Unemployment After Being Fired in Colorado
Whether you can collect unemployment in Colorado after being fired, what counts as misconduct, and how to appeal a denial.
Short answer: Being fired does not automatically disqualify you; Colorado looks at the reason for the separation. Reasons that lead to a disqualification include insubordination, violating a law or company rule that could seriously harm the employer or endanger others, theft, assault or threats… C.R.S. § 8-73-108(3)(d), (5)(e), (5)(g)
| If you were fired | Being fired does not automatically disqualify you; Colorado looks at the reason for the separation. Reasons that lead to a disqualification include insubordination, violating a law or company rule that could seriously harm the employer or endanger others, theft, assault or threats, on-the-job drug or alcohol use (or a positive test under a written policy), willful neglect or damage, rudeness not reasonably tolerated, careless or shoddy work (but not ordinary mistakes), and taking unauthorized vacations. If your most recent separation is disqualifying, benefits are deferred for 10 weeks and reduced. Wage credits can be canceled entirely only for gross misconduct, fraud and similar serious causes. Official Colorado Revised Statutes 2024 edition (unofficial printout from the Colorado General Assembly). |
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| Appealing a denial | You may appeal a deputy's decision to a hearing officer; the appeal must be received within 20 calendar days after the date of the decision notice. A hearing officer's decision may then be appealed to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office, also within 20 calendar days. Source: C.R.S. §§ 8-74-103, 8-74-104 |
More Colorado unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Colorado Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Colorado
- Unemployment After Quitting in Colorado
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Colorado
- How to File for Unemployment in Colorado
- All Colorado unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can you get unemployment if you were fired in Colorado?
Being fired does not automatically disqualify you; Colorado looks at the reason for the separation. Reasons that lead to a disqualification include insubordination, violating a law or company rule that could seriously harm the employer or endanger others, theft, assault or threats, on-the-job drug or alcohol use (or a positive test under a written policy), willful neglect or damage, rudeness not reasonably tolerated, careless or shoddy work (but not ordinary mistakes), and taking unauthorized vacations. If your most recent separation is disqualifying, benefits are deferred for 10 weeks and reduced. Wage credits can be canceled entirely only for gross misconduct, fraud and similar serious causes.
How do I appeal an unemployment denial in Colorado?
You may appeal a deputy's decision to a hearing officer; the appeal must be received within 20 calendar days after the date of the decision notice. A hearing officer's decision may then be appealed to the Industrial Claim Appeals Office, also within 20 calendar days.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.