HB 24-1139

House Bill 24-1139, which has been approved by the governor and will take effect on August 7, 2024, changes Colorado’s workers’ compensation law. Under this bill, surviving spouses of state employees who worked in high-risk jobs (such as those in law enforcement, firefighting, corrections, and wildlife protection) will receive lifetime death benefits if they are eligible, even if they remarry. Previously, these benefits would have ended upon remarriage. This change ensures that the families of deceased state workers in dangerous occupations receive long-term financial support.

Official Summary

Pursuant to the "Workers' Compensation Act of Colorado", death benefits will be paid to a dependent surviving spouse of a deceased employee for life, regardless of remarriage, rather than until remarriage, if the surviving spouse receives death benefits pursuant to law and the deceased employee was a state employee who worked in a job with a high-risk classification. A job with a "high-risk classification" means certain employees of the Colorado state patrol; certain employees of the Colorado bureau of investigation; certain employees of the department of corrections; firefighters, investigators, and fire marshals employed by the division of fire prevention and control in the department of public safety; wildlife officers and parks and recreation officers employed by the division of wildlife in the department of natural resources; employees of the department of transportation responsible for highway safety and maintenance; and employees of a state institution of higher education who are vested with the powers of a peace officer. APPROVED by Governor April 4, 2024 EFFECTIVE August 7, 2024(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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