Colorado Workers' Compensation Insurance
Everything you need to know about workers' comp in Colorado: when it's required, who's exempt, average rates, and how to get coverage in 60 seconds.
When is workers' comp required in Colorado?
Required for any employer with one or more employees, full or part-time.
Sole proprietor & partnership rules
Sole proprietors are exempt unless they elect coverage.
Owner / corporate officer exclusion
Corporate officers may reject coverage by filing rejection of coverage form.
Colorado-specific notes
Pinnacol Assurance is the largest carrier — formerly state-owned.
How much does workers' comp cost in Colorado?
The average workers' comp rate in Colorado is approximately $0.92 per $100 of payroll. Your actual rate depends on your industry class code, claims history, payroll size, and carrier.
Example: a Colorado business with $100,000 in payroll at the state average rate would pay approximately $920 per year. A clerical-only business (class code 8810) would pay much less; a roofing contractor (5551) would pay much more.
Want an exact rate for your business?
Class code rates vary widely. Get a free quote and we'll look up your exact Colorado rate for your industry.
Get My Colorado Quote →Colorado workers' comp by industry
Industry-specific rates, common class codes, and requirements for Colorado businesses:
Frequently asked — Colorado workers' comp
Do I need workers' comp if I have only one employee in Colorado?
Yes — Colorado requires workers' comp coverage starting with one employee.
Are 1099 contractors covered under my Colorado workers' comp policy?
Generally no — true independent contractors are not employees and not covered. However, Colorado (like most states) applies an "ABC test" or similar to determine if a 1099 worker is actually a misclassified employee. If they're misclassified, you may owe back premium and penalties. Many general contractors require their 1099 subs to carry their own workers' comp.
Can I get pay-as-you-go workers' comp in Colorado?
Yes — most major carriers offer pay-as-you-go workers' comp in Colorado, with premium based on actual payroll each pay period instead of a large upfront deposit.
What if I'm being audited by my Colorado workers' comp carrier?
Workers' comp audits often result in additional premium owed because of misclassified employees, missed payroll, or wrong class codes. We offer free audit reviews and can dispute incorrect classifications with your carrier. In many cases we save clients thousands.