Pinnacol Assurance Celebrates 111 Years of Protecting Colorado’s Workforce

Pinnacol recently celebrated its 111th anniversary, sharing its founding date of Aug. 1 with the State of Colorado. This year’s occasion holds historic significance as Colorado celebrates its 150th anniversary of statehood. For over a century, Pinnacol has stood alongside the state’s employers and workers as an enduring partner in safety, stability, and economic vitality. The Pinnacol team has its eyes set on serving the state for generations to come.

111 years of shared history and evolution

Pinnacol Assurance was established in 1915 following Colorado’s landmark Workers’ Compensation Act, a “grand bargain” designed to create a fair, reliable, and cost-efficient framework for workplace injury protection. Initially tasked with serving high-risk industries like mining, agriculture, and railroad construction, Pinnacol provided the foundational economic stability that allowed Colorado to transform into a modern economic powerhouse. As Colorado has grown from early industrial roots into a top hub for technology, cannabis, healthcare, aerospace, and outdoor recreation, Pinnacol has continually adapted to safeguard the modern workforce.

1915: Founded as the State Compensation Insurance Fund under Colorado’s Workers’ Compensation Act to protect workers in critical industries.

1945: Workers’ comp coverage expands beyond physical injuries to cover more than 21 occupational diseases.

1960-1970: During this decade, Colorado transitioned from a resource-based economy (mining, agriculture, railroads) to a broader economic hub embracing aerospace, defense, commercial construction, and the emerging ski and tourism industries.

1970s : Following the federal passage of OSHA in 1970, Pinnacol and other state funds transformed from passive “claims payers” into proactive safety partners, introducing workplace safety resources, accident prevention programs, and specialized risk assessment.

1987: Transitioned from a traditional state agency to a political subdivision of the state, enhancing operational autonomy.

2001: Established the Pinnacol Foundation to provide college scholarships to children of severely injured or deceased workers. Now the largest program of its kind in the nation, the Foundation has invested over $8 million in nearly 800 students to pursue an education of their dreams

2002: Rebranded as Pinnacol Assurance and directed by the state to begin operating as a member-owned mutual insurance company dedicated exclusively to members and workers.

2015: Celebrated 100 years of service to Colorado alongside state and business leaders.

2017: Pioneered digital insurance solutions with the launch of Cake Insure to streamline coverage for small businesses. Pinnacol continues to invest in technology and partnerships to ensure Colorado’s rapidly dispersing workforce is well supported in and out of state.

2026: Celebrates 111 years of protecting Colorado’s workforce alongside Colorado’s historic 150th Sesquicentennial statehood anniversary.