Temporary Disability Benefits Colorado Workers Comp – How TTD and TPD Really Work

This guide is for Colorado workers who have suffered a job-related injury and need to understand their rights to temporary disability benefits. If you’ve been hurt on the job in Colorado, understanding your temporary disability benefits in Colorado workers compensation can mean the difference between financial stability and falling behind on bills. We cover the rules, eligibility, calculation, and common pitfalls of Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits under Colorado workers compensation law. This guide breaks down exactly how Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) work under Colorado workers compensation laws—and what to do when the insurance company tries to shortchange you. In Colorado, temporary disability benefits are available to workers who are unable to work due to a work-related injury or illness.

Quick Answer: How Temporary Disability Benefits Work in Colorado

Colorado temporary disability benefits come in two forms: Temporary Total Disability (TTD) and Temporary Partial Disability (TPD). Both are wage replacement benefits under Colorado workers compensation law designed to help injured workers stay afloat financially while recovering from a work related injury.

TTD pays when an injured worker is completely off work on doctor’s orders. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are paid at two-thirds of your average weekly wage every two weeks. Injured workers may receive temporary total disability benefits if they are unable to work at all due to their injury. TPD pays when the worker is back to work but earning less due to injury-related restrictions—whether that means reduced hours, lighter duties, or a lower-paying position. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are paid when you return to work but are not earning your normal pay due to your injury. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury wages and current earnings.

Temporary disability benefits usually start after you’ve missed more than three scheduled shifts. Here’s an important detail many workers don’t know: if you’re off work for more than two weeks (14 calendar days), those first three days get paid retroactively. Insurance companies often “forget” to mention this.

Insurance carriers frequently underpay or cut off TTD and TPD benefits in Pueblo and throughout Colorado. Getting proper legal advice quickly can prevent costly mistakes that follow you through your entire workers comp claim. If you’re dealing with a benefit dispute, call Johnston Law Firm, LLC at (719) 309-9484 or message us online for immediate guidance.

Falling behind on bills is a real risk for injured workers. Medical bills can quickly accumulate after a work injury, making it crucial to secure sufficient workers compensation benefits to cover these expenses.

Attorney Steve Johnston is a Pueblo-based workers compensation lawyer who represents injured workers across Colorado, including Otero, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Crowley Counties. His practice focuses heavily on temporary disability disputes—the exact situations where insurance companies try to save money at your expense.

What Are Temporary Disability Benefits in Colorado Workers’ Comp?

Temporary disability benefits are wage replacement payments under Colorado law (Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-42-103) for injured workers who can’t work or can’t earn their regular wages while recovering from a workplace injury or occupational illness. Your medical condition, as evaluated by your authorized treating physician, is a key factor in determining your eligibility for temporary disability benefits.

There are two categories you need to understand:

• Temporary Total Disability (TTD): Paid when you’re completely off work because your authorized treating physician says you can’t perform any job duties. Temporary Total Disability (TTD) benefits are paid at two-thirds of your average weekly wage every two weeks.

• Temporary Partial Disability (TPD): Paid when you return to work but earn less than your pre injury wages because of medical restrictions. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are paid when you return to work but are not earning your normal pay due to your injury. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury wages and current earnings.

These benefits come from your employer’s workers compensation insurance carrier—not the State of Colorado or the Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation. Employers are legally required to pay benefits for eligible injured workers through their insurance. Payments typically arrive every two weeks once your claim is accepted.

One detail that surprises many injured workers: temporary disability benefits are tax-free under current federal and Colorado rules. This makes the “two thirds” benefit rate more valuable than it initially sounds. A $600 weekly TTD check puts roughly the same amount in your pocket as $750-800 in taxable wages.

Johnston Law Firm, LLC helps injured workers understand how temporary disability interacts with permanent partial disability, permanent total disability, and disfigurement benefits that may apply later in your claim.

Medical Treatment and Recovery: The Foundation of Your Claim

Medical treatment is the cornerstone of any successful workers compensation claim in Colorado. After a work related injury, your first priority should be to seek prompt medical care from an authorized treating physician. This doctor will not only diagnose and treat your injury, but also document your condition and outline any work restrictions—critical steps for securing temporary disability benefits.

Authorized Treating Physician

Your authorized treating physician is the doctor designated to manage your care and provide the medical documentation needed for your claim. Always ensure you are seeing a provider approved by your employer or their insurance carrier.

Importance of Medical Appointments

Throughout your recovery, it’s essential to attend all scheduled medical appointments and follow your physician’s recommendations closely. Missing appointments or disregarding medical advice can jeopardize your eligibility for temporary total disability (TTD) or temporary partial disability (TPD) benefits, as insurance carriers may argue you’re not cooperating with your treatment plan.

Reaching Maximum Medical Improvement (MMI)

The ultimate goal of medical care in a workers compensation claim is to help you reach maximum medical improvement (MMI). This is the point where your condition has stabilized and further significant recovery is unlikely, even with additional treatment. Until you reach maximum medical improvement mmi, you may continue to receive temporary disability benefits to help replace lost wages if you’re unable to work or can only work in a limited capacity.

Remember, your medical treatment and recovery process directly impact your right to disability benefits. Always keep records of your medical visits, follow your authorized treating physician’s instructions, and communicate any changes in your condition to both your doctor and your employer. Doing so not only supports your health, but also strengthens your workers compensation claim and ensures you receive the wage replacement and medical care you deserve.

Once you have begun your recovery process, the next step is to ensure your claim is properly filed to secure your benefits.

Filing a Workers Compensation Claim in Colorado: Step-by-Step

Navigating the Colorado workers compensation system starts with taking the right steps immediately after your injury. Here’s how to protect your right to workers compensation benefits:

Reporting Your Injury

1. Report Your Injury Promptly: Notify your employer about your work related injury as soon as possible—ideally in writing and within four days. You must report the injury in writing within 10 working days. Delays can complicate your claim or even result in lost benefits.

Employer's Responsibilities

2. Employer’s Written Notice: Your employer is required to provide written notice of your injury to the Colorado Division of Workers Compensation. This step officially starts the claims process.

Filing Your Own Claim

3. File Your Claim: You may also file a Workers’ Claim for Compensation form directly with the division to ensure your claim is on record. This is especially important if your employer fails to report your injury.

4. Seek Medical Treatment: Get care from an authorized treating physician, and keep detailed records of all medical treatment, prescriptions, and related expenses.

5. Document Everything: Maintain copies of all paperwork, including medical reports, wage statements, and correspondence with your employer or the insurance company. Track any lost wages due to missed work or medical appointments.

6. Monitor Your Claim: The insurance carrier will review your claim and determine eligibility for medical benefits, temporary disability benefits, and other compensation. Stay in contact with your claims adjuster and respond promptly to any requests for information.

7. Consult an Attorney if Needed: If you encounter delays, denials, or disputes over your workers compensation claim, consider consulting a knowledgeable attorney. Legal guidance can help ensure you receive all benefits you’re entitled to under Colorado law.

By following these steps and keeping thorough records, injured workers can maximize their chances of receiving the medical benefits, lost wage compensation, and disability benefits they need to recover and move forward.

After your claim is filed, understanding how your wage replacement benefits are calculated is the next crucial step.

Temporary Total Disability (TTD) – When You’re Completely Off Work

TTD in Colorado is paid when an authorized treating physician takes you completely off work—or when your employer cannot accommodate the work restrictions your doctor has assigned. If there’s no suitable light-duty or modified position available, you qualify for TTD benefits.

Here’s how TTD is calculated:

Concrete example: A warehouse worker in Pueblo earning $900 per week (AWW) before their injury would receive TTD benefits of $600 per week ($900 × 0.6667). That $600 is tax-free, so it often covers close to the same expenses as their previous take-home pay.

For higher earners, the maximum benefit rate caps your payments. Even if you earned $3,000 per week before your injury, your TTD maxes out at $1,396.85 for injuries occurring between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026.

The waiting period rule works like this: no TTD is paid for the first three shifts you miss. However, if your disability lasts more than 14 calendar days, those three days get paid retroactively. Make sure your insurance carrier pays this—many don’t unless you demand it.

To keep receiving TTD benefits, you must:

• Follow your authorized treating physician’s treatment plan

• Attend medical appointments as scheduled

• Not take yourself off work without a doctor’s note

• Accept suitable modified duty work if offered

Insurance carriers may cut off or deny TTD if you quit your job, get fired for cause, or refuse a legitimate light-duty position.

If your TTD has been delayed, reduced, or stopped: Call Johnston Law Firm, LLC at (719) 309-9484 or send us a message online for a free, no-obligation review of your temporary disability payments.

When Do TTD Benefits Start and Stop in Colorado?

TTD benefits begin once two conditions are met:

1. The insurance company admits (accepts) your workers compensation claim

2. You’ve missed more than three scheduled workdays because your authorized treating physician took you off work or gave restrictions your employer can’t accommodate

TTD benefits end when any of these events occur:

• You return to regular or modified work at your pre injury wages

• Your doctor determines you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI)

• You refuse a bona fide modified-duty job offer

• You’re terminated for specific types of misconduct unrelated to your injury

• The insurance carrier successfully contests your benefits at a hearing

Watch out for premature MMI: Insurance companies sometimes pressure doctors to declare injured workers at maximum medical improvement mmi earlier than medically appropriate—because once MMI is declared, TTD stops. Steve Johnston regularly challenges premature MMI findings and inappropriate benefit cutoffs at Division of Workers Compensation hearings.

Example Timeline for a Pueblo Worker:

If you’ve received a Notice of Contest, Notice of Suspension, or Final Admission of Liability (FAL) affecting your TTD, contact Johnston Law Firm immediately at (719) 309-9484 or message us online.

How Colorado Calculates Your Average Weekly Wage for TTD

Your average weekly wage is the foundation of every TTD and TPD calculation. Even a small error in AWW can cost thousands of dollars over the life of your workers compensation claim.

AWW is typically calculated using your earnings in the weeks or months before your injury, including:

• Hourly wages or salary

• Regular overtime pay

• Shift differentials

• Tips (in some cases)

• Bonuses

• Income from a second job (when properly documented)

Calculation example:

Insurance companies in Pueblo and across Colorado often try to minimize AWW by excluding overtime, tips, or second-job income. This directly reduces your TTD benefits and any future permanent partial disability benefits.

Many injured workers in Pueblo, Otero County, Fremont County, and similar communities hold more than one job. Johnston Law Firm often helps ensure second-job income is properly included in AWW calculations when Colorado law allows.

If you suspect your TTD payments are based on an incorrect average weekly wage, call (719) 309-9484 or send an online message for a free AWW and TTD-rate review.

Next, let’s look at how temporary partial disability works when you’re able to return to work but not at your full earning capacity.

Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) – When You’re Back to Work but Earning Less

Temporary partial disability benefits in Colorado apply when you’ve returned to work after your injury but are earning less than your pre injury wages because of injury-related restrictions. This might mean fewer hours, lighter duties, or assignment to a lower-paying position.

TPD pays two thirds of the difference between your pre-injury AWW and your current reduced earnings, up to the same maximum benefit rate that applies to TTD. Temporary Partial Disability (TPD) benefits are calculated as two-thirds of the difference between pre-injury wages and current earnings.

TPD Calculation Example:

TPD also applies to lost wages from attending medical appointments during work hours. If your authorized treating physician schedules you for physical therapy twice a week and you lose three hours of pay each time, those lost wage benefits should be covered. Many carriers in Colorado fail to pay this unless the worker pushes back.

Temporary partial disability usually continues until you:

• Return to earning your full pre injury wages

• Refuse suitable work within your restrictions

• Reach maximum medical improvement

At MMI, your case may shift to permanent partial disability or other permanent disability benefits depending on your impairment rating.

If your reduced wages aren’t being supplemented by TPD, contact Johnston Law Firm at (719) 309-9484 or reach out online for help correcting or starting your partial disability benefits.

Real-World Situations Where TPD Comes Into Play

Scenario 1: Warehouse Worker Returns to Half-Days

A Pueblo warehouse worker earning $18/hour ($720/week) injures their back lifting boxes. After surgery, the authorized treating physician clears them for four hours of light duty per day instead of eight. Their new weekly earnings drop to $360.

TPD calculation: ($720 - $360) × 0.6667 = $240/week in TPD benefits, bringing total weekly income to $600.

Scenario 2: Construction Worker Reassigned to Light-Duty Paperwork

A construction laborer in Fremont County earning $25/hour ($1,000/week) breaks their ankle on a jobsite. The employer offers a modified duty position answering phones at $15/hour ($600/week).

TPD calculation: ($1,000 - $600) × 0.6667 = $266.67/week in TPD benefits, bringing total weekly income to $866.67.

Scenario 3: Retail Worker Gets Hours Cut

A grocery store employee in Otero County was working 40 hours weekly ($640/week) before a repetitive stress injury. Now they’re restricted to 25 hours weekly ($400/week).

TPD calculation: ($640 - $400) × 0.6667 = $160/week in TPD benefits.

Workers sometimes mistakenly accept a drastic pay cut without realizing they should receive benefits in colorado to make up the difference. Johnston Law Firm can review your pay stubs and benefit checks to identify missing payments.

Important: TPD is time-sensitive. Notify your claims adjuster and your lawyer immediately any time your hours, job duties, or pay rate change during your recovery.

After understanding TTD and TPD, it’s important to know what happens if your injury leads to permanent disability.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD): When Temporary Becomes Permanent

For some injured workers, a work related injury leads to a permanent and total inability to return to any type of employment. In these cases, Colorado workers compensation law provides for permanent total disability (PTD) benefits. PTD is designed to offer long-term financial support to those whose injuries result in a permanent impairment so severe that gainful employment is no longer possible.

To qualify for permanent total disability, you must first reach maximum medical improvement (MMI)—the point where your authorized treating physician determines your condition has stabilized and further recovery is unlikely. At this stage, your doctor will assign an impairment rating to assess the extent of your permanent impairment. If your impairment is significant enough that you cannot perform any work, you may be found eligible for PTD.

Permanent total disability benefits are paid at the same rate as temporary total disability (TTD) benefits, typically two thirds of your average weekly wage, and can continue for life or as long as you remain totally disabled. In addition to wage replacement, injured workers receiving PTD may also qualify for ongoing medical benefits to cover necessary treatment and care related to their injury.

If you believe your injury has resulted in a permanent total disability, it’s important to work closely with your authorized treating physician and seek legal advice to ensure your impairment rating and eligibility for PTD are properly evaluated. The transition from temporary to permanent disability benefits is a critical point in your workers compensation claim, and having experienced guidance can make all the difference in securing the support you need.

Next, let’s review the eligibility requirements and common pitfalls that can affect your temporary disability benefits.

Eligibility Rules and Common Traps with TTD and TPD in Colorado

Eligibility Requirements for TTD and TPD

Although Colorado is a “no-fault” workers comp state, strict rules control who qualifies for temporary disability benefits and when those benefits can be reduced, suspended, or terminated.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Your injury must be work-related (arose out of and in the course of employment)

• You must report the injury to your employer promptly (ideally within days)

• Lost time or reduced wages must be tied to restrictions from your authorized treating physician

• Your claim must be admitted by the insurer or established at a hearing

Common Traps That Can Cost You Benefits

Common traps that can cost you benefits:

• Taking yourself off work without a doctor’s note – TTD denied—carrier claims disability isn’t medically supported

• Refusing modified duty within your restrictions – TTD terminated—even if the job pays less

• Missing medical appointments – Carrier argues you’re not following treatment, cuts benefits

• Being fired for cause (unrelated to injury) – TTD may be suspended pending investigation

• Failing to respond to written notice from insurer – Deadlines pass, rights waived

Written notice from insurers—such as a Notice of Contest, Notice of Suspension, General Admission of Liability, or Final Admission of Liability—can drastically change your TTD/TPD rights and create short deadlines for objection.

Johnston Law Firm often steps in when benefits are cut off without proper grounds or notice, particularly for injured workers in Pueblo, Otero, Fremont, Custer, Huerfano, Las Animas, and Crowley Counties where rural medical access can already complicate claims.

If you’ve been told your temporary disability benefits will stop or be reduced: Call (719) 309-9484 or send us a confidential message right away to protect your rights.

Understanding how your temporary disability benefits interact with other workers’ compensation benefits is the next step in managing your claim.

How TTD and TPD Interact with Other Colorado Workers’ Comp Benefits

Temporary disability benefits are just one part of a Colorado workers compensation claim. What happens with your TTD/TPD payments can directly affect later benefits like permanent partial disability (PPD), permanent total disability (PTD), disfigurement awards, and vocational rehabilitation.

Impairment Rating

Once you reach maximum medical improvement, temporary benefits typically stop. The focus then shifts to your impairment rating. Your doctor determines if you have lasting impairment using Colorado’s impairment guidelines.

Permanent Partial Disability (PPD)

Permanent partial disability (PPD) provides compensation for permanent loss of function in a body part.

Permanent Total Disability (PTD)

Permanent total disability (PTD) offers lifetime benefits if you’re completely unable to work.

Disfigurement

Disfigurement awards provide additional benefits for permanent disfigurement visible to others. There is a maximum amount set by statute for disfigurement benefits, and this maximum is updated annually.

Settlement Negotiations

Settlement negotiations may involve lump-sum options for closing your claim.

Colorado law caps the combined amount of certain temporary and permanent disability benefits depending on your injury date and impairment rating. Understanding these caps matters when evaluating settlement offers from the insurance company.

Medical treatment and medical care continue even after TTD ends—your medical benefits are separate from wage benefits and typically continue until you’re discharged from treatment or reach a final settlement covering future medical expenses. Workers' compensation insurance pays for all medical expenses that are reasonable, necessary, and related to the workplace injury if the care is received from an authorized treating physician. Under Colorado workers' compensation laws, your employer must provide you with a designated provider list of at least four doctors for your medical treatment.

Johnston Law Firm also handles related practice areas—personal injury, automobile accidents, estate planning, criminal law, and social security law—so the firm can advise on how your workers comp claim might interact with a car accident case, a Social Security Disability application, or other legal matters affecting your family members.

After understanding the full range of benefits, it’s important to know how workers’ compensation can impact your family.

Family Members and Workers Comp: What Loved Ones Need to Know

When a work related injury or illness affects a loved one, the impact can extend far beyond the injured worker. Colorado workers compensation laws recognize this and provide important protections and benefits for family members in certain situations.

If an injured worker tragically passes away due to a workplace injury or occupational illness, their dependents—such as a spouse, children, or other qualifying family members—may be eligible for death benefits. These benefits can include weekly payments based on the deceased worker’s earnings, as well as burial expenses to help cover funeral costs. This financial support is designed to help families cope with the loss of income and the unexpected expenses that follow a fatal work injury.

In cases where an injured worker survives but is left with a severe disability, family members may also be entitled to receive workers compensation benefits if they must provide ongoing care or if the worker can no longer perform essential household duties. Understanding your rights as a family member is crucial, as you may be eligible for additional benefits or support services under Colorado workers compensation.

If your family is facing the aftermath of a serious work related injury, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a qualified attorney. Legal advice can help ensure your loved one receives the medical treatment, financial support, and workers compensation benefits they deserve, giving your family the best chance to recover and move forward together.

Now that you know how workers’ compensation can affect your family, let’s discuss why working with an experienced attorney can make a difference in your claim.

Why Work with Johnston Law Firm, LLC on Your Temporary Disability Benefits?

Steve Johnston has built his Pueblo-based practice around helping injured workers secure and protect their TTD and TPD benefits against aggressive insurance company tactics. Unlike firms that treat workers compensation as a sideline, Johnston Law Firm understands the specific challenges workers face in southern Colorado communities.

The firm provides personalized attention and practical advice to workers in Pueblo, Pueblo West, La Junta, Cañon City, Walsenburg, Trinidad, and surrounding areas—not just Denver and the Front Range. When you call, you’re not handed off to a paralegal in another city who doesn’t understand local employers or insurance carrier patterns.

Steve Johnston’s six key practice groups—workers compensation, personal injury, automobile accidents, estate planning, criminal law, and social security law—give clients an advantage when their work injury intersects with other legal issues. A car accident on the way to a work site, a Social Security Disability application after a severe workplace injury, or estate planning concerns following a catastrophic injury all benefit from having one attorney who understands the complete picture.

How Johnston Law Firm helps with temporary disability issues:

• Contesting improper terminations of TTD/TPD benefits

• Challenging inaccurate average weekly wage calculations

• Preparing clients for independent medical exams (IMEs)

• Reviewing medical records and restrictions with authorized treating physicians

• Representing clients at Colorado Division of Workers Compensation hearings

• Negotiating with insurance carriers and claims adjusters

• Ensuring travel expenses for medical appointments are reimbursed

Many clients come to Johnston Law Firm after benefits have already been denied or reduced. But earlier involvement—soon after your injury or your first TTD/TPD check—can prevent serious underpayments and protect your claim from the start.

Don’t let the insurance carrier shortchange your temporary disability benefits or push you toward a premature settlement. Whether you’re dealing with a denied workers comp claim, difficulty performing your job duties, or questions about how long you’ll receive benefits, experienced legal guidance makes a difference.

Call Johnston Law Firm, LLC at (719) 309-9484 or contact us online for a free consultation about your Colorado temporary disability benefits. There are no upfront attorney’s fees—the firm only gets paid if you receive benefits or a settlement.