How to file your claim with Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
You file a claim with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), which processes all unemployment insurance claims in the state. You can file online through the CDLE website, by phone, or by mail. Most people file online because it is faster — you can complete it in 20 to 30 minutes if you have your documents ready.
The online filing system is called myColorado.gov. You will create an account, answer questions about your job loss, and upload documents. The system will tell you when ready whether your claim was received. You do not need to wait for a letter in the mail to know it went through.
If you cannot file online, you can call the CDLE claims line at 1-303-536-5615. Wait times are longest on Mondays and Tuesdays. If you prefer to file by mail, send your completed form to the address listed on the CDLE website, but expect processing to take longer.
Key Takeaways
- File through myColorado.gov as soon as you lose your job, because your benefit week starts the day you file, not the day you lost work.
- Have your Social Security number, driver's license, and employment history for the past 18 months ready before you start the online form.
- You must report your reason for leaving work accurately — quitting without cause and being fired for misconduct have different outcomes.
- After you file, you will receive a information letter in the mail within two to three weeks that tells you whether you were found to have a valid claim.
- Even if your claim is denied, you have the right to request a hearing, and many denials are overturned on appeal.
What documents and information you need before you start
Gather these items before you open the online form. Having them ready means you will not lose your place or time out of the system.
Personal identification: Your Social Security number, date of birth, and Colorado driver's license or ID number. If you do not have a Colorado ID, bring your out-of-state license number.
Employment history: The names, addresses, and phone numbers of all employers you worked for in the past 18 months. Include the dates you started and stopped at each job. If you worked for a large company with multiple locations, write down the specific branch or office where you worked.
Reason for job loss: Be clear about whether you were laid off, your position was eliminated, you were fired, or you quit. If you quit, write down why — for example, "unsafe working conditions," "no childcare available," or "employer cut my hours below what I could live on." The reason matters for whether you receive benefits.
Banking information: Your bank account number and routing number if you want your weekly payments deposited directly. You can also choose to receive a debit card in the mail, but direct deposit is faster.
Step-by-step: Filing your claim online
- Go to myColorado.gov and create an account. Use an email address you check regularly. You will receive updates about your claim there. Write down your username and password.
- Log in and select "File a New Claim." The system will ask whether this is your first claim in Colorado or whether you filed before. Answer honestly — if you filed in a previous year, the system may pull some information from that claim.
- Enter your personal information. Social Security number, date of birth, driver's license number, and current address. Make sure the spelling of your name matches your ID exactly.
- Describe your most recent job. Employer name, address, phone number, job title, start date, and end date. The system will ask whether you are still employed there — answer "no" if you are filing because you lost that job.
- Explain why you are no longer working there. Choose from the dropdown menu: laid off, position eliminated, fired, quit, or other. If you choose "other," write a brief explanation. Do not minimize or hide the reason — the state will contact your employer to verify it anyway.
- List all other jobs from the past 18 months. Even if you only worked a few weeks or earned very little, include it. The state uses this to calculate your benefit amount.
- Answer questions about your availability to work. You must be able and willing to work full-time. If you have restrictions — for example, you cannot work nights because of childcare — say so. Some restrictions disqualify you; others do not.
- Choose how you want to receive payment. Direct deposit is fastest. If you choose the debit card, it will arrive in the mail within 7 to 10 days.
- Review your answers and submit. The system will show you a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. You will need it if you have to contact CDLE later.
What happens after you file
The CDLE will send you a letter within two to three weeks. This letter is called a information, and it tells you whether the state found you to have a valid claim. "Valid" means you lost your job through no fault of your own — for example, you were laid off or your position was eliminated. If you were fired for misconduct or quit without good cause, the state may deny your claim.
If your claim is approved, the letter will also tell you your weekly benefit amount. This amount is based on your earnings in the past 18 months. Colorado's maximum weekly benefit is set by state law and changes each year; check the CDLE website for the current amount.
Once approved, you must file a weekly claim every week you want to receive a payment. You do this through myColorado.gov by answering a few questions: Did you work? How many hours? Did you earn any money? Are you still looking for work? This takes about five minutes. If you do not file your weekly claim, you will not receive payment that week, even if you are still out of work.
Payments are deposited every week on the same day, usually within one to two business days of when you file your weekly claim. If you chose the debit card option, the money will be loaded onto the card on the same schedule.
Common reasons claims are denied and what to do
You quit your job. Colorado denies claims when you quit without "good cause." Good cause means a reason a reasonable person would quit — for example, the employer cut your pay by 20 percent, or you had to leave because of a medical emergency. Quitting because you did not like the manager or wanted a different job is not good cause. If your claim is denied for this reason, you can request a hearing and explain your side.
You were fired for misconduct. Misconduct means you broke a rule you knew about or should have known about. Being late once is not misconduct. Repeatedly ignoring a safety rule or being dishonest is. If you were fired, the state will contact your employer to ask why. If the employer says misconduct, the state will ask you to explain. You have the right to a hearing.
You did not earn enough in the past 18 months. Colorado requires you to have earned at least a certain amount to have a valid claim. The exact amount changes each year. If you worked only a few weeks or earned very little, you may not meet this threshold. You can still request a hearing to present your case.
You did not answer questions accurately. If you left out a job, misreported your reason for leaving, or gave wrong dates, the state may deny your claim. If this happens, you can file an appeal and correct the information. Keep copies of your pay stubs and any documents from your employer to prove what you said.
How to appeal a denial
If your claim is denied, the information letter will include instructions for requesting a hearing. You have 21 days from the date on the letter to request one. Do not wait — if you miss this important date, you lose the right to appeal.
To request a hearing, you can call the CDLE appeals line, mail a written request, or file online through myColorado.gov. The hearing is conducted by a state hearing officer, usually by phone. You can represent yourself or bring someone to help you. You do not need a lawyer, though you can hire one if you want.
At the hearing, you will explain your side of the story. Your employer may also be on the call and can explain theirs. The hearing officer will ask questions and then make a decision. You will receive a written decision in the mail within two weeks. If you disagree with that decision, you can appeal to the Colorado Court of Appeals, but this is rare and usually requires a lawyer.
Many denials are overturned at the hearing stage because the person gets a chance to explain in their own words. Even if you think your case is weak, it is worth requesting a hearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does my benefit week start?
Your benefit week starts the day you file your claim, not the day you lost your job. This is why filing as soon as you lose work matters — every day you wait is a day you cannot get paid for. If you lost your job on a Monday but did not file until the following Friday, your benefit week starts on Friday, and you cannot be paid for the Monday-to-Thursday period.
Can I work part-time and still receive unemployment?
Yes, but your weekly payment will be reduced by the amount you earned. If you earned $200 in a week and your full weekly benefit is $400, you will receive $200 that week. You must report all earnings, including tips and cash work, on your weekly claim form. If you do not report earnings and the state finds out, you may have to repay the money.
What if my employer says I quit when I was actually fired?
The state will investigate. They will contact your employer and ask for the reason you left. They will also contact you and ask for your version. If the stories do not match, the state will usually side with the employer's records — for example, if you were terminated in the payroll system. This is why requesting a hearing is important. At the hearing, you can explain what really happened and bring witnesses or documents to prove it.
How long can I receive unemployment in Colorado?
The length of time you can receive benefits depends on how much you earned in the past 18 months and the current unemployment rate in Colorado. Benefits typically last between 12 and 26 weeks, but this changes. Check the CDLE website or call to find out the current maximum for your situation.
What if I move out of Colorado while I am receiving benefits?
You can still receive Colorado unemployment if you move, but you must continue to file your weekly claims and report that you are looking for work. Some states have agreements with Colorado to help you file, but you should contact CDLE to ask about your specific situation before you move.