Workers Comp Cost in Colorado
2026 rates — mandatory for most Colorado employers
Calculate Your Colorado Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — Colorado 2026
| Industry Class | Risk Level | Rate / $100 payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical / Office (8810) | Very Low | $0.20 – $0.45 |
| Retail / Wholesale (8017–8018) | Low | $0.80 – $2.00 |
| Restaurant / Food Service (9082) | Moderate | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Light Manufacturing (3632) | Moderate | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Trucking / Delivery (7219–7231) | High | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Construction / Carpentry (5645) | High | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Roofing (5551) | Very High | $8.00 – $18.00 |
Rates are advisory/illustrative. Actual Colorado rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
Workers Comp in Colorado — Key Facts
1. Colorado Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in Colorado (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
Colorado uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in Colorado are above the national average. Compare multiple carriers for the best rates — differences of 20–40% for the same class code are common.
2. Top Cost Tips for Colorado
Colorado employers: (1) verify your class codes are correctly assigned — misclassification is common and can significantly inflate premiums; (2) implement a documented safety program — this qualifies for premium credits with many carriers; (3) pay-as-you-go workers' comp eliminates large audit surprises.
Compare Workers Comp Quotes in Colorado
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
Colorado Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.68 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$8,400/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: above average
- →Mandatory: Yes