Protection of Rights and Benefits

C.R.S. tit. 8, art. 80

in effect

C.R.S. § 8-80-101 Waiver of rights void

8-80-101. Waiver of rights void. Any agreement by an individual to waive, release, or commute his or her rights to benefits or any other rights under articles 70 to 82 of this title 8 shall be void. Any agreement by any individual in the employ of any person or concern to pay all or any portion of an employer's premiums or surcharges required under articles 70 to 82 of this title 8 from the employer shall be void. No employer shall directly or indirectly make, require, or accept any deduction from wages to finance the employer's premiums or surcharges required from him or her or require or accept any waiver of any rights under articles 70 to 82 of this title 8 by any individual in his or her employ. Any employer or officer or agent of any employer who violates this section commits a class 2 misdemeanor.

C.R.S. § 8-80-102 Limitation of fees

8-80-102. Limitation of fees. No individual claiming benefits shall be charged fees of any kind in any proceeding under articles 70 to 82 of this title 8 by the division or its representatives or by any court or any officer thereof; except that any party appealing the decision of a referee shall be assessed the actual costs of preparing a transcript according to rules promulgated by the director of the division except if the appellant is successful the cost of preparing the transcript will be refunded. Any person who violates this provision commits a class 2 misdemeanor. Any individual claiming benefits in any proceeding before the division or a court may be represented by counsel. Unless approved by the division, no lien shall be allowed or suit brought for attorney fees, contingent or otherwise, for services rendered for the collection of any individual's claim for benefits.

C.R.S. § 8-80-103 Assignment of benefits void - exemptions

8-80-103. Assignment of benefits void - exemptions. Any assignment, pledge, or encumbrance of any right to benefits that are or may become due or payable under articles 70 to 82 of this title 8 are void. Except as provided in the "Colorado Child Support Enforcement Procedures Act", article 14 of title 14, such rights to benefits are exempt from levy, execution, attachment, or any other remedy provided for the collection of debt. Benefits received by any individual are exempt from any remedy for the collection of all debts except debts incurred for necessaries furnished to the individual, the individual's spouse, or the individual's dependents during the time when the individual was unemployed or child support debt or arrearages as specified in article 14 of title 14. Any waiver of any exemption provided for in this section is void.

Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-08.docxFetched: 10/6/2026