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October 27, 2026

This is an official communication of Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE)’s Compliance Quarterly provides employers with important reminders, upcoming deadlines and engagement opportunities relevant to the labor laws enforced by CDLE’s regulatory divisions. Update your subscriber preferences and make sure your colleagues are subscribed by sharing this link.

Need to Know

Rules & Regs

Upcoming Deadlines & Effective Dates

Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS)

• Direct Care employers must ensure that all current direct care workers complete the “Know Your Rights” Training for Direct Care Workers by March 31, 2027. For any workers hired after October 1, 2026, the training must be completed within six months of the hire date. Please see further requirements for direct care employers at directcaretraining.cdle.co.

Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

• 2026 Q3 Wage Reports Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026.*  Applies to all employers using a FAMLI plan & reporting wages in My FAMLI+ Employer. Submit reports through My FAMLI+ Employer. 
  • *October 31 falls on a Saturday in 2026, so the deadline lands on the next business day.
• New 2027 Premium Rate: The lower premium rate of 0.86% will take effect January 1, 2027.
• IRS Updates Begin in January: Under IRS Rev. Rul. 2025-4, part of your employees’ FAMLI medical-leave benefits will be treated as taxable wages (“third-party sick pay”) beginning in 2027. 
  • The taxable portion is 50% of the medical-leave benefit. You pay the employer share of FICA and FUTA on that portion, and FAMLI withholds and pays the employee share of FICA.
  • More information is published on the FAMLI website and in this IRS FAQ Packet.
• Private Plan Deadlines: 
  • New applications and material changes to existing plans are due November 1, 2026. Send material change requests to cdle_famli_privateplans@state.co.us.  If you are changing carriers, the deadline to submit your request is November 26th.
  • Maintenance fees are due December 31, 2026.

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• 2026 Q3 Payment and Reporting Deadline: Monday, November 2, 2026. Quarterly wage detail reports and wage adjustments must be submitted through MyUI Employer +. 
• 2027 Employer Premium Rates: 2027 Employer Annual Rate Notices will be available in MyUI Employer+ the week of October 25. Employers with mailed communications preferences will also receive their notice in the mail.
• Rate Protest Period: UI Rate protests must be submitted through MyUI Employer+ within 20 days of the date listed on the Annual (or Amended) Rate Notice.
• Mailed Benefit Charging Protests Discontinued. The Division no longer accepts benefit charging protests by mail, per Regulations Concerning Employment Security (7.2.6). Benefit charging protests must be submitted electronically through MyUI Employer+.

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)

• The Division of Workers’ Compensation adopted changes to Rule 16: Utilization Standards and Rule 18: Fee Schedule. You may access additional documents listing Rule 16 Changes and Rule 18 Changes to better understand what adjustments were made. The updates are effective January 1, 2027. 

Division of Oil & Public Safety (OPS)

• Amusement Rides registration fees are increasing on January 1, 2027. Go to the OPS Application Information page for more information.
• Register your retail EV charger with OPS by January 1, 2027, to comply with the Retail EV Charger Regulations. Go to the OPS Forms page for more information.

Upcoming Rulemaking Dates

Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS)

• DLSS is holding a public hearing on Monday, November 2, 2026, from 1 to 3 p.m. prior to the adoption of proposed amendments to the following two rules:
  • Publication and Yearly Calculation of Adjusted Labor Compensation Order (PAYCALC Order), 7 CCR 1103-14
  • Colorado Overtime Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order), 7 CCR 1103-1
• For details on the rulemaking process, the full text of the proposed rules, and the form to RSVP and submit public comments on these rules, visit the DLSS Rulemaking page. 
• The proposed statement of basis and purpose that accompanies the proposed rules will be published by October 27, 2026.

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• UI is proposing two regulatory changes that will impact CO employers. The proposed amendments include:
• Pattern of Failing to Respond (Prohibition of Non-Charging (PNC)): Establishing a process and procedure for an employer’s pattern of failing to respond to Division requests, and for ensuring the Division's authority to implement its Prohibition of Non-Charging (PNC) process.
• Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA): Creating a policy that establishes clear RESEA requirements for UI claimants.

• To submit a public comment, visit the UI Rulemaking page or attend the public hearing on Wednesday, November 18, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. Registration for the hearing will be published to the UI Rulemaking page no later than November 1, 2026. The public comment period closes Friday, November 20, 2026. 

Compliance Assistance

Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS)

• Employers can request webinars, in-person presentations, or other outreach formats related to Labor Standards topics by completing the Labor Standards Outreach Request Form.

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• Please contact cdle_ui_employer_outreach@state.co.us for more information or to request a UI Employer Workshop.

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)

• The DOWC is always eager to work with employers to understand compliance or to start saving money through the free Premium Cost Containment program. If you ever have any questions or training needs, please email the DOWC Education & Outreach Unit at cdle_dowc_communications@state.co.us.

Division of Oil & Public Safety (OPS)

• OPS is happy to work with our stakeholders.  Please reach out to us at cdle_ops@state.co.us or visit our website for specific program contacts.

Tech Updates 

Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

Coming November 11, 2026:

• Save a wage report and finish later. Start a wage report, save it as a draft, and come back to submit it, so quarter-end filing no longer has to happen in one sitting. Launching in English and Spanish.
• Faster payment plan decisions. If you arrange to pay premiums over time, eligible payment plan requests will be approved automatically, so you get an answer without waiting on a manual review.
• Smoother account-type changes. Changing your account type, including to or from a PEO or TPA, will move through the portal more cleanly.

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• Bulk Correspondence Download for TPAs - TPAs users can now download a ZIP file with up to 100 correspondences. Any ZIP file with 20+ correspondences will be batched overnight and available the next day. You can download and view up to 10 ZIP files at a time.
• Employer Correspondence Search Screen Update - Search results now display up to 500 in-system correspondences at a time; 100 correspondences per page, up to 5 pages at a time.

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)

• CoComp, the new claims management system, is now live and handling most processes for DOWC staff. There is also limited portal functionality for insurers and third-party administrators (TPAs). Looking ahead to 2027 and 2028, CoComp access and capabilities will expand to employers, medical providers, attorneys, and injured workers. To ensure a smooth transition, the DOWC will launch new features and bring on user groups in stages throughout 2027. 

Nice to Know

Upcoming Engagement Opportunities

CDLE’s Quarterly Compliance Live Webinar

The next Compliance Quarterly Live Webinar will be held over Zoom on Thursday, December 3, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a focus on what’s to come in 2027. Register in advance on Zoom today!

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• The Understanding UI Employer Workshop is a free presentation to help employers better understand Colorado's UI laws. Employers will learn about their rights, responsibilities, and best practices for maintaining compliance. Contact cdle_ui_employer_outreach@state.co.us for more information. 

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)

• The DOWC launched an effort to unify all nine Medical Treatment Guidelines (MTGs) into a single consolidated exhibit under Rule 17. This project addresses feedback asking for guidelines that are easier to use in daily practice. If you have any questions or feedback about the guidelines, please reach out to the MTG team at cdle_dowc_mtg@state.co.us.

Division of Oil & Public Safety (OPS)

• Learn From the Past: One Colorado Operator’s Experience. Statewide Lessons for Safety. Colorado amusement ride operators and inspectors are invited to register to join us for a free day of training focused on compliance, lessons learned from real-world experience, and ways we can continue strengthening amusement ride safety across the state on Thursday, November 12, 2026 at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park. In-person attendees will get a tour of Crystal Tower, formerly known as the Haunted Mine Drop. 
  Use the following links to register:
  • In person registration
  • Virtual registration:
    • 9 a.m. Keys to Compliance session
    • 12 p.m. Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park Lessons Learned session

Resources & Toolkits

Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS)

• The DLSS Labor Law Guidance & Education webpage includes multiple forms of published guidance for Colorado employers and employees:
• INFOs: (Interpretive Notices and Formal Opinions) — the Division’s approved notices, opinions, and explanations on various labor law topics.
• KNOWLEDGEs: (Knowledge for Workers on Labor Law is Empowering & Drives Good Employment) — one-page summaries for employees on their labor rights.
• Labor Rules: The DLSS “Labor Rules” webpage has been updated to group rule sets for easier navigation.
• Labor Law Videos: These are short educational videos about Colorado labor laws, including “Overtime Pay” and “Vacation Pay at Separation.” Other published labor law guidance includes public notices, reports, and other releases from DLSS.

Division of Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

• File specifications and file templates for wage reporting for third party administrators (TPAs) are published on FAMLI’s TPA page.
• User guides and how-to videos for employers are published on the My FAMLI+ Employer page. 
• User guides and how-to videos for the appeals process are published on FAMLI’s appeals page. 
• Information for self-employed and local government employees is on the Opting In page. 
• FAMLI also has various tools to help employers communicate with staff available in the toolkit and marketing kit.

Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI)

• UI Employer Premium Rate schedules, information and resources are available on the Premiums page. 
• UI wage reporting requirements, information and resources are available on the Wage Reporting page.
• CO employers can find more information and resources to manage their online MyUI Employer+ account on the Employer Resources page.
• Information and resources for TPAs managing employer UI accounts are available on the TPA Toolkit page.

Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)

• The DOWC offers a number of workers’ compensation resources for employers and workers. Many are also offered in Spanish. Visit the DOWC publication page to find useful information for you and your employees.
• The DOWC’s Premium Cost Containment (PCC) Program provides free support for employers to lower costs and improve safety. Prioritizing workplace safety can help prevent accidents, foster a positive work environment, and attract top talent. Additionally, PCC-certified employers receive a direct discount on their workers’ compensation premiums. The PCC Program team is ready to help employers prevent injuries and save money.

Division of Oil & Public Safety (OPS)

• For those interested in becoming Registered Service Agents (RSA) to place retail EV chargers into service, upskilling resources exist through the Rocky Mountain Education Center at Red Rocks Community College to help prepare for the National Council of Weights and Measures exam. For more information or to register, visit the program catalog page. 
• The Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission has published guidance for underground utility locators. Go to the Best Practices & Standards page to see all of the guidance the Safety Commission has created for the excavation industry.
• Keys to Compliance sessions conducted online (in person options available); next event is November 12, 2026.  Please register if you plan to attend.
• Our Retail EV forms page has a link to a PDF registration form and an online form, so owners can choose the option that works best for them.  There is no fee associated with registering retail EV chargers with OPS.