Colorado expands cancer presumption for firefighters in workers' compensation claims

Original title: Firefighter Cancer Benefits & Workers' Compensation

Last action · June 3, 2026: Governor VetoedSponsors: Matt Ball and 35 others

Bill progressHistory & official text ↓

Introduced

Committee

Floor Vote

Passed

Law

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What This Bill Proposed

Colorado expands the types of cancer classified as s for firefighters and raises the evidentiary standard for employers and insurers seeking to deny claims, requiring instead of a preponderance of the evidence.

Why it matters

Firefighters seeking workers' compensation for newly covered cancers face a higher legal burden of proof for employers to overcome, though state-employed firefighters are exempted from the provisions.

Who It Would Have Affected

Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

Firefighters

Firefighters benefit from expanded cancer classifications and a stronger legal presumption that cancers contracted are job-related, except for those employed by the state.

Directly affected

Employers of firefighters

Firefighter employers face a higher evidentiary burden of clear and convincing evidence to rebut occupational cancer claims.

Directly affected

Insurers

Insurers must meet a stricter legal standard of proof to contest workers' compensation claims related to firefighter cancers.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is required for an employer to deny a firefighter's cancer workers' compensation claim under this act?

The employer or insurer must show that the cancer did not occur on the job.

Are all firefighters in Colorado covered by these changes?

No, the act explicitly exempts firefighters who are employed by the state.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

This bill did not become law - Vetoed by the governor.

Procedural history

13 actions

Jun 3, 2026Office of the Governor
Governor Vetoed
May 27, 2026Office of the GovernorEnrolled
Sent to the Governor
May 26, 2026SenateFloor
Signed by the President of the Senate
May 26, 2026HouseFloor
Signed by the Speaker of the House
May 13, 2026Senate
Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
May 12, 2026HouseFloor
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

Show 7 earlier actions

May 11, 2026House
House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor
May 9, 2026HouseCommittee
House Committee on State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole
May 7, 2026SenateFloor
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
May 7, 2026HouseIntroduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to State, Civic, Military, & Veterans Affairs
May 6, 2026Senate
Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
May 5, 2026SenateCommittee
Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
Apr 29, 2026SenateIntroduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology

Version history

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