Unemployment Application Instructions


There are number of ways to apply for Colorado Unemployment Insurance.

Apply Online: You can apply online for Colorado Unemployment Insurance by clicking here. The online application form will require certain information such as your Social Security Number, mailing address, and information about your employer. You will also be required to provide information about your union hiring hall and your alien registration number, if applies. Make sure you have all this information with you when completing online application.

Apply by Phone: You can also make a claim through phone by dialing (303) 318-9000 for the metro area and (800) 288-5515 for outside-metro area. You will receive complete instructions and will be asked for information in order to begin your claim.

When you file a claim, you will have to provide information as to your employment and its reason to quit it. Although you have the right to quit job at any time and for any reason in the state of Colorado, you will only be able to process claims through Colorado Unemployment Insurance if the employment didn't end due to your fault.

Your unemployment benefits will only begin at the time of filing a claim. You can't claim any benefits for a period preceding date of filing your claim.


Eligibility Requirements

Applicants will have to meet various eligibility requirements in order to receive program benefits.

  • You must be a resident of state of Colorado
  • You must be a U.S citizen, a permanent resident or a qualified alien
  • You must be unemployed
  • Your loss of employment should not be through your own fault
  • You must be willing and ready to accept appropriate work

Applicants must also be legal citizens or meet the required immigration guidelines. Children born to mothers enrolled in the AIM program are also accommodated in this program. Minors and their siblings without parents qualify on their own; however, guardians and foster parents of such children are exempted from the income guidelines.

Colorado Unemployment Insurance program will investigate your eligibility through information obtained from you and your employer. The facts collected will be evaluated to check applicant's availability.

Weekly Eligibility Requirements

The program will check your weekly eligibility when you file Unemployment Insurance UI claim. You will have to be physical available and agree to work. You will also be required to document your progress at seeking appropriate work.

In case you are filing a UI claim for a full-time employment, you will have to be available immediately to work full-time at the time of making such claim.

Determining Eligibility Through Co-Work Force Tool

You can easily determine your eligibility for the program and calculate the amount of benefits you will be receiving using a tool from Co-Work Force. You should use this tool to calculate amount of insurance benefits before you file a new claim. You will just have to provide information about your wages during different period and the tool will calculate amount of benefits you will be eligible to receive.