How to File a Workers' Compensation Claim in Colorado
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Colorado · Last updated 2026-09-07
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee who is injured on the job, or made ill by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without having to prove the employer was at fault. In Colorado, the system is administered by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DOWC) within the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and disputed claims are decided by administrative law judges at the Office of Administrative Courts (OAC), with appeals to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office (ICAO). Two deadlines are critical. You must notify your employer in writing of the injury within 10 days of the occurrence (C.R.S. 8-43-102), and you must file a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation with the Division within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103). Reporting the injury to your employer is separate from filing the claim. After you report, you get medical care, then you file the WC15 with the Division to open the claim, the insurer admits or denies liability, and if the claim is disputed you file an Application for Hearing with the OAC. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
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How do I file a workers' compensation claim in Colorado?
First, notify your employer in writing of the injury within 10 days (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Then get medical care and file a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation with the Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation within two years. The employer's insurer then admits or denies liability on your claim.
How long do I have to file a workers' compensation claim in Colorado?
Two deadlines matter. You must notify your employer in writing within 10 days of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Separately, you must file a WC15 claim with the Division of Workers' Compensation within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103). Missing either can reduce or bar your benefits.
What is the WC15 claim form in Colorado?
The WC15 is Colorado's Worker's Claim for Compensation form. Unlike some states, you file it yourself, directly with the Division of Workers' Compensation, rather than through your employer. Filing the WC15 within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103) formally opens your claim with the Division.
Who handles workers' compensation claims in Colorado?
The Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation (DOWC), part of the Department of Labor and Employment, administers the system. Your employer's insurer decides day to day whether to admit or deny your claim. If a dispute arises, an administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Courts decides it.
Colorado workers' compensation claim law at a glance
In Colorado, workers' compensation gives an employee who is injured on the job medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, regardless of fault. The system is run by the Division of Workers' Compensation (DOWC) within the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), and contested claims are decided by administrative law judges at the Office of Administrative Courts (OAC). You must notify your employer in writing of the injury within 10 days of its occurrence (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Reporting to your employer is separate from filing the claim. You file the claim yourself by submitting a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation to the Division within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103). If the claim is disputed, you file an Application for Hearing with the OAC, and an ALJ order can be appealed to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office (ICAO).
Filing a Colorado workers' compensation claim after a warehouse back injury
Suppose you hurt your back lifting boxes at a Colorado warehouse. You tell your supervisor and, within a few days, give written notice of the injury, staying inside the 10-day reporting deadline (C.R.S. 8-43-102). You see the treating provider your employer's insurer authorizes and keep every record. Because reporting to your employer does not file the claim, you also file a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation directly with the Division of Workers' Compensation. The insurer starts paying for treatment but later disputes your wage-replacement benefits. Because you must file within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103), you have preserved the claim, and you file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Relevant Laws
C.R.S. 8-43-102 (10-day written notice of injury to employer)
Requires every employee who sustains an injury from an accident to notify the employer in writing of the injury within ten days after the occurrence of the injury. Failing to give notice within ten days can reduce compensation unless the employer had knowledge of the injury or a reasonable excuse exists.
C.R.S. 8-43-103 (two-year limitation to file a claim)
Provides that the right to compensation and benefits is barred unless, within two years after the injury, a notice claiming compensation is filed with the division. The director may excuse a late filing within three years after the injury if a reasonable excuse exists and the employer's rights were not prejudiced.
Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation, Injured Workers guide
The DOWC injured-worker page instructs employees to tell their employer about the injury in writing within 10 working days, and to file a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation form with the Division within two years of the injury. It outlines the claim process administered by the DOWC within CDLE.
Regional Variances
Colorado workers' compensation claim rules at a glance
Reporting deadline
Written notice to your employer within 10 days of the injury's occurrence, under C.R.S. 8-43-102. Reporting late can reduce your compensation unless the employer already knew or you had a reasonable excuse.
Claim form
The WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation. You file it yourself, directly with the Division of Workers' Compensation, rather than through your employer, to open the claim.
Filing deadline
Generally two years from the date of injury to file the WC15 with the Division (C.R.S. 8-43-103). The period can extend to three years for a reasonable excuse if the employer was not prejudiced.
Who administers it
The Division of Workers' Compensation (DOWC), within the Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). Disputes are decided by administrative law judges at the Office of Administrative Courts (OAC).
How disputes are filed
By filing an Application for Hearing with the OAC when the insurer denies or disputes the claim. An ALJ order can be appealed to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office (ICAO) by filing a Petition to Review.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Report the injury to your employer in writing
Within 10 days of the injury days after startingGive your employer written notice of the injury within 10 days of its occurrence (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Reporting late can reduce your compensation unless the employer already knew, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy of the notice you provided.
Get authorized medical care
As soon as possible after the injury days after startingSeek treatment for your injury. In Colorado, the employer or its insurer generally selects the authorized treating provider, so ask who you should see. Keep every medical record, bill, and note about work restrictions to support your claim if benefits are later disputed.
File the WC15 claim with the Division
Within two years of the injury days after startingFile a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation directly with the Division of Workers' Compensation, not through your employer, within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103). Describe the injury and keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft.
Track the insurer's admission or denial
While the claim is pending days after startingThe employer's insurer will admit or deny liability by filing an admission or a notice of contest. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets, keep proof of what you sent, and note the injury date so you can protect the two-year filing window under C.R.S. 8-43-103.
File an Application for Hearing if disputed
When the claim is denied or benefits disputed days after startingIf the insurer denies your claim or disputes benefits, file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts, where an administrative law judge decides it. You can appeal an ALJ order to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office by filing a Petition to Review.
Keep both deadlines and your evidence organized
Ongoing after the injury days after startingKeep a file with the injury date, the date you gave written notice, your WC15 copy, and all medical records. Calendar both the 10-day reporting deadline and the two-year filing deadline so you never miss a step that could bar or reduce your benefits.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report the injury to your employer in writing | Give your employer written notice of the injury within 10 days of its occurrence (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Reporting late can reduce your compensation unless the employer already knew, so do this immediately and keep a dated copy of the notice you provided. | - | Within 10 days of the injury |
| Get authorized medical care | Seek treatment for your injury. In Colorado, the employer or its insurer generally selects the authorized treating provider, so ask who you should see. Keep every medical record, bill, and note about work restrictions to support your claim if benefits are later disputed. | - | As soon as possible after the injury |
| File the WC15 claim with the Division | File a WC15 Worker's Claim for Compensation directly with the Division of Workers' Compensation, not through your employer, within two years of the injury (C.R.S. 8-43-103). Describe the injury and keep a copy. Attorney review of your claim is available through DocDraft. | - | Within two years of the injury |
| Track the insurer's admission or denial | The employer's insurer will admit or deny liability by filing an admission or a notice of contest. Calendar any deadline the insurer sets, keep proof of what you sent, and note the injury date so you can protect the two-year filing window under C.R.S. 8-43-103. | - | While the claim is pending |
| File an Application for Hearing if disputed | If the insurer denies your claim or disputes benefits, file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts, where an administrative law judge decides it. You can appeal an ALJ order to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office by filing a Petition to Review. | - | When the claim is denied or benefits disputed |
| Keep both deadlines and your evidence organized | Keep a file with the injury date, the date you gave written notice, your WC15 copy, and all medical records. Calendar both the 10-day reporting deadline and the two-year filing deadline so you never miss a step that could bar or reduce your benefits. | - | Ongoing after the injury |
Frequently Asked Questions
A workers' compensation claim is how an employee injured on the job, or made sick by work, obtains medical care and wage-replacement benefits from the employer's insurer, without proving fault. In Colorado, you open a claim by filing a WC15 with the Division of Workers' Compensation, and disputes are decided by administrative law judges.
Reporting means giving your employer written notice of the injury, which you must do within 10 days (C.R.S. 8-43-102). Filing the claim is the separate step of submitting a WC15 form to the Division of Workers' Compensation. Reporting to your employer does not by itself file your claim.
You must notify your employer in writing within 10 days of the injury's occurrence (C.R.S. 8-43-102). The Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation instructs injured workers to tell the employer about the injury in writing. Reporting late can reduce your compensation, so give written notice promptly and keep a copy.
You generally have two years from the date of injury to file a WC15 claim with the Division of Workers' Compensation (C.R.S. 8-43-103). The right to compensation is barred unless a claim is filed within two years, though the period can extend to three years for a reasonable excuse.
Reporting after 10 days can reduce your benefits. C.R.S. 8-43-102 requires written notice to the employer within ten days of the injury. You may avoid a penalty if the employer already knew about the injury or you had a reasonable excuse, but the safest course is to report promptly.
Day to day, your employer's insurer decides whether to admit or deny your claim. If you disagree, you file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts, where an administrative law judge decides it. You can appeal that order to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office by filing a Petition to Review.
No. Colorado workers' compensation is a no-fault system, so you do not have to prove your employer did anything wrong to receive benefits. You generally need to show the injury arose out of and in the course of your employment. In exchange, benefits are set by statute rather than a jury.
If the insurer denies or disputes your claim, you file an Application for Hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts, and an administrative law judge decides it. You can appeal an ALJ order to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office within the required period. Attorney review of your case is available through DocDraft.
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