Colorado Unemployment Insurance

If you live in Colorado and are one of the 3.6 percent who lost your job or had hours significantly reduced in 2016 through no fault of your own, you may be eligible to collect Colorado unemployment insurance benefits while you look for new work. Employers throughout the state pay into a Colorado unemployment insurance fund through quarterly tax payments for each employee that provides temporary financial help to able-bodied job-seekers until they can find suitable work. If you qualify for unemployment insurance benefits, The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment will distribute bi-weekly payments that you can use to help pay your bills and other necessities while seeking reemployment. The best way to find out if you qualify for unemployment benefits is to file for unemployment as soon as you become separated from work.

Unemployment insurance benefits are considered taxable income and you are responsible for reporting any funds received through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on your federal and state income taxes. When you submit an application for unemployment insurance you will have the option to have taxes taken directly out of your benefits, or claim them later on your tax return for the year. You can change which option you choose only once during the life of your claim.