Where to log in and what you need

Colorado's unemployment system is called CONNECTS, and you log in through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment website. The login page is at connect.colorado.gov. You will need your Social Security number and a password you created when you first registered — not a PIN or username.

If you have never logged in before, you must register first. Registration takes about 10 minutes and requires your Social Security number, date of birth, and an email address you can access right now. Colorado will send a verification link to that email, so check your spam folder if you do not see it within a few minutes.

Once you are logged in, CONNECTS shows your claim status, payment history, and any messages from the state about your account. You can also file your weekly or biweekly claim from inside CONNECTS, depending on which schedule Colorado assigned you.

Key Takeaways

  • Log in at connect.colorado.gov using your Social Security number and the password you created during registration, not a username.
  • If you have never logged in, register first by providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and a working email address.
  • Colorado will email you a verification link during registration — check your spam folder if the email does not arrive within a few minutes.
  • After you log in, file your weekly or biweekly claim through CONNECTS on the schedule Colorado assigned to your account.
  • If you forget your password, use the "Forgot Password" link on the login page to reset it through your email address.

Step-by-step registration if you are logging in for the first time

Go to connect.colorado.gov and select "Register" or "Create Account" — the button location may vary slightly depending on updates to the site. You will see a form asking for your Social Security number, date of birth, and email address. Enter these exactly as they appear in your records, because Colorado will match them against wage records on file.

After you submit the registration form, Colorado sends a verification email to the address you provided. Open that email and click the link inside it. This confirms that you own the email address and activates your account. If you do not see the email after five minutes, check your spam or junk folder — it often lands there by mistake.

Once you click the verification link, you will be asked to create a password. Make it at least 12 characters long and include uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character like ! or @. Write it down or save it in a password manager, because you will need it every time you log in.

After you create your password, you can log in when ready. CONNECTS will ask you to confirm your identity by answering security questions based on your credit history or other personal records. Answer these carefully — if you get too many wrong, your account will lock temporarily.

What to do if you cannot log in

If you enter your Social Security number and password but the system says they are incorrect, first make sure you are using the right email address or Social Security number. Many people register with one email and then try to log in with another. Check any confirmation emails Colorado sent you to see which email is tied to your account.

If you have forgotten your password, click "Forgot Password" on the login page. Colorado will send a reset link to your registered email address. Click that link and create a new password. This usually works within a few minutes, but sometimes the email takes up to 15 minutes to arrive.

If you never received a registration confirmation email and cannot log in, you may not have completed registration. Go back to connect.colorado.gov and try registering again with the same Social Security number and email address. If the system says that Social Security number is already registered, wait 24 hours and try logging in again — sometimes the account needs time to fully set up.

If you have tried all of these steps and still cannot log in, contact the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment directly. The phone number is on the CONNECTS login page, and wait times are usually shorter early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

What happens after you log in

Once you are inside CONNECTS, your dashboard shows whether your claim is active, pending, or closed. It also displays your weekly or biweekly filing schedule — Colorado assigns you one or the other based on when your claim started. You must file on your assigned day or the day before, or you will miss that week's payment.

To file your claim, look for a button that says "File Claim" or "Weekly Claim" depending on your schedule. Answer the questions about whether you worked, earned money, or had other income that week. Be honest and specific — if you earned $200, say $200, not "a little" or "some cash." Colorado cross-checks this against employer reports, and mismatches can delay your payment or trigger an investigation.

After you file, CONNECTS shows a confirmation number and tells you when to expect payment. Most payments arrive within two to three business days if you filed on time. You can also see your payment history by clicking "Payment History" or "Claim History" — this shows every payment Colorado has sent you and the dates they were processed.

Messages from Colorado and what they mean

CONNECTS displays messages from the state in a section called "Messages" or "Notices." These might say you need to upload documents, answer questions about your claim, or confirm information. Read these carefully and respond within the important date Colorado gives you — usually 10 business days. If you miss the important date, Colorado may stop your payments until you respond.

Common messages include requests for proof of job search, proof that you were laid off or had hours reduced, or clarification about why you left your job. If Colorado asks for documents, upload them through CONNECTS if the option is available, or mail them to the address listed in the message. Keep a copy for your records.

If you see a message you do not understand, do not ignore it. Call the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment or reply through CONNECTS asking for clarification. It is better to ask than to guess and provide the wrong information.

Troubleshooting common login problems

If CONNECTS says your account is locked, it usually means you entered the wrong password too many times. Wait at least one hour before trying again, or use the "Forgot Password" link to reset it when ready. Locked accounts usually unlock on their own after a few hours.

If you see a message that says "Session Expired," you have been logged in for too long without activity. Log out and log back in with your Social Security number and password. This is a security feature and happens to everyone occasionally.

If the website is very slow or will not load at all, try a different web browser — Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Edge. Sometimes CONNECTS works better in one browser than another. If it still will not load, the system may be down for maintenance. Colorado usually does maintenance early in the morning or late at night, so try again in a few hours.

If you are using a phone or tablet, CONNECTS works best on a full-size computer or laptop. The mobile version sometimes cuts off buttons or forms. If you must use a phone, try rotating it to landscape mode to see more of the screen.

Keeping your account find

Do not share your password with anyone, including Colorado Department of Labor staff. Colorado employees will never ask for your password. If someone contacts you asking for it, that is a scam.

Log out of CONNECTS when you are finished, especially if you are using a shared computer at a library or community center. Click the "Log Out" button at the top or bottom of the page. Do not just close the browser window, because that may leave your session open.

If you think someone else has accessed your account, change your password when ready through the "Forgot Password" link and contact the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to report it. They can review your account for suspicious activity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I log in on my phone?

Yes, CONNECTS works on phones and tablets, but the layout is cramped and some buttons may be hard to find. If you can use a computer, that is easier. If you must use a phone, rotate it to landscape mode to see more of the screen at once.

What if I registered but never got the verification email?

Check your spam or junk folder first — the email often lands there. If it is not there, wait 15 minutes and check again. If you still do not see it after 30 minutes, try registering again with the same information. If the system says that Social Security number is already registered, wait 24 hours before trying to log in.

Do I need to create a new account if I filed for unemployment before?

No. If you filed before, your account already exists in CONNECTS. Use your Social Security number and the password you created last time. If you forgot the password, use "Forgot Password" to reset it.

What should I do if Colorado locked my account?

Wait at least one hour, then try logging in again. Or use the "Forgot Password" link to reset your password when ready without waiting. Locked accounts usually unlock on their own after a few hours anyway.

Is CONNECTS the same as the old Colorado unemployment website?

Yes. CONNECTS is Colorado's current unemployment system. If you used an older system before, your account information has been moved to CONNECTS, and you log in the same way — with your Social Security number and password.