Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
What’s Working: Colorado is offering up to $50,000 to tap into an old-timey resource — apprenticeships
Plus: $50 million in workers-comp refunds on the way, Colorado's 4.1% unemployment rate for February, 102% pandemic job recovery and more!
Colorado has recovered 98% of jobs lost in pandemic, as unemployment rate drops to 4.1%
Revisions to labor data also show the state was doing better than previously thought, as the state's unemployment rate is close to the nation's.
Colorado task force refers 17 cases of unemployment fraud to prosecutors
All are suspected of unemployment insurance fraud that “exceeds $300,000.” Colorado has paid $33.7 million in unemployment fraud and recovered $44.3 million so far.
What’s Working: How Colorado is ensuring companies share how much jobs pay
Two types of paid sick leave are in effect for all companies in 2022, plus King Soopers faces worker strike, unemployment holds and the Stock Show is hiring!
Colorado auditor finds $73 million in “likely fraudulent” unemployment payments, including to dead people
The Colorado Department of Labor, which has confirmed only $30 million in fraudulent payments, said that the additional cases likely will be “determined to be legitimate.”
What’s Working: Colorado paid $30 million in bogus unemployment claims. It could have been worse.
Plus: Colorado’s new jobless claims now lower than in 2019 average, funding the trust fund and how do you pay back a $1 billion loan?
Colorado’s new overtime pay rules for agricultural workers are too weak, advocates say
Regulations from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment would phase in overtime pay, equivalent to time-and-a-half, over a few years, with farm workers receiving overtime after working 60 hours a week starting in 2022
Family of 6-year-old girl who died on Glenwood Springs amusement park ride files wrongful death lawsuit
Wongel Estifanos was killed by the “extreme recklessness” of Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park and its operators, according to the lawsuit filed Tuesday
Operators failed to check seat belt before 6-year-old died on amusement park ride in Glenwood Springs, report says
Wongel Estifanos was sitting on top of a locked seat belt while on the Haunted Mine Drop before she died, investigators found.
What’s Working: There are more job openings than Coloradans on unemployment. Matchmaking isn’t easy.
As pandemic unemployment comes to an end next week, some struggle to find a job or fear catching COVID-19. Plus: Businesses try to hire, wages are rising and what happened when some states ended federal benefits early?
At least 87,000 Coloradans will lose all pandemic unemployment benefits in two weeks
Federal programs that provided aid to gig workers and those who’ve exhausted regular unemployment end Sept. 4. So does the $300 weekly pandemic bonus.
What’s Working: As federal unemployment ends in 7 weeks, Colorado businesses are optimistic about their pandemic recovery
Department of Labor reveals how many unemployment accounts are on hold, businesses still struggle to find workers and a CU business school report finds that sales are back to pre-pandemic levels at half of businesses surveyed
Colorado sees claims for unemployment benefits double in June. Officials suspect fraud.
State steps up review of fraud as 26 other states end some or all federal unemployment benefits early. Colorado labor officials believe the increase is from folks in those other states.
Colorado farmworkers could get easier access to medical care under new “bill of rights”
Agricultural workers living in employer-owned housing can have trouble getting health care. It’s a symptom of bigger gaps in worker protections that the pandemic spotlighted, say proponents of a newly passed Colorado bill for farmworker rights.
Unemployed Coloradans want work that pays a livable wage as employers struggle to fill openings
The restaurant industry in particular is finding it difficult to hire help, but economists say the labor shortage is more of a pandemic blip in an economy already facing a tight labor market before COVID-19 struck.
What’s Working: More Coloradans are working or looking for work now than before the pandemic
Unemployment is still high with the state’s unemployment rate stuck at 6.4%. Also: Frontline stories on labor shortage vs. meager pay, a $3,000 job incentive and last call for SBA COVID relief programs.
Colorado is offering up to $1,600 to people on unemployment who find a full-time job
The bonus pay is meant to help small businesses that say they can’t find enough employees. But for unemployed workers to qualify, they must meet several criteria.
Colorado will pay federal unemployment benefits until they expire in September
Governors in 21 other states say they’re ending federal benefits as early as June citing labor shortages — but others say the current job market is much more complex.
What’s Working: How ID.me navigates face masks and social engineering to battle Colorado unemployment fraud
Plus: The state Department of Labor and Employment is cracking down on unemployed workers who don’t show up for job interviews or respond to job offers.
What’s Working: Why there are at least 2,314 new technology jobs in Colorado
Plus, the latest on federal aid for restaurants and entertainment venues, fraud updates, and overpayment issues for the unemployed.
