Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Colorado

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

$25–$884

Maximum: new claims filed on or after July 1, 2026 ($804 under the two-quarter formula; $884 under the base-period formula)

How it is figured

CDLE figures your weekly benefit two ways and pays the higher amount. Formula 1: add your wages in the two consecutive quarters of your base period with the highest wages, divide by 26 and multiply by 60%; this result can be from $25 to $804. Formula 2: divide your total base-period wages by 52 and then by 2 (50%); this result can be up to $884, and is used only if it is higher. Amounts are rounded down to the dollar. The maximum is updated every July 1 for new claims.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: C.R.S. 8-73-102(1)(a), (2), (3)

The wage test

You must have been paid at least $2,500 in base-period wages, and at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount if that is more.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim starts. If you did not earn enough in it, you can ask to use the alternate base period (the last four completed quarters) by following the instructions on your Notice of Wages and Possible Benefits.

The state's wage tests

• Base-period wages of at least $2,500 and at least 40 times your weekly benefit amount, whichever is greater

Law: C.R.S. 8-73-107(1)(e); C.R.S. 8-73-102(1)(b)

Official source: Source page

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

In a benefit year you can get up to 26 times your weekly benefit amount, or one-third of your base-period wages if that is less. So claims last up to 26 weeks; claims with lower wages run out sooner.

Law: C.R.S. 8-73-104(1)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Colorado has no unpaid waiting week for new claims with an effective date of July 6, 2025 or later. The waiting week ended when the state unemployment fund reached $1 billion. Claims with an earlier effective date still had one unpaid waiting week.

Official source: Source page

Working part time

You may get partial benefits in a week you work fewer than 32 hours and earn less than your weekly benefit amount. You can earn up to 50% of your weekly benefit and still get your full payment; above that, CDLE reduces your payment dollar for dollar. Report hours and gross earnings for the week you worked, not when you are paid.

Law: C.R.S. 8-73-103(1)

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

Call 1-800-388-5515. Legal aid and other free help in Colorado → Official sources →