New weekly unemployment claims in Colorado drop to 11,944 as state prepares for new federal aid

DENVER — An additional 11,944 people filed for traditional unemployment benefits in the week ending March 6, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said Thursday, marking a drop of 1,090 from the week prior.

A total of 1,454 people filed for the reinstated Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program during the week. That figure is not comparable to prior weeks due to changes in guidance from the U.S. Labor Department that tells states to count only new claims or those who were rehired and laid off or furloughed again during the period where the federal program was not paying out.

In a call with reporters Thursday morning, CDLE officials said they don’t expect any gaps in payout. President Joe Biden signed the bill into law Thursday afternoon.

Under that legislation, claimants will receive federal supplemental unemployment benefits through Sept. 4 worth $300 per week.

A total of 207,686 claims were filed for some type of state or federally funded unemployment project in the week of Feb. 27, a drop of 75,300. That dramatic decrease is likely attributable to the changes in reporting for federal aid.

Nationwide, the U.S. Labor Department said 712,000 Americans filed for unemployment, a decrease of 42,000 from the week prior’s revised figure.

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