Economy
4 charts explaining Colorado’s sharply improving economy, even as low-income workers lag behind
The outlook is so rosy that lawmakers may even be forced to return money to Coloradans in the coming years because of government growth restrictions imposed by the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights
How Michael Bennet plans to ensure the Child Tax Credit expansion lasts longer than a year
The policy, which essentially provides guaranteed income for the vast majority of Americans with children, was included in the $1.9 trillion coronavirus aid bill. There’s no guarantee it won’t go away in 2022.
Colorado’s unemployment system kept inadequate records on who was overpaid or not paid at all, auditor says
The annual financial report said the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment did not provide critical information needed for proper records keeping and oversight.
Colorado’s pandemic job losses not as bad as previously announced
The state revised its December unemployment rate, previously the fourth highest nationwide, to 6.9% from 8.4%. January’s 6.6% unemployment rate puts Colorado as the 16th highest.
Utility bills burn through paychecks for thousands of Coloradans
Families trying to balance rising utility bills against stagnant or declining income sometimes use risky strategies to keep their homes warm during frigid weather.
What’s Working: A “no gap” Colorado unemployment experience and why Charter increased its minimum wage to $18
MORE: What the new relief bill means to Colorado workers, why 4,000 unemployment accounts are still on hold in Colorado, and updates on 1099s, mixed earners and SEBs.
Colorado labor department will take unemployment system offline to prepare for new federal jobless benefits
As a result, users should not see a payment lapse as they did in December after the last federal relief package passed.
Colorado unemployment office expects “no gap” in payments after Congress passes new relief plan
After an 8-week lapse when the CARES Act ended last year, the Colorado Department of Labor says it believes it can move much faster though some may still see a delay.
Colorado lawmakers, governor unveil $700M state economic stimulus plan. Here’s where the money will go.
The money lawmakers are using to pay for the state stimulus plan comes from unexpected tax revenue.
How the $1.9 trillion federal coronavirus aid bill will affect Colorado and Coloradans
From $1,400 direct payments to expanding the child tax credit and billions in aid dollars to counties, cities and educational institutions, the legislation covers a lot of ground
Online sales boom poses challenges for Colorado tax forecasting — and for brick-and-mortar retailers
A 91% annual increase in e-commerce in Colorado last year is promising big changes to the state's retail landscape. “We are seeing trends that are not just going to be unique to the pandemic era,” says a finance professor.
What’s Working: Forgivable loans for the unemployed, the end of pandemic jobless benefits is next week
Get back on the roller coaster that is Unemployed Colorado, which heads into the last week of federal unemployment benefits. What’s next plus: Dashboards, fraud updates and more!
Colorado’s smallest small businesses can now get larger federal coronavirus loans
Many sole proprietors opted for unemployment last year. This time around, even tiny businesses that lost money are eligible for larger Payroll Protection Program loans.
International fraud rings with “local nexus” are attacking Colorado’s unemployment system, investigators suspect
The state has flagged 1.1 million unemployment claims as possible fraud since the pandemic began. No charges have been filed, but AG Phil Weiser has created a task force to find the culprits.
Rural Americans in pharmacy deserts hurting for COVID vaccines
111 rural counties, mostly between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains, have no pharmacy that can give the vaccines. But counties in Colorado pharmacy deserts still are getting vaccines to residents.
Three Colorado college programs aim to help people with disabilities join the workforce. The state is opening doors, too.
Real-life job skills honed over four years boost people with cognitive and developmental disabilities toward the independent future of their choosing.
UNC program prepares students with intellectual, developmental disabilities for competitive jobs
Students are integrated into classes, dorms, jobs and community life at the University of Northern Colorado. “Let them show you what they can do,” one educator says.
In Colorado’s uneven coronavirus economic recovery, some thrive while others can’t make ends meet
Economic indicators look pretty good a year into the COVID economy, but does that make sense, especially if you can’t pay rent?
Estimates of future Upper Colorado River Basin water use confound planning, report shows
Maybe it's time to give up on developing new Upper Basin projects, the Center for Colorado River Studies says, after all demand has been flat for three decades.
What’s Working: Colorado’s unemployment system is … working? Some readers say “yes.”
And there’s more: The state continues to respond to unemployment issues with fixes; a new dashboard; and two more chances to publicly ask the Department of Labor staff questions.
