.
Medical impairment, legal disability and loss of earning capacity are different measurements. Use the established award category and applicable rate before doing dollar arithmetic. Do not borrow a rating from Social Security, the VA or another state.
How to evaluate a Colorado settlement
- Every Colorado settlement requires Division approval.
- A full and final settlement can release future medical care and reopening rights; agreements may resolve all or part of a claim.
- An impairment award is not a medical buyout or a guaranteed settlement offer.
- Check the wage worksheet, award classification, rating evidence and unpaid benefits.
- Identify exactly which medical conditions, future treatment and wage-loss rights are released.
- Separate gross value from prior payments, approved fees, liens and other adjustments.
- Review Medicare and Social Security coordination when relevant; a medical allocation is not an automatic settlement multiplier.
Colorado workers' compensation rates by injury date
Dated rate history from official Colorado sources, reviewed . Looking for employer premiums? See workers' comp insurance cost by state.
| Injury period | Weekly maximum | Minimum basis |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 | $1,464.12 | No fixed TTD minimum modeled |
| July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 | $1,396.85 | No fixed TTD minimum modeled |
Scheduled PPD rates are $438.33 for July 2025–June 2026 injuries and $459.45 for July 2026–June 2027 injuries. Whole-person weekly PPD payment caps are $767.47 and $804.46 respectively, separate from the gross award formula and TTD limits.
Reporting, filing and official sources
- Generally provide written employer notice within ten days and file a claim within two years.
- A reasonable excuse can affect the filing period, and occupational disease and other exceptions can change the rule.
- Report promptly and verify the specific deadline with the Division.
Colorado benefit questions
How much does workers' comp pay in Colorado?+
Colorado TTD generally pays two-thirds of average weekly wages up to the limit applicable to the injury date. Scheduled permanent impairment uses a separate statutory dollar rate; whole-person impairment uses the rating, statutory age factor, 400 weeks and the applicable TTD rate, subject to benefit limits.
How do permanent disability benefits work in Colorado?+
Colorado separates scheduled losses from whole-person medical impairment. A whole-person illustration is rating × age factor × 400 weeks × applicable TTD rate. The age factor is taken from the statutory table, not guessed from age. Combined benefit limits and prior benefits can reduce payable amounts.
Can a Colorado settlement close future medical care?+
Every Colorado settlement requires Division approval. A full and final settlement can release future medical care and reopening rights; agreements may resolve all or part of a claim. An impairment award is not a medical buyout or a guaranteed settlement offer.
What are the reporting and filing deadlines in Colorado?+
Generally provide written employer notice within ten days and file a claim within two years. A reasonable excuse can affect the filing period, and occupational disease and other exceptions can change the rule. Report promptly and verify the specific deadline with the Division.
Is Colorado's whole-person award rate the weekly payment rate?+
No. The gross whole-person formula uses the applicable TTD rate. The weekly PPD payment-rate maximum is separate: $767.47 for July 2025–June 2026 injuries and $804.46 for July 2026–June 2027 injuries, with a stated $150 minimum. Combined-benefit caps and other adjustments can limit the remaining award.
What is a Colorado DIME?+
A Division Independent Medical Examination addresses disputed maximum medical improvement or permanent medical impairment findings through a special statutory procedure. Deadlines, fees and legal burdens matter; it is not an automatic higher award or a routine second opinion.
Can I use the whole-person formula for a Colorado arm injury?+
Not automatically. Scheduled losses use scheduled weeks and a statutory scheduled rate, while whole-person impairment uses an age factor and the applicable TTD rate. The legally established classification determines which method applies.
Does Colorado's gross impairment calculation equal my settlement?+
No. Statutory combined-benefit limits, prior payments, apportionment and the award category can affect the payable amount. A negotiated settlement separately considers released wage-loss and medical rights and disputes.
Does surgery guarantee a larger Colorado settlement?+
No. Surgery can change treatment costs, restrictions and medical evidence, but there is no automatic surgery multiplier. Permanent disability must be established under the applicable rules. Compare the benefits released and future care needs, not just the procedure name.
Are Colorado workers' comp benefits taxable?+
Benefits paid under a workers' compensation law for an occupational injury or illness are generally excluded from federal income tax. Returned-to-work wages, retirement payments and Social Security offsets can have different tax treatment. Review IRS Publication 525 and seek tax advice for the agreement's allocations.
Can I receive pain and suffering through Colorado workers' comp?+
Workers' compensation generally does not award pain and suffering. A separate claim against a responsible third party may allow different damages, but employer immunity and reimbursement rights need separate legal review.
When should I compare a Colorado settlement offer?+
Compare an offer after understanding the wage calculation, medical condition, permanent-award category, unpaid benefits and rights released. There is no guaranteed settlement timeline. A bigger lump sum may be worse if it transfers expensive future treatment to you.
Where can I verify my Colorado benefit rate?+
Use the official agency resources linked on this page and the written rate calculation in your claim. Injury date, benefit category, wage records and applicable limits matter. An entered rate is not independently verified by this calculator.
These calculations are estimates based on your inputs and general workers' compensation formulas. Actual benefits depend on state law, your specific injury, employer insurance carrier, and other factors. This is not legal advice. Consult a licensed workers' compensation attorney for guidance specific to your claim.