Question 1

How will Senate Bill 22-130 affect any work I accept from the public sector?

Accepted Answer

This law will permit state public entities to enter into agreements with private companies to develop and operate public projects.

Public-private partnerships involve the transfer of a public asset to a private company. The private company is then responsible for financing, designing, and constructing the project. It will maintain the asset for a certain period before transferring it back to the public sector.

In return, the private company may receive the right to fees generated by the public project, periodic payments based on project milestones or performance metrics, or other funding sources to support the initial improvements.

Question 2

How does House Bill 22-1347 affect workers' compensation?

Accepted Answer

This bill makes several changes to workers’ compensation benefits, including:

allows advance payment for some mileage expenses
raises funeral benefits to $12,500
requires reporting of medical-only claims after 180 days of active treatment.

HB22-1347 went into effect on August 10, 2022.

Question 3

Does Senate Bill 22-035 change how much insurance coverage a contractor must carry?

Accepted Answer

Kind of. Senate Bill22-035 aims to clarify minimum coverage levels for occupational accident insurance. This insurance provides an affordable option for workers-compensation coverage for independent small-truck owners for trucks weighing more than 16,001 pounds and commonly known as owner-operators in the state, according to an April 2022 report from Colorado Politics.

Under current Colorado law, common carriers and contract carriers may use independent contractors for transportation services. The contract must provide coverage under either workers’ compensation or an occupational accident insurance policy that provides similar coverage to that available under workers’ compensation. “Similar coverage” requires benefits that are at least comparable to the benefits offered under the workers’ compensation system. SB 22-035

SB 22-035 changes the definition of “similar coverage” to “an occupational accident insurance policy that provides a minimum aggregate policy limit of $1.5 million for all benefits paid for the benefit of the operator.” The act also defines “commercial vehicle” and “operator” for the purpose of occupational accident insurance required by independent contractors of carriers. source: Colorado General Assembly

Question 4

How will House Bill 22-1112 affect employee injury reporting and recordkeeping?

Accepted Answer

House Bill 1112 pertains to workers’ compensation injury notices. Injured workers now have 10 days to report their injuries instead of the previous four. Employers also must keep a written record of the report.

What are the 2022 law updates that Colorado contractors need to know?