The state department of labor's Unemployment Insurance Division said Friday it has been working through the immense claims, and they attributed the backlog to the pandemic, staff attrition, hiring obstacles, onboarding and training requirements, and job separation requirements specific to Colorado.

You must register with your local workforce center within four weeks of the start of your claim.

Eligibility guidelines for unemployment include the length of employment, earnings, and the reason you lost your job. Workers may be disqualified from receiving unemployment if they quit a job, were terminated for cause, or didn't meet the time worked or earnings criteria.

If you have worked your last day and are unemployed or if your work hours are reduced, you may file a claim. If you have been notified that your job will end but continue to work at present, please wait until at least your last day of work to file a claim.

Earned at least $2,500 in wages in Colorado over a period of 18 months. If you worked only outside of Colorado during those time frames, you will have to file a claim in the state you worked.

You must be working fewer than 32 hours and earning less than the weekly amount unemployment may pay you to receive unemployment insurance benefits. If your earnings are also reduced, you may be able to receive partial unemployment benefits.