HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025 - RESO 24 - Oppose HB25-1300CITY OF WHEAT RIDGE, COLORADO
RESOLUTION NO. 24
SERIES OF 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION IN OPPOSITION OF HB25-1300 WORKERS’
COMPENSATION BENEFITS PROOF OF ENTITLEMENT
WHEREAS, the City of Wheat Ridge is committed to protecting the health, safety, and well-being of its employees and ensuring timely, high-quality medical care and
support for workers injured on the job; and
WHEREAS, HB25-1300 would require injured employees to select a treating
physician from a broad directory maintained by the Division of Workers’ Compensation
(DOWC), rather than from a panel designated by their employer, potentially introducing confusion and delays in care; and
WHEREAS, the state directory may include out-of-state physicians and specialists not suited for primary care, including those without training in occupational medicine, and
may hinder employers' ability to recommend qualified local providers; and
WHEREAS, HB25-1300 would expand the allowable geographic range for physician selection, potentially requiring employers to cover travel expenses for
treatment despite the availability of local providers; and
WHEREAS, the bill does not limit how frequently an employee can change
physicians, leading to fragmented care, delays, and increased administrative complexity;
and
WHEREAS, data from Pinnacol Assurance demonstrates that the current system
is effective, with minimal requests for physician changes, high approval rates for treatment requests, and fewer than 0.05% of claims needing physician changes in 2024;
and
WHEREAS, a similar bill proposed in 2021 was estimated to increase medical costs by more than 6.5%, and HB25-1300 would trigger a 2.5% premium increase for
Pinnacol policyholders, including the City of Wheat Ridge, per DOI Rule 5-1-11(F); and
WHEREAS, the proposed changes would likely increase the duration of temporary
total disability (TTD) benefits, further raising costs for employers and workers’
compensation premiums; and
WHEREAS, employers, including the City of Wheat Ridge, already provide effective
medical resources that support timely recovery and high satisfaction with care.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Wheat Ridge, Colorado, as follows:
Section 1. The City of Wheat Ridge opposes HB25-1300, as it limits employers’
ability to guide injured workers to appropriate care, creates unnecessary complexity in
the treatment process, and introduces unfunded cost burdens without a clear policy justification. The bill disrupts a system that is currently serving workers well and may lead to a delay in care, higher medical expenses, and longer recovery periods. The City urges the Colorado State Legislature to reject HB25-1300 and directs its staff to advocate
accordingly.
DONE AND RESOLVED this 28th day of April 2025
ATTEST:
_________________________________________ Margy Greer, Sr. Deputy City Clerk
_______________________________________
Bud Starker, Mayor