Secure your spot at the 2026 Colorado Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference in Colorado Springs.
Title Sponsor
Conference Schedule - Day 1
Please note that session times and details are subject to change.
Exhibit Setup | 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Exhibitors are invited to arrive and set up their booths ahead of the opening session. Event staff are available to answer questions and provide support.
Conference Registration | 10:00 AM - 4:45 PM
Check in at the registration table to receive your badge and conference materials.
Exhibits Open | 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Discover smarter tools and stronger solutions by connecting with dozens of industry leading exhibitors.
Welcome and Opening Remarks | 1:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Session Speakers:
- Joe Barela, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE)
- John O’Donnell, President and CEO, Pinnacol Assurance
- Paul Tauriello, Director, Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation (DOWC)
Director Paul Tauriello welcomes attendees, exhibitors, and sponsors to the 2026 Colorado Workers’ Compensation Educational Conference (CWCEC) alongside Pinnacol Assurance President and CEO John O’Donnell and CDLE Executive Director Joe Barela.
State of the System Address | 1:15PM - 2:00 PM
General Session 1 – Session Speaker: Paul Tauriello, DOWC
DOWC Director Paul Tauriello shares legislative, regulatory, and operational updates and how they impact the Colorado workers’ compensation system.
Afternoon Refreshment Break | 2:00 PM - 2:20 PM
Caution! Busy Intersection Ahead: the ADA and Workers' Compensation Laws | 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Claims & Legal Breakout Session 1 – Session Speaker: Alison Butler, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office
When a person is injured on the job and claiming workers’ compensation benefits, they may also be protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It may seem that these laws intersect or even conflict at times. This session will provide an overview of the ADA and an employer’s responsibilities for compliance, including common reasonable accommodation requests like extended time off, intermittent time off, and remote work options.
The Doctors Are In: Medical Directors' Roundtable | 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Medical Breakout Session 1 – Moderator: Dr. Ethan Moses, DOWC
Session Speakers:
- Dr. Gabriel Lockhart, Pinnacol Assurance
- Dr. Emily Burns, UCHealth
- Dr. Adrean Riba, MBI
- Dr. Elizabeth Esty, Vail Community Health Occupational Health, Boulder Community Health Occupational Health
Join Dr. Ethan Moses, Medical Director of the DOWC, and a panel of Medical Directors from across Colorado for an insightful roundtable discussion of critical topics and emerging trends in workers’ compensation medicine.
Workers' Computation: Artificial Intelligence and the Workers' Compensation System | 2:20 PM - 3:20 PM
Operations Breakout Session 1 – Moderator: Evan Trowbridge, DOWC
- Joe Kuster, Quisitive
- Coe Sherrard, CapTech
- Dan Sung, DOWC
Explore the impact of Artificial Intelligence across the entire workers’ compensation system, emphasizing responsible AI use. Delve into actionable innovations for workers’ compensation claims handling.
From Controversy to Care: Innovations in Medical Cannabis Reimbursement | 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
General Session 2 – Session Speaker: Dr. Ethan Moses, DOWC
Investigate Colorado’s Alternative Pain Management Program (APMP), which indicates that medically supervised cannabis reimbursement can increase safety and equity in workers’ compensation for injured workers with chronic pain. Explore a successful payment model centered on coordinated care for cannabis reimbursement and discover outcomes in pain, function, and quality of life. This session will help identify where the real barriers still exist.
Welcome Reception - Sponsored by Prodigy | 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Come together with friends and colleagues to celebrate as CWCEC 2026 officially takes flight into the next frontier. Enjoy the Welcome Reception, sponsored by Prodigy, and take advantage of opportunities to network, meet exhibitors, and engage in thoughtful discussions about the future of workers’ compensation. Exhibitors and attendees are invited to embrace the theme of “The Next Frontier” with decorations and outfits that reflect their vision of the future.
Conference Schedule - Day 2
Please note that session times and details are subject to change.
Conference Registration | 7:30 AM - 4:45 PM
Check in at the registration table to receive your badge and conference materials. DOWC staff are available throughout the day to help with questions, concerns, or feedback.
Exhibits Open | 7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Discover smarter tools and stronger solutions by connecting with dozens of industry leading exhibitors.
Breakfast - Sponsored by Verisk | 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Day 2 Welcome | 8:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Session Speaker: Paul Tauriello, DOWC
Director Paul Tauriello welcomes attendees to Day 2 of CWCEC 2026.
Dr. Kien Vuu | 8:45 AM - 9:50 AM
Keynote Address – Session Speaker: Dr. Kien Vuu
Dr. Kien Vuu (“Dr. V”) is a leading expert in human performance and longevity, UCLA professor, physician, and author of Thrive State. He combines the best of modern medicine and historical wisdom to help people unlock their potential and live with purpose. As a former surgeon who overcame two chronic diseases, Dr. V brings both expertise and personal experience to the topics of health, recovery, and human performance.
Morning Refreshment Break - Sponsored by CapTech | 9:50 AM - 10:20 AM
Where the Rules Meet the Road: a Working Session for Rules 1, 5, 6, 7 | 10:20 AM - 11:10 AM
Claims & Legal Breakout Session 2 – Session Speakers:
- Amy Kingston, DOWC
- Evan Trowbridge, DOWC
Explore the rulemaking process for rules 1, 5, 6, and 7. This session invites attendees to discuss potential changes, ask questions, and share feedback with the DOWC’s Manager of Claims and Employer Programs, Amy Kingston, and the DOWC’s Manager of Stakeholder Engagement and Education, Evan Trowbridge.
Good Bones: Artificial Intelligence in Medicine | 10:20 AM - 11:10 AM
Medical Breakout Session 2 – Session Speaker: Dr. Bogdan Savych, WCRI
Question the foundational impact of AI in modern medicine and treatment at CWCEC 2026, with insights from Dr. Bogdan Savych of WCRI. This session will explore how AI is transforming diagnostics, treatment, and patient outcomes, while also examining the ethical and practical implications of its expanding role.
Return to Work: Getting Them Back in the Game (Safely!) | 11:20 AM - 12:10 PM
General Session 3 – Session Speakers:
- Dr. Elizabeth Esty, Vail Community Health Occupational Health, Boulder Community Health Occupational Health
- David Janak, Boulder Valley School District
- Nevine Laughlin, Pinnacol Assurance
Dig into the critical journey of safely reintegrating injured workers back into the workplace with a worker-centric approach. Analyze essential considerations and diverse perspectives, including the worker’s own experience, as they transition back to their roles.
Lunch | 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM
Sponsor announcement coming soon!
Bar Code: How Artificial Intelligence is used in Law | 1:20 PM - 2:10 PM
Claims & Legal Breakout Session 3 – Moderator: Amy Kingston, DOWC
Session Speakers:
- Stephen J. Abbott, State of Colorado Office of Administrative Courts
- Stephan J. Marsh, Esq., Burg Simpson
The impact of AI on workers’ compensation law is no longer a speculative question. Examine the role of artificial intelligence in the legal field and delve into practical applications and implications of AI use in law.
The Effectiveness of Complementary Medicine | 1:20 PM - 2:10 PM
Medical Breakout Session 3 – Session Speaker:
- Scott Bonynge, Harmonious Hearts Healing
- Monica Bonynge, Harmonious Hearts Healing
- Sifu Martin Kelly, City of Colorado Springs
Recovery from occupational injury is influenced not only by clinical care but also by patient engagement and nervous system regulation, with emerging interest in somatic practices. This session will explore for whom these approaches may add value alongside traditional medicine.
DOWC Tech Updates: Voices of CoComp | 1:20 PM - 2:10 PM
Operations Breakout Session 3 – Session Speakers:
- Tiffany Becker, DOWC
- Evan Trowbridge, DOWC
Explore the future of DOWC systems and technology as project leaders share their vision and recruit for an external stakeholder advisory committee, which will offer feedback on the product roadmap and training effectiveness.
Afternoon Refreshment Break | 2:10 PM - 2:30 PM
Trailblazers in Workers’ Compensation: Innovating the System | 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
General Session 4 – Trailblazers:
- Katherine S. Lee, Pollart Miller
- Talia Marquez, Burg Simpson
- Dr. Alan Shackelford, Shackelford Pharma Inc.
- Jeni Shaw, Pinnacol Assurance
Experts:
- Hon. Laura Broniak, Office of Administrative Courts
- Dr. Emily Burns, MSPH, USHealth
- Hon. Frank R. McKay, Georgia State Board of Workers’ Compensation
- Bob Wilson, WorkCompCollege.com
Ted Talk meets Shark Tank as four professionals from across the industry take the stage one at a time to present a “big idea” for the workers’ compensation system. Each presenter will then field questions and feedback from a panel of experts as they explore, challenge, and expand on the big idea.
Mount Up: Regulators' Roundtable | 4:00 PM - 5:15 PM
General Session 5 – Moderator: Bob Wilson, WorkComp College
Regulators:
- Asha Jefferson, Maryland
- Hon. Wesley Marshall, Virginia
- Hon. Frank R. McKay, Georgia
- Paul Tauriello, Colorado
Hear from regulatory leaders on the front lines of policy change across the nation, and discover what these changes can mean for workers’ compensation.
Director's Reception - Sponsored by Concentra | 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Join Director Paul Tauriello for an evening of good conversation with great company at the 2026 CWCEC Director’s Reception, sponsored by Concentra. Keep the discussions from day two going as you take in the views, spend time with peers, and enjoy cocktails and elevated small plates in the Broadmoor’s beautiful Lakeside Terrace Dining Room.
Conference Schedule - Day 3
Please note that session times and details are subject to change.
Breakfast | 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM
Sponsor Announcement Coming Soon!
Conference Registration | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Check in at the registration table and engage with DOWC staff on the final day of CWCEC 2026.
Exhibits Open | 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Don’t miss your chance to connect with dozens of industry leaders as the exhibitor hall opens on day 3. Cap off your conference experience by making the most of this final opportunity to meet our exhibitors.
Day 3 Welcome | 8:45 AM - 9:00 AM
Session Speaker: Paul Tauriello, DOWC
Director Paul Tauriello welcomes attendees to the final day of CWCEC 2026.
COMP-lementary: Accessibility Benefits All | 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
General Session 6 – Session Speaker: Danny Combs, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office
This session will examine the intersection between accessibility, workers’ compensation, and universal design. As accessibility principles are increasingly prioritized among businesses and government agencies, there is a greater need to understand both the challenges and universal benefits of adopting best practices.
Industry Spotlight | 10:00 AM - 10:25 AM
- Pinnacol Foundation Speaker Wes Parham
- Alliance of Women in Workers’ Compensation (AWWC) Ambassadors Kelly Youngs & Veronica Bundt
- Professionals in Workers’ Compensation (PWC) Speakers Ariel Ehrlich and Matt Boatwright
Morning Refreshment Break | 10:25 AM - 10:45 AM
The Injured Worker Experience | 10:45 AM - 11:35 AM
General Session 7 – Session Speakers:
- Jenna Becker, DOWC
- Tiffany Becker, DOWC
- Pinnacol Foundation Scholars
The workers’ compensation system was established with the ultimate purpose of delivering benefits quickly and efficiently. This session will explore how this directive to prioritize the injured worker is viewed and experienced across the system.
Closing Remarks | 11:35 AM - 11:55 AM
Session Speaker: Paul Tauriello, DOWC
Embrace the next frontier of workers’ compensation as DOWC Director Paul Tauriello delivers his closing remarks. This session will distill the conference’s most impactful insights, ignite a powerful call to action, and solidify our collective commitment to building a better workers’ compensation system for all.
Thank you to our sponsors
