The Colorado workers comp waiting period is the number of days you must be off work after a job injury before wage-loss benefits start — 3 days in Colorado, set by C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(a) (if the disability does not last longer than three days from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, no wage benefits are owed; only medical benefits are paid).
This guide explains how the Colorado workers comp waiting period is counted, when Colorado pays those days back, what is still covered during the wait, and what to do if your first check is late. Figures verified against Colorado sources as of October 2026.
Colorado at a Glance
| Waiting period | 3 days (C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(a) (if the disability does not last longer than three days from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, no wage benefits are owed; only medical benefits are paid)) |
| Paid back after | 14 days of disability (C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(b) (if the disability lasts longer than two weeks from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, wage benefits are owed back to the day the worker left work)) |
| Medical care during the wait | Yes. Under C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(a), the 3-day wait applies only to wage-loss benefits. Authorized medical, surgical, hospital, and nursing care is covered from day one, whatever the waiting period (C.R.S. § 8-42-101). |
| First check due | 20 days. Under C.R.S. § 8-43-203(1)(a), the insurer must tell the Division and the injured worker in writing whether it admits or contests liability within 20 days after the employer’s injury report was filed or should have been filed. Payment generally begins with the admission of liability. (Note: one secondary source puts it as “within 20 days of the first day of lost time.” Confirm with the Division.) |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (two-thirds of average weekly wage, C.R.S. § 8-42-105(1))% of your average weekly wage |
| 2026 max weekly benefit | $1464.12 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) |
In This Colorado Guide:
How Long Is the Colorado Workers Comp Waiting Period?
Colorado applies a 3 days Colorado workers comp waiting period to wage-loss benefits — temporary total disability — not to medical care. The clock starts with your first day of disability, not the day you report the injury, so the two dates can differ.
Colorado measures both the 3-day wait and the 2-week payback from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, not from the date of injury. Once the disability passes two weeks, wage benefits are owed all the way back to that first day off.
The 2026–27 maximum weekly benefit is reached at an average weekly wage of about 2196.18 (secondary source; confirm with the Division’s 2026 Maximum Benefits Order).
When the Colorado Workers Comp Waiting Period Is Paid Back
The second number matters as much as the first. In Colorado the Colorado workers comp waiting period is paid back once your disability lasts 14 days (C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(b) (if the disability lasts longer than two weeks from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, wage benefits are owed back to the day the worker left work)).
So a worker out for two weeks or more usually recovers the first 3 days; a worker back in a few days usually does not.
Colorado Workers Comp Waiting Period Rules at a Glance
Every number below comes from Colorado sources; the statute column is where to check it yourself.
| Waiting period (days) | 3 |
| Statute | C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(a) (if the disability does not last longer than three days from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, no wage benefits are owed; only medical benefits are paid) |
| Retroactive after (days) | 14 |
| Retroactive statute | C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(b) (if the disability lasts longer than two weeks from the day the worker leaves work because of the injury, wage benefits are owed back to the day the worker left work) |
| First payment due | 20 days. Under C.R.S. § 8-43-203(1)(a), the insurer must tell the Division and the injured worker in writing whether it admits or contests liability within 20 days after the employer’s injury report was filed or should have been filed. Payment generally begins with the admission of liability. (Note: one secondary source puts it as “within 20 days of the first day of lost time.” Confirm with the Division.) |
| Late-payment penalty | C.R.S. § 8-43-203(2)(a): if the insurer fails to admit or contest on time, it may owe up to one day’s compensation for each day of delay. (The 365-day cap on that penalty is from recall, not a source I checked: confirm.) C.R.S. § 8-43-401(2)(a): benefits must be paid within 30 days after they are due, and an 8% penalty on wrongfully withheld benefits applies when payment is knowingly delayed (unless due to excusable neglect). Interest at 8% per year on benefits not paid when due (C.R.S. § 8-43-410(2)) is from recall and was not checked: confirm. Confirm all penalty amounts with the Division and a licensed attorney. |
| Wage-loss rate | 66.67 (two-thirds of average weekly wage, C.R.S. § 8-42-105(1))% |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1464.12 (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027) |
How Colorado Counts the Days
States differ on whether the day of injury counts, whether weekends and holidays count, and whether a half day at work breaks the streak. The Colorado rule is in the table above; when in doubt, count calendar days from the first full day you could not work and confirm with the insurer.
Light-duty days are the common trap: if you go back on modified duty at full pay, most states stop the disability clock, and the Colorado workers comp waiting period may have to restart if you go out again. Keep your doctor’s work restrictions in writing.
What Is Covered During the Waiting Period
Yes. Under C.R.S. § 8-42-103(1)(a), the 3-day wait applies only to wage-loss benefits. Authorized medical, surgical, hospital, and nursing care is covered from day one, whatever the waiting period (C.R.S. § 8-42-101).
Report the injury to your employer in writing as soon as it happens, see an authorized doctor, and keep a copy of every form. Those three steps protect the claim whether or not the Colorado workers comp waiting period ends up being paid back.
If Your First Colorado Check Is Late
Many claimants first contact the insurance adjuster named on the claim. If no admission of liability, denial, or check arrives within about 20 days, call the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation Customer Service Unit at 303-318-8700 or toll-free 888-390-7936. They can explain the claim status and how to ask for a hearing with the Office of Administrative Courts. Confirm your specific situation with the Division and a licensed attorney.
First payment deadline: 20 days. Under C.R.S. § 8-43-203(1)(a), the insurer must tell the Division and the injured worker in writing whether it admits or contests liability within 20 days after the employer’s injury report was filed or should have been filed. Payment generally begins with the admission of liability.
📨 Get Free Workers Comp Guides Alerts
Free · No spam · Unsubscribe anytime
(Note: one secondary source puts it as “within 20 days of the first day of lost time.” Confirm with the Division.). Late penalty: C.R.S. § 8-43-203(2)(a): if the insurer fails to admit or contest on time, it may owe up to one day’s compensation for each day of delay.
(The 365-day cap on that penalty is from recall, not a source I checked: confirm.) C.R.S. § 8-43-401(2)(a): benefits must be paid within 30 days after they are due, and an 8% penalty on wrongfully withheld benefits applies when payment is knowingly delayed (unless due to excusable neglect). Interest at 8% per year on benefits not paid when due (C.R.S. § 8-43-410(2)) is from recall and was not checked: confirm.
Confirm all penalty amounts with the Division and a licensed attorney..
Why the Colorado Workers Comp Waiting Period Exists
Every state uses a waiting period to keep very short absences out of the wage-loss system, the way a deductible works on a car policy. The Colorado workers comp waiting period is on the shorter end of the national range of three to seven days, and the payback rule decides whether a longer injury recovers it.
If any part of the Colorado workers comp waiting period is unclear for your case, the state agency’s information line can confirm the count and the insurer’s deadline at no cost.
Next step: once the Colorado workers comp waiting period has run, the claim itself decides what you are paid. Our Colorado claim guide covers the reporting deadline, the forms and what to do if the insurer disputes the injury.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the workers comp waiting period in Colorado?
Colorado requires 3 days of disability before wage-loss benefits start. Medical care is covered from day one.
Does Colorado pay the waiting period back?
Yes, once your disability lasts 14 days or more the waiting period is paid retroactively. Keep your doctor’s off-work note; it is the proof.
What if my first Colorado workers comp check is late?
Call the insurer, then the state agency listed in the sources. Many states set a deadline for the first payment and a penalty for missing it.
Official Colorado Sources & Resources
- Colorado Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Division of Workers’ Compensation: https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc
- Colorado Workers’ Comp Statute: https://leg.colorado.gov/colorado-revised-statutes (Title 8, Articles 40–47, Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act; benefits page: https://cdle.colorado.gov/dwc/injured-workers/understand-potential-benefits)
- U.S. Department of Labor — Workers’ Comp: dol.gov
- Insurance Information Institute: iii.org
This Colorado workers comp waiting period guide was last verified against official Colorado sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.
You May Also Like
More Colorado Workers’ Comp Guides
- How to File a Colorado Workers’ Comp Claim
- Colorado Workers’ Comp Settlements
- Colorado Workers’ Comp Requirements (Employers)
- Workers’ Comp Guides for All 50 States
Disclaimer: This guide is informational only and is not legal, medical, or financial advice. Workers Comp Explained is an independent educational resource, not a law firm or insurer. Workers’ comp benefits, settlement values, deadlines, and requirements vary by state and by the specific facts of your injury and change over time, and any settlement figures here are illustrative only.
Confirm your rights and any deadline with your state’s workers’ compensation board and a licensed attorney before you act.