CO HB1119

Creates the Colorado Uninsured Employer Act (Article 67) establishing a new Colorado Uninsured Employer Fund to pay workers' compensation benefits to injured employees of employers who failed to obtain or maintain required insurance.

Establishes a five-member Uninsured Employer Board (including the Division Director plus four appointed members representing employers, labor organizations, insurers, and injured worker attorneys) to administer the fund and set benefit payment standards.

Fund is financed through civil penalties, fines, and other revenue collected under workers' compensation statutes, plus gifts, grants, and appropriations; money remains in fund and is not subject to annual appropriation by the General Assembly.

Covers claims for injuries occurring on or after January 1, 2020 that have been adjudicated as compensable but the uninsured employer failed to pay; excludes owners, partners, officers, members, and individuals responsible for obtaining insurance coverage.

Uninsured employers must pay 25% of compensation or benefits owed to the Uninsured Employer Fund in addition to direct benefit payments; fund has lien rights against employer assets and can pursue collection actions.