SB 26-184

Senate Bill 26-184 updates Colorado’s Workers' Compensation Act to provide stronger benefits for firefighters who develop cancer or neurological conditions related to their work. The bill expands the types of cancers that are presumed to be job-related and makes it harder for employers to dispute these presumptions by requiring them to prove otherwise with clear and convincing evidence. However, state-employed firefighters are not covered under this new law. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official and will affect firefighter benefits going forward.

Official Summary

Currently, the 'Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado' provides that certain cancers contracted by firefighters are considered occupational diseases presumed to have been a result of the firefighters' employment. A firefighter's employer or an insurer may rebut this presumption by showing by a preponderance of the medical evidence that the cancer did not occur on the job.     The act expands the types of cancer that are considered occupational diseases and strengthens the rebuttable presumption to require an employer to show clear and convincing evidence that the cancer did not occur on the job.     The act exempts firefighters who are employed by the state.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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