DENVER (AP) -- Documents show a state-chartered workers compensation insurer in Colorado once planned to seek permission to buy other insurance companies but later backed off.

The Denver Post reported Wednesday that Pinnacol Assurance dropped the plan after business groups recommended no changes in laws governing the company.

The Post obtained the documents through open-records laws. Pinnacol came under the scrutiny of lawmakers this year because of its multimillion-dollar surplus. During hearings, some workers claimed they were unfairly denied payment for medical care.

The company has denied wrongdoing.

Lawmakers have proposed bills to revamp Pinnacol's board, ban employee bonuses for denying claims and impose penalties for improperly denying or delaying medical treatment.

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