Senate Passes Bill to Revise Survivor Benefits

The Colorado Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that would exempt surviving spouses of certain state workers from a provision that terminates death benefits upon remarriage. The Senate voted 29-5 to pass HB 1139, by Rep. Sheila Lieder, D-Jefferson, and send the measure back to the state House of Representatives to concur in amendments adopted March 7. The House voted 56-8 to pass the bill Feb. 12. HB 1139 would establish a lifelong entitlement to workers’ compensation death benefits for the surviving spouse of certain state workers. Generally, a surviving spouse loses entitlement to wor...