Larimer County Offers Direct Connection to State Unemployment Insurance Office
Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development is offering to place residents directly into the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's phone queue to speak with live unemployment insurance representatives, aiming to reduce frustration with accessing state benefits.
The service operates Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., excluding holidays. County staff will connect callers directly to the state UI office rather than requiring residents to navigate automated phone systems themselves.
Wait times to reach a UI representative vary based on call volume at the state level. When the county office handles a high number of connection requests, staff may place callers on a short callback list and reconnect them to the state system as soon as possible.
County Cannot Access Individual UI Accounts
Larimer County staff do not have access to individual unemployment insurance accounts, which remain under the state Department of Labor and Employment's administration. County staff can explain the UI claims filing process and answer general questions about the program.
All unemployment benefits in Colorado are state-administered through CDLE. Complex issues including benefit appeals, eligibility determinations, or specific account disputes require direct communication with the state agency rather than through the county intermediary.
CDLE provides direct contact through its main phone line at 303-318-8000 and through online services at the department's website.
Unemployment Insurance Eligibility and Benefits
To qualify for Colorado unemployment insurance benefits, individuals must have worked for an employer covered by UI and earned minimum wage thresholds, according to CDLE. Claimants must also be actively seeking work.
The application process requires filing a claim online or by phone through CDLE customer service. Applicants must provide proof of identity and employment history, with wage information verified through employer records.
Claims are typically processed within several weeks, with benefits paid after a waiting week, according to CDLE. Benefit amounts are calculated based on recent earnings and typically last up to 26 weeks.
November SNAP benefits were suspended for more than 19,000 Larimer County households due to the federal government shutdown that began October 1, highlighting ongoing challenges with accessing safety net programs.
Colorado previously implemented a customer service chat initiative to reduce phone queue volumes and improve accessibility for UI claimants, according to the Colorado Department of Education. The statewide effort addressed common challenges including long wait times and limited phone support capacity.
Residents seeking UI phone queue assistance can contact Larimer County Economic & Workforce Development during business hours. Additional information about unemployment benefits is available at cdle.colorado.gov/unemployment.